DAILY UPDATE: The Metaverse, Nvidia, Tesla and Mixed US Equities

By Staff Reporters

***

***

Microsoft (MSFT) ended a project that aimed to encourage the use of the Metaverse in industrial environments just four months after it was formed, according to a new report by The Information. The 100 members of the team have been laid off as the company wants to prioritize shorter-term projects over those needing longer to generate meaningful revenue.

Tech, led by Nvidia and Tesla, had it better than other sectors.

CITE: https://www.r2library.com/Resource/Title/0826102549

U.S. equities finished mixed, as investors digested the highly anticipated Consumer Price Index report, and its potential impact on the Fed’s future monetary policy decisions. The headline rate and core rate—excludes food and energy—both rose in line with estimates, but on a year-over-year basis inflation came in slightly hotter than expected. In other economic news, small business optimism rose slightly less than anticipated, and remained below its 48-year average for the thirteenth month in a row.

Earnings results were mixed, as Marriot International and Dow component Coca-Cola both bested EPS estimates and provided upbeat outlooks, while Restaurant Brands International missed earnings expectations, but increased its quarterly dividend.

Treasury yields were higher following the inflation data, and the U.S. dollar nudged lower, while crude oil prices fell, and gold was modestly higher in choppy trading. Asian stocks were mostly higher as markets in the region awaited the CPI report, while European stocks mostly added to its strong year-to-date gains amid the inflation data.

***

***

ORDER: https://www.routledge.com/Comprehensive-Financial-Planning-Strategies-for-Doctors-and-Advisors-Best/Marcinko-Hetico/p/book/9781482240283

***

COMMENTS APPRECIATED

Thank You

***

DAILY UPDATE: Stocks Close Lower

By Staff Reporters

***

***

Stocks Lower to Kick off the Week

U.S. stocks declined, continuing losses that came in the wake of a much stronger-than-expected key labor report, which caused FOMC uncertainty to flare back up. The uncertainty came as the employment data followed a decelerated rate hike, and some seemingly less hawkish commentary from the Fed.

CITE: https://www.r2library.com/Resource/Title/0826102549

The economic calendar will deliver some reports today that may garner attention, including data on the trade deficit and consumer credit. Additionally, the FOMC will be headlined by today’s speech from Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Q4 earnings season remained in high gear this week, as Tyson Foods kicked things off in lackluster fashion by missing expectations.

In other equity news, Dell Technologies announced that it plans to reduce its workforce by about 5.0%, or 6,500 jobs, while Public Storage made a hostile takeover bid for Life Storage.

Treasury yields rose, and the U.S. dollar increased, along with crude oil and gold prices. Asia finished mixed, as geopolitical tensions remain elevated after the U.S. shot down what was believed to be a Chinese spy balloon floating over U.S. soil.

Additionally, markets in Europe were mostly lower, trimming some of its strong start to the year.

***

ORDER: https://www.routledge.com/Comprehensive-Financial-Planning-Strategies-for-Doctors-and-Advisors-Best/Marcinko-Hetico/p/book/9781482240283

***

COMMENTS APPRECIATED

Thank You

***

DAILY UPDATE: January Job Cuts as the Technology Markets Blast Off Along with Flying Motorbikes

By Staff Reporters

***

***

US employers in January announced the most job cuts since 2020, according to data compiled by Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc. Businesses reported 102,943 cuts in the month, more than twice those announced in December and up 440% from January 2022. The technology sector made up 41% of the planned reductions. Announced layoffs at retailers and financial companies also climbed from a year ago.

CITE: https://www.r2library.com/Resource/Title/0826102549

***

Meanwhile, U.S. stocks ended the day mixed, with the S&P 500 and NASDAQ adding to yesterday’s rally that came as the Fed hiked rates by a decelerated amount and suggested that it may be nearing the end of its tightening cycle. The global markets also reacted to 50-basis point rate increases from the European Central Bank and Bank of England.

Earnings continued to pour in, with Meta Platform jumping after some upbeat guidance, and Eli Lilly and Company saw pressure after some softer-than-expected revenue growth. The economic calendar delivered some positive news, with Q4 productivity much stronger than expected and unit labor costs slowing more than anticipated, and jobless claims continued to slide, while factory orders missed estimates.

Treasury yields were unchanged, and the U.S. dollar gained ground, while crude oil and gold prices declined. Asian stocks finished mixed following the Fed’s decision, and markets in Europe were mostly higher in the wake of the monetary policy decisions in the region.

***

***

Finally, a Japanese maker of flying motorbikes will list on the NASDAQ stock exchange and start trading in New York, making it the fifth company from the Asian nation to join the tech-heavy bourse, according to Bloomberg. Tokyo-based ALI Technologies Inc. is going public through a merger with the blank-check firm Pono Capital Corp. Under terms of the deal, ALI Technologies will become a fully owned unit of its US arm, Aerwins Technologies, the people said, asking not to be named because the information isn’t yet public. Its market cap is expected to be at least $600 million, in line with its target last year despite a market selloff. Its ticker will be AWIN. 

***

ORDER: https://www.routledge.com/Comprehensive-Financial-Planning-Strategies-for-Doctors-and-Advisors-Best/Marcinko-Hetico/p/book/9781482240283

***

COMMENTS APPRECIATED

Thank You

***

DAILY UPDATE: Stocks Rise with Economic Data

By Staff Reporters

***

***

Q4’s strong GDP numbers are raising hopes that the Fed could actually pull off the tricky “soft landing”—where it knocks down inflation through interest rate hikes without sending economic growth into reverse. The resilient labor market is cooperating: Despite all the headlines about layoffs, jobless claims fell last week to their lowest point since April 2022.

CITE: https://www.r2library.com/Resource/Title/0826102549

***

U.S. stocks ended the day in the green as the markets digested a host of economic and earnings data. The economic calendar came in heavy today, as Q4 GDP growth was higher than expected, jobless claims unexpectedly fell, new home sales rose, and durable goods orders jumped, but dipped when stripping out the volatile component of transportation activity. Several Dow members were in focus, as IBM exceeded expectations, though its cash flow performance garnered some scrutiny on the Street, and Dow Inc. missed quarterly estimates. Fellow Dow component Chevron announced an increased dividend and a new $75.0 billion share repurchase plan, while in other news, Tesla topped quarterly estimates and offered an upbeat outlook.

Treasury yields traded mostly higher, and the U.S. dollar advanced, while crude oil prices increased, and gold moved to the downside.

Asian stocks finished mixed in lighter volume as several markets remained closed for holidays, while markets in Europe were higher for the most part, adding to the region’s strong start to the year.

***

ORDER: https://www.routledge.com/Comprehensive-Financial-Planning-Strategies-for-Doctors-and-Advisors-Best/Marcinko-Hetico/p/book/9781482240283

***

COMMENTS APPRECIATED

Thank You

***

%d bloggers like this: