Market Update
Perception of Cooling Inflation Powered 2% Stock Rally
Barry Adams
27 May, 2022
New York City
U.S. stocks extended advance after the latest inflation measure indicated a downward trend and the falling yield boosted sentiment in the stock market.
The S&P 500 index jumped 2.4% to 4,158.30 and the Nasdaq Composite index advanced 3.3% to 12,131.13.
After eight weeks of selling investors were ready to embrace any news that offered a glimmer of hope.
Household consumption increased for the fourth month in a row in April but disposable income after adjusting for inflation was nearly flat indicating consumers are dipping in savings and wages are not rising at the rate of inflation.
The data released by the Commerce Department also indicated that the Personal Consumption Expenditures or PCE price index, the Fed's preferred measure of inflation, slowed to 6.3% in April after rising at 6.6% in March.
On a monthly basis, the PCE rose 0.2% in April after rising at 0.9% in March.
However, the core PCE which excludes volatile food and energy prices decelerated to 4.9% in April after rising at 5.2% in March.
The PCE is different from the Consumer Price Index and takes into account a change in consumer behavior when prices rise and consumers substitute for cheaper alternatives.
A slight decline in the inflation measure and better than expected results from tech and retail companies was enough to bolster market sentiment.
Ulta Beauty jumped 11% to $419.75 and erased losses in the year after the cosmetic retailer reported better than expected earnings and lifted earnings and revenues outlook for the year.
However, Big Lots, Burlington Stores, Gap Inc, and Hibbett Inc struggled in the quarter as consumers retrenched.
Retailers are battling shifting demand trends where consumers are ready to substitute lower priced groceries in search of discounts but at the same time are ready to splurge for high end items or experiences.
Bloomingdale's owned by Macy's reported quarterly same store sales increased 28% but Burlington Northern and Big Lots sales plunged more than 10%.
Tech-heavy Nasdaq soared nearly 3% after the software developer Autodesk Inc, computer and systems maker Dell Technologies, chip maker Marvell Technology, and cyber security provider Crowdstrike Holdings reported better than expected quarterly results.
But it was the decline in yield in the bond market that supported a rally in tech and high-growth stocks where profits are in the distant future if any.
The yield on 10-year Treasury notes declined to 2.74% after rising as much as 3.25% last week.
The stocks rally was sustained and gathered steam in the late afternoon as investors raced to add exposure to battered tech stocks ahead of a 3-day weekend.
For the year, the Nasdaq Composite index is still down 24% and the S&P 500 lower 13%.
Futures of crude oil jumped 1% to $115.09 a barrel but natural gas declined 2% to $8.74 a unit.
Unleaded gasoline price at pumps across the nation is still near record high of $4.59 a gallon, a 40% increase from $3.04 a year ago according to the data released by AAA.
The automobile association expects 39.2 million people to travel more than 50 miles this weekend, an increase of 8.3% from a year ago but down 7.2% from 2019.
The gasoline prices are not likely to ease at least till July as futures of gasoline trade near record high prices.
Burlington Stores Battles Demand Shift, Inventory Challenges, Inflation
Scott Peters
27 May, 2022
New York City
Burlington Stores Inc earnings plunged after rising product and freight costs added to inventory woes as demand patterns shifted in the quarter.
The retailer said total sales in the quarter ending on April 30 declined 12% to $1.9 billion on a comparable store sales fall of 18%.
Net income in the quarter was $16 million or $0.24 per share compared to $171 million or $2.51 per share a year ago.
Gross margin in the quarter declined to 41% from 43.3% a year ago after freight costs rose 150 basis points and merchandise margin decreased 80 basis points.
Product sourcing costs which include the cost of processing goods through supply chain and buying costs increased to $157 million from $141 million a year ago.
Net income in the quarter plunged to $16 million, or $0.24 per share from $171 million or $2.51 per share a year ago.
Comparable quarter sales patterns changed as more people returned to work and demanded different goods than were available at stores.
The demand shift was evident in the monthly sales trend. Comparable sales on a 3-year basis declined 6% in February, fell 2% in March and increased 5% in April when computed on a geometric basis.
