Market Update
Earnings and Jobs Report This Week Eyed to Assess Tariffs Damage
Barry Adams
28 Apr, 2025
San Francisco
Benchmark indexes traded down as the busy week of earnings and economic data releases got off to a start.
The S&P 500 index decreased 0.1%, and the Nasdaq Composite declined 0.2% as investors await the release of earnings from 200 leading corporations this week.
Investors are holding out for leading tech companies to surpass earnings expectations, and Apple, Microsoft, Amazon.com, and Meta Platforms are scheduled to release their results this week.
Moreover, investors are looking ahead to quarterly results from Qualcomm, Caterpillar, Exxon Mobil, Chevron, Nucor Corp., and Coca-Cola Company.
This week will mark the end of the most volatile month on record in trading on Wall Street.
Market indexes plunged as much as 10% and then recovered the next day after the Trump administration introduced sweeping import taxes and walked back on some of the measures.
Moreover, Donald Trump attacked the independence and the autonomy of the U.S. Federal Reserve, unnerving global investors and setting off a sharp sell-off in the bond market.
However, the White House was forced to reverse course and assure the market that Trump is not looking to fire the Fed Chair Jerome Powell.
So far in April, the S&P 500 is down by 1.5%, and the Nasdaq Composite is up 0.5%.
In the week ahead, investors are looking ahead to the release of the job openings and non-farm payroll reports, two key job market reports that could provide deeper insights on the possible impact of Trump tariffs.
In addition, manufacturing surveys, the GDP growth rate, and the PCE Price Index, the alternative measure of inflation preferred by the Fed, are also on schedule.
Commodities, Currencies, Indexes, Yields
The S&P 500 index increased 0.5% to 5,552.22, the Nasdaq Composite edged up 0.4% to 17,455.33, and the Russell 2000 index was up 0.5% to 1,967.08.
The yield on 2-year Treasury notes edged higher to 3.77%, 10-year Treasury notes increased to 4.29%, and 30-year Treasury bonds advanced to 4.75%.
WTI crude oil decreased $0.11 to $62.91 a barrel, and natural gas prices edged higher by $0.02 to $3.13 a thermal unit.
Gold decreased by $20.65 to 3,299.62 an ounce, and silver edged down by $0.01 to $33.07.
The dollar index, which weighs the US currency against a basket of foreign currencies, increased by 0.14 to 99.61, and it traded at the lowest level since April 2022.
U.S. Stock Movers
Domino's Pizza decreased 1.8% to $480.0 after the pizza chain reported mixed quarterly results.
U.S. same-store sales decreased 0.5%, and first-quarter sales were $1.11 billion, and earnings per share were $4.33.
AutoNation Inc. increased 1% to $175.09, and the automotive dealer chain reported an 8% decline in earnings and a 3% rise in revenue in the first quarter.
HCA Healthcare extended two-day losses to 4%, $326.87, and the hospital chain reported a weaker-than-expected increase in revenue.
Earnings and Jobs Report This Week Eyed to Assess Tariffs Damage
Barry Adams
28 Apr, 2025
San Francisco
Benchmark indexes traded down as the busy week of earnings and economic data releases got off to a start.
The S&P 500 index decreased 0.1%, and the Nasdaq Composite declined 0.2% as investors await the release of earnings from 200 leading corporations this week.
Investors are holding out for leading tech companies to surpass earnings expectations, and Apple, Microsoft, Amazon.com, and Meta Platforms are scheduled to release their results this week.
Moreover, investors are looking ahead to quarterly results from Qualcomm, Caterpillar, Exxon Mobil, Chevron, Nucor Corp., and Coca-Cola Company.
This week will mark the end of the most volatile month on record in trading on Wall Street.
Market indexes plunged as much as 10% and then recovered the next day after the Trump administration introduced sweeping import taxes and walked back on some of the measures.
Moreover, Donald Trump attacked the independence and the autonomy of the U.S. Federal Reserve, unnerving global investors and setting off a sharp sell-off in the bond market.
However, the White House was forced to reverse course and assure the market that Trump is not looking to fire the Fed Chair Jerome Powell.
So far in April, the S&P 500 is down by 1.5%, and the Nasdaq Composite is up 0.5%.
In the week ahead, investors are looking ahead to the release of the job openings and non-farm payroll reports, two key job market reports that could provide deeper insights on the possible impact of Trump tariffs.
In addition, manufacturing surveys, the GDP growth rate, and the PCE Price Index, the alternative measure of inflation preferred by the Fed, are also on schedule.
