Market Update
Europe Movers: Berkeley Group, Bodycote, HelloFresh, Salzgitter, Vodafone, Vonovia
Inga Muller
15 Mar, 2024
Frankfurt
European stock market indexes traded at new intra-day highs and the German benchmark index gained for the fifth week in a row.
The DAX index increased by 0.3% to 17,991.01, the CAC-40 index rose by 0.3% to 8,188.55, and the FTSE 100 index inched higher by 0.102% to 7,745.08.
For the week, the DAX index gained 1.7%, the CAC-40 index advanced 2.4%, and the FTSE 100 index inched up 1.3%.
Vodafone Group jumped 4.2% to 68.81 pence after the UK-based multinational telecom company agreed to sell Vodafone Italy to Swisscom for an enterprise value of €8 billion.
Berkeley Group PLC gained 0.2% to 4,686.0 pence after the UK-based home builder reiterated its annual pre-tax profit outlook.
Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust jumped 3.2% to 806.75 pence after the company's board approved the stock buyback program of £1 billion over the next two years.
Bodycote PLC jumped 4.8% to 661.50 pence after the thermal processing company reported an increase in profit and launched a £60 million stock repurchase plan.
Salzgitter AG decreased 1.9% to €23.30 after the German specialty steel company reported a decline in its annual profit because of lower steel prices and challenging macroeconomic conditions.
HelloFresh soared 10.2% to €7.43 after the meal-kit delivery company reported a less-than-expected 6.6% decline in its active customer base in the fourth quarter.
Last week, the company issued its second profit warning in six months.
Vonovia SE declined 6.2% to €25.15 after the German real estate company reported a record annual loss in 2023.
European Markets Extend Weekly Gains as Indexes Inched In Record Territory
Bridgette Randall
15 Mar, 2024
Frankfurt
European market indexes advanced and extended weekly gains as investors looked beyond rate uncertainties and shifted their focus to corporate announcements.
Benchmark indexes in Frankfurt advanced for the eighth week in a row, and in Paris, the CAC-40 index traded near record highs as investors pared expectations of the U.S. rate cut in June.
Investors were hoping that the European Central Bank may follow the U.S. Federal Reserve in lowering its key lending rates, but those expectations were put on hold after the U.S. wholesale inflation accelerated in February.
Moreover, global energy prices rebounded in March from the previous month, stoking worries about inflation staying above the central bank's target rate.
In other economic news, France's consumer price inflation eased at a slower than previously anticipated pace of 3.0% in February, the statistical agency INSEE reported Friday.
The preliminary estimate showed inflation eased to 2.9% from 3.1% in December; however, inflation in February dropped to the lowest level since December 2021.
Investors are also looking forward to monetary policy announcements next week from the central banks of the U.S., U.K., and Japan.
Investors are hoping that the Bank of Japan may announce its timetable to end its negative interest rate policy following the recent pick-up in inflation and solid wage hike announcements.
Japanese corporations agreed to wage increase requests of 5% from labor unions, the largest increase in more than three decades, amid worker shortages and stable demand for Japanese products in overseas markets.
Europe Indexes and Yields
The DAX index increased by 0.3% to 17,991.01, the CAC-40 index rose by 0.3% to 8,188.55, and the FTSE 100 index inched higher by 0.102% to 7,745.08.
For the week, the DAX index gained 1.7%, the CAC-40 index advanced 2.4%, and the FTSE 100 index inched up 1.3%.
The yield on 10-year German bonds edged up to 2.43%; French bonds inched higher to 2.87%; the UK gilts edged higher to 4.13%; and Italian bonds inched lower to 3.69%.
The euro edged higher to $1.08, the British pound inched higher to $1.275, and the U.S. dollar held steady at 88.35 Swiss cents.
Brent crude increased $0.63 to $84.75 a barrel, and the Dutch TTF natural gas advanced by €0.28 to €26.62 per MWh.
Europe Stock Movers
Vodafone Group jumped 4.2% to 68.81 pence after the UK-based multinational telecom company agreed to sell Vodafone Italy to Swisscom for an enterprise value of €8 billion.
Berkeley Group PLC gained 0.2% to 4,686.0 pence after the UK-based home builder reiterated its annual pre-tax profit outlook.
Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust jumped 3.2% to 806.75 pence after the company's board approved the stock buyback program of £1 billion over the next two years.
Bodycote PLC jumped 4.8% to 661.50 pence after the thermal processing company reported an increase in profit and launched a £60 million stock repurchase plan.
Salzgitter AG decreased 1.9% to €23.30 after the German specialty steel company reported a decline in its annual profit because of lower steel prices and challenging macroeconomic conditions.
HelloFresh soared 10.2% to €7.43 after the meal-kit delivery company reported a less-than-expected 6.6% decline in its active customer base in the fourth quarter.
Last week, the company issued its second profit warning in six months.
Vonovia SE declined 6.2% to €25.15 after the German real estate company reported a record annual loss in 2023.
New Home Price Decline In China Extends to 9th Month, Japan's Rate Decision In Focus
Arjun Pandit
15 Mar, 2024
Sydney
Markets in Asia closed down after choppy trading in the week amid persistent interest rate uncertainties in Japan, a fragile economic recovery in China, and valuation worries in India.