However, the consumer demand is still weak for the company's merchandise as discount shoppers struggle with higher fuel costs and tight budgets.
Guidance and Outlook
The retailer guided second quarter comparable store sales to decline between 13% and 15% and for the full-year fall between 6% and 9%.
The retailer is still planning to open new 120 stores and relocate or close 30 stores and add net 90 new stores in fiscal 2022.
Company and Stock
Burlington Stores Inc fell 0.7% to $168.55 after the retailer reported quarterly results.
Burlington Stores in the year-so-far has declined 42.1%.
Ulta Beauty Benefits from Return to Work, Events and Glam Trends
Scott Peters
27 May, 2022
New York City
Ulta Beauty benefitted as women return to work and increase participation in events and group activities as most Covid-restrictions end.
The cosmetic retailer and beauty salon operator said net sales in the first quarter 2022 ended April 30 increased 21.0% to $2.3 billion.
Comparable sales at stores open at least 14 months and e-commerce sales increased 18.0%, driven by a 10.0% increase in transactions and a 7.3% increase in average ticket.
Gross margin in the quarter edged up to 40.1% from 38.9% and operating margin rose to 18.7% from 15.8% a year ago.
Merchandise inventories rose 14% to $1.57 billion and the increase was primarily driven by additional 28 stores and launch of new brands.
Net income in the quarter increased to $331.4 million or $6.30 per share from $230.3 million or $4.10 a year ago.
During the first quarter of fiscal 2022 the company spent $132.8 million in repurchasing 331,834 of its stock.
The company said $1.87 billion of the $2.0 billion share repurchase program was still available at the end of the quarter.
Guidance and Outlook
The company revised its fiscal 2022 revenue outlook to range between $9.35 billion and $9.55 billion from the previous estimate of $9.05 billion and $9.15 billion.
Comparable sales growth rate was revised higher between 6% and 8% from the previous estimate of 3% and 4%.
For fiscal 2022 the company revised higher its estimate of diluted earnings per share to range between $19.10 to $20.10 from the previous estimate of $18.20 to $18.70.
The company reiterated its plan to open 50 net new stores and remodel 35 stores in the current year.
Company and Stock
Ulta Beauty operated 1,318 stores totaling 13.9 million square feet at the end of April 2022.
Ulta Beauty Inc soared 11.2% to $420.49 after the cosmetic retailer and beauty salon operated quarterly results.
Ulta Beauty stock in the year-so-far has gained 0.7%.
Old Navy Challenges at Gap Overshadowed Banana Republic Strength
Scott Peters
27 May, 2022
New York City
Gap Inc, the specialty apparel retailer sales suffered after consumers retrenched and supply chain challenges added to higher costs.
Merchandise problems at Old Navy also impacted results negatively.
The retailer said net sales in the quarter ended April 30 declined 13% to $3.5 billion and comparable sales declined 14%.
Online sales fell 17% from a year ago and were 39% of total net sales.
The company said 5 percentage points in sales decline were driven by the lapping of the benefit of stimulus last year and approximately 3 percentage points from divestitures, store closures, and the transition of the company
Movers: American Eagle, Big Lots, Burlington Stores, Dell, Gap, Hibbett, Ulta
Barry Adams
27 May, 2022
New York City
American Eagle Outfitters dropped 9.4% to $14.00 after the retailer missed quarterly expectations.
Total net revenues increased 2% to $1.055 billion and net income plunged to $31.7 million from $95 million a year ago.
Gross margin declined to 36.8% from 42.2% a year ago and diluted earnings per share fell to 16 cents from 47 cents a year ago.
Total inventory at the end of the quarter at cost increased 46% to $682 million compared to $467 million last year.
Higher costs drove roughly half of the increase and the company also ordered more inventories to avoid supply chain issues.
The retailer guided second quarter revenues growth will match the first quarter rate and gross margin rate of 33% reflecting higher markdown to clear spring inventory.
Big Lots declined 15.8% to $25.80 after the discount retailer reported weaker than expected quarterly results and issued cautious outlook for the year.
Net sales declined 15.4% to $1.37 billion after comparable sales fell 17% from a year ago and reported 39 cents a share loss compared to $2.68 a year ago.
