Market Update

U.S. Movers: Five Below, Pure Storage, Salesforce, Snowflake

Scott Peters
30 Nov, 2023
New York City

Five Below was nearly unchanged at $188.0 after the deep discount retailer reported its third-quarter results.

Revenue in the third quarter increased 14.2% to $736.4 million from $645.0 million, and comparable store sales rose 2.5% from a year ago.

Net income in the quarter declined to $14.6 million from $16.1 million, and diluted earnings per share fell to 26 cents from 29 cents a year ago.

The company repurchased 500,000 shares in the third quarter at a cost of $80 million.

The company estimated net sales in the fourth quarter to be in the range of $1.32 billion to $1.35 billion, including an additional 60 stores, based on a 2% to 3% rise in comparable store sales.

Net income in the fourth quarter is estimated to be in the range of $201 million and $211 million.

Pure Storage plunged 15.7% to $32.17 after the data storage company estimated a lower-than-expected current quarter and annual revenue.

Revenue in the third quarter increased 13% to $762.8 million from $676.1 million; the company swung to net income of $70.4 million from a loss of $0.7 million; and diluted earnings per share were 21 cents compared to breakeven.

Subscription services revenue increased by 26% to $309.6 million, and subscription annual recurring revenue also increased by 26% to $1.3 billion.

Salesforce soared 9.2% to $251.53 after the customer contact management software company reported better-than-expected earnings.

Revenue in the third quarter increased 11% to $8.7 billion from $7.8 billion, net income soared to $1.2 billion from $210 million, and diluted earnings per share rose to $1.25 from 21 cents a year ago.

The company repurchased $1.9 billion of its stock in the third quarter.

The software company estimated fourth-quarter revenue to increase 10% and fall in the range of $9.18 billion and $9.23 billion and narrowed its full-year fiscal 2024 revenue outlook to an increase of 11% to between $34.75 billion and $35.8 billion.

Snowflake jumped 7.2% to $187.95 after the software company reported that revenue jumped in its latest quarter.

Revenue in the fiscal third quarter ending in October jumped 32% to $734.2 million from $557 million; net loss expanded to $214.7 million from $201.4 million; and diluted loss per share expanded to 65 cents from 63 cents a year ago.

The company said remaining performance obligations increased by 23% to $3.7 billion, and the company now has 436 customers with trailing 12-month product revenue of more than $1.0 million.

Non-GAAP adjusted free cash flow soared 70% from a year ago to $111 million in the quarter.

U.S. Market Indexes Approach 2023 Highs After Watered-down Measure of Inflation Cooled

Barry Adams
30 Nov, 2023
New York City

Market indexes advanced after the alternative measure of inflation showed waning price increases.

The S&P 500 index and the Nasdaq Composite are set to close November with strong gains, primarily driven by optimism about future interest rate direction.

The S&P 500 index is up 8.5% and the Nasdaq Composite is ahead by 11%, and those gains were the best monthly gains since July 2022.

Moreover, market indexes are inching closer to their 2023 highs, and the indexes are expected to retain an upward bias in the two months ahead.

Market optimism was bolstered by the latest update on personal consumption expenditure, indicating prices are rising at a slower pace and personal income and spending after adjusting for inflation are still rising.

Investors also reacted to the fresh batch of earnings, and Salesforce, Pure Storage, Snowflake, and Five Below were in focus.

 

Inflation Gauge: PCE Price Index Slowed in October

The personal consumption expenditure price index was flat on a monthly basis in October, the Bureau of Economic Analysis reported Thursday.

The alternative watered down measure of inflation, preferred by policymakers, was the weakest since July 2022, after rising 0.4% in September and August. 

The annual rate also slowed to 3.0% from 3.4% in September, a low level not seen since March 2021.

Moreover, the annual core PCE inflation, which excludes food and energy, eased to 3.5% from 3.7%, a new low in 27 months.

Personal income and spending inched up 0.2% from the previous month, the monthly report showed.

 

U.S. Indexes and Yields

The S&P 500 index edged up 0.2% to 4,574.18, and the Nasdaq Composite increased 0.2% to 14,282.09.