Bank of Japan's Rate Decision in Focus
Stock market indexes in Japan traded down, and investors turned cautious ahead of the Bank of Japan's policy meeting next week.
It is widely anticipated that the central bank will readjust its monetary policy, which could lead to an interest rate increase later in the year, the first since 2007.
The Bank of Japan is expected to end its negative interest rate in place since 2016 as inflation picks up, wages at large corporations rise, and a rate difference with the U.S. keeps the yen weak.
The expectations of a change in the direction of interest rates are running high after the end of the annual spring wage negotiations between large corporations and workers unions.
Japanese corporations agreed to wage increases between 5% and 12%, solid wage gains for the second year in a row as companies struggle with labor shortages.
However, wages may not rise more than 2% to 3% at small and midsized companies, which employ about 70% of Japan's labor force, making the Bank of Japan's job harder if wage gains fail to spread to the broader economy.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average decreased 0.5% to 38,616.82, and the Topix index rose 0.2% to 2,666.62.
For the week, both benchmark indexes decreased by 0.5%.
Tech stocks led the decliners following the weakness in overnight trading in New York.
Softbank, Disco Corp., Tokyo Electron, Advantest, and Screen Holdings declined between 2% and 4%.
Tokyo Electric Power jumped 11.4% to ¥952.40 after Japan intensified efforts to restart the world's largest nuclear power plant after eleven years of closure, according to the Niigata Nippo newspaper.
The move will help the company reduce its operating costs and eliminate dependence on imported crude oil and natural gas to run power plants.
China New Home Prices Fall; PBoC Holds 1-Year Rate
Stocks in Shanghai and Hong Kong declined for the third day in a row after China held its lending rate steady and withdrew liquidity injected earlier in the year.
The People's Bank of China kept its one-year term facility rate at 2.5% and also drained cash of 94 billion yuan, or $13 billion, from the financial system.
Market mood also soured after new home prices in the 70 largest cities fell for the ninth month in a row in February by 1.4% from a year ago, the National Bureau of Statistics reported Friday.
The new home prices fell at the fastest pace despite several measures by Beijing to prop up the market amid weakening buyers's confidence.
On Monday, investors are looking ahead to the release of several key economic indicators, and at least 30 large companies are scheduled to release their earnings next week.
The CSI 300 index declined 0.5% to 3,543.41, and the Hang Seng Index dropped 2% to 16,607.26.
For the week, the CSI 300 index decreased 0.1%, but the Hang Seng index increased 1%.
China Vanke, China Resource Land, and Longfor Group declined between 3% and 6%.
Tech stocks also headed lower after hopes of an interest rate cut at the U.S. Federal Reserve's policy meeting next week were dashed following the acceleration of the producer price index.
Baidu, Alibaba Group, JD.com, and Tencent Holdings declined between 3% and 5%.
Small and Mid-caps Stocks In India Extend Losses
Stocks on Dalal Street traded down and extended two-day losses after investors turned cautious on stretched valuation worries.
The Sensex and the Nifty indexes edged lower by 0.2%, but several stocks in the small and midcap segments extended their two-day losses to more than 20%.
But more sharp market declines may be in the making after a rally in small and mid-cap stocks lifted 90 stocks above 100% in the last two years, according to data compiled by Niveshak.in.
The BSE Small Cap Index is down 11% from the record high, but the index is still trading at 28 times earnings and 3 times book value.
Investors have been directing new fund flows to small and mid-cap segments of the market after large-cap stocks are deemed trading ahead of business fundamentals.
But the steady flows in small and mid-cap stocks have created an even larger bubble, prompting the securities regulatory agency to direct mutual fund companies to halt new fund flows.
Individual investors have increased their share of small and mid-cap stocks in the Nifty 100 Smallcap 100 Index to 15.4% from 12.5%, according to Kotak Securities.
“Most mid- and small-cap stocks are still trading at full-to-lofty valuations and well above their fundamental value,” Sanjeev Prasad, co-head of institutional equities at Kotak Securities, noted in a research report to clients.
The Sensex index decreased 0.3% to 72,843.21, and the Nifty index edged down 0.3% to 22,083.10.
The Sensex and the Nifty indexes are set to close down 2% for the week and halt a seven-week rally.
But smaller cap-focused indexes are down for the third week in a row, with losses totaling more than 15%.
On the Mumbai stock exchange, 20 stocks traded at their 52-week highs and 14 stocks traded at their 52-week lows.
The yield on the 10-year Indian government bonds increased to 7.04%, and the Indian rupee edged lower to ₹82.96 against the U.S. dollar.
Higher-for-Longer Rate Worries Resurface After U.S. Wholesale Inflation Accelerates
Barry Adams
14 Mar, 2024
New York City
Stocks on Wall Street turned lower, and tech stocks led the decliners as the early market gains evaporated on the worry of interest rates staying higher for longer.
The S&P 500 index and the Nasdaq Composite turned lower after rising as much as 0.4%, and Treasury yields edged slightly higher following worries that the Federal Reserve may keep higher rates for longer after wholesale inflation accelerated in February.
Moreover, the recent rise in crude oil prices suggests that overall inflation in March may be hotter than expected, and policymakers may wait longer than June before lowering interest rates.
Weaker U.S. Retail Sales Bounce In February
Seasonally adjusted retail and food services sales, but not adjusted for prices, increased 0.6% from the previous month and rose 1.5% from a year ago in February.
Despite elevated inflation and rising interest rates, consumer spending is holding up, but consumers are sticking to basic necessities and avoiding discretionary items.
Nonstore retail sales increased 6.4%, and food services and drinking place sales advanced 6.3% from a year ago.
Retail sales in February rose by 0.6% on a monthly basis, and January's monthly sales decline was lowered to 1.1% from the previous estimate of a 0.8% fall.
Total retail sales over the three-month period to February 2024, which covers the critical holiday period, rose 2.1% from the same period a year ago.
Producer Price Inflation Accelerates In February
The producer price index for the final demand increased by 0.6% from the previous month in February, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Thursday.
The annual measure of wholesale inflation accelerated to 1.6% in the month from 0.9% in January after high energy prices drove goods prices to increase at the fastest pace in six months.
Goods prices increased 1.2%, and the cost of services edged up 0.3%.
However, the core rate of inflation, which excludes volatile energy and food prices, rose at a slower pace of 0.3% after rising 0.5% in the previous month.
U.S. Indexes and Yields
The S&P 500 index decreased 0.4% to 5,147.67, and the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.2% to 16,142.55.
The yield on 2-year Treasury notes increased to 4.63%, 10-year Treasury notes inched up to 4.19%, and 30-year Treasury bonds edged down to 4.35%.
WTI crude oil increased $1.07 to $80.81 a barrel, and natural gas prices increased 1 cent to $1.65 a thermal unit.
Gold decreased by $16.64 to $2,157.14 an ounce, and silver fell 17 cents to $24.86.
The dollar index, which weighs the U.S. dollar against a basket of foreign currencies, edged lower to 103.34.
U.S. Stock Movers
Robinhood Markets soared 12.4% to $19.30 after the online brokerage firm reported monthly operating statistics for February 2024 and said assets under custody increased 16% from the previous month.
SentinelOne dropped 8.4% to $25.39 despite the cybersecurity firm reporting better-than-expected fourth quarter revenue and earnings.
Dollar General rose 5.7% to $167.21 after the deep discount retailer reported better-than-expected holiday quarter sales and issued an annual earnings outlook ahead of expectations.
The retailer estimated 2024 earnings per share to fall between $6.80 and $7.55, on the back of sales growth between 6.0% and 6.7%.
DICK's Sporting Goods rose 4.9% to $197.0 after the athletic goods retailer posted record quarterly sales in the fiscal fourth quarter.
Net sales in the holiday quarter ending on February 3rd increased 7.85 to $3.9 billion from $3.6 billion, net income advanced 26% to $296 million from $236 million, and diluted earnings per share rose to $3.57 from $2.60 a year ago.
The company estimated fiscal 2024 earnings per share to range between $12.85 and $13.25 and estimated same-store sales to rise between 1% and 2%.
European Indexes Erase Early Gains After U.S. Inflation Report
European stock market indexes turned lower, crude oil prices jumped, and the euro held steady amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
Benchmark indexes in Paris and Frankfurt traded at new record intra-day highs but turned lower after wholesale inflation accelerated in February.
The European Central Bank policymakers are sending signals that an imminent interest rate cut is less likely, but there is a growing possibility of a rate cut later in the year.
"It's perhaps more probable in June, and we are very pragmatic, but that will depend on the data," Bank of France Governor Francois Villeroy de Galhau said on France Info radio.
The ECB's chief economist, Philip Lane, also stressed not to lower rates too soon in an interview with the financial news channel CNBC.
“We’ve been on hold since last September since a substantial hiking cycle; we do have to take our time to get that right, from holding to dialing back restrictions,” Lane told CNBC’s Steve Sedgwick.
The European Central Bank lifted its key lending rates ten times from near zero to above 4% between July 2022 and September 2023, but inflation is still above the target rate of 2%.
Consumer inflation in the eurozone has declined to 2.6% in February and has fallen over the last fifteen months after peaking at 10.6% in October 2022, but the decline is largely driven by the sharp fall in energy prices and by the actions of the central bank.
In other economic news, Spain's statistical agency confirmed the softening of inflation to a six-month low in February, to 2.8% from 3.4% in January.
The EU harmonized inflation also dropped to a six-month low of 2.9%, as estimated, and was down from 3.5% in January, the National Statistics Institute reported Thursday.
Europe Indexes and Yields
The DAX index decreased by 0.2% to 17,925.26, the CAC-40 index rose by 0.3% to 8,159.68, and the FTSE 100 index inched lower by 0.5% to 7,731.80.
The yield on 10-year German bonds edged up to 2.36%; French bonds inched higher to 2.79%; the UK gilts edged higher to 4.02%; and Italian bonds inched lower to 3.56%.
The euro edged higher to $1.093, the British pound inched higher to $1.281, and the U.S. dollar held steady at 87.95 Swiss cents.