Burlington Stores Inc rose 1.1% to $171.99 after the retailer said total sales in the quarter ending on April 30 declined 12% to $1.9 billion on a comparable store sales fall of 18%.
Net income in the quarter was $16 million or $0.24 per share compared to $171 million or $2.51 per share a year ago.
The retailer guided second quarter comparable store sales to decline between 13% and 15% and for the full-year fall between 6% and 9%.
Costco Wholesale decreased 1.3% to $465.00 after the retailer said U.S. comparable sales in the first quarter rose 10.7% excluding fuel sales and reported first quarterly revenues in excess of $50 billion. Membership revenues surged 9% approaching $1 billion.
Dell Technologies rose 13% to $49.50 after the computer and systems maker reported net sales in fiscal 2023 first quarter ended April 29 increased 16% to $26.1 billion and diluted earnings per share increased 63% to $1.37.
Net income in the quarter surged 62% to $1.07 billion.
Gap Inc fell 5.6% to $10.46 after the specialty apparel retailer said net sales in the quarter ended April 30 declined 13% to $3.5 billion and comparable sales declined 14%.
Gross margin plunged 930 basis points from a year ago to 31.5%.
The retailer revised and lowered its fiscal year outlook and now expects fiscal 2022 revenue to decline in the low to mid-single digit range versus last year.
Hibbett Inc plunged 6.7% to $51.10 after the sporting goods retailer reported April quarter net sales declined 16.3% to $424.1 million on a comparable sales fall of 18.9%.
Net income for the 13-weeks ended April 30, 2022, was $39.3 million, or $2.89 per diluted share, compared to $84.8 million, or $5.00 per diluted share a year ago.
Ulta Beauty Inc soared 11.2% to $420.49 after the cosmetic retailer and beauty salon said net sales in the first quarter 2022 ended April 30 increased 21.0% to $2.3 billion.
Comparable sales at stores open at least 14 months and e-commerce sales increased 18.0%, driven by a 10.0% increase in transactions and a 7.3% increase in average ticket.
Net income in the quarter increased to $331.4 million or $6.30 per share from $230.3 million or $4.10 a year ago.
The company revised its fiscal 2022 revenue outlook to range between $9.35 billion and $9.55 billion from the previous estimate of $9.05 billion and $9.15 billion.
Comparable sales growth rate was revised higher between 6% and 8% from the previous estimate of 3% and 4%.
Household Spending In April Rises, Wage Gains Lag Inflation
Brian Turner
27 May, 2022
New York City
The latest measure of personal consumption and income in April showed that the inflation may be cooling off.
Personal income in April increased 0.4% or $89.3 billion in April, according to estimates released today by the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Disposable personal income increased 0.3% or $48.3 billion and personal consumption expenditures increased 0.9% or $152.3 billion.
PCE in current dollars increased 1.4% in March.
Household consumption increased for the fourth month in a row but disposable income after adjusting for inflation was nearly flat indicating consumers are dipping in savings.
Real DPI increased less than 0.1% in April and Real PCE increased 0.7%; goods increased 1.0% and services increased 0.5 percent.
The PCE price index increased 0.2% and excluding food and energy, the PCE price index increased 0.3%.
From a year ago, the PCE price index, the preferred measure of inflation, slowed to a 6.3% increase after rising at 6.6% in March.
The PCE index excluding food and energy rose 4.9% in April after rising at 5.2% in March.
U.S. Indexes Advance After April Household Spending Increased
Barry Adams
27 May, 2022
New York City
U.S. stocks showed signs of another positive day following a sharp rebound yesterday.
Futures on the S&P 500 index gained 0.73% to 4,073.03 and the Nasdaq Composite index advanced 1.1% to 12,414.25.
Stocks advanced in the morning after the latest measure of personal consumption and income in April showed that the inflation may be cooling off.
Personal income in April increased 0.4% or $89.3 billion in April, according to estimates released today by the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Disposable personal income increased 0.3% or $48.3 billion and personal consumption expenditures increased 0.9% or $152.3 billion.
PCE in current dollars increased 1.4% in March.
