Market Update
U.S. Movers: Capital One Financial, Discover Financial, Home Depot, Walmart, Vizio
Scott Peters
20 Feb, 2024
New York City
Walmart increased 2.9% to $175.36 after the general merchandise and grocery retailer reported better-than-expected revenue and earnings in the fourth quarter.
Total revenues in the fourth quarter increased 5.7% to $173.4 billion from $164.0 billion, consolidated net income declined to $5.5 billion from $6.3 billion, and diluted earnings per share decreased to $2.03 from $2.32 a year ago.
For the full fiscal year 2023 ending in January, revenue rose 6% to $648.1 billion from $611.3 billion, net income advanced 32.8% to $15.5 billion from $11.7 billion, and diluted earnings per share rose 32.8% to $5.76 from $4.29 a year ago.
The company guided fiscal first quarter sales to increase between 4% and 5% and adjusted earnings per share before the split to range between $1.48 and $1.56 or post-split between 49 cents and 52 cents.
Walmart stock is set to be split 3-to-1 on February 23; after the close, the stock split will be awarded to shareholders on record on February 22.
Separately, Walmart said it plans to acquire smart TV maker Vizio for $2.3 billion and boost its advertising business through the ad-free streaming content on its television sets.
Vizio jumped 16% to $11.06 and extended its two-day gain to over 40% when the news of a possible deal emerged.
Home Depot decreased 2.6% to $352.70 after the specialty retailer reported better-than-expected revenue and earnings in the fourth quarter despite consumers retrenching from larger do-it-yourself projects.
Revenue in the fiscal fourth quarter ending in January declined 2.9% to $34.8 billion, net income dropped 16.7% to $2.8 billion from $3.4 billion, and diluted earnings per share fell 14.5% to $2.82 from $3.30 a year ago.
Total sales in the fiscal year 2023 decreased by 3% to $152.7 billion, comparable sales fell by 3.2%, and comparable sales in the U.S. decreased by 3.5%.
Net earnings in the year decreased 11.5% to $15.1 billion from $171. billion, and diluted earnings per share fell 9.5% to $15.11 from $16.69 per diluted share in fiscal 2022.
The company's board of directors approved a 7.7% increase in its quarterly dividend to $2.25, payable on March 21 to shareholders on record on March 7.
The company estimated total sales in fiscal 2024 to increase by 1%, including the 53rd week, but comparable sales declined by 1.0% in the 52-week period.
The retailer estimated diluted earnings per share to increase by 1% for the 53-week period.
Capital One Financial decreased 3% to $133.0 after the company agreed to acquire Discover Financial in an all-stock deal for $35.3 billion.
The deal was announced late Monday, and after the merger, Capital One shareholders would control 60% and Discover Financial shareholders would control 40% of the combined company.
Treasury Yields Ease and Stocks Meander On Merger Monday
Barry Adams
20 Feb, 2024
New York City
Stocks on Wall Street edged slightly lower in early trading as investors returned from a three-day weekend and reviewed the latest earnings reports.
Treasury yields turned lower after investors reassessed the interest rate path after two reports suggested hot inflation and a decline in retail sales in January.
The market mood has been positive despite the ongoing interest rate uncertainties, but increasingly investors are getting more comfortable with elevated inflation and higher interest rates as long as corporate earnings are rising.
The S&P 500 index has been hovering near a record high, and the Nasdaq Composite is only 1% away from its record high in November 2021.
U.S. indexes and yields
The S&P 500 index decreased 0.4% to 5,001.25, and the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.5% to 15,695.04.
The yield on 2-year Treasury notes decreased to 4.60%, 10-year Treasury notes inched down to 4.27%, and 30-year Treasury bonds edged down to 4.45%.
WTI crude oil decreased $0.93 to $77.55 a barrel, and natural gas prices increased 3 cents to $1.59 a thermal unit and rebounded from a low last seen in September 2020.
Gold increased by $10.04 to $2,027.60 an ounce after the U.S. dollar gained in international trading.