The yield on 2-year Treasury notes decreased to 4.67%, 10-year Treasury notes inched higher to 4.30%, and 30-year Treasury bonds were unchanged at 4.47%.

Crude oil increased $0.82 to $78.68 a barrel, and natural gas prices rose 2 cents to $2.82 a thermal unit.

Gold decreased $4.40 to $2,039.90 an ounce after the U.S. dollar eased.

The dollar index, which weighs the U.S. dollar against a basket of foreign currencies, edged lower to 103.23.

 

U.S. Stock Movers

Five Below was nearly unchanged at $188.0 after the deep discount retailer reported its third-quarter results.

Revenue in the third quarter increased 14.2% to $736.4 million from $645.0 million, and comparable store sales rose 2.5% from a year ago.

Net income in the quarter declined to $14.6 million from $16.1 million, and diluted earnings per share fell to 26 cents from 29 cents a year ago.

The company repurchased 500,000 shares in the third quarter at a cost of $80 million.

The company estimated net sales in the fourth quarter to be in the range of $1.32 billion to $1.35 billion, including an additional 60 stores, based on a 2% to 3% rise in comparable store sales.

Net income in the fourth quarter is estimated to be in the range of $201 million and $211 million.

Pure Storage plunged 15.7% to $32.17 after the data storage company estimated a lower-than-expected current quarter and annual revenue.

Revenue in the third quarter increased 13% to $762.8 million from $676.1 million; the company swung to net income of $70.4 million from a loss of $0.7 million; and diluted earnings per share were 21 cents compared to breakeven.

Subscription services revenue increased by 26% to $309.6 million, and subscription annual recurring revenue also increased by 26% to $1.3 billion.

Salesforce soared 9.2% to $251.53 after the customer contact management software company reported better-than-expected earnings.

Revenue in the third quarter increased 11% to $8.7 billion from $7.8 billion, net income soared to $1.2 billion from $210 million, and diluted earnings per share rose to $1.25 from 21 cents a year ago.

The company repurchased $1.9 billion of its stock in the third quarter.

The software company estimated fourth-quarter revenue to increase 10% and fall in the range of $9.18 billion and $9.23 billion and narrowed its full-year fiscal 2024 revenue outlook to an increase of 11% to between $34.75 billion and $35.8 billion.

Europe Movers: Banks, Energy Stocks, Luxury Stocks, Mining Stocks

Inga Muller
30 Nov, 2023
Frankfurt

Mining sector stocks advanced, tracking higher commodity prices.

Glencore jumped 1.1% to 448.90 pence, Anglo American edged up a fraction to 2,145.20 pence, and Antofagasta rose 0.1% to 1,419.50 pence.

Energy sector stocks gained in London trading as OPEC+ members meet to discuss production quotas and support higher prices in international markets.

BP gained 2.4% to 485.74 pence, Shell advanced 1.2% to 2,584.50 pence, Repsol inched higher 1.4% to €14.23, and TotalEnergies jumped 1.6% to €62.79.

Banks traded higher after rate hike worries following the easing of inflation in the currency union.

Banco Santander rose 1.0% to €3.84, Deutsche Bank gained 2.1% to €11.50, UniCredit eased 0.2% to €25.26, Barclays added 0.3% to 140.84 pence, and HSBC advanced 0.8% to 599.50 pence.

German industrial engineering and vehicle makers were in focus after the jobless rate eased in November.

Volkswagen Group decreased 0.8% to €105.98, BMW gained 0.1% to €96.18, and Mercedes-Benz Group eased 0.01% to €59.28.

Siemens gained 0.5% to €153.64, ThyssenKrupp eased 1% to €6.95, and MTU Aero Engines decreased 0.6% to €186.65.

Luxury stocks lacked direction on the ongoing uneven recovery in China, offset by the revision in U.S. economic growth in the third quarter.

LVMH gained 0.1% to €691.20, Kering added 0.2% to €391.85, Richemont fell 0.2% to CHF 109.30, Christian Dior declined 0.5% to €667.0, and Salvatore Ferragamo dropped 2% to €11.49.