Real DPI increased less than 0.1% in April and Real PCE increased 0.7%; goods increased 1.0% and services increased 0.5 percent.
The PCE price index increased 0.2% and excluding food and energy, the PCE price index increased 0.3%.
From a year ago, the PCE price index, the preferred measure of inflation, slowed to a 6.3% increase after rising at 6.6% in March.
The PCE index excluding food and energy rose 4.9% in April after rising at 5.2% in March.
Retail stocks were in focus again in trading.
Big Lots declined 15.8% to $25.80 after the discount retailer reported weaker than expected quarterly results and issued cautious outlook for the year.
Net sales declined 15.4% to $1.37 billion after comparable sales fell 17% from a year ago and reported 39 cents a share loss compared to $2.68 a year ago.
Hibbett Inc declined 6.7% to $51.10 after the sporting goods retailer reported April quarter net sales declined 16.3% to $424.1 million on a comparable sales fall of 18.9%.
Net income for the 13-weeks ended April 30, 2022, was $39.3 million, or $2.89 per diluted share, compared to $84.8 million, or $5.00 per diluted share a year ago.
Costco Wholesale declined 1.3% to $465.00 after the retailer said U.S. comparable sales in the first quarter rose 10.7% excluding fuel sales and reported first quarterly revenues in excess of $50 billion. Membership revenues surged 9% approaching $1 billion.
American Eagle Outfitters declined 9.4% to $14.00 after the retailer missed quarterly expectations.
The yield on 10-year Treasury note edged lower after the release of personal consumption and income data to 2.729%.
Futures of crude oil edged down to $113.83 a barrel and natural gas decreased 5.1% to $8.45 per unit.
Costco Quarterly Revenues Exceed $50 Billion, Membership Revenues Approach $1 Billion
Scott Peters
26 May, 2022
New York City
Costco Wholesale Corporation quarterly sales jumped as more consumers signed up looking for cheaper gasoline and consumables.
The membership warehouse club reported fiscal third quarter sales ending on May 8 increased 16.3% to $51.61 billion and net income jumped 10% to $1.353 billion.
Diluted earnings per share in the quarter increased to $3.04 from $2.75 a year ago.
Higher food prices and gasoline prices lifted new member sign up and drove membership revenues higher 9% to $984 million.
Gross margin in the quarter fell to 10.3% from 11.1% in the previous year's quarter.
Net income margin fell to 2.47% from 2.7% a year ago.
Comparable sales in the U.S. rose 16.6%, in Canada gained 15.2%, and at other international locations increased 5.7%.
Across the company comparable sales rose 14.9%.
Comparable sales excluding fuel and adjusting for foreign exchange in the U.S. rose 10.7%, in Canada gained 12.8%, and other international locations jumped 9.1%.
Across the company comparable sales excluding fuel and adjusted for foreign exchange increased 10.8%.
E-commerce sales jumped 7.4% and excluding fuel and foreign exchange advanced 7.9%.
Battered by high food and fuel prices consumers have been looking for cheaper alternatives and restricting purchases to basic items.
In the fiscal second quarter ending on Feb 13, the retailer reported comparable U.S. same store sales excluding gasoline increased 15.8% from a year ago and slowed to 12.7% in March, and dropped further to 8.1% in April.
Last week competitors BJ's Wholesale Club and Sam's Club owned by Walmart reported strong sales gains and a surge in membership.
Sam's Club, the discount membership warehouse, said sales increased 17.5% to $19.6 billion and comparable sales increased 10.2% from a year ago and jumped 17.4% on a two-year basis.
Gross margin declined to 2.2% due to higher discounting caused by inventory delays and higher supply chain costs.
Sam's Club membership revenues increased 10.5% and number of transactions increased 102%.
Comparable sales growth picked up to 10.2% from 7.2% in the quarter a year ago.
A week ago, BJ's Wholesale Club reported April quarter sales increased 16.2% to $4.5 billion and net income rose 38% to $112.5 million or 87 cents a share.
Net income margin n the quarter was 2.45%.
The company said comparable store sales surged 14.4% and excluding gasoline rose 4.1% from a year ago.