U.S. Stock Movers
Domino's Pizza decreased 1.8% to $480.0 after the pizza chain reported mixed quarterly results.
U.S. same-store sales decreased 0.5%, and first-quarter sales were $1.11 billion, and earnings per share were $4.33.
AutoNation Inc. increased 1% to $175.09, and the automotive dealer chain reported an 8% decline in earnings and a 3% rise in revenue in the first quarter.
HCA Healthcare extended two-day losses to 4%, $326.87, and the hospital chain reported a weaker-than-expected increase in revenue.
European Markets Edged Higher In Cautious Trading Ahead of Earnings Results
Bridgette Randall
28 Apr, 2025
London
Stock market indexes across the eurozone advanced in Monday's trading and extended April gains as earnings season got underway.
Benchmark indexes in Frankfurt, Paris, Milan, and London advanced amid cooling trade tensions with the U.S.
Despite the recent gains in stock market indexes, investor sentiment remains fragile amid the weakening economic outlook and macro headwinds faced by the four largest export-driven economies of the eurozone—Germany, France, Italy, and Spain.
Market sentiment was bolstered in the previous week after corporate earnings either met or surpassed low expectations, but several companies refrained from providing annual outlooks, citing elevated economic and trade uncertainties.
Investors are looking ahead to the release of Eurozone consumer confidence and inflation expectations and manufacturing business activities in France, Germany, the UK, and the Eurozone.
The UK, Germany, and Spain’s retail sales are also scheduled for the week ahead.
In the UK, the Nationwide House Price Index is expected to provide insights into market trends after recent tax changes.
On the earnings front in Europe, markets are looking ahead to the results from Schneider Electric, Deutsche Börse, AstraZeneca, Novartis, HSBC Holdings, BP PLC, Deutsche Bank, Porsche, Airbus, Shell plc, London Stock Exchange, Lloyds Banking, and BASF.
Europe Indexes and Yields
The DAX index increased by 0.4% to 22,323.59, the CAC-40 index edged higher by 0.5% to 7,577.00, and the FTSE 100 index advanced by 0.4% to 8,446.04.
The yield on 10-year German bonds inched higher to 2.50%, French bonds increased to 3.22%, the UK gilts moved up to 4.49%, and Italian bonds edged higher to 3.61%.
The euro decreased to $1.13; the British pound was lower at $1.33; and the U.S. dollar was higher and traded at 83.01 Swiss cents.
Brent crude increased $0.17 to $67.04 a barrel, and the Dutch TTF natural gas was higher by €0.38 to €32.35 per MWh.
Europe Movers
Vivendi SE decreased 3% to €2.53 after the French media company reported a modest increase in revenue in the first quarter.
Revenue inched up 0.6% to €69.4 million from €69.0 million a year ago, driven by a 13.5% increase in PC and console sales.
Net asset value was €5.2 billion, an increase of 7.8% compared to the quarter ending in December, and net debt was €1.660 billion, compared to €2.072 billion sequentially in the previous quarter.
Net debt declined after the company used €684 million of proceeds from the 15% sale in Italy-based mobile telephone company TIM to Poste Italiane to repay some of its outstanding debt.
European Markets Edged Higher In Cautious Trading Ahead of Earnings Results
Bridgette Randall
28 Apr, 2025
London
Stock market indexes across the eurozone advanced in Monday's trading and extended April gains as earnings season got underway.
Benchmark indexes in Frankfurt, Paris, Milan, and London advanced amid cooling trade tensions with the U.S.
Despite the recent gains in stock market indexes, investor sentiment remains fragile amid the weakening economic outlook and macro headwinds faced by the four largest export-driven economies of the eurozone—Germany, France, Italy, and Spain.
Market sentiment was bolstered in the previous week after corporate earnings either met or surpassed low expectations, but several companies refrained from providing annual outlooks, citing elevated economic and trade uncertainties.
Investors are looking ahead to the release of Eurozone consumer confidence and inflation expectations and manufacturing business activities in France, Germany, the UK, and the Eurozone.
The UK, Germany, and Spain’s retail sales are also scheduled for the week ahead.
In the UK, the Nationwide House Price Index is expected to provide insights into market trends after recent tax changes.
On the earnings front in Europe, markets are looking ahead to the results from Schneider Electric, Deutsche Börse, AstraZeneca, Novartis, HSBC Holdings, BP PLC, Deutsche Bank, Porsche, Airbus, Shell plc, London Stock Exchange, Lloyds Banking, and BASF.
