Market Update
Europe Movers: ABF, Anglo American, Kuehne & Nagle, JD Sports, Novartis, Renault, SAP, Taylor Wimpey
Inga Muller
23 Apr, 2024
Frankfurt
European markets advanced, and the FTSE 100 index reached a new high amid earnings optimism and hopes of improving economic conditions.
The DAX index increased by 0.7% to 17,985.75; the CAC-40 index rose by 0.3% to 8,065.63; and the FTSE 100 index inched higher by 0.3% to a new intraday record of 8,050.04.
The yield on 10-year German bonds edged down to 2.48%; French bonds inched lower to 2.97%; the UK gilts edged lower to 4.21%; and Italian bonds inched higher to 3.79%.
SAP AG increased 4.4% to €173.10 after the German software and cloud services provider reaffirmed its 2024 outlook and said cloud services revenue rose 24% to €3.93 billion.
JD Sports Fashion PLC rose 5.4% to 125.20 pence after the company proposed to acquire the U.S.-based Hibbett for $1.08 billion.
Anglo American declined 1.9% to 2,119.0 pence after the mining company lowered its diamond production outlook.
Kuehne & Nagle declined 2.8% to CHF 247.30 after the Swiss logistics company reported first-quarter earnings declined 40%.
Novartis AG rose 4.4% to CHF 91.18 after the Swiss drugmaker raised its full-year outlook.
Renault SA decreased 0.7% to €47.11 after the French automaker reported a slight increase in revenue in the first quarter.
Associated British Foods plc soared 9.3% to 2,737.89 pence after the diversified conglomerate said first-half profit increased by 39%.
The increase in profit was driven by the strength of the sugar and retail businesses at Primark.
Taylor Wimpey rose 0.9% to 133.30 pence after the homebuilder reaffirmed its 2024 outlook, easing worries that higher interest rates may negatively impact sales.
Eurozone Private Sector Activity Growth Improves, FTSE 100 Index Touches New Record High
Bridgette Randall
23 Apr, 2024
Frankfurt
European markets advanced after geopolitical tensions eased, crude oil prices continued to drift lower, and there was growing optimism about corporate earnings.
Benchmark indexes in Frankfurt and Paris rebounded, and the key index in the UK rose to a new record high in hopes of improving corporate results.
Eurozone Private Sector Activity Growth Picks Up
On the economic front, the eurozone business activity growth outlook improved for the fourth month in a row, and activities expanded for the second consecutive month.
The HCOB Eurozone Composite PMI increased to 51.4 in April from 50.3 in March, the fastest increase since March 2023, S&P Global noted in its preliminary estimate on Tuesday.
Manufacturing output continued to contract, but at the slowest pace in a year, and service sector output expanded at the fastest pace in 11 months.
Among the leading economies of the currency union, business activities in Germany returned to growth after contracting for nine months in a row, and output declined at the slowest pace in 11 months in France.
UK Service Growth Offsets Manufacturing Downturn
Elsewhere in the region, the UK's composite purchasing manager's index rose to an 11-month high in April to 54.0 from 52.8, S&P Global reported Tuesday.
The preliminary business activity estimates are likely to be revised after the second assessment.
The flash manufacturing PMI fell to 48.7 in April from 50.3 in the previous month, reflecting lower customer demand and inventory destocking.
The flash service PMI rose to 54.9 in April from 53.1 in the previous month, indicating a sustained increase in activities in the sector driven by rising demand.
The business activity growth results are based on a survey conducted among 650 manufacturers and 650 service providers between April 11 and 19.
Europe Indexes and Yields
The DAX index increased by 0.7% to 17,985.75; the CAC-40 index rose by 0.3% to 8,065.63; and the FTSE 100 index inched higher by 0.3% to a new intraday record of 8,050.04.
The yield on 10-year German bonds edged down to 2.48%; French bonds inched lower to 2.97%; the UK gilts edged lower to 4.21%; and Italian bonds inched higher to 3.79%.
The euro edged higher to $1.066; the British pound inched higher to $1.236; and the U.S. dollar edged higher to 91.16 Swiss cents.
Brent crude increased $0.09 to $87.09 a barrel, and the Dutch TTF natural gas rose by €0.44 to €29.59 per MWh.