The dollar index, which weighs the U.S. dollar against a basket of foreign currencies, edged lower to 104.08.
U.S. Stock Movers
Walmart increased 2.9% to $175.36 after the general merchandise and grocery retailer reported better-than-expected revenue and earnings in the fourth quarter.
Separately, Walmart said it plans to acquire smart TV maker Vizio for $2.3 billion and boost its advertising business through the ad-free streaming content on its television sets.
Vizio jumped 16% to $11.06 and extended its two-day gain to over 40% when the news of a possible deal emerged.
Home Depot decreased 2.6% to $352.70 after the specialty retailer reported better-than-expected revenue and earnings in the fourth quarter despite consumers retrenching from larger do-it-yourself projects.
Capital One Financial decreased 3% to $133.0 after the company agreed to acquire Discover Financial in an all-stock deal for $35.3 billion.
The deal was announced late Monday, and after the merger, Capital One shareholders would control 60% and Discover Financial shareholders would control 40% of the combined company.
Europe Movers: Barclays, Fresenius Medical Care, InterContinental Hotels
Inga Muller
20 Feb, 2024
Frankfurt
European markets traded sideways, and investors reacted to earnings from domestic corporations.
In addition, EU passenger car sales rebounded in January, and the current account swung to surplus in 2023 from a deficit in 2022.
The DAX index decreased by 0.2% to 17,057.49, the CAC-40 index rose 0.3% to 7,792.92, and the FTSE 100 index inched higher by 0.04% to 7,731.61.
The yield on 10-year German bonds edged down to 2.37%; French bonds inched higher to 2.84%; the UK gilts edged lower to 4.05%; and Italian bonds inched higher to 3.86%.
Barclays PLC increased 5.7% to 157.50 pence after the UK-based bank reported weak quarterly results.
Total revenue in the fourth quarter declined 3% to £5.6 billion from £5.8 billion, and net income attributable to shareholders swung to a loss of £111 million from a profit of £1.04 billion a year ago.
The financial services company also said it plans to return £10 billion to shareholders between 2024 and 2026 through stock buybacks and dividends.
Fresenius Medical Care decreased 0.3% to €26.51 despite the Germany dialysis firm reporting stronger-than-expected fourth quarter results.
Revenue in the fourth quarter was flat at €4.98 billion, net income advanced to €188 million from €139 million, and basic earnings per share jumped 35% to 64 cents from 47 cents a year ago.
The company estimated 2024 revenue growth at "a low- to mid-single-digit percent rate" and operating income at a "mid- to high-teen percent rate" compared to a year ago, respectively.
InterContinental Hotels Group rose 3.8% to 8,216.0 pence after the company reported strong financial results.
Revenue in 2023 increased 18% to $4.6 billion from $3.9 billion, net income soared 99.5% to $750 million from $356 million, and basic earnings per share advanced 114% to $4.43 from $2.07 a year ago.
In 2023, the company completed a stock buyback of $750 million and paid $245 million in dividends.
The hospitality group also announced a new stock repurchase program of $800 million and plans to return to shareholders about $1 billion, including dividends, in 2024.
The company increased its final dividend by 10% to $1.04, increasing its total dividend in 2023 to $1.523 per share.
Eurozone Current Account Swings to Surplus, EU Passenger Car Sales Rebound
Bridgette Randall
20 Feb, 2024
New York City
European markets traded mixed as investors overlooked interest rate uncertainties and shifted their focus to another batch of earnings.
Benchmark indexes in Germany edged lower, but in Paris and London they advanced.
Market indexes in Paris and Frankfurt hovered near record highs, but anxious investors awaited the release of the latest policy meeting minutes.
Eurozone Current Account Swings to Surplus in 2023
The Eurozone current account surplus rose to a six-month high in December, the European Central Bank reported Tuesday.
The current account surplus rose to €32 billion from €22 billion in the previous month, the highest level since last June.
The goods surplus in the month rose to €35 billion from €32 billion, and the service surplus eased to €16 billion from €17 billion a year ago.