Eurozone Inflation Eased In November, German Jobless Rate Inched Higher

Bridgette Randall
30 Nov, 2023
Frankfurt

European markets edged higher after investors digested the latest inflation report in the eurozone.

Bond yields in the euro area decreased after consumer price inflation in the eurozone slowed to 2.4% in November, largely because of the higher comparison base in the previous year.

The latest inflation report confirmed the declining inflation trend, and Spain's inflation eased to 3.2% in November from 3.5%, while Germany's import price inflation declined for the eighth month in a row and fell 13% in November.

Despite the cooling inflation trend, market participants remained nervous after the U.S. GDP growth estimate in the third quarter was revised higher to 5.2% from the previous estimate of 4.9%, stoking fears that the Federal Reserve may consider keeping higher rates for longer in 2024. 

Bond yields eased to new three-month lows, and the euro hovered near its two-month high against the U.S. dollar.

 

German Jobless Rate Increased In November.

Moreover, Germany's seasonally adjusted jobless rate rose to 5.9% in November from 5.8% in the previous month, the Federal Employment Agency reported Thursday.

The unemployment rate rose to the highest level since May 2021, after the number of job seekers increased by 22,000 to 2.702 million.

The number of unemployed rose by 175,000, but the number of job openings declined by 90,000 from a year ago.

 

Eurozone Inflation Eased in November

The consumer price inflation rate in the Euro Area declined to 2.4% from a year ago in November, Eurostat reported Thursday.

Overall inflation declined to the lowest level since July 2021 and eased from 2.9% in October, reflecting weakening energy prices from a year ago.

Meanwhile, the core rate of inflation, which excludes volatile energy and food prices, declined to 3.6% from 4.2% in the previous month, the lowest since April 2022.

Energy prices dropped at a faster pace of 11.5% compared to 11.2% in October; food, alcohol, and tobacco inflation slowed to 6.9% from 7.4%; service inflation eased to 4.0% from 4.6%; and non-energy industrial goods inflation inched lower to 2.9% from 3.5%.

 

Europe Indexes and Yields

The DAX index increased 0.2% to 16,196.88, the CAC-40 index rose 0.2% to 7,278.54, and the FTSE 100 index added 0.5% to 7,459.54.

The yield on 10-year German bonds decreased to 2.41%; French bonds traded lower to 3.0%; the UK gilts declined to 4.14%; and Italian bonds inched higher to 4.19%.

The euro held at $1.091, the British pound inched lower to $1.264, and the U.S. dollar eased to 87.47 Swiss cents.

Brent crude increased $0.87 to $83.75 a barrel, and the Dutch TTF natural gas increased by €1.54 to €41.96 per MWh.

 

Europe Stock Movers

Mining stocks advanced, tracking higher commodity prices.

Glencore jumped 1.1% to 448.90 pence, Anglo American edged up a fraction to 2,145.20 pence, and Antofagasta rose 0.1% to 1,419.50 pence.

Energy stocks gained in London trading as OPEC+ members meet to discuss production quotas and support higher prices in international markets.

BP gained 2.4% to 485.74 pence, Shell advanced 1.2% to 2,584.50 pence, Repsol inched higher 1.4% to €14.23, and TotalEnergies jumped 1.6% to €62.79.

Banks traded higher after rate hike worries following the easing of inflation in the currency union.

Banco Santander rose 1.0% to €3.84, Deutsche Bank gained 2.1% to €11.50, UniCredit eased 0.2% to €25.26, Barclays added 0.3% to 140.84 pence, and HSBC advanced 0.8% to 599.50 pence.

German industrial engineering and vehicle makers were in focus after the jobless rate eased in November.

Volkswagen Group decreased 0.8% to €105.98, BMW gained 0.1% to €96.18, and Mercedes-Benz Group eased 0.01% to €59.28.

Siemens gained 0.5% to €153.64, ThyssenKrupp eased 1% to €6.95, and MTU Aero Engines decreased 0.6% to €186.65.

Movers: Fedbank Financial, Gandhar Oil, IDBI, Tata Technologies

Arun Goswami
30 Nov, 2023
Mumbai

Stocks lacked direction but the benchmark indexes extended weekly gains for the second week in a row and investors are awaiting the release of September quarter GDP estimate. 