Brent crude increased $1.33 to $85.36 a barrel, and the Dutch TTF natural gas increased by €0.54 to €25.45 per MWh.
Europe Stock Movers
K&S AG increased 5.7% to €14.03 after the Germany-based Europe's largest manufacturer of potash and salt miner reported better-than-expected annual results and guidance for the current year.
Encavis AG soared 25% to €16.94 after the U.S.-based private equity firm KKR launched a 2.8 billion takeover offer for the German independent power generator.
The renewable power producer operates more than 300 solar parks and wind farms in 12 countries in Europe.
RWE AG gained 3.5% to €32.71 after the German power generator and trader reiterated its annual outlook.
Hapag-Lloyd fell 1.1% to €132.80 after the Germany-based container shipping company issued an earnings warning for the current year.
Lanxess AG plunged 8.6% to €23.89 after the specialty chemicals maker based in Germany reported a wider fourth-quarter loss.
EasyJet declined 2.2% to 525.20 pence after the discount airline completed the sale of a €850 million secured bond maturing in 2031 with an interest coupon of 3.75%.
The company plans to use part of the proceeds of the offering to repay its existing debt, which will mature in 18 months.
With the post-pandemic recovery, the company has repaid £1.6 billion and deleveraged its balance sheet.
EasyJet bonds are expected to be rated Baa2 (with a stable outlook) by Moody's and BBB (with a positive outlook) by Standard & Poor's, with over 200 investors participating in the issue.
Japan's Rate Jitters and China's Deflation Worries Dominate Asia Trading
Asian stock markets lacked momentum, and investors stayed cautious in China ahead of the release of earnings announcements from major companies next week.
Moreover, annual wage negotiations in Japan, known as Shunto, dominated market sentiment after several large corporations agreed to significant wage increases for the second year in a row, raising hopes of rate action by the Bank of Japan.
Spring Wage Negotiations Dominate Market Sentiment in Tokyo
Market indexes in Tokyo rebounded from morning losses driven by weakness in tech stocks following the decline in New York in overnight trading.
Stocks struggled to gain traction, and the yen traded around 147 against the U.S. dollar amid widespread speculation that the Bank of Japan is likely to end its negative interest rate policy next week.
Japan is the only developed country with negative interest rates after keeping rates near zero for more than two decades.
Investors also keenly awaited the details of annual wage negotiations between the large Japanese companies and unions after Toyota Motor agreed to increase wage demand by more than 5% for the second year in a row.
The Toyota agreement generally sets the tone for other automakers and leads Japanese companies to finalize their wage agreements.
Toyota agreed to the largest wage increase since 1999 and accepted the union's demand for a monthly increase between ¥7,940 ($54) and ¥28,440 ($194).
Nissan Motor also agreed to the monthly wage hike demand of ¥18,000, or $123.
Nippon Steel, JFE Steel, Kobe Steel, Honda Motor, Mazda, and Japan Airlines are some of the other leading companies meeting or exceeding workers' unions higher wage demands for the second year in a row.
Real wages in Japan have been stagnant for more than two decades, and companies are willing to provide nominal wage increases of as much as 12% amid labor shortages and rising inflation.
Toyota Motor closed nearly unchanged at ¥3,444.0, Honda Motor advanced 1.1% to ¥1,751.50, and Nissan Motor advanced 2.2% to ¥563.10.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average gained 0.2% to 38,782.48, and the Topix index jumped 0.4% to 2,658.07.
Diversified conglomerates Marubeni, Itochu, Mitsubishi, and Mitsui & Company gained between 0.7% and 2.2%.
Semiconductor stocks led decliners, and Tokyo Electron, Advantest, Screen Holdings, and Disco Corp. fell between 1% and 3.5%.
Caution Prevailed In China Trading Ahead of Earnings Releases
Stocks in Shanghai and Hong Kong were under pressure for the second day in a row ahead of a string of earnings announcements next week and rising tensions between China and the U.S.
The CSI 300 index decreased 0.06%, and the Hang Seng index declined 0.5% to 16,984.44.
About 30 companies included in the widely followed Hang Seng index are scheduled to release earnings next week, and investors turned cautious amid economic uncertainties.
AIA Group decreased 4.4% to HK$62.0 after the insurance company's 2023 earnings met market expectations.
AIA said 2023 earnings increased 15% to $5.76 billion, or 32.68 cents, in a filing with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
AIA, one of the largest travel insurance providers, benefited last year after the Hong Kong government relaxed inbound travel restrictions following three years of border closures during the coronavirus pandemic.
Tech stocks were among the leading decliners after the U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill that could force China-based ByteDance to divest its stake in the popular short video sharing app TikTok.
The move follows after Chinese security agencies stepped up arbitrary enforcement of the recently expanded espionage rules on foreign companies operating in China.
Tencent Holdings, Alibaba.com Group, JD.com, and Baidu Inc. dropped between 0.5% and 1.2%.
Property companies were in focus in the hopes that China-controlled funds would step up investing in struggling real estate developers.
Moreover, Hangzhou city loosened its restrictions on the sale of existing homes, and Guangdong province capital Guangzhou approved a second list of 116 properties that are likely to receive financial help and support for the completion and sale of apartments.
Longfor Group, China Resources Land, and China Vanke jumped between 2% and 4% on the hopes of more financial measures from the government-controlled entities.
India Indexes Struggle Amid Stretched Valuation
India stocks traded down, and market indexes extended weekly losses amid worries of tighter regulatory scrutiny in small and mid-cap stocks.
The Sensex and the Nifty indexes declined and extended 2-day losses to more than 1.4%.
Sebi chairman Madhabi Puri Buch highlighted the need to crack down on market manipulation activities targeting small and mid-cap stocks.
Puri's comments sent market indexes down by more than 1% in Wednesday's trading.
Market sentiment was cautious for the second consecutive day amid ongoing global interest rate uncertainties, stretched domestic market valuations, and a lack of additional net flows from foreign investors.
Moreover, international companies have stepped up selling stakes in their Indian subsidiaries to take advantage of sky-high valuations.
British American Tobacco was the latest company to announce the sale of a stake in its Indian unit, ITC.
The Sensex index increased 0.5% to 73,097.28, and the Nifty index closed higher 0.7% to 22,146.65.
On the Mumbai stock exchange, 74 stocks traded at their 52-week highs and 173 stocks traded at their 52-week lows.
Reliance Industries declined 2.6% to ₹2,873.20, and the company agreed to acquire the remaining 13% stake held by the U.S.-based Paramount Global in Viacom18 Media Pvt Ltd. for ₹4,286 crore, or $517 million.
Tata Motors decreased 4.3% to ₹973.15, and the company signed a preliminary agreement with the Tamil Nadu government to invest 9,000 crore, or $1.1 billion, in a vehicle manufacturing facility.
Producer Price Inflation Accelerates In February
Brian Turner
14 Mar, 2024
New York City
The producer price index for the final demand increased by 0.6% from the previous month in February, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Thursday.
The annual measure of wholesale inflation accelerated to 1.6% in the month from 0.9% in January after high energy prices drove goods prices to increase at the fastest pace in six months.
Goods prices increased 1.2%, and the cost of services edged up 0.3%.
However, the core rate of inflation, which excludes volatile energy and food prices, rose at a slower pace of 0.3% after rising 0.5% in the previous month.
Weaker U.S. Retail Sales Bounce In February
Brian Turner
14 Mar, 2024
New York City
Seasonally adjusted retail and food services sales, but not adjusted for prices, increased 0.6% from the previous month and rose 1.5% from a year ago in February.
Despite elevated inflation and rising interest rates, consumer spending is holding up, but consumers are sticking to basic necessities and avoiding discretionary items.
Nonstore retail sales increased 6.4%, and food services and drinking place sales advanced 6.3% from a year ago.
Retail sales in February rose by 0.6% on a monthly basis, and January's monthly sales decline was lowered to 1.1% from the previous estimate of a 0.8% fall.
Total retail sales over the three-month period to February 2024, which covers the critical holiday period, rose 2.1% from the same period a year ago.
U.S. Movers: Dick's Sporing Goods, Dollar General, Robinhood Markets, SentinetOne
Scott Peters
14 Mar, 2024
New York City
Robinhood Markets soared 12.4% to $19.30 after the online brokerage firm reported monthly operating statistics for February 2024 and said assets under custody increased 16% from the previous month.
SentinelOne dropped 8.4% to $25.39 despite the cybersecurity firm reporting better-than-expected fourth quarter revenue and earnings.
Dollar General rose 5.7% to $167.21 after the deep discount retailer reported better-than-expected holiday quarter sales and issued an annual earnings outlook ahead of expectations.
The retailer estimated 2024 earnings per share to fall between $6.80 and $7.55, on the back of sales growth between 6.0% and 6.7%.
Dick's Sporting Goods rose 4.9% to $197.0 after the athletic goods retailer posted record quarterly sales in the fiscal fourth quarter.
Net sales in the holiday quarter ending on February 3rd increased 7.85 to $3.9 billion from $3.6 billion, net income advanced 26% to $296 million from $236 million, and diluted earnings per share rose to $3.57 from $2.60 a year ago.
The company estimated fiscal 2024 earnings per share to range between $12.85 and $13.25 and estimated same-store sales to rise between 1% and 2%.
U.S. Averages Turn Mixed After Wholesale Inflation Accelerates
Barry Adams
14 Mar, 2024
New York City
Stocks on Wall Street advanced, and tech stocks led the gainers as the market rally broadened to the energy and materials sectors.
The S&P 500 index and the Nasdaq Composite advanced more than 0.4%, and Treasury yields edged slightly higher after investors reviewed the latest retail sales and wholesale price data.
Weaker U.S. Retail Sales Bounce In February
Seasonally adjusted retail and food services sales, but not adjusted for prices, increased 0.6% from the previous month and rose 1.5% from a year ago in February.
Despite elevated inflation and rising interest rates, consumer spending is holding up, but consumers are sticking to basic necessities and avoiding discretionary items.
Nonstore retail sales increased 6.4%, and food services and drinking place sales advanced 6.3% from a year ago.