Europe Indexes and Yields
The DAX index increased by 0.4% to 22,323.59, the CAC-40 index edged higher by 0.5% to 7,577.00, and the FTSE 100 index advanced by 0.4% to 8,446.04.
The yield on 10-year German bonds inched higher to 2.50%, French bonds increased to 3.22%, the UK gilts moved up to 4.49%, and Italian bonds edged higher to 3.61%.
The euro decreased to $1.13; the British pound was lower at $1.33; and the U.S. dollar was higher and traded at 83.01 Swiss cents.
Brent crude increased $0.17 to $67.04 a barrel, and the Dutch TTF natural gas was higher by €0.38 to €32.35 per MWh.
Europe Movers
Vivendi SE decreased 3% to €2.53 after the French media company reported a modest increase in revenue in the first quarter.
Revenue inched up 0.6% to €69.4 million from €69.0 million a year ago, driven by a 13.5% increase in PC and console sales.
Net asset value was €5.2 billion, an increase of 7.8% compared to the quarter ending in December, and net debt was €1.660 billion, compared to €2.072 billion sequentially in the previous quarter.
Net debt declined after the company used €684 million of proceeds from the 15% sale in Italy-based mobile telephone company TIM to Poste Italiane to repay some of its outstanding debt.
Europe Movers: Vivendi
Inga Muller
28 Apr, 2025
Frankfurt
Vivendi SE traded down 2.6% to €2.53 after the French media company reported a slight increase in revenue in the first quarter of 2025.
Revenue inched up 0.6% to €69.4 million from €69.0 million a year ago, driven by a 13.5% increase in PC and console sales.
Net asset value was €5.2 billion, an increase of 7.8% compared to the quarter ending in December, and net debt was €1.660 billion, compared to €2.072 billion sequentially in the previous quarter.
Net debt declined after the company used €684 million of proceeds from the 15% sale in Italy-based mobile telephone company TIM to Poste Italiane to repay some of its outstanding debt.
Europe Movers: Vivendi
Inga Muller
28 Apr, 2025
Frankfurt
Vivendi SE traded down 2.6% to €2.53 after the French media company reported a slight increase in revenue in the first quarter of 2025.
Revenue inched up 0.6% to €69.4 billion from €69.0 billion a year ago, driven by a 13.5% increase in PC and console sales.
Net asset value was €5.2 billion, an increase of 7.8% compared to the quarter ending in December, and net debt was €1.660 million, compared to €2.072 million sequentially in the previous quarter.
U.S. Movers: Alphabet, AutoNation, HCA Healthcare, Intel, PepsiCo, Valero Energy
Scott Peters
28 Apr, 2025
New York City
Intel Corp. eased 0.1% to $20.02 after the technology company reported first-quarter 2025 results.
Revenue inched down to $12.67 billion from $12.72 billion, net loss widened to $821 million from a loss of $381 million, and diluted loss per share widened to 19 cents from a loss of 9 cents a year ago.
The company guided second-quarter 2025 revenue to be between $11.2 billion and $12.4 billion, compared to $12.83 billion in 2024, and net loss per share of 32 cents, compared to a loss of 38 cents a year earlier.
Valero Energy Corp. gained 0.4% to $113.87 after the energy company reported first-quarter 2025 results.
Revenue edged down to $30.26 billion from $31.76 billion, net income swung to a loss of $595 million from a profit of $1.24 billion, and diluted earnings per share swung to a loss of $1.90 from a profit of $3.75 a year ago.
The company returned $633 million to shareholders through dividends and stock buybacks, and it announced a quarterly cash dividend of $1.13 per share.
Alphabet Inc. eased 0.2% to $161.70 after the parent company of the Google search engine reported first-quarter 2025 results.
Revenue surged to $90.23 billion from $80.54 billion, net income jumped to $34.54 billion from $23.66 billion, and diluted earnings per share rose to $2.81 from $1.89 a year ago.
The company announced a quarterly cash dividend of 21 cents per share, an increase of 5% from the prior dividend of 20 cents per share, payable on June 16 to shareholders on record as of June 9.
During the quarter, Alphabet paid a total of $2.4 billion in dividends, and on April 23, the company issued an authorization to repurchase $70.0 billion of Class A and Class C shares.
PepsiCo Inc. gained 0.3% to $133.74 after the beverage company reported first-quarter 2025 results.