Europe Stock Movers
SAP AG increased 4.4% to €173.10 after the German software and cloud services provider reaffirmed its 2024 outlook and said cloud services revenue rose 24% to €3.93 billion.
JD Sports Fashion PLC rose 5.4% to 125.20 pence after the company proposed to acquire the U.S.-based Hibbett for $1.08 billion.
Anglo American declined 1.9% to 2,119.0 pence after the mining company lowered its diamond production outlook.
Kuehne & Nagle declined 2.8% to CHF 247.30 after the Swiss logistics company reported first-quarter earnings declined 40%.
Novartis AG rose 4.4% to CHF 91.18 after the Swiss drugmaker raised its full-year outlook.
Renault SA decreased 0.7% to €47.11 after the French automaker reported a slight increase in revenue in the first quarter.
Associated British Foods plc soared 9.3% to 2,737.89 pence after the diversified conglomerate said first-half profit increased by 39%.
The increase in profit was driven by the strength of the sugar and retail businesses at Primark.
Taylor Wimpey rose 0.9% to 133.30 pence after the homebuilder reaffirmed its 2024 outlook, easing worries that higher interest rates may negatively impact sales.
Japan Stocks Extend Gains; Manufacturing Contraction Slows but Service Expansion Accelerates
Akira Ito
23 Apr, 2024
Tokyo
Stocks in Tokyo advanced for the second day in a row amid easing tensions in the Middle East, and investors reviewed the latest update on the manufacturing industry.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average rose 0.5% to 37,607.78, and the Topix index advanced 0.2% to 2,668.53.
Moreover, the Japanese yen dropped to a new 34-year low of 154.85, prompting another verbal intervention from Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki.
Most traders in Tokyo are looking for the yen to drop as low as 170 before the government steps up currency market intervention.
The au Jibun Bank Japan Manufacturing Purchasing Manager's Index increased to 49.9 in April from 48.2 in March, S&P Global reported Tuesday.
Manufacturing activities contracted for the eleventh month in a row but fell at the slowest pace in April.
The rising cost of inputs forced the average selling price to increase at the fastest pace in nine months.
The au Jibun Bank flash Japan Services Purchasing Manager's Index increased to 54.6 in April from a final 54.1 in the previous month, S&P Global reported Tuesday.
The service sector expanded for the 20th consecutive month and at the strongest pace since May 2023.
The market in Asia advanced for the second consecutive day this week, tracking gains in overnight trading on Wall Street.
Benchmark indexes in Seoul rose 0.1%, and in Sydney they advanced 0.4%.
The market index in Shanghai declined 0.4%, but the reference index in Hong Kong advanced 0.6% following an increase of 1.8% in the previous session.
In Tokyo stock trading, tech stocks led the decliners, with Advantest, Tokyo Electron, and Screen Holdings falling between 0.5% and 1.5%.
SoftBank fell 0.3% to ¥7,490.0, and Uniqlo parent Fast Retailing jumped 1.6% to ¥42,120.0.
Financial stocks led gainers ahead of the Bank of Japan's monetary policy decisions on Friday.
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial, and Mizuho Financial gained between 0.2% and 0.6%.
Among the leading automakers, Toyota Motor decreased ¥3,510.0, Honda Motor declined 0.6% to ¥1,763.0, and Nissan Motor rose 0.07% to ¥550.80.
Honda Motor is nearing an agreement with the Canadian government to set up an electric vehicle manufacturing plant, according to Nikkei.
Honda is likely to invest as much as C$14 billion over the years and manufacture electric batteries at a plant, following the lead of other automakers, Volkswagen and Stellantis.
China Indexes Lacked Direction, Li Ning Quarterly Sales Rise, Baicha Baidao IPO Plunges 35%
Li Chen
23 Apr, 2024
Mumbai
The market index in Shanghai declined 0.4%, but the reference index in Hong Kong advanced 0.6% following an increase of 1.8% in the previous session.
Market sentiment was positive for the second day in a row after China's financial regulatory agency announced supportive measures to facilitate the listing of mainland Chinese companies on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
Moreover, the market sentiment was bolstered by gains in overnight trading in New York on the hopes of better-than-expected quarterly results from leading tech companies including Apple, Microsoft, Meta Platforms, and Alphabet.