The primary income shortfall in the month declined to €5 billion from €13 billion, and the secondary income shortfall decreased to €13 billion from €14 billion a year ago.
In the full-year 2023, the current account surplus increased to €260 billion, or 1.8% of the eurozone GDP, from a deficit of €82 billion, or 0.6% of GDP, in 2022.
EU Passenger Car Registration Jumped In January
Passenger car registration in the European Union rose 12.1% from a year ago in January to 851,700 units, the European Automobile Manufacturers Association reported Tuesday.
Despite higher interest rates and rising costs of living, buyers returned to acquire new vehicles.
Among major markets in the region, passenger car registrations in Germany soared 19.1%, followed by Italy with an increase of 10.6%, France 9.2%, and Spain 7.3%.
Battery electric vehicle sales rebounded 28.9% to 92,700 units, comprising 10.9% of all registrations and rebounding from a 16.9% decline in December.
In January, the petrol car market expanded by 4%, driven by an increase of 26.7% in Italy and a 16.9% rise in Germany.
Despite maintaining its lead with 35.2% of the market in January, the share of gasoline cars decreased from 37.9% in the same month in 2023.
Diesel car registration continued to shrink as buyers opted for hybrids or other models of passenger cars.
The EU diesel car market shrank by 4.9% in January, with a decline of 23.4% in France, 10.2% in Spain, and 8.7% in Italy.
However, Germany diverged from this trend with an increase of 4.3%.
In January, diesel car registrations were 114,415 units, shrinking its market share to 13.4% from 15.8% in the month a year ago.
Europe Indexes and Yields
The DAX index decreased by 0.2% to 17,057.49, the CAC-40 index rose 0.3% to 7,792.92, and the FTSE 100 index inched higher by 0.04% to 7,731.61.
The yield on 10-year German bonds edged down to 2.37%; French bonds inched higher to 2.84%; the UK gilts edged lower to 4.05%; and Italian bonds inched higher to 3.86%.
The euro edged higher to $1.08, the British pound inched higher to $1.263, and the U.S. dollar gained to 88.06 Swiss cents.
Brent crude decreased $0.43 to $83.09 a barrel, and the Dutch TTF natural gas increased by €0.19 to €23.89 per MWh.
Europe Stock Movers
Barclays PLC increased 5.7% to 157.50 pence after the UK-based bank reported weak quarterly results.
Total revenue in the fourth quarter declined 3% to £5.6 billion from £5.8 billion, and net income attributable to shareholders swung to a loss of £111 million from a profit of £1.04 billion a year ago.
The financial services company also said it plans to return £10 billion to shareholders between 2024 and 2026 through stock buybacks and dividends.
Fresenius Medical Care decreased 0.3% to €26.51 despite the Germany dialysis firm reporting stronger-than-expected fourth quarter results.
Revenue in the fourth quarter was flat at €4.98 billion, net income advanced to €188 million from €139 million, and basic earnings per share jumped 35% to 64 cents from 47 cents a year ago.
The company estimated 2024 revenue growth at "a low- to mid-single-digit percent rate" and operating income at a "mid- to high-teen percent rate" compared to a year ago, respectively.
China Cuts 5-year Loan Rate to Revive Property Market, Asian Markets Drift Lower
Arjun Pandit
20 Feb, 2024
Mumbai
Asian markets traded down amid global interest rate worries and persistent weakness in Chinese markets amid growing tensions with the U.S.
Market indexes in Tokyo, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Mumbai, and Seoul traded down after U.S. Treasury yields edged higher.
Moreover, the latest rate cut by China failed to support market enthusiasm because investors are looking for stronger measures and long-term policy measures to support the property market and lift consumer sentiment.
European markets closed down in lackluster trading in Monday's trading, and the U.S. financial markets were closed to celebrate President's Day.
Market sentiment in Asian markets was cautious after U.S. Treasury yields spiked higher.