Retail sales in February rose by 0.6% on a monthly basis, and January's monthly sales decline was lowered to 1.1% from the previous estimate of a 0.8% fall.
Total retail sales over the three-month period to February 2024, which covers the critical holiday period, rose 2.1% from the same period a year ago.
Producer Price Inflation Accelerates In February
The producer price index for the final demand increased by 0.6% from the previous month in February, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Thursday.
The annual measure of wholesale inflation accelerated to 1.6% in the month from 0.9% in January after high energy prices drove goods prices to increase at the fastest pace in six months.
Goods prices increased 1.2%, and the cost of services edged up 0.3%.
However, the core rate of inflation, which excludes volatile energy and food prices, rose at a slower pace of 0.3% after rising 0.5% in the previous month.
U.S. Indexes and Yields
The S&P 500 index increased 0.1% to 5,173.03, and the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.4% to 16,196.39.
The yield on 2-year Treasury notes increased to 4.63%, 10-year Treasury notes inched up to 4.19%, and 30-year Treasury bonds edged down to 4.35%.
WTI crude oil increased $0.77 to $80.49 a barrel, and natural gas prices increased 1 cent to $1.65 a thermal unit.
Gold decreased by $7.34 to $2,167.14 an ounce, and silver rose 6 cents to $24.91.
The dollar index, which weighs the U.S. dollar against a basket of foreign currencies, edged lower to 102.84.
U.S. Stock Movers
Robinhood Markets soared 12.4% to $19.30 after the online brokerage firm reported monthly operating statistics for February 2024 and said assets under custody increased 16% from the previous month.
SentinelOne dropped 8.4% to $25.39 despite the cybersecurity firm reporting better-than-expected fourth quarter revenue and earnings.
Dollar General rose 5.7% to $167.21 after the deep discount retailer reported better-than-expected holiday quarter sales and issued an annual earnings outlook ahead of expectations.
The retailer estimated 2024 earnings per share to fall between $6.80 and $7.55, on the back of sales growth between 6.0% and 6.7%.
DICK's Sporting Goods rose 4.9% to $197.0 after the athletic goods retailer posted record quarterly sales in the fiscal fourth quarter.
Net sales in the holiday quarter ending on February 3rd increased 7.85 to $3.9 billion from $3.6 billion, net income advanced 26% to $296 million from $236 million, and diluted earnings per share rose to $3.57 from $2.60 a year ago.
The company estimated fiscal 2024 earnings per share to range between $12.85 and $13.25 and estimated same-store sales to rise between 1% and 2%.
Europe Movers: Encavis, EasyJet, Hapag-Lloyd, Lanxess, K&S, RWE
Inga Muller
14 Mar, 2024
Frankfurt
Stock market indexes in Germany and France traded at new record intra-day highs, and crude oil prices rose to a 4-month high on rising tensions in the Middle East and lower crude oil inventories in the U.S.
The DAX index increased by 0.2% to 18,003.06, the CAC-40 index rose by 0.9% to 8,207.69, and the FTSE 100 index inched lower by 0.1% to 7,767.24.
The yield on 10-year German bonds edged up to 2.36%; French bonds inched higher to 2.79%; the UK gilts edged higher to 4.02%; and Italian bonds inched lower to 3.56%.
K&S AG increased 5.7% to €14.03 after the Germany-based Europe's largest manufacturer of potash and salt miner reported better-than-expected annual results and guidance for the current year.
Encavis AG soared 25% to €16.94 after the U.S.-based private equity firm KKR launched a 2.8 billion takeover offer for the German independent power generator.
The renewable power producer operates more than 300 solar parks and wind farms in 12 countries in Europe.
RWE AG gained 3.5% to €32.71 after the German power generator and trader reiterated its annual outlook.
Hapag-Lloyd fell 1.1% to €132.80 after the Germany-based container shipping company issued an earnings warning for the current year.
Lanxess AG plunged 8.6% to €23.89 after the specialty chemicals maker based in Germany reported a wider fourth-quarter loss.
EasyJet declined 2.2% to 525.20 pence after the discount airline completed the sale of a €850 million secured bond maturing in 2031 with an interest coupon of 3.75%.
The company plans to use part of the proceeds of the offering to repay its existing debt, which will mature in 18 months.
With the post-pandemic recovery, the company has repaid £1.6 billion and deleveraged its balance sheet.
EasyJet bonds are expected to be rated Baa2 (with a stable outlook) by Moody's and BBB (with a positive outlook) by Standard & Poor's, with over 200 investors participating in the issue.
New Intra-day Highs In France and Germany Stock Indexes, Spain's Inflation Drops to a 6-month Low
Bridgette Randall
14 Mar, 2024
Frankfurt
European stock market indexes advanced, crude oil prices jumped, and the euro held steady amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
Benchmark indexes in Paris and Frankfurt traded at new record highs as investors overlooked interest rate uncertainties.
The European Central Bank policymakers are sending signals that an imminent interest rate cut is less likely, but there is a growing possibility of a rate cut later in the year.
"It's perhaps more probable in June, and we are very pragmatic, but that will depend on the data," Bank of France Governor Francois Villeroy de Galhau said on France Info radio.