The Sensex index increased 262.28 points to 66,436.58, and the Nifty index rose 122.95 points to 20,012.60.

On the Mumbai stock exchange, 133 stocks traded at their 52-week highs and 14 stocks traded at their 52-week lows.

Tata Technologies, Gandhar Oil, and Fedbank Financial Services listed their initial public offerings today, lifting the totalto 205 in the year so far. 

Tata Technologies offering is oversubscribed by 69 times, Gandhar Oil by 64 times, but the Fedbank offering attracted lukewarm market interest.

Tata Technologies raised ₹3,040 crore and priced its stock at the upper end of its price range, ₹500 per share.

Gandhar Oil Refinery priced its 500.7 crore offering at 169 per share and Fedbank Financial Services priced its 1,092 crore offering at ₹140 per share. 

Tata Technologies jumped 8.9% to ₹1,307, Gandhar Oil Refinery advanced 10.7% to 306.10, and Fedbank Financial inched up 4.5% to ₹144.50. 

Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency priced its offering at ₹32 per share, and the stock was listed at ₹50 and closed at ₹60 on the first day of its trading  on Wednesday. 

The public offering of the state-controlled lending institution was oversubscribed 38 times.

IDBI Bank increased 0.5% to ₹62.30 after the central government's agency resumed its process of selecting asset valuation company and advanced the auction of the government's stake in the bank. 

 

Stocks Bounce Around, Tata Tech and Gandhar Oil Soar on Debut

Arjun Pandit
30 Nov, 2023
Mumbai

Stocks in Mumbai extended weekly gains ahead of the release of the GDP estimate later in the day.

The Sensex index and the Nifty index increased 0.1% following a tech-fueled surge in the previous session.

GDP in the fiscal second quarter ending in September is expected to expand by 6.5%, according to an estimate released by the Reserve Bank of India. 

Rising consumer spending and steady government spending are expected to drive economic growth in the quarter.

In commodities trading, crude oil traded mixed in London and in New York ahead of the OPEC+ meeting later today as oil-producing nations struggle to agree on a monthly production quota.

Gold and silver continued to march ahead, primarily reflecting the weakness in the U.S. dollar following the speculation that the Federal Reserve is likely to cut interest rates as early as March 2024.

The expectation of a decline in interest rates drives the dollar lower and lifts the price of gold higher.

Traders anticipate the gold price to advance over the next two months as the Federal Reserve is expected to hold rates steady after the next policy meeting ending on December 13.

 

India Indexes and Yields

The Sensex index increased 262.28 points to 66,436.58, and the Nifty index rose 122.95 points to 20,012.60.

On the Mumbai stock exchange, 133 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 edged up to 7.25%, and the Indian rupee weakened to ₹83.20 against the U.S. dollar.

The gold price increased by 0.04% to ₹62,570 per ten grams, and silver decreased by 0.1% to ₹77,180 per kilo.

Crude oil decreased by 0.1% to ₹6,488 per barrel, and natural gas fell by 0.7% to ₹234.70 per thermal unit.

 

India Stock Movers

Tata Technologies, Gandhar Oil, and Fedbank Financial Services are scheduled to list their initial public offerings today.

Tata Technologies offering is oversubscribed by 69 times, Gandhar Oil by 64 times, but the Fedbank offering attracted lukewarm market interest.

Tata Technologies raised ₹3,040 crore and priced its stock at the upper end of its price range, ₹500 per share, and the stock is expected to open above ₹1,100.

On Wednesday, the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency priced its offering at ₹32 per share, and the stock was listed at ₹50 and closed at ₹60.

The public offering of the state-controlled lending institution was oversubscribed 38 times.

U.S. Third Quarter GDP Growth Revised Higher to 5.2%

Brian Turner
29 Nov, 2023
New York City

Gross domestic product rose at a faster pace in the third quarter after the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis revised its previous estimate.

Real gross domestic product increased at an annual pace of 5.2%, higher than 4.9% in the preliminary estimate, and accelerated from a 2.1% rise in the second quarter.