Tokyo Stocks Drifted Lower Amid Weakness In Banks and Tech Stocks
The Nikkei index decreased 0.1% to 38,413.66, and the benchmark index traded just below a 34-year high as investors reassessed the possibility of a near-term rate cut.
The Bank of Japan has been sending mixed signals, but most investors are hoping that the central bank is ready to end its ultra-loose monetary policy after the end of wage negotiations at large corporations over the next two months.
Tech stocks were among the leading gainers, and Screen Holdings, Advantest, and Tokyo Electron gained between 0.5% and 4.0%.
Banks were in focus for the second week in a row after investors scaled back bets on the end of ultra-loose monetary policy.
Banks are likely to be big winners as interest rates rise, lifting the net interest rate margin.
Mitsubishi UFJ, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial, and Mizuho Financial decreased between 0.5% and 1.5%.
Three leading automobile exporters, Honda Motor, Toyota Motor, and Nissan, traded mixed after the yen rebounded to above 150 against the U.S. dollar.
Fanuc and Yaskawa Electric jumped more than 3%.
China Lowered Rates to Spur Property Market
China lowered its interest rate for the first time since June 2023, hoping that the lower rate may revive the moribund property market.
The People's Bank of China lowered its 5-year loan prime rate by 25 basis points to 3.95%, the largest cut since the rate was introduced in 2019.
Just a few days ago, China held its one-year loan prime rate at 3.45%, and both one-year and 5-year rates are at record low levels.
The CSI 300 index decreased 0.4% to 3,389.40, and the Hang Seng index dropped 0.1% to 16,134.47.
China also offered about 160 billion yuan, or $22.2 billion, to local developers and supported the completion of housing projects, the state-controlled broadcaster CCTV reported Tuesday.
Despite the record low interest rates, property market confidence remains weak due to worries about a lack of large stimulus from the government and long-term measures to revive market confidence.
Longfor Group rose HK$9.03, China Vanke advanced 0.7% to $6.17, and China Resources Land decreased 2.8% to HK$24.15.
Electric vehicle makers were among the leading decliners after BYD lowered prices on plug-in hybrid cars by 20% for its new models.
The lower price by the industry leader is likely to spark another round of cuts by other players.
BYD declined 3.8% to HK$179.30, Li Auto fell 1.4% to HK$123.0, and Geely Automobile Holdings dropped 2.2% to HK$7.92.
FDI In China Eased Second Consecutive Year
Foreign direct investment in China declined for the second year in a row, the State Administration of Foreign Exchange reported Sunday.
Rising tensions with the U.S. and the arbitrary spying charges on foreign companies by Chinese authorities have kept many from investing in China. Foreign direct investment dropped 80% from the previous year to $33 billion in 2023.
The foreign direct investment declined for the second year and dropped to 10% of $344 in 2021.
India Stocks Struggled to Advance After Mixed Earnings Season
Stocks in Mumbai traded lower, the bond yield edged higher, and the Indian rupee held firm in Tuesday's trading.
The Sensex and the Nifty indexes traded down as investors reviewed the last batch of fiscal third quarter earnings results over the last week.
The Sensex index decreased 73.10 points to 72,634.99, and the Nifty index fell 44.55 points to 22,077.70.
On the Mumbai stock exchange, 178 stocks traded at their 52-week highs and 2 stocks traded at their 52-week lows.
The yield on the 10-year Indian government bonds increased to 7.10%, and the Indian rupee strengthened to ₹83.10 against the U.S. dollar.
India Movers: Balrampur Chini, CIE Automotive, Morepen, NBCC, Oriental Rail Infra, PowerGrid
Arun Goswami
20 Feb, 2024
Mumbai
Stocks in Mumbai traded in a tight range after the end of the earnings season last week, and bond yields held steady amid the weakness in markets in Europe and Asia.
The Sensex index decreased 73.10 points to 72,634.99, and the Nifty index fell 44.55 points to 22,077.70.
On the Mumbai stock exchange, 178 stocks traded at their 52-week highs and 2 stocks traded at their 52-week lows.