The ECB's chief economist, Philip Lane, also stressed not to lower rates too soon in an interview with the financial news channel CNBC.
“We’ve been on hold since last September since a substantial hiking cycle; we do have to take our time to get that right, from holding to dialing back restrictions,” Lane told CNBC’s Steve Sedgwick.
The European Central Bank lifted its key lending rates ten times from near zero to above 4% between July 2022 and September 2023, but inflation is still above the target rate of 2%.
Consumer inflation in the eurozone has declined to 2.6% in February and has fallen over the last fifteen months after peaking at 10.6% in October 2022, but the decline is largely driven by the sharp fall in energy prices and by the actions of the central bank.
In other economic news, Spain's statistical agency confirmed the softening of inflation to a six-month low in February, to 2.8% from 3.4% in January.
The EU harmonized inflation also dropped to a six-month low of 2.9%, as estimated, and was down from 3.5% in January, the National Statistics Institute reported Thursday.
Europe Indexes and Yields
The DAX index increased by 0.2% to 18,003.06, the CAC-40 index rose by 0.9% to 8,207.69, and the FTSE 100 index inched lower by 0.1% to 7,767.24.
The yield on 10-year German bonds edged up to 2.36%; French bonds inched higher to 2.79%; the UK gilts edged higher to 4.02%; and Italian bonds inched lower to 3.56%.
The euro edged higher to $1.093, the British pound inched higher to $1.281, and the U.S. dollar held steady at 87.95 Swiss cents.
Brent crude increased $0.66 to $84.67 a barrel, and the Dutch TTF natural gas decreased by €0.08 to €24.82 per MWh.
Europe Stock Movers
K&S AG increased 5.7% to €14.03 after the Germany-based Europe's largest manufacturer of potash and salt miner reported better-than-expected annual results and guidance for the current year.
Encavis AG soared 25% to €16.94 after the U.S.-based private equity firm KKR launched a 2.8 billion takeover offer for the German independent power generator.
The renewable power producer operates more than 300 solar parks and wind farms in 12 countries in Europe.
RWE AG gained 3.5% to €32.71 after the German power generator and trader reiterated its annual outlook.
Hapag-Lloyd fell 1.1% to €132.80 after the Germany-based container shipping company issued an earnings warning for the current year.
Lanxess AG plunged 8.6% to €23.89 after the specialty chemicals maker based in Germany reported a wider fourth-quarter loss.
EasyJet declined 2.2% to 525.20 pence after the discount airline completed the sale of a €850 million secured bond maturing in 2031 with an interest coupon of 3.75%.
The company plans to use part of the proceeds of the offering to repay its existing debt, which will mature in 18 months.
With the post-pandemic recovery, the company has repaid £1.6 billion and deleveraged its balance sheet.
EasyJet bonds are expected to be rated Baa2 (with a stable outlook) by Moody's and BBB (with a positive outlook) by Standard & Poor's, with over 200 investors participating in the issue.
Japan Wage Negotiations Dominate Market Sentiment, China Stocks Under Pressure Ahead of Earnings
Arjun Pandit
14 Mar, 2024
Mumbai
Asian stock markets lacked momentum, and investors stayed cautious in China ahead of the release of earnings announcements from major companies next week.
Moreover, annual wage negotiations in Japan, known as Shunto, dominated market sentiment after several large corporations agreed to significant wage increases for the second year in a row, raising hopes of rate action by the Bank of Japan.
Spring Wage Negotiations Dominate Market Sentiment in Tokyo
Market indexes in Tokyo rebounded from morning losses driven by weakness in tech stocks following the decline in New York in overnight trading.
Stocks struggled to gain traction, and the yen traded around 147 against the U.S. dollar amid widespread speculation that the Bank of Japan is likely to end its negative interest rate policy next week.
Japan is the only developed country with negative interest rates after keeping rates near zero for more than two decades.
Investors also keenly awaited the details of annual wage negotiations between the large Japanese companies and unions after Toyota Motor agreed to increase wage demand by more than 5% for the second year in a row.
The Toyota agreement generally sets the tone for other automakers and leads Japanese companies to finalize their wage agreements.
Toyota agreed to the largest wage increase since 1999 and accepted the union's demand for a monthly increase between ¥7,940 ($54) and ¥28,440 ($194).
Nissan Motor also agreed to the monthly wage hike demand of ¥18,000, or $123.
Nippon Steel, JFE Steel, Kobe Steel, Honda Motor, Mazda, and Japan Airlines are some of the other leading companies meeting or exceeding workers' unions higher wage demands for the second year in a row.
Real wages in Japan have been stagnant for more than two decades, and companies are willing to provide nominal wage increases of as much as 12% amid labor shortages and rising inflation.
Toyota Motor closed nearly unchanged at ¥3,444.0, Honda Motor advanced 1.1% to ¥1,751.50, and Nissan Motor advanced 2.2% to ¥563.10.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average gained 0.2% to 38,782.48, and the Topix index jumped 0.4% to 2,658.07.
Diversified conglomerates Marubeni, Itochu, Mitsubishi, and Mitsui & Company gained between 0.7% and 2.2%.