The GDP increase was the fastest since the fourth quarter of 2021, and the increase in the third quarter primarily reflected a higher increase in government spending, inventory investment, and nonresidential investment, but consumer spending growth was revised lower.

Wall Street Stocks Retain Upward Bias, U.S. Economic Growth Revised Higher

Barry Adams
29 Nov, 2023
New York City

Market indexes trimmed earlier gains in the session, and Treasury yields dropped to the level last seen in September.

The S&P 500 index and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.3% on the hopes that the Federal Reserve is more likely to hold interest rates at the end of the next policy meeting in two weeks.

The S&P 500 index has advanced about 8% and the Nasdaq Composite has gained about 11% in November, amid optimism that the interest rates are closer to peak rates.

Semiconductor, cloud computing, and big tech stocks were among the leading gainers in the recent rally in the last four weeks.

Furthermore, the focus of the investor debate has shifted to the timing and magnitude of interest rate cuts in 2024.

The long-foreseen U.S. economic recession is now not likely to materialize in 2023 and possibly even in 2024, but investors worry that rates are likely to stay above 5% for most of 2024.

 

U.S. Third Quarter GDP Growth Revised Higher to 5.2%

Gross domestic product rose at a faster pace in the third quarter after the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis revised its previous estimate.

Real gross domestic product increased at an annual pace of 5.2%, higher than 4.9% in the preliminary estimate, and accelerated from a 2.1% rise in the second quarter.

The GDP increase was the fastest since the fourth quarter of 2021, and the increase in the third quarter primarily reflected a higher increase in government spending, inventory investment, and nonresidential investment, but consumer spending growth was revised lower.

 

U.S. Indexes and Yields

The S&P 500 index edged up 0.2% to 4,565.09, and the Nasdaq Composite increased 0.2% to 14,306.36.

The yield on 2-year Treasury notes decreased to 4.69%, 10-year Treasury notes inched lower to 4.29%, and 30-year Treasury bonds edged higher to 4.47%.

Crude oil increased $1.26 to $77.69 a barrel, and natural gas prices fell 1 cent to $2.82 a thermal unit.

Gold increased $4.40 to $2,045.36 an ounce after the U.S. dollar eased.

The dollar index, which weighs the U.S. dollar against a basket of foreign currencies, edged lower to 102.82.

 

U.S. Stock Movers

General Motors jumped 9.5% to $31.66 after the vehicle maker announced a $10 billion stock buyback, raised its dividend, and reinstated its annual outlook.

The company estimated net income attributable to stockholders between $9.1 billion and $9.7 billion, compared to the previous outlook of $9.3 billion and $10.7 billion.

Diluted earnings per share in the $6.52 to $7.02 range, including the estimated impact of the accelerated stock repurchase, compared to the previous outlook of $6.54 to $7.54

The vehicle maker said it plans to increase its dividend by 33%, or 3 cents per quarter, to 12 cents, beginning with the declaration in January 2024.

GM had about 1.37 billion outstanding shares prior to the announcement of the accelerated stock repurchase program.

Foot Locker jumped 16.9% to $27.67 after the specialty athletic retailer reported better-than-expected quarterly results.

Revenue in the fiscal third quarter ending in October declined 8.6% to $1.99 billion from $2.17 billion, and comparable store sales fell 8.0%.

The company attributed the decline in sales to "ongoing consumer softness," and the closure of Champ stores negatively impacted same-store sales by 3 percentage points.

Net income in the quarter decreased to $28 million from $96 million, and diluted earnings per share dropped to 30 cents from $1.01 a year ago.

The retailer tightened its full-year revenue growth estimate to between 8.0% and 8.5% from the previous guidance between 8.0% and 9.0%, and comparable sales growth to range between 8.0% and 8.5% from 8.0% to 9.0%.

The company entered into a long-term licensing agreement with two retailers in India and will commence sales operations in 2024.

During the third quarter, the company paid a quarterly dividend of $0.40 per share for a total of $38 million and did not repurchase any shares.

 

European Bond Yields Eased to 3-month Lows

European bond yields headed lower, and stocks advanced in Wednesday's trading.