Balrampur Chini Mills declined to ₹387.50, and the company said it plans to invest about ₹2,000 crore over the next 30 months in the manufacturing of ply lactic acid.
CIE Automotive declined 1.7% to ₹475.05 despite the company swinging to a profit in its latest quarterly results.
Net income in the December quarter swung to a profit of 169 crore from a loss of 658 crore a year ago.
Oriental Rail Infrastructure rose 1.3% to ₹264.10 ahead of the company's board meeting on February 22.
The board plans to review the allotment of 50.6 lakh shares and 75 lakh warrants convertible to shares at a price of 169 per share.
Morepen Labs jumped 0.8% to ₹54.55, and the company board is scheduled to meet on February 22 to discuss various fund-raising plans.
ESAF Small Finance Bank jumped 0.1% to ₹64.90, and the company board is scheduled to meet on February 23 to review a proposal to issue non-convertible debentures through private placement.
NBCC advanced 1.1% to ₹142.95 after the company secured orders worth ₹3,690 crore.
Whirlpool of India decreased 3% to ₹142.95 ahead of the company's parent Whirlpool's Corporation's sale of a stake in the company through a block trade.
The company plans to sell 3.04 crore shares in a bock trade at a price of ₹1,230 crore per share today, according to a report.
Power Grid Corporation rose 3.2% to ₹286.65 after the company's board approved the investment of 656 crore in two power projects.
The Northern Region project is expected to be completed by November 2025 at a cost of 525 crore and the installation of a transformer at Bhiwani, Haryana by November 2025 at a cost of 141 crore.
Europe Movers: Forvia, Nnit, Temenos
Inga Muller
19 Feb, 2024
Frankfurt
Benchmark indexes in Europe hovered below record highs, and bond yields edged higher ahead of the release of minutes of the latest policy meetings from the European Central Bank and the Federal Reserve.
The DAX index increased by 0.4% to 17,056.02, the CAC-40 index fell 0.4% to 7,733.84, and the FTSE 100 index inched higher by 0.06% to 7,616.25.
The yield on 10-year German bonds edged up to 2.39%; French bonds inched higher to 2.82%; the UK gilts edged higher to 4.10%; and Italian bonds inched higher to 3.86%.
Forvia SE edged down 1.5% to €15.83 after the French automotive component maker reported quarterly results and estimated higher sales in 2024.
Temenos soared 7.2% to CHF 64.94 and rebounded after the Swiss software company's stock plunged more than 20% in Friday's trading after U.S.-based activist investor Hindenburg Research said it was shorting the stock.
Temenos is scheduled to release its financial statements after the close on Monday, and the company reiterated that its financial performance is in line with the preliminary results announced on January 19.
Nnit AS rose 3% to kr. 107.0, and the Danish life science information technology company is scheduled to release its annual earnings after the close of its regular trading session.
European Indexes Hover Below Record Highs, Bond Yields Advanced, Natural Gas Prices Drop to 8-month Low
Bridgette Randall
19 Feb, 2024
Frankfurt
European markets retreated in Monday's trading from record high levels on Friday as investors debated the future rate path.
Benchmark indexes in France and Germany traded down from record highs in Friday's trading amid a busy week of economic data releases and minutes of meetings from the European Central Bank and the Federal Reserve.
In Europe, investors are looking ahead to the GDP update from Germany, manufacturing and service sector surveys, and the final inflation reading in the eurozone.
Moreover, international trade data from Switzerland and Spain is scheduled to be released this week.
European markets trading in Monday's trading is expected to be subdued, and financial markets in the U.S. are closed to celebrate President's Day.
Closer to home, the annual rate of inflation in Sweden in January accelerated to 5.4% from a 22-month low of 4.4% in the previous month, Statistics Sweden reported Monday.
Inflation picked up largely because of a surge in housing rents and higher mortgage and utility costs.
Despite the weak macroeconomic backdrop in the eurozone, corporate earnings so far have been ahead of market expectations, driving benchmark indexes to record highs.
