Morning Minutes

STOCKS STABILIZE IN A MIXED REACTION TO EARNINGS REPORTS

Rectangle-45

Share:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email
Print

Yesterday’s selloff in the US which saw major indices decline 2.0% to 2.6% continued to rattle world markets overnight, with the Hang Seng falling 2.5% the Nikkei dropping 1.5%, the Dax declining 0.6% and the FTSE slipping 0.8%. Investors appear to be taking profits in large cap names with the change in US political power now complete, and earnings season progressing.

Although there has been a flood of corporate announcements for investors to digest, the main tipping point for sentiment this week appears to have been yesterday’s stay-the-course Fed decision and statement. While the US central bank remains supportive, indicating it is not considering interest rate increases until employment improves and inflation moves back up toward 2.0%, it also didn’t hit the panic button and announce any new stimulus either. The lack of additional easy money appears to have disappointed some equity investors, but did help to shore up the US Dollar, which is up against other major currencies, precious metals and commodities this morning. For example, in currencies, the Canadian Dollar is down 0.5%, in metals, gold is down 0.4% while copper is down 0.8%, and in energy, WTI crude oil is down 0.5% while natural gas is down 1.8%.

Today’s economic news has been mixed. US Q4 GDP increased at a 4.0% annualized rate in line with expectations, but personal consumption spending grew only 1.5%, short of the 1.8% street estimate. Weekly initial jobless claims (847K vs street 875K) and continuing claims (4.77M vs street 5.05M) came in better than expected. Canadian building permits fell by 4.1% in December, less than the 5.0% drop the street had been expecting.

It’s another big day for earnings reports. American Airlines is soaring 40.1% in premarket trading after reporting a smaller than expected loss (-$3.86 vs street -$4.11). Fellow airlines Southwest and Jetblue also reported smaller losses than investors had feared.

Several companies beat the street but are down in early trading including Apple ($1.86 vs street $1.41, sales over $100B, down 2.8% premarket), Facebook ($3.88 vs street $3.22, down 0.1% premarket), clothier Levi Strauss ($0.20 vs street $0.15, down 2.2% premarket), and appliance producer Whirlpool ($6.67 vs street $6.07, down 4.1% premarket). Companies which came in short of expectations include McDonalds ($1.70 vs street $1.78) and Tesla ($0.80 vs street $1.01).

In Canada today, Rogers Communications reported essentially flat, in-line earnings ($0.99 vs street $0.98 and previous $1.00).

Subscribe to the Morning Minutes:

Today's earnings reports and market activity, delivered right to your inbox.

Colin Cieszynski, Chief Market Strategist

Colin Cieszynski, CFA, CMT
Chief Market Strategist
ccieszynski@siawm.com
+1 (647) 282-4428

Read More

Legal and Regulatory Disclosures

Terms and Conditions:
This information is for Investment Advisors only. The website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide a complete description of SIA Wealth Management’s products or services. Past performance is not indicative of future results. It should not be construed as investment advice or relied upon in making an investment decision. Products and services of SIA Wealth Management are only offered in jurisdictions where they may be lawfully offered for sale. The information contained in this Website does not constitute an offer or solicitation by anyone to buy or sell any investment fund or other product, service or information to anyone in any jurisdiction in which an offer or solicitation is not authorized or cannot be legally made or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make an offer of solicitation. All products and services are subject to the terms of each and every applicable agreement. It is important to note that not all products, services and information are available in all jurisdictions outside Canada.

SIA Wealth Management Inc. (SIAWM) specifically represents that it does not give investment advice or advocate the purchase or sale of any security or investment whatsoever. This information has been prepared without regard to any particular investor’s investment objectives, financial situation, and needs. None of the information contained in this document constitutes an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security or other investment or an offer to provide investment services of any kind. As such, Advisors and their clients should not act on any recommendation (express or implied) or information in this report without obtaining specific advice in relation to their accounts and should not rely on information herein as the primary basis for their investment decisions. Information contained herein is based on data obtained from recognized statistical services, issuer reports or communications, or other sources, believed to be reliable. SIA Wealth Management Inc. nor its third party content providers make any representations or warranties or take any responsibility as to the accuracy or completeness of any recommendation or information contained herein and shall not be liable for any errors, inaccuracies or delays in content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Any statements nonfactual in nature constitute only current opinions, which are subject to change without notice.

INTERNET EXPLORER NOTICE