Revenue declined to $17.92 billion from $18.25 billion, net income slipped to $1.83 billion from $2.04 billion, and diluted earnings per share fell to $1.33 from $1.48 a year ago.
The company guided fiscal 2025 revenue to increase by a low single-digit percent, compared to $91.85 billion in 2024, implying a 3% decline in core earnings per share, compared to $8.16 per share in 2024.
PepsiCo also estimated total cash returns to shareholders of approximately $8.6 billion, comprised of dividends of $7.6 billion and share repurchases of $1.0 billion.
AutoNation Inc. traded flat at $175.09 after the automotive retailer reported first-quarter 2025 results.
Revenue jumped 3% to $6.69 billion from $6.48 billion, net income edged down 8% to $175.5 million from $190.1 million, and diluted earnings per share fell 1% to $4.45 from $4.49 a year ago.
Same-store sales rose 4% in the quarter, driven by new vehicle growth of 10%, while used vehicle unit sales declined 2%.
The company completed acquisitions worth $70 million, adding $220 million of annualized revenue to the domestic and import segments.
AutoNation repurchased $225 million of stock during the quarter, and more than $607 million remained under repurchase authorization.
HCA Healthcare Inc. gained 0.02% to $328.00 after the hospital and clinic operator reported first-quarter 2025 results.
Revenue edged up to $18.32 billion from $17.34 billion, net income jumped to $1.61 billion from $1.59 billion, and diluted earnings per share rose to $6.45 from $5.93 a year ago.
The company announced a quarterly cash dividend of 72 cents per share, payable on June 30 to shareholders on record as of June 16.
During the first quarter, the healthcare company repurchased 7.762 million shares at a cost of $2.506 billion, and as of March 31, it had $8.259 billion remaining under repurchase authorization.
U.S. Movers: Alphabet, AutoNation, HCA Healthcare, Intel, PepsiCo, Valero Energy
Scott Peters
28 Apr, 2025
New York City
Intel Corp. eased 0.1% to $20.02 after the technology company reported first-quarter 2025 results.
Revenue inched down to $12.67 billion from $12.72 billion, net loss widened to $821 million from a loss of $381 million, and diluted loss per share widened to 19 cents from a loss of 9 cents a year ago.
The company guided second-quarter 2025 revenue to be between $11.2 billion and $12.4 billion, compared to $12.83 billion in 2024, and net loss per share of 32 cents, compared to a loss of 38 cents a year earlier.
Valero Energy Corp. gained 0.4% to $113.87 after the energy company reported first-quarter 2025 results.
Revenue edged down to $30.26 billion from $31.76 billion, net income swung to a loss of $595 million from a profit of $1.24 billion, and diluted earnings per share swung to a loss of $1.90 from a profit of $3.75 a year ago.
The company returned $633 million to shareholders through dividends and stock buybacks, and it announced a quarterly cash dividend of $1.13 per share.
Alphabet Inc. eased 0.2% to $161.70 after the parent company of the Google search engine reported first-quarter 2025 results.
Revenue surged to $90.23 billion from $80.54 billion, net income jumped to $34.54 billion from $23.66 billion, and diluted earnings per share rose to $2.81 from $1.89 a year ago.
The company announced a quarterly cash dividend of 21 cents per share, an increase of 5% from the prior dividend of 20 cents per share, payable on June 16 to shareholders on record as of June 9.
During the quarter, Alphabet paid a total of $2.4 billion in dividends, and on April 23, the company issued an authorization to repurchase $70.0 billion of Class A and Class C shares.
PepsiCo Inc. gained 0.3% to $133.74 after the beverage company reported first-quarter 2025 results.
Revenue declined to $17.92 billion from $18.25 billion, net income slipped to $1.83 billion from $2.04 billion, and diluted earnings per share fell to $1.33 from $1.48 a year ago.
The company guided fiscal 2025 revenue to increase by a low single-digit percent, compared to $91.85 billion in 2024, implying a 3% decline in core earnings per share, compared to $8.16 per share in 2024.
PepsiCo also estimated total cash returns to shareholders of approximately $8.6 billion, comprised of dividends of $7.6 billion and share repurchases of $1.0 billion.
AutoNation Inc. traded flat at $175.09 after the automotive retailer reported first-quarter 2025 results.
Revenue jumped 3% to $6.69 billion from $6.48 billion, net income edged down 8% to $175.5 million from $190.1 million, and diluted earnings per share fell 1% to $4.45 from $4.49 a year ago.