Investors also welcomed the latest update from China, indicating that tourism spending during the weeklong Lunar New Year holiday surpassed the pre-pandemic 2019 level.
Europe Indexes and Yields
The DAX index increased by 0.4% to 17,056.02, the CAC-40 index fell 0.4% to 7,733.84, and the FTSE 100 index inched higher by 0.06% to 7,616.25.
The yield on 10-year German bonds edged up to 2.39%; French bonds inched higher to 2.82%; the UK gilts edged higher to 4.10%; and Italian bonds inched higher to 3.86%.
The euro edged higher to $1.077, the British pound inched higher to $1.261, and the U.S. dollar gained to 88.07 Swiss cents.
Brent crude decreased $0.70 to $82.76 a barrel, and the Dutch TTF natural gas decreased by €0.60 to €24.22 per MWh.
The natural gas prices continued to drift lower after peaking on October 13 above €53 per MWh on elevated storage in Germany, France, and Italy and the resumption of supplies from Norway.
European Union natural gas reserves are at a 13-year high of 65.4% for the current period, and with signs of near-term cold weather, demand for natural gas is expected to stay below normal for the next few weeks.
Europe Stock Movers
Forvia SE edged down 1.5% to €15.83 after the French automotive component maker reported quarterly results and estimated higher sales in 2024.
Temenos soared 7.2% to CHF 64.94 and rebounded after the Swiss software company's stock plunged more than 20% in Friday's trading after U.S.-based activist investor Hindenburg Research said it was shorting the stock.
Temenos is scheduled to release its financial statements after the close on Monday, and the company reiterated that its financial performance is in line with the preliminary results announced on January 19.
Nnit AS rose 3% to kr. 107.0, and the Danish life science information technology company is scheduled to release its annual earnings after the close of its regular trading session.
China Holds Rates Steady, Shanghai Indexes Rebound, Japan Machinery Orders Advance
Arjun Pandit
19 Feb, 2024
Mumbai
In Asian markets, benchmark indexes in China advanced after investors returned from a week-long lunar new-year holiday, and the People's Bank of China held its one-year loan prime rate at 2.5%.
The market indexes in Hong Kong and Seoul advanced, but the indexes in Tokyo, Taiwan, Sydney, and Singapore struggled to advance.
The Nikkei and the Yen Trade Sideways in Tokyo
The Nikkei 225 index declined 0.08% to 38,454.85, tracking losses in overnight trading in New York.
On the economic front, core machine orders rose 2.7% to 838.8 billion yen from the previous month in December, the Cabinet Office said on Monday.
On a yearly basis, core machine orders, which exclude orders for ships and electric power companies, decreased 0.7% after dropping 4.9% in the previous month.
For the fourth quarter of 2023, orders were down 1.0% from the previous quarter and 2.5% from a year ago.
Despite the high volatility in the data series, the monthly report provides insights into the capital spending plans in the upcoming six to nine months.
The Cabinet Office forecasted orders to increase 4.6% in the first quarter from the fourth quarter but decline 0.2% from the previous year.
Exporters, automakers, and electronics companies declined after the yen hovered just below the 150 level against the U.S. dollar.
Mitsubishi Electric, Panasonic, and Sony declined between 0.3% and 1.1%, and Nintendo declined more than 5%.
Mitusi & Company, Oriental Land, Isetan Mitsukoshi, JGC Holdings, Sumitomo Pharma, and Mercari advanced more than 2.5%.
China Holds Rates, Shanghai, and Hong Kong Stocks Resume Slide
The People's Bank of China held its rate steady while balancing pressure on the yuan and the need to support the flagging property market.
The central bank held its one-year loan prime rate for the sixth month in a row.
Just before the new-year holidays, the People's Bank of China cut the reserve ratio requirement for banks by 50 basis points, freeing up more capital for loans.
Two weeks ago, a China-controlled sovereign fund also stepped up its purchase of leading stocks in Shanghai and Hong Kong.
However, market sentiment has remained negative, with no end in sight for the property market's slump.