The market in Asia advanced for the second consecutive day this week, tracking gains in overnight trading on Wall Street.
Benchmark indexes in Tokyo edged up 0.2%, in Seoul they rose 0.1%, and in Sydney they advanced 0.4%.
The CSI index fell 0.6% to 3,511.05, and the Hang Seng index rose 1.6% to 16,782.71.
Tech companies led the gainers in Hong Kong: Tencent Holdings rose 3.1% to HK$330.20, Baidu jumped 1.7% to HK$95.55, and JD.com advanced 6% to HK$106.60.
WH Group advanced 5.5% to HK$5.78 after China's largest meat processor and pork producer said operating profit soared 37% in the first quarter.
Li Ning Co. gained 5.1% to HK$18.38 after the sports equipment and sportswear company said overall sales rose by a low single-digit in the first quarter.
Retail and wholesale sales declined in the "low single-digit," with retail sales increasing in the mid-single-digit and wholesale sales declining by the "mid single-digit."
Online sales soared in the "low twenties" in the quarter.
Same-store sales across the network of stores, excluding Li Ning Young stores, declined by "mid-single-digit" from a year ago.
The company's sales in 2023 increased to 27.6 billion yuan from 35.8 billion yuan, and profit attributable to shareholders declined to 3.2 billion yuan from 4.1 billion yuan a year ago, respectively.
The two newly listed companies still faced headwinds on the first day of trading in Hong Kong.
Tianjing Construction Development Group plunged 25% to HK$1.85, and Sichuan Baicha Baidao Industrial dropped 35% to HK$11.20.
Sichuan Baicha Baidao, the bubble tea store retail chain, priced its offering at HK$17.50 per share and raised HK$2.5 billion, or $330 million, in the largest Hong Kong's initial public offering in 2024 so far.
The Chengdu-based tea store chain's ChaPanda stores saw rapid expansion of its network to 8.000 locations in 2023 from 500 in 2019.
India Movers: Arvind Smartspaces, HDFC Bank, Hero MotoCorp, PSP Projects, Patel Engineering
Arun Goswami
23 Apr, 2024
Mumbai
Stocks in Mumbai advanced and the rupee recovered from the record low as the prospect of a direct conflict between Iran and Israel eased for now.
The Sensex index increased by 0.3% to 73,865.87, and the Nifty index rose by 0.2% to 22,394.70.
On the Mumbai stock exchange, 139 stocks traded at their 52-week highs, and 5 stocks traded at their 52-week lows.
The yield on the 10-year Indian government bonds inched lower to 7.19%, and the Indian rupee edged lower at ₹83.35 against the U.S. dollar.
Reliance Industries increased 0.8% to ₹2,962.90 after the company released mixed quarterly results.
Revenue in the March quarter rose 11.1% to ₹2.37 lakh crore, and after-tax net income decreased 1.8% to ₹18,951 crore from a year ago, respectively.
HDFC Bank decreased 1.1% to ₹1,514.35, and the company is in negotiations to sell as much as a 20% stake in its non-banking unit, HDFC Financial Services, to Japan-based Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group.
Hero MotoCorp increased 2.5% to ₹4,320.0, and the company said chief technology officer Arun Jaura resigned from the office effective April 30.
Arvind Smartspaces advanced 0.5% to ₹687.65, and the company said its chief financial officer has resigned effective April 22.
Patel Engineering rose 6.2% to ₹62.75 after the construction service provider launched its institutional offering to raise up to ₹500 crore with a floor price of ₹59.50 per share.
PSP Projects rose 2.7% to ₹698.0 after the company launched its institutional offering to raise up to ₹244 crore with a floor price of ₹682.59 per share.
World Markets Shift Focus to Earnings, Gold and Crude Oil Fall
Alexander Garcia
22 Apr, 2024
Miami
Stock indexes on Wall Street pared gains as investors geared up for a busy week of earnings and key economic data.
Investors are looking forward to the release of first quarter economic growth, the personal consumption expenditure index, and S&P Global PMI data.
The S&P 500 index and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.7% in early trading after tensions between Israel and Iran eased for now.