Same-store sales rose 4% in the quarter, driven by new vehicle growth of 10%, while used vehicle unit sales declined 2%.
The company completed acquisitions worth $70 million, adding $220 million of annualized revenue to the domestic and import segments.
AutoNation repurchased $225 million of stock during the quarter, and more than $607 million remained under repurchase authorization.
HCA Healthcare Inc. gained 0.02% to $328.00 after the hospital and clinic operator reported first-quarter 2025 results.
Revenue edged up to $18.32 billion from $17.34 billion, net income jumped to $1.61 billion from $1.59 billion, and diluted earnings per share rose to $6.45 from $5.93 a year ago.
The company announced a quarterly cash dividend of 72 cents per share, payable on June 30 to shareholders on record as of June 16.
During the first quarter, the healthcare company repurchased 7.762 million shares at a cost of $2.506 billion, and as of March 31, it had $8.259 billion remaining under repurchase authorization.
Tokyo Indexes Extended April Gains Ahead of BoJ Rate Decisions, Yen Edged Lower
Akira Ito
28 Apr, 2025
Tokyo
The decline in yen supported gains in stock market indexes in Tokyo's trading on Monday.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average rose as much as 1%, and the broader Topix index advanced as much as 1.2%, extending gains of the previous week.
Market sentiment remained positive as investors awaited the release of corporate results, and the weakening of the yen from a multi-month high boosted optimism.
Industrial stocks led the gainers in Tokyo, despite the ongoing trade tensions with the U.S., amid hopes of earnings surpassing market expectations.
Investors are looking ahead to the release of several key economic metrics this week in addition to earnings from Hitachi and Mitsubishi Electric and other leading industrial companies.
On the economic front, retail sales and industrial production data are set to be released on Tuesday, housing starts and construction orders on Wednesday, and consumer confidence and the au Jibun manufacturing activities survey on Thursday.
Moreover, the Bank of Japan is expected to hold interest rates steady this week, but investors are looking for a rate path outlook and policymakers views on economic growth in the current fiscal year.
The central bank is widely expected to signal higher interest rates later in the year as sustainable inflation has finally arrived in Japan, driven by steady increases in wages at large companies.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average increased 0.4% to 35,861.01, and the broader Topix index advanced 1% to 2,654.60.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries rose 2.2% to ¥2,822.0, Kawasaki Heavy Industries added 1.8% to ¥8,496.0, and Toyota Industries advanced 0.2% to ¥13,225.0.
Semiconductor equipment makers turned lower following recent gains after investors booked profit.
Tokyo Electron edged down 0.2% to ¥21,230.0, Advantest Corp. dropped 5.2% to ¥5,687.0, and Disco Corp. decreased 3.8% to ¥27,635.0.
Itochu Corp. jumped 2% to ¥7,277.0, Marubeni Corp. added 1.4% to ¥2,531.0, Mitsubishi Corp. gained 1.4% to ¥2,714.50, and Mitsui & Company increased 1.5% to ¥2,863.0.
Tokyo Indexes Extended April Gains Ahead of BoJ Rate Decisions, Yen Edged Lower
Akira Ito
28 Apr, 2025
Tokyo
The decline in yen supported gains in stock market indexes in Tokyo's trading on Monday.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average rose as much as 1%, and the broader Topix index advanced as much as 1.2%, extending gains of the previous week.
Market sentiment remained positive as investors awaited the release of corporate results, and the weakening of the yen from a multi-month high boosted optimism.
Industrial stocks led the gainers in Tokyo, despite the ongoing trade tensions with the U.S., amid hopes of earnings surpassing market expectations.
Investors are looking ahead to the release of several key economic metrics this week in addition to earnings from Hitachi and Mitsubishi Electric and other leading industrial companies.
On the economic front, retail sales and industrial production data are set to be released on Tuesday, housing starts and construction orders on Wednesday, and consumer confidence and the au Jibun manufacturing activities survey on Thursday.
Moreover, the Bank of Japan is expected to hold interest rates steady this week, but investors are looking for a rate path outlook and policymakers views on economic growth in the current fiscal year.
The central bank is widely expected to signal higher interest rates later in the year as sustainable inflation has finally arrived in Japan, driven by steady increases in wages at large companies.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average increased 0.4% to 35,861.01, and the broader Topix index advanced 1% to 2,654.60.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries rose 2.2% to ¥2,822.0, Kawasaki Heavy Industries added 1.8% to ¥8,496.0, and Toyota Industries advanced 0.2% to ¥13,225.0.