Semiconductor stocks led decliners, and Tokyo Electron, Advantest, Screen Holdings, and Disco Corp. fell between 1% and 3.5%.
Caution Prevailed In China Trading Ahead of Earnings Releases
Stocks in Shanghai and Hong Kong were under pressure for the second day in a row ahead of a string of earnings announcements next week and rising tensions between China and the U.S.
The CSI 300 index decreased 0.06%, and the Hang Seng index declined 0.5% to 16,984.44.
About 30 companies included in the widely followed Hang Seng index are scheduled to release earnings next week, and investors turned cautious amid economic uncertainties.
AIA Group decreased 4.4% to HK$62.0 after the insurance company's 2023 earnings met market expectations.
AIA said 2023 earnings increased 15% to $5.76 billion, or 32.68 cents, in a filing with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
AIA, one of the largest travel insurance providers, benefited last year after the Hong Kong government relaxed inbound travel restrictions following three years of border closures during the coronavirus pandemic.
Tech stocks were among the leading decliners after the U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill that could force China-based ByteDance to divest its stake in the popular short video sharing app TikTok.
The move follows after Chinese security agencies stepped up arbitrary enforcement of the recently expanded espionage rules on foreign companies operating in China.
Tencent Holdings, Alibaba.com Group, JD.com, and Baidu Inc. dropped between 0.5% and 1.2%.
Property companies were in focus in the hopes that China-controlled funds would step up investing in struggling real estate developers.
Moreover, Hangzhou city loosened its restrictions on the sale of existing homes, and Guangdong province capital Guangzhou approved a second list of 116 properties that are likely to receive financial help and support for the completion and sale of apartments.
Longfor Group, China Resources Land, and China Vanke jumped between 2% and 4% on the hopes of more financial measures from the government-controlled entities.
India Indexes Struggle Amid Stretched Valuation
India stocks traded down, and market indexes extended weekly losses amid worries of tighter regulatory scrutiny in small and mid-cap stocks.
The Sensex and the Nifty indexes declined and extended 2-day losses to more than 1.4%.
Sebi chairman Madhabi Puri Buch highlighted the need to crack down on market manipulation activities targeting small and mid-cap stocks.
Puri's comments sent market indexes down by more than 1% in Wednesday's trading.
Market sentiment was cautious for the second consecutive day amid ongoing global interest rate uncertainties, stretched domestic market valuations, and a lack of additional net flows from foreign investors.
Moreover, international companies have stepped up selling stakes in their Indian subsidiaries to take advantage of sky-high valuations.
British American Tobacco was the latest company to announce the sale of a stake in its Indian unit, ITC.
The Sensex index decreased 0.2% to 72,570.10, and the Nifty index edged down 0.1% to 21,982.55.
On the Mumbai stock exchange, 13 stocks traded at their 52-week highs and 59 stocks traded at their 52-week lows.
Reliance Industries declined 2.6% to ₹2,873.20, and the company agreed to acquire the remaining 13% stake held by the U.S.-based Paramount Global in Viacom18 Media Pvt Ltd. for ₹4,286 crore, or $517 million.
Tata Motors decreased 4.3% to ₹973.15, and the company signed a preliminary agreement with the Tamil Nadu government to invest 9,000 crore, or $1.1 billion, in a vehicle manufacturing facility.
India Movers: DLF, KEC, Grasim Industries, HAL, Reliance Industries, Som Distillers, Tata Motors, PC Jeweller
Arun Goswami
14 Mar, 2024
Mumbai
Stocks in Mumbai struggled to gain traction in early trading on growing worries about stretched market valuations and the possibilities of greater regulatory scrutiny of small and mid cap stock trading.
The Sensex index decreased 0.2% to 72,570.10, and the Nifty index edged down 0.1% to 21,982.55.
On the Mumbai stock exchange, 13 stocks traded at their 52-week highs and 59 stocks traded at their 52-week lows.
Reliance Industries declined 2.6% to ₹2,873.20, and the company agreed to acquire the remaining 13% stake held by the U.S.-based Paramount Global in Viacom18 Media Pvt Ltd. for ₹4,286 crore.
Hindustan Aeronautics dropped 7.2% to ₹3,032.95, and the Ministry of Defense signed two contracts worth 8,073 crore for the purchase of advanced 34 helicopters.
Som Distillers declined 7.9% to ₹221.0, and the company's board is scheduled to meet on April 2 to discuss a stock split proposal.
KEC International fell 6.1% to ₹690.95, and the company said its various business units received orders worth ₹2,257 crore.
Grasim Industries declined 1.9% to ₹2,142.05, and the finance committee of the company's board approved the proposal to raise 1,250 crore through a non-convertible debenture offering.
DLF fell 4.4% to ₹826.0, and the company agreed to sell a land parcel of 4.67 acres worth 735 crore to Cholamandalam Investment and Finance.
Tata Motors decreased 4.3% to ₹973.15, and the company signed a preliminary agreement with the Tamil Nadu government to invest 9,000 crore in a vehicle manufacturing facility.
PC Jeweller Ltd. gained 4.4% to ₹61.35 after the State Bank of India accepted the company's settlement proposal to clear outstanding payments.