Both countries showed little interest in escalating tensions after conducting face-saving limited strikes and walked away from the brink of starting what could have turned into a regional war in the Middle East.
Crude oil eased from five-month highs after tensions in the Middle East eased and investors shifted their focus to upcoming earnings from leading tech companies.
About 700 companies are scheduled to release earnings this week as the earnings season picks up momentum.
After the close of the regular trading session on Tuesday, the electric vehicle maker Tesla is scheduled to release earnings, Facebook-parent Meta on Wednesday, and Apple, Microsoft, and Intel on Thursday.
Investors are looking for clues about how companies are adjusting to persistent inflation, rising wage demands, and a stronger dollar.
The U.S. dollar has retained its upward bias in the last three months amid rising geopolitical tensions, and the Japanese yen, the Chinese yuan, the Indian rupee, the euro, and the pound have lost ground.
The Japanese yen is now down about 50% against the U.S. dollar in the last three years. The Chinese yuan is trading near a record low, the Indian rupee is trading at a record low, the Korean won at an 18-month low, and the euro and the pound are hovering near multi-month lows.
The Swiss franc has been the only currency to appreciate against the U.S. dollar over the last two years.
U.S. Indexes and Yields
The S&P 500 index increased 0.2% to 4981.02, and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.3% to 15,332,06.
The yield on 2-year Treasury notes edged higher to 4.98%, 10-year Treasury notes inched down to 4.59%, and 30-year Treasury bonds edged lower to 4.69%.
WTI crude oil decreased $0.59 to $82.13 a barrel, and natural gas prices increased 2 cents to $1.78 a thermal unit.
Gold dropped 2% and silver fell 5% after geopolitical tensions eased and both Iran and Israel showed no interest in escalating the conflict.
Gold decreased by $56.19 to $2,337.18 an ounce, and silver fell $1.40 to $27.21.
The dollar index, which weighs the U.S. dollar against a basket of foreign currencies, edged lower to 106.21.
U.S. Stock Movers
Tesla declined 3.2% to $141.25 on news that the company announced a 5% discount for all electric vehicles in China and Germany as demand lags supply.
Tesla lowered the Model 3 price in China by 14,000 yuan to 231,000 yuan and also lowered the price in Germany by 2,000 euros to 40,990 euros.
Cryptocurrency-focused stocks declined ahead of the so-called "halving" of Bitcoin, where cryptocurrency miners are rewarded for miners.
Bitcoin hovered around $65,000 in early Monday's trading.
Energy complex stocks declined for the second day in a row following the easing of crude oil prices after tensions in the Middle East eased.
European Markets Edge Higher After Middle East Tensions Ease and Crude Oil Prices Turn Lower
European market indexes advanced after a week of choppy trading as geopolitical tensions eased and crude prices descended from five-month highs.
Benchmark indexes in Frankfurt, Paris, and London rebounded after declining for three weeks in a row as investors prepare to review earnings from leading global tech companies and European banks.
Tensions between Iran and Israel eased for now after two countries carried out limited strikes and avoided escalating tensions following intense diplomatic efforts by the U.S., Oman, Switzerland, and France.
Crude oil futures prices edged lower after tensions eased in the Middle East and U.S. crude oil inventories rose more than expected, easing global demand growth.
Europe Indexes and Yields
The DAX index increased by 0.6% to 17,851.39; the CAC-40 index rose by 0.2% to 8,039.40; and the FTSE 100 index inched higher by 1.6% to 8,023.87.
The yield on 10-year German bonds edged up to 2.53%; French bonds inched higher to 3.03%; the UK gilts edged higher to 4.24%; and Italian bonds inched higher to 3.90%.
The euro edged higher to $1.065; the British pound inched higher to $1.234; and the U.S. dollar edged higher to 91.11 Swiss cents.
Brent crude decreased $0.19 to $87.09 a barrel, and the Dutch TTF natural gas fell by €1.49 to €29.26 per MWh.
Europe Stock Movers
Tyman soared 31% to 388.50 pence after the U.K.-based doors and windows supplier agreed to be acquired by the U.S.-based metal windows maker Quanex for about £788 million in cash and stock.
Alstom SA jumped 0.5% to €15.19 after the French train maker agreed to sell its North American rail conventional signaling business to Knorr-Bremse for €630 million.