Guidance and Outlook
The company did not provide any formal guidance for revenues, earnings, or other business metrics.
Company and Stock
Costco currently operates 830 warehouses, including 574 in the United States and Puerto Rico, 105 in Canada, 40 in Mexico, 30 in Japan, 29 in the United Kingdom, 16 in Korea, 14 in Taiwan, 13 in Australia, four in Spain, two each in France and China, and one in Iceland.
Costco stock in regular trading hours closed up 5.6% to $464.99 before the release of earnings.
In the after-hours trading Costco declined 2% to $455.78.
In the year-so-far, Costco stock has fallen 18%.
Retailers and Indexes Advance On Buoyant Consumers
Barry Adams
26 May, 2022
New York City
U.S. market indexes advanced after latest earnings from retailers showed consumers are still spending.
The S&P 500 index jumped 1.99% to 4,057.84 and the Nasdaq Composite index increased 2.7% to 11,740.65.
Investors regained confidence after Macy's said comparable sales were up 10.7% in the quarter ended on April 30.
High-end Bloomingdale's comparable sales rose even faster at 28.1% from a year ago.
Williams-Sonoma also reported strong quarterly sales and said comparable sales rose 9.5% in the latest quarter and jumped solid 50% on a two-year basis.
Pottery Barn and West Elms sales were ahead of expectations as well.
On the other end of the retail spectrum, Dollar General and Dollar Tree also showed higher consumer activities but most purchases were limited to basic items and consumables.
Investors in a sigh of relief stepped up and bid up retailers hoping the economy may avoid a sharp slowdown.
Stocks rebounded from oversold positions and the S&P 500 index trimmed the year's loss to 15.2% after dropping to nearly 20% on an intra-day basis last week.
The Nasdaq Composite also pared year's losses to 25.7% after sinking to nearly 29% decline last week.
The yield on 10-year Treasury notes edged up 2.75% and the GDP growth was revised lower to 1.5% from the previous estimate of 1.4% by the Bureau of Economic Analysis today.
Investors are still holding out for economic growth in the current quarter compared to a year ago despite the elevated energy prices and the end of stimulus payments in the previous year.
So far the labor market strength is keeping the consumption stable or in slight upward trend.
Initial jobless claims declined 8,000 to 210,000 and continuing claims stayed near the levels last seen in 1970.
Futures of crude oil price increased 3% to $113.93 a barrel and natural gas price decreased 2% to $8.78 per unit.
Costco Wholesale Corp jumped 5.7% to $465.71 ahead of the retailer's earnings after the close of regular trading hours.
Dollar General Lifted Sales Outlook Despite Inflationary Pressures
Scott Peters
26 May, 2022
New York City
Dollar General's earnings fell after the higher product costs and customers sticking to basic items impacted quarterly results.
Sales and earnings jumped after the company passed on higher prices more than inflation to customers.
The retailer reported net sales in the first quarter fiscal year 2022 ending on April 29 increased 4.2% to $8.8 billion and comparable sales decreased 0.1%.
In the period, consumables sales increased 9.1% to $6.9 billion, seasonal products sales fell 8.5% to $961 million, apparel sales plunged 28% to $289.6 million, and home products sales declined 5.5% to $539.8 million.
Net income in the quarter fell 18% to $552.65 million and diluted earnings per share fell to $2.41 from $2.82 a year ago.
Diluted earnings per share decreased 14.5% to $2.41.
Gross profit margin declined to 31.3% from 32.8% a year ago, operating margin fell to 8.5% from 10.8%, and net income margin fell to 6.3% from 8.1%.
Inventories at the end of the quarter increased to $6.1 billion from $5.1 billion a year ago, an increase of 13.3% on a per-store basis.
Cash flow from operations in the quarter declined to $449.5 million from $702.9 million.
During the quarter the company opened 239 new stores, remodeled 532 stores, and relocated 32 stores and capital expenditures were $282 million.
In the quarter, the company repurchased $747 million of its common stock, or 3.4 million shares, at an average price of $220.13 per share.
Under its share repurchase program at the end of the first quarter $1.4 billion were still available.