Investors returned after the Lunar New Year holidays last week, but caution prevailed in Shanghai and Hong Kong trading.
Market indexes opened higher in mainland trading as investors sought to catch up with last week's trading in Asia and around the world, but market mood turned cautious on the twin worries of the ongoing property market slump and persistent selling by foreign investors.
The CSI 300 index increased 0.4% to 3,379.20, and the Hang Seng index declined 0.8% to 16,186.81.
Alibaba Group, JD.com, Tencent, and Baidu decreased between 0.5% and 2.5%, amid weakness in the tech sector.
Property sector stocks traded down and extended this year's losses.
Longfor Group, China Vanke, China Resources Land, and Country Garden Holdings declined between 3% and 5%.
China's Lunar New Year Holiday Travel Soared
Domestic tourism appeared to be on the rebound of three years of decline during the latest Lunar New Year holiday last week, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism data released today suggested.
Overall, domestic tourism jumped to 632.7 billion yuan, or $87.7 billion, an increase of 50% from the previous year's holiday period.
The number of domestic trips increased 34.3% from a year ago and jumped 19% from the 2019 level, indicating pent-up demand for travel.
The tourism revival provided a shot in the arm to overall consumer spending, as many retrenched from making large purchases amid the protracted housing market slump and weak job market.
Overseas trips jumped to 6.83 million in the holiday period as tourists took advantage of visa-free travel to Singapore and Thailand, and Japan, Malaysia, and South Korea remained popular destinations.
India Indexes Lack Direction In Lackluster Trading
Stocks in Mumbai opened higher, and bond yields and the rupee held firm in Monday's trading.
The Sensex and the Nifty indexes edged up 0.1% in early trading, and mid-cap and large-cap stocks were among the early gainers.
Market sentiment was positive as companies in the power and energy, engineering, transportation, automotive, and travel entertainment sectors reported better-than-expected earnings.
With the end of the earning season last week, investors shifted their focus to upcoming economic releases and international markets.
The Reserve Bank of India is scheduled to release its latest policy meeting minutes this week, and investors also reviewed the latest international trade data last week.
India's current account deficit is likely to shrink further in the coming quarter amid the strong export performance of the service sector.
Moreover, the latest policy meeting minutes are likely to shed more light on the future interest rate path as food price inflation continues to drive overall inflation higher.
The Sensex index increased 94.80 points to 72,526.80, and the Nifty index rose 43.85 points to 22,082.35.
On the Mumbai stock exchange, 204 stocks traded at their 52-week highs and 4 stocks traded at their 52-week lows.
India Movers: Airtel, Bajaj Auto, Bharti Airtel, CRISIL, LIC, PB Fintech
Arun Goswami
18 Feb, 2024
Mumbai
Stocks in Mumbai lacked direction in Monday's trading, and benchmark indexes hovered near record highs after the end of the earnings season last week.
The Sensex index increased 94.80 points to 72,526.80, and the Nifty index rose 43.85 points to 22,082.35.
On the Mumbai stock exchange, 204 stocks traded at their 52-week highs and 4 stocks traded at their 52-week lows.
Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki, and Bajaj Auto advanced between 0.2% and 0.6% amid expectations of sustained demand growth for 2-wheeler vehicles and passenger cars.
State Bank of India, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, Union Bank, and Canara Bank eased between 0.2% and 1.1%.
LIC rose 1.7% to ₹1,057.80 after the company received a tax refund of ₹21,740 crore from the income tax department on February 15.
CRISIL jumped 6% to ₹4,988.0 after the rating agency reported better-than-expected quarterly results.
After-tax income in the December quarter rose 33% to 210 crore from 158 crore a year ago.
PB Fintech jumped 5% to ₹978.15 after the insurance regulator approved the company's license to be a composite insurance broker from a direct insurance broker.
Bajaj Auto added 2.7% to ₹8,549.20, and the vehicle maker set February 29 as the record date for its stock buyback program.