Semiconductor equipment makers turned lower following recent gains after investors booked profit.
Tokyo Electron edged down 0.2% to ¥21,230.0, Advantest Corp. dropped 5.2% to ¥5,687.0, and Disco Corp. decreased 3.8% to ¥27,635.0.
Itochu Corp. jumped 2% to ¥7,277.0, Marubeni Corp. added 1.4% to ¥2,531.0, Mitsubishi Corp. gained 1.4% to ¥2,714.50, and Mitsui & Company increased 1.5% to ¥2,863.0.
China Policymakers Reiterate Commitment to 5% Growth Target, Industrial Profit Rebounds
Li Chen
28 Apr, 2025
Hong Kong
In cautious trading, market indexes in China and Hong Kong edged slightly lower ahead of announcements from policymakers.
The Hang Seng index decreased 0.2%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 index declined 0.1% in cautious trading as investors reviewed the latest update on industrial profit.
Market sentiment was cautious despite the rebound in industrial profit in the first quarter.
Investors also reviewed the latest comments from a joint meeting of several government agencies held on Monday morning to discuss measures to stabilize the employment market and support economic growth.
The National Development and Reform Commission, the People's Bank of China, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, and the Ministry of Commerce officials gathered Monday morning to discuss their efforts in shoring up economic growth and boosting consumer confidence.
“We still have ample policy reserves and plenty of policy space,” said Zhao Chenxin, deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission.
Policymakers expressed confidence that China's economy is set to meet its annual economic growth of 5%, despite the headwinds in trade relations with the U.S.
Industrial Profit Rebounded in First Quarter
Industrial profit in the first quarter advanced 0.8% from a year ago to 1.5 trillion yuan, or about $205 billion, according to an update by the National Bureau of Statistics.
The cumulative profit reversed a 0.5% decline in the first two months from a year ago.
Profit advanced 2.6% from a year ago in March.
State-owned companies reported a decline in profit of 1.4%, private sector companies booked a profit decrease of 0.3%, and foreign-owned companies saw a profit decline of 2.8%.
On Friday, the Politburo offered a vague statement, reiterating its commitment to support companies and employees in the export sector hit by high U.S. tariffs.
Policymakers and political leaders in recent weeks have urged export-driven companies to focus on the domestic market and reiterated the government's commitment to its investment in innovation and consumption.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng index decreased 0.2% to 21,930.89, and the CSI 300 index dropped 0.1% to 3,786.64.
BYD decreased 4% to HK $380.60, Li Auto jumped 0.6% to HK $91.15, and Xpeng fell 0.9% to HK $77.05.
CATL declined 1.1% to ¥233.97, Shenzhou International Group decreased 0.2% to HK $52.80, and China Resources Land declined 2.6% to HK $26.50.
Alibaba Group Holding declined 0.1% to HK $115.70, Tencent Holdings advanced 0.1% to HK $478.80, and JD.com jumped 2.7% to HK $127.10.
China Policymakers Reiterate Commitment to 5% Growth Target, Industrial Profit Rebounds
Li Chen
28 Apr, 2025
Hong Kong
In cautious trading, market indexes in China and Hong Kong edged slightly lower ahead of announcements from policymakers.
The Hang Seng index decreased 0.2%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 index declined 0.1% in cautious trading as investors reviewed the latest update on industrial profit.
Market sentiment was cautious despite the rebound in industrial profit in the first quarter.
Investors also reviewed the latest comments from a joint meeting of several government agencies held on Monday morning to discuss measures to stabilize the employment market and support economic growth.
The National Development and Reform Commission, the People's Bank of China, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, and the Ministry of Commerce officials gathered Monday morning to discuss their efforts in shoring up economic growth and boosting consumer confidence.
“We still have ample policy reserves and plenty of policy space,” said Zhao Chenxin, deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission.
Policymakers expressed confidence that China's economy is set to meet its annual economic growth of 5%, despite the headwinds in trade relations with the U.S.
Industrial Profit Rebounded in First Quarter
Industrial profit in the first quarter advanced 0.8% from a year ago to 1.5 trillion yuan, or about $205 billion, according to an update by the National Bureau of Statistics.
The cumulative profit reversed a 0.5% decline in the first two months from a year ago.
Profit advanced 2.6% from a year ago in March.
State-owned companies reported a decline in profit of 1.4%, private sector companies booked a profit decrease of 0.3%, and foreign-owned companies saw a profit decline of 2.8%.