On May 25, 2022, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.55 per share on the common stock, payable on or before July 19, 2022 to shareholders of record on July 5, 2022.
Guidance and Outlook
The company lifted its annual sales outlook to a range between 10% and 10.5% from the previous estimate of 10% including 2% benefit from the additional week in the current fiscal year.
Same store sales are expected to rise between 3% and 3.5% compared to the previous estimate of 2.5%.
Diluted earnings per share to increase between 12% and 14% and plans to repurchase $2.75 billion of its shares.
The company also reiterated its plans to execute 2,980 real estate projects in fiscal year 2022, including 1,110 new store openings, 1,750 remodels, and 120 store relocations.
In the quarter, the company executed 800 real estate projects.
Company and Stock
Dollar General, headquartered in Goodlettsville, Tennessee operates 18,356 stores with a total of 136.5 million retail square foot space.
In the quarter, the company increased retail space by 5.8% matching the rate a year ago.
Dollar General soared 17% to $228.82 after the deep discount retailer reported first quarter results.
For the year-so-far, Dollar General stock has declined 5.3%.
Williams Sonoma Comparable Sales Jump 9.5% and Soar 50% On Two-Year Basis
Scott Peters
26 May, 2022
New York City
Williams-Sonoma Inc, the specialty home and kitchen goods retailer, reported strong performance after Pottery Barn and West Elm sales sustained momentum.
Consolidated revenues in the first-quarter ending on May 1 rose 8% to $1.89 billion.
On a comparable basis, same store sales across all stores increased 9.5% from a year ago and surged 49.9% on a two-year basis.
Net income in the quarter rose 11.9% to $254.1 million and diluted earnings per share rose to $3.50 from $2.90 a year ago.
In the quarter, Pottery Barn sales jumped 14.1% to $775 million, West Elm sales increased 12.3% to $536 million, Williams Sonoma sales declined 5.2% to $252 million, and Pottery Barn Kids & Teen dropped 3.8% to $227 million.
Same stores sales increase in the quarter at Pottery Barn declined to 14.6% from 41.3% a year ago, at West Elm declined to 12,8% from 50.9%, at Williams Sonoma swung to negative 2.2% from 35.3%, and Pottery Barn Kids & Teen dropped to negative 3.1% from 27.6%.
During the quarter the retailer opened 3 new stores and closed 1 and ended the period with 545 stores.
In the quarter, the company repurchased $500 million of its shares and paid $58 million in dividends.
Guidance and Outlook
The retailer estimated fiscal year 2022 financial performance to be in line with its long-term financial guidance of mid-to-high single digit annual net revenue growth.
The company reiterated its long-term target of increasing revenues to $10 billion by fiscal year 2024, and operating margins relatively in-line with fiscal year 2021 operating margin between 13% and 14%.
Company and Stock
Williams-Sonoma Inc jumped 11.8% to $128.46 after the specialty home and kitchen goods retailer reported quarterly results.
In the year-so-far, Williams-Sonoma stock has declined 23.05%.
Movers: Broadcom, Dollar General, Dollar Tree, Nvidia, Nutanix, Williams-Sonoma
Barry Adams
26 May, 2022
New York City
Broadcom Inc announced a $61 billion deal to acquire VMWare, third largest tech deal ever.
Broadcom gained 0.9% to 536,29 and VMWare 0.2% to $120.87 and extended the 5-day gain to 26.4% when the deal was first reported in the media.
Separately, Broadcom reported sales in the fiscal 2022 second quarter ending on May 1 increased 23% to $8.1 billion and net income jumped 78% to $2.59 billion or $5.93 per share.
Dollar General soared 17% to $228.82 after the deep discount retailer reported first quarter net sales increased 4.2% to $8.8 billion and comparable sales decreased 0.1%.
Diluted earnings per share decreased 14.5% to $2.41.
Dollar Tree surged 17.4% to $156.82 after the deep discount chain said first-quarter consolidated sales increased 6.5% to $6.9 billion and comparable same store sales rose 4.4% across the company.