Hipgnosis Song Fund soared 10% to 101.0 pence after alternative asset manager Blackstone offered to buy the troubled music rights investor for $1.5 billion.
Galp Energia rose 16% to €18.67, and the Portuguese oil company said the Mopane oil field off the coast of Namibia could have at least 10 billion barrels of oil.
Tesco PLC increased 2.8% to 289.20 pence after the UK-based grocery retailer commenced its first tranche of its £1 billion stock repurchase program.
Tokyo Stocks Advance Higher, Yen Drifts Lower Ahead of the BoJ's Rate Decisions
Stocks attempted to rebound in Japan, and investors looked forward to the Bank of Japan's rate decision and Tokyo area inflation data later in the week.
Last week, market indexes in Tokyo plunged 4.7% and declined seven of the last nine weeks, following sharp losses in New York and Europe after investors lowered their expectations of rate cuts in the U.S.
The sharp fall in market indexes was led by a plunge in popular semiconductor and tech stocks after Taiwan Semiconductor projected a weaker-than-expected sales outlook.
Taiwan-based TSMC lowered its growth estimate for global logic semiconductors to 10% from the previous estimate of more than 10%.
The S&P 500 index registered its worst weekly decline in six months after investors estimated that the previously estimated three rate cuts are less likely to materialize this year after the latest data showed a resilient U.S. economy.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average rose 0.4% to 37,222.11, and the Topix index advanced 1% to 2,651.93.
Asian markets rebounded from a sharp selloff in the previous week due to the lowered rate-cut expectations in the U.S.
Benchmark indexes in Seoul jumped 0.8%, in Sydney advanced 1.0%, in Shanghai edged up 0.01%, and in Hong Kong soared 2.2%.
In Tokyo's trading, tech stocks led the gainers in Monday's trading.
SoftBank, Tokyo Electron, Advantest, and Screen Holdings rebounded between 0.5% and 2.5%.
Tech stocks are expected to be in focus as Alphabet, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, SK Hynix, and Advantest are scheduled to release their quarterly results later in the week.
Financial stocks advanced in the hopes that the Bank of Japan would lay the groundwork to lift rates; however, Governor Kazuo Ueda signaled last week that the central bank is likely to retain an accommodative stance for some time.
The Bank of Japan is scheduled to announce its rate decisions on Friday, April 26.
The yen traded at 154.64 against the U.S. dollar.
Mitsubishi UFJ, Mizuho Financial Group, and Sumitomo Mitsubishi gained between 1% and 1.5%.
Hong Kong Stocks Rebound After China Announces Regulatory Support
Stock market indexes in Shanghai struggled to advance, and market indexes in Hong Kong soared following regulatory reforms.
The People's Bank of China held steady its 1-year and 5-year loan prime rates at 3.45% and 3.95%, respectively.
The decision by the central bank was widely anticipated after China's economy expanded at a faster-than-expected pace of 5.3%.
The CSI 300 index decreased 0.2% to 3,533.98, and the Hang Seng index rose 1.7% to 16,506.66.
Hong Kong indexes rose after the China Securities Regulatory Commission announced reforms to facilitate the listing of mainland Chinese companies on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
The move comes after the Hang Seng index plunged more than 40% over the last three years as foreign investors fled Chinese stocks.
The securities regulator also said it plans to enhance the Stock Connect system that will facilitate trading in mainland China companies listed on stock exchanges in mainland China.
Tech stocks advanced and participated in the market rally.
Tencent Holdings jumped 4.4% to HK$318.20, Meituan jumped 4.9% to $100.0, and Alibaba Group advanced 3.3% to $68.90.
Oil-related stocks traded lower after crude oil prices fell in international trading following the easing of tensions between Iran and Israel and rising inventories in the U.S.
PetroChina decreased 2.2% to HK$7.33, and CNOOC declined 2% to HK$18.26.
Electric vehicle makers were under pressure after the price war intensified in the industry.
Tesla lowered prices by 5% in mainland China for its electric vehicle manufactured in a Shanghai-based facility.
Li Auto declined 9.6% to HK$26.38, Geely Automotive rose 1.2% to HK$8.92, and BYD fell 0.6% to HK$200.40.