Benchmark stock market indexes traded higher after inflation in Spain and Germany edged lower, and comments from the U.S. Federal Reserve suggested that interest rates may not be revised higher.

Fed Governor Christopher Wallace stressed that the central bank's policy is "well positioned" to slow the economy and lower inflation to 2%.

Governor Wallace's comments supported the view that the Federal Reserve is done raising rates for now.

Investors are awaiting the release of the PCE Price Index, an alternative measure of inflation, and the recent decline in inflation has bolstered the case for the third rate pause in a row at the end of the policy meeting ending on December 13.

In economic news, Sweden's economy contracted for the second quarter in a row ending in September, Statistics Sweden reported Wednesday.

GDP in the third quarter sequentially declined 0.3% after falling 0.8% in the second quarter. The economy contracted after household consumption contracted and inventories declined in the quarter.

The third-quarter decline was revised from the flat reading in the preliminary estimate.

From a year ago, GDP contracted 1.4%, following a 0.4% decrease in the second quarter.

 

German Import Price Slump Extends to Eight Months

German import prices fell for the eighth month in a row, primarily because of higher base comparisons in the previous year, the Federal Statistics Office, or Destatis, reported Wednesday.

Import prices fell by 13.0% from a year ago in October, after falling by 14.3% in the previous month.

Energy import prices fell 43.5% in October after crude oil, natural gas, and coal prices plunged from a high level a year ago due to the war in Ukraine.

Prices of durable goods declined by 0.6%, and those of non-durable consumer goods fell by 0.7%, but capital goods prices advanced by 1.8%.

 

Spain's Inflation Eased In November 

Consumer price inflation in Spain eased to 3.2% in November from 3.5% in the previous two months, the National Statistics Institute or INE, reported Wednesday.

On a monthly basis, consumer price inflation decreased by 0.4% in November after rising by 0.3% in the previous month.

The decline in inflation was driven by the fall in energy prices and the weakness of tourist packages.

Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, eased to 4.5% from 5.2% in the previous month.

Overall inflation has been on the decline after peaking at 10.8% in July 2022, and core inflation has been on the slide after peaking at 7.6% in February 2023.

 

UK Mortgage Approvals Rebounded In October

UK mortgage approvals rose in October after falling for three months in a row, the Bank of England reported on Wednesday.

Net mortgage approvals, an indicator of future borrowings, increased to 47,383 in October from 43,675 in September.

Mortgage approvals rebounded in October after falling for three months in a row.

Mortgage approvals peaked above 100,000 in early January 2021 and declined to a record low of 39,892 in January 2023, barring the pandemic era low and sub-prime crisis in 2007–08.

 

Europe Indexes and Yields

The DAX index increased 1.1% to 16,166.45, the CAC-40 index rose 0.2% to 7,267.64, and the FTSE 100 index declined 0.4% to 7,423.46.

The yield on 10-year German bonds decreased to 2.44%; French bonds traded lower to 3.0%; the UK gilts declined to 4.13%; and Italian bonds inched lower to 4.18%.

The euro rebounded to $1.097, the British pound at $1.268, and the U.S. dollar at 87.70 Swiss cents.

Brent crude increased $1.06 to $82.74 a barrel, and the Dutch TTF natural gas declined by €2.41 to €40.36 per MWh.

 

Europe Stock Movers

Real estate sector stocks advanced after bond yields declined.

Vonovia SE added 1.9% to €25.81, Segro plc increased 1% to 817.0 pence, LEG Immobilien gained 2.2% to €71.58, and Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield jumped 2.8% to €56.78.

Energy stocks were under pressure ahead of the OPEC+ meeting on Thursday amid uncertainties about the production quota agreement.

BP plc gained 0.2% to 476.15 pence, Shell PLC decreased 0.02% to 2,579.0, TotalEnergies fell 0.9% to €62.59, and Repsol SA declined 0.2% to €14.12.

U.S. Movers: Foot Locker, General Motors, Las Vegas Sands, NetApp, Petco, Phillips 66

Scott Peters
29 Nov, 2023
New York City

General Motors jumped 8.5% to $31.35 after the vehicle maker announced a $10 billion stock buyback, raised its dividend, and reinstated its annual outlook.