Net income increased 43.2% to $536.4 million in the first quarter and diluted earnings per share increased 48.1% to a first quarter company record $2.37, compared to $1.60 in the prior year
Weekly Jobless Claims Decrease 8,000 to 210,000
Brian Turner
26 May, 2022
New York City
Initial unemployment claims for the week ending on May 14 declined 8,000 to 210,000.
The jobless claims in the previous week were unrevised at 218,000.
The 4-week moving average was 206,750, an increase of 7,250 from the previous week's unrevised average of 199,500.
The Log term unemployed data was was revised higher by 31,000 to 1,346 million during the week ending May 14.
The previous week's level for long term unemployed was revised down by 2,000 from 1,317,000 to 1,315,000.
The 4-week moving average declined 14,250 from the previous week's revised data to 1,347,500.
This is the lowest level for this average since January 17, 1970 when it was 1,340,000.
U.S. First-quarter GDP Decline Revised Lower to 1.5%
Brian Turner
26 May, 2022
New York City
U.S. GDP growth in the first quarter ending in March was revised lower to 1.5% annual rate in the second estimate from the initial projection of 1.4% by the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
The rise in consumer spending was pulled down by weaker estimates of corporate inventories and residential investment and larger trade deficit also trimmed the projection.
The downward revision is the worst since the pandemic-impacted second quarter 2020 when the GDP declined at an annual pace of 31.2%.
Personal Consumption Expenditure, a measure of consumer spending, was revised higher to 3.1% from 2.7% driven by strong labor market and rising wages.
Gross Domestic Product in current dollars increased at an annual rate of 6.5% or $381.5 billion, in the first quarter to a level of $24.38 trillion.
In the fourth quarter current dollar GDP increased 14.5%, or $800.5 billion.
Real GDP growth in the fourth quarter 2021 was 6.9% and for full-year 2021 was 5.5%.
The bureau also revised higher Gross Domestic Income on higher than expected wages and salaries.
The increase in wages and salaries was revised higher by $66.6 billion to $341.0 billion in the fourth quarter lifting the real gross domestic income to 6.3% in the fourth quarter, an upward revision of 1.2 percentage points from the previous estimate.
U.S. Indexes Extend Gains On Retail and Tech Stocks Surge
Barry Adams
26 May, 2022
New York City
In morning trading stocks open higher after weeks of losses and negative sentiment dragging the market lower.
The S&P 500 index gained 0.6% to 4,002.75 and the Nasdaq Composite index advanced 1.8% to 11,468.26.
Investors also cheered after Broadcom announced a $61 billion deal to acquire VMWare, third largest ever tech deal.
Broadcom gained 0.9% to 536,29 and VMWare 0.2% to $120.87 and extended the 5-day gain to 26.4% when the deal was first reported in the media.
U.S. GDP growth in the first quarter ending in March was revised lower to 1.5% annual rate in the second estimate from the initial projection of 1.4% by the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
The rise in consumer spending was pulled down by weaker estimates of corporate inventories and residential investment and larger trade deficit also trimmed the projection.
The downward revision is the worst since the pandemic-impacted second quarter 2020 when the GDP declined at an annual pace of 31.2%.
Personal Consumption Expenditure, a measure of consumer spending, was revised higher to 3.1% from 2.7% driven by strong labor market and rising wages.
Initial weekly jobless claims fell to 208,000 in the week ending on May 21 from the unrevised claims of 218,000 in the previous week.
Continuing claims for the week ending on May 14 declined 14,250 to 1.374 million, the lowest level since January 1. 1970.
Dollar General soared 17% to $228.82 after the deep discount retailer reported first quarter net sales increased 4.2% to $8.8 billion and comparable sales decreased 0.1%.
Diluted earnings per share decreased 14.5% to $2.41.
Macy's Inc soared 15% to $22.18 after the department store operator reported revenues for the quarter ended on April 30 increased 14% to $5.35 billion.
The retailer reaffirmed its full-year revenues growth between flat and 1% and sales to range between $24.46 billion and $25.7 billion.
However, the retailer lifted adjusted diluted earnings per share range to between $4.53 and $4.95 from $4.13 to $4.52.
Costco Wholesale Corp gained 2.5% to $451.18 ahead of quarterly earnings release after the close of the market today.