S&P 500 and Nasdaq Rebound Ahead of Busy Week of Earnings
Barry Adams
22 Apr, 2024
New York City
Stocks attempted to rebound as investors gear up for a busy week of earnings ahead.
The S&P 500 index and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.7% in early trading after tensions between Israel and Iran eased for now.
Both countries showed little interest in escalating tensions after conducting face-saving limited strikes and walked away from the brink of starting what could have turned into a regional war in the Middle East.
Crude oil eased from five-month highs after tensions in the Middle East eased and investors shifted their focus to upcoming earnings from leading tech companies.
Earnings releases are expected to pick up, and more than 700 companies are expected to release earnings this week.
The electric vehicle maker Tesla is scheduled to release earnings after the close of regular trading sessions on Tuesday, Facebook-parent Meta on Wednesday, and Apple, Microsoft, and Intel on Thursday.
Investors are looking for clues about how companies are adjusting to persistent inflation, rising wage demands, and a strong dollar.
The U.S. dollar has retained its upward bias in the last three months amid rising geopolitical tensions, and the Japanese yen, the Chinese yuan, the Indian rupee, the euro, and the pound have lost ground.
The Japanese yen is now down about 50% in the last three years. The Chinese yuan is trading near a record low, the Indian rupee is trading at a record low, and the euro and the pound are hovering near recent lows.
The Swiss franc has been the only currency to appreciate against the U.S. dollar over the last two years.
U.S. Indexes and Yields
The S&P 500 index increased 0.5% to 5,087.23, and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.45% to 15,332,06.
The yield on 2-year Treasury notes edged higher to 4.98%, 10-year Treasury notes inched down to 4.59%, and 30-year Treasury bonds edged lower to 4.69%.
WTI crude oil decreased $0.59 to $82.13 a barrel, and natural gas prices decreased 1 cent to $1.74 a thermal unit.
Gold decreased by $0.82 to $2,379.82 an ounce, and silver fell 1 cent to $28.22.
The dollar index, which weighs the U.S. dollar against a basket of foreign currencies, edged lower to 105.88.
U.S. Stock Movers
Tesla declined 3.2% to $141.25 on news that the company announced a 5% discount for all electric vehicles in China and Germany as demand lags supply.
Tesla lowered the Model 3 price in China by 14,000 yuan to 231,000 yuan and also lowered the price in Germany by 2,000 euros to 40,990 euros.
Cryptocurrency-focused stocks declined ahead of the so-called "halving" of Bitcoin, where cryptocurrency miners are rewarded for miners.
Bitcoin hovered around $65,000 in early Monday's trading.
Energy complex stocks declined for the second day in a row following the easing of crude oil prices after tensions in the Middle East eased.
Europe Movers: Alstom, Galp Energia, Hipgnosis Song Fund, Tesco, Tyman
Inga Muller
22 Apr, 2024
Frankfurt
European markets rebounded after three weeks of tumultuous trading that saw indexes decline more than 5%.
Market indexes edged higher after tensions eased between Iran and Israel for now and crude oil prices turned lower from their five-month highs.
The DAX index increased by 0.4% to 17,814.66; the CAC-40 index rose by 0.2% to 8,037.43; and the FTSE 100 index inched higher by 0.6% to 8,007.47.
The yield on 10-year German bonds edged up to 2.53%; French bonds inched higher to 3.03%; the UK gilts edged higher to 4.24%; and Italian bonds inched higher to 3.90%.
Tyman soared 31% to 388.50 pence after the U.K.-based doors and windows supplier agreed to be acquired by the U.S.-based metal windows maker Quanex for about £788 million in cash and stock.
Alstom SA jumped 0.5% to €15.19 after the French train maker agreed to sell its North American rail conventional signaling business to Knorr-Bremse for €630 million.
Hipgnosis Song Fund soared 10% to 101.0 pence after alternative asset manager Blackstone offered to buy the troubled music rights investor for $1.5 billion.
Galp Energia rose 16% to €18.67, and the Portuguese oil company said the Mopane oil field off the coast of Namibia could have at least 10 billion barrels of oil.
Tesco PLC increased 2.8% to 289.20 pence after the UK-based grocery retailer commenced its first tranche of its £1 billion stock repurchase program.