Bharti Airtel increased 0.9% to ₹1,130.80, and reports suggest that the U.S.-based private equity group Carlyle is in talks with Blackstone to sell its 25% stake in the company's data center business, Nxtra Data.
Sula Vineyards decreased 6.5% to ₹577.45, and Verlinvest plans to sell an 8.34% stake in the company in a block trade today.
Tata Power increased 1.8% to ₹382.90 after the company received a letter of intent from REC Power Development to acquire Jalpur Khurja Power Transmission for ₹832 crore.
Producer Prices Rise Fastest In Five Months In January
Brian Turner
16 Feb, 2024
New York City
Producer prices, a measure of wholesale price inflation, in January rose 0.3% from the previous month and advanced 0.9% from a year ago, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday.
The latest bout of inflation was driven by a 0.6% rise in prices for services, but goods price inflation inched lower by 0.2%, a decline for the fourth month in a row, and was driven by a 3.6% fall in gasoline prices.
A 2.2% increase in the price of hospital outpatient care was a major factor in the January rise in prices for final demand services.
The cost of chemicals and allied products wholesaling, machinery and equipment wholesaling, portfolio management, traveler accommodation services, and legal services also moved higher.
Core PPI, which excludes foods, energy, and trade services, rose 0.6% from the previous month in January, the largest advance since moving up 0.6% in the month a year ago.
For the 12 months ended January 2024, core PPI increased by 2.6%.
The second inflation report follows the hotter-than-expected consumer price inflation report earlier this week.
Consumer price inflation in January eased to a 3.1% annual pace in January from 3.4% in December, the bureau reported on Tuesday.
The 10-year Treasury yield jumped above 4.3% and the 2-year Treasury yield advanced above 4.7% after the release of producer price inflation data.
S&P 500 Declined and Treasury Yields Advanced After Second Hot Inflation Report
Barry Adams
16 Feb, 2024
New York City
Benchmark indexes on Wall Street edged lower after the second inflation report showed persistent inflation and raised interest rate uncertainty.
The S&P 500 index and the Nasdaq Composite lacked direction in early trading, and Treasury yields spiked after producer prices rose at a faster-than-expected pace in January.
Producer prices, a measure of wholesale price inflation, in January rose 0.3% from the previous month and advanced 0.9% from a year ago, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday.
The second inflation report follows the hotter-than-expected consumer price inflation report earlier this week.
Consumer price inflation in January eased to a 3.1% annual pace in January from 3.4% in December, the bureau reported on Tuesday.
The 10-year Treasury yield jumped above 4.3% and the 2-year Treasury yield advanced above 4.7% after the release of producer price inflation data.
On the earnings front, investors reviewed results from Applied Materials, Coinbase, DoorDash, and Toast.
U.S. indexes and yields
The S&P 500 index decreased 0.2% to 5,038.25, and the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.1% to 15,921.64.
The yield on 2-year Treasury notes increased to 4.69%, 10-year Treasury notes inched up to 4.32%, and 30-year Treasury bonds edged down to 4.48%.
WTI crude oil decreased $0.27 to $77.83 a barrel, and natural gas prices increased 1 cent to $1.58 a thermal unit, a low last seen in September 2020.
Gold increased by $2.14 to $2,006.33 an ounce after the U.S. dollar gained in international trading.
The dollar index, which weighs the U.S. dollar against a basket of foreign currencies, edged lower to 104.38.
U.S. Stock Movers
DoorDash declined 7.4% to $116.92 after the delivery company reported a wider-than-expected quarterly loss.
Applied Materials soared 13.1% to $212.16 after the semiconductor equipment maker reported better-than-expected quarterly results.
Trade Desk jumped 17.6% to $89.50 after the digital advertising company reported better-than-expected quarterly sales and estimated a stronger-than-expected fiscal first quarter.
Coinbase Global soared 14.5% to $189.25 after the crypto trading firm reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter results.
Toast soared 9% to $20.93 after the restaurant point-of-sale system developer reported fourth-quarter revenue of $1.04 billion and a net loss of 7 cents per share.