On Friday, the Politburo offered a vague statement, reiterating its commitment to support companies and employees in the export sector hit by high U.S. tariffs.
Policymakers and political leaders in recent weeks have urged export-driven companies to focus on the domestic market and reiterated the government's commitment to its investment in innovation and consumption.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng index decreased 0.2% to 21,930.89, and the CSI 300 index dropped 0.1% to 3,786.64.
BYD decreased 4% to HK $380.60, Li Auto jumped 0.6% to HK $91.15, and Xpeng fell 0.9% to HK $77.05.
CATL declined 1.1% to ¥233.97, Shenzhou International Group decreased 0.2% to HK $52.80, and China Resources Land declined 2.6% to HK $26.50.
Alibaba Group Holding declined 0.1% to HK $115.70, Tencent Holdings advanced 0.1% to HK $478.80, and JD.com jumped 2.7% to HK $127.10.
S&P 500 and Nasdaq Extend Weekly Gains Amid Self-Inflicted Trade Policy Uncertainties
Barry Adams
25 Apr, 2025
New York City
Benchmark indexes in New York traded down after rallying for three consecutive session amid constantly shifting U.S. trade policy.
The S&P 500 index decreased 0.2% and the Nasdaq Composite declined 0.3%, but both benchmark indexes are up 3.8% and 5.4% in the week as of close of Thursday.
This week, and as in the last three weeks, market sentiment has reflected constantly changing U.S. trade policy and self-inflicted pain on the economy, and benchmark indexes are still down more than 14% from the highs in mid-February.
The Trump administration's incoherent and chaotic stance on tariffs has rattled stock, bond and oil markets and pushed gold prices to record highs.
Moreover, certainty of the Trump administration's uncertainty has dragged global economic growth outlook and significantly raised recession risks in the U.S.
The Trump administration is using high levels of import tax on U.S. consumers to generate an annual revenue of as much as $600 billion, none of which will be used to revive manufacturing activities and improve production capabilities.
Next week, investors are looking ahead to earnings releases from leading tech companies including Apple Inc, Amazon.com Inc. Meta Platforms, and Microsoft.
In the week ahead, investors are anticipating the release of the so-called JOLT report and non-farm payrolls.
Commodities, Currencies, Indexes, Yields
The S&P 500 index decreased 0.3% to 5,469.63, the Nasdaq Composite edged down 0.2% to 17,130.36, and the Russell 2000 index was down 0.6% to 1,945.13.
The yield on 2-year Treasury notes edged lower to 3.80%, 10-year Treasury notes decreased to 4.29%, and 30-year Treasury bonds declined to 4.73%.
WTI crude oil decreased $0.34 to $62.45 a barrel, and natural gas prices edged lower by $0.04 to $2.89 a thermal unit.
Gold decreased by $83.02 to 3,266.02 an ounce, and silver edged down by $0.78 to $32.84.
The dollar index, which weighs the US currency against a basket of foreign currencies, increased by 0.39 to 99.75, and it traded at the lowest level since April 2022.
U.S. Stock Movers
Intel Corp. declined 7.4% to $19.91 after the company's current quarter disappointed some investors. The advanced chip maker is planning to cut its operational capital expenses.
Alphabet Inc Class C soared 4% to $167.93 after the parent company of Google search engine reported better-than-expected quarterly results.
VeriSign Inc. declined 2.2% to $247.0 despite the internet infrastructure company reporting sharp increase in earnings and revenue in its latest quarter. The company also initiated quarterly dividend.
Gilead Sciences decreased 3.3% to $102.64, and the biopharmaceutical company focused on antiviral drugs reported weaker-than-expected revenue in the first quarter.
3-Day Rally In U.S. Stocks Halts Amid Trade Policy Uncertainties
Barry Adams
25 Apr, 2025
New York City
Benchmark indexes in New York traded down after rallying for three consecutive session amid constantly shifting U.S. trade policy.
The S&P 500 index decreased 0.2% and the Nasdaq Composite declined 0.3%, but both benchmark indexes are up 3.8% and 5.4% in the week as of close of Thursday.
This week, and as in the last three weeks, market sentiment has reflected constantly changing U.S. trade policy and self-inflicted pain on the economy, and benchmark indexes are still down more than 14% from the highs in mid-February.
The Trump administration's incoherent and chaotic stance on tariffs has rattled stock, bond and oil markets and pushed gold prices to record highs.