The company estimated net income attributable to stockholders between $9.1 billion and $9.7 billion, compared to the previous outlook of $9.3 billion and $10.7 billion.

Diluted earnings per share in the $6.52 to $7.02 range, including the estimated impact of the accelerated stock repurchase, compared to the previous outlook of $6.54 to $7.54

The vehicle maker said it plans to increase its dividend by 33%, or 3 cents per quarter, to 12 cents, beginning with the declaration in January 2024.

GM had about 1.37 billion outstanding shares prior to the announcement of the accelerated stock repurchase program.

Foot Locker jumped 8.5% to $25.85 after the specialty athletic retailer reported better-than-expected quarterly results.

Revenue in the fiscal third quarter ending in October declined 8.6% to $1.99 billion from $2.17 billion, and comparable store sales fell 8.0%.

The company attributed the decline in sales to "ongoing consumer softness," and the closure of Champ stores negatively impacted same-store sales by 3 percentage points.

Net income in the quarter decreased to $28 million from $96 million, and diluted earnings per share dropped to 30 cents from $1.01 a year ago.

The retailer tightened its full-year revenue growth estimate to between 8.0% and 8.5% from the previous guidance between 8.0% and 9.0%, and comparable sales growth to range between 8.0% and 8.5% from 8.0% to 9.0%.

The company entered into a long-term licensing agreement with two retailers in India and will commence sales operations in 2024.

During the third quarter, the company paid a quarterly dividend of $0.40 per share for a total of $38 million and did not repurchase any shares.

Petco Health and Wellness Company plunged 16.7% to $3.20 after the specialty retailer reported weaker-than-expected quarterly earnings.

Revenue in the fiscal third quarter ending in October declined 0.5% to $1.49 billion from $1.50 billion, and same-store sales were flat from a year ago but rose 4.1% from two years ago.

The company swung to a net loss of $1.2 billion from a profit of $19 million, and diluted earnings per share dropped to a loss of $4.63 from a profit of 7 cents a year ago.

During the quarter, Petco recorded a $1.2 billion non-cash goodwill impairment charge associated with goodwill originally recorded in fiscal 2015, due to the decline in the company's stock price.

The company reiterated its 2023 revenue guidance to between $6.15 billion and $6.275 billion, adjusted earnings per share to 8 cents from the previous estimate between 24 cents and 30 cents, and confirmed its capital expenditure between $215 million and $225 million.

NetApp soared 10.3% to $86.11 after the intelligent data infrastructure company reported better-than-expected quarterly results.

Revenue in the fiscal third quarter ending in October decreased 6% to $1.56 billion from $1.66 billion, and billings declined 9% to $1.45 billion from $1.60 billion a year ago.

Net income plunged to $233 million from $750 million, and diluted earnings per share dropped to $1.10 from $3.41 a year ago.

During the quarter, the company returned $403 million to stockholders through stock repurchases and cash dividends.

For the fiscal year 2024 third quarter, the company estimated revenue in the range of $1.51 billion and $1.67 billion and diluted earnings per share in the range of $1.17 billion and $1.27 billion.

For the full year 2024, the cloud infrastructure company estimated revenue to decline 2% from a year ago, gross margin of 70%, and earnings per share between $4.15 and $4.35 a share.

The company also declared a dividend of 50 cents per share to be paid on January 24, 2024, to shareholders on record on January 5, 2024.

Phillips 66 jumped 3.7% to $122.33 after the activist investor Elliott Investment Management disclosed a stake of $1 billion in the energy company in the hopes of a potential gain of 75%. 

Elliott is seeking two board seat and plans to improve oil refiner and retailer's performance, according to the letter sent by the activist investor to the company's board.  

Elliott is targeting  operating earnings of $14 billion by 2025 by focusing on improving company's refining operations.  

Las Vegas Sands Corp declined $1.07 to $45.32 after Miriam Adelson said in a filing with the financial regulator that it plans to sell $2 billion of stocks  in the company. 

Adelson plans to use proceeds to buy a majority stake in professional basketball franchise Maverick owned by Mark Cuban.