Moreover, certainty of the Trump administration's uncertainty has dragged global economic growth outlook and significantly raised recession risks in the U.S.
The Trump administration is using high levels of import tax on U.S. consumers to generate an annual revenue of as much as $600 billion, none of which will be used to revive manufacturing activities and improve production capabilities.
Next week, investors are looking ahead to earnings releases from leading tech companies including Apple Inc, Amazon.com Inc. Meta Platforms, and Microsoft.
In the week ahead, investors are anticipating the release of the so-called JOLT report and non-farm payrolls.
U.S. Stock Movers
Intel Corp. declined 7.4% to $19.91 after the company's current quarter disappointed some investors. The advanced chip maker is planning to cut its operational capital expenses.
Alphabet Inc Class C soared 4% to $167.93 after the parent company of Google search engine reported better-than-expected quarterly results.
VeriSign Inc. declined 2.2% to $247.0 despite the internet infrastructure company reporting sharp increase in earnings and revenue in its latest quarter. The company also initiated quarterly dividend.
Gilead Sciences decreased 3.3% to $102.64, and the biopharmaceutical company focused on antiviral drugs reported weaker-than-expected revenue in the first quarter.
U.S. Movers: CBRE Group, Nasdaq, P&G, Union Pacific, VeriSign
Scott Peters
25 Apr, 2025
New York City
Procter & Gamble eased 0.8% to $164.38 after the consumer goods company reported third-quarter 2025 results.
Net sales declined 2% to $19.78 billion from $20.19 billion, net earnings inched up to $3.77 billion from $3.75 billion, and diluted earnings per share rose to $1.54 from $1.52 a year ago.
The company paid a dividend of $1.0065 per share, an increase from 94.07 cents a year ago.
Procter & Gamble guided fiscal 2025 organic sales growth to be approximately 2% from $80.04 billion in the prior year and diluted earnings per share to grow between 6% and 8%, compared to $6.02 a year ago.
Union Pacific Corp. dropped 4% to $211.00 after the railroad shipment company reported first-quarter 2025 results.
Revenue inched down to $6.027 billion from $6.031 billion, net income declined to $1.63 billion from $1.64 billion, and diluted earnings per share rose to $2.70 from $2.69 a year ago.
The railroad company paid a dividend of $1.34 per share in the quarter, compared to $1.30 per share a year earlier.
The company guided fiscal 2025 earnings per share to grow by a high-single- to low-double-digit percentage and announced share repurchases of $4.0 billion to $4.5 billion.
Nasdaq Inc. gained 1.01% to $74.24 after the securities index marketplace reported first-quarter 2025 results.
Revenue surged to $2.09 billion from $1.67 billion, net income jumped to $395 million from $234 million, and diluted earnings per share rose to 68 cents from 40 cents a year ago.
The company returned $138 million to shareholders through dividends and $115 million through repurchases of common stock and also repurchased $279 million of senior unsecured notes in the quarter.
The company updated its 2025 guidance for non-GAAP operating expense to be between $2.26 billion and $2.32 billion, compared to $2.16 billion in 2024, and non-GAAP tax rate to be between 22.5% and 24.5%.
CBRE Group Inc. dropped 1.7% to $120.03 despite the property developer reporting higher revenue in the first quarter of 2025.
Revenue edged up to $8.91 billion from $7.93 billion, net income climbed to $163 million from $126 million, and diluted earnings per share rose to 54 cents from 41 cents a year ago.
The company has repurchased nearly $600 million worth of shares since year-end 2024.
In January, the company established two new business segments: building operations and experience, and project management, following strategic acquisitions.
CBRE guided fiscal 2025 core earnings per share to be between $5.80 and $6.10, compared to $5.10 in 2024.
VeriSign Inc. dropped 2.2% to $247.00 after the domain name services provider reported first-quarter 2025 results.
Revenue edged up 4.7% to $402.3 million from $384.3 million, net income jumped to $199.3 million from $194.1 million, and diluted earnings per share rose to $2.10 from $1.92 a year ago.
During the quarter, the company repurchased 1.0 million shares for a total of $230 million, and as of March 31, there was $793 million remaining for repurchases in authorization.
The company proposed a cash dividend of 77 cents per share, payable on May 28 to shareholders on record as of May 19.
VeriSign guided fiscal 2025 revenue to be between $1.63 billion and $1.65 billion, compared to $1.56 billion in 2024, and operating income between $1.11 billion and $1.12 billion, compared to $1.06 billion a year earlier.