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Market Update

Movers: Bath & Body, BJ's, Cisco, Kohl's, Synopsys, Target, Under Armour

Barry Adams
19 May, 2022
New York City

BJ's Wholesale Club surged 9.9% to $58.76 after the discount retailer 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.

The company said comparable store sales surged 14.4% and excluding gasoline rose 4.1% from a year ago.

The membership warehouse club reaffirmed its annual earnings per share growth outlook at "flat year-over-year."

Bath & Body Works Inc plunged 10% to $28.76 after the retailer reported first quarter revenues declined 1.3% to $1.449 billion and net income plunged more than 43% to $154 million.

The retailer also guided second quarter earnings between 65 cents and 70 cents and lowered full-year 2022 earnings per share from continuing operations to between $3.80 and $4.15 compared to $4.51 a year ago.

Boeing Co. rose 1.9% to $127.83 after the aerospace company said that IAG, the parent of British, Iberia Air, and Aer Lingus, plans to acquire 50 737 Max jets and hold an option to acquire 100 additional aircrafts.

Children's Place Inc surged 10% to $47.43 after the specialty apparel retailer reported revenues in the first quarter ending in April declined 16.8% to $362.4 million and net income fell 55% to $19.8 million.

The company also said March sales in the current quarter were 35% lower from a year ago on inclement weather across the nation and rising food and energy prices kept consumers away.

The retailer also guided full-year 2022 sales in "a mid-single digit."

Cisco Systems Inc declined 13.2% to $41.78 after the networking systems maker reported flat quarterly sales and guided a decline in sales in the current quarter.

Kohl's Corporation fell 0.7% to $42.73 after the department store chain reported a first quarter and comparable sales declined 5.2% and flat earnings from a year ago.

Revenues decreased to $3.47 billion and net income in the quarter was $14 million.

The retailer also guided full-year 2022 revenues to be between flat and 1% and operating margin between 7% and 7.2% and diluted earnings per share excluding non-recurring charges between $6.45 and $6.85.

Synopsys Inc surged 12% to $305.60 after the electronics design automation software developer reported revenues in the second quarter of fiscal 2022 increased 25% to $1.27 billion.

Net income in the quarter increased to $295 million or $1.89 a share from $195 million of $1.24 a share a year ago.

The company guided earnings per share in the third quarter between $1.32 and $1.44 and full-year ending in October between $6.22 and $6.44.

Target Crop declined 5.2% to $153.04 a day after the company reported a sharp fall in earnings and operating margins. Stock has declined about 32% in two days.

Tesla Inc added 2.6% to $726.45 and briefly traded below $700. The stock has been on the slide since the company's CEO Elon Musk offered to buy micro-blogging platform Twitter pledging the Tesla stock as a collateral.

Tesla has collapsed 38% since Musk announced an offer to buy Twitter in early April.

Stock has also been hurt by the recent tech selloff and ongoing lockdown worries in Shanghai hurting vehicle production.

Under Armour Inc declined 10.3% to $9.45 after the athletic apparel retailer said CEO Patrick Frisk will step down from his responsibilities at the end of the month without giving any reason.

The surprise departure raises questions about the company's turnaround plans.

Weekly Jobless Claims Rise for Third Month In a Row

Brian Turner
19 May, 2022
New York City

U.S. weekly jobless claims in the week ending on May 18 came in at 281,000, an increase of 21,000 from the previous week, the Labor Department said on Thursday.

The jobless claims rose for the third week in a row.

The seasonally adjusted claims were revised down 6,000 to 197,000 and 4-week moving average increased 8,250 to 199,500.

The so-called continuing claims decreased 25,000 to 1.317 million, the lowest level since December 1969.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 0.9 percent for the week ending May 7, a decrease of 0.1 percentage point from the previous week's unrevised rate.

Initial jobless claims have been on the decline after reaching a peak of 6.137 million in April 2020 but have started rising again after reaching a low of 166,000 in March.

Labor market has significantly tightened in two years to March and at the end of the month a record 11.5 million job openings were advertised according to another survey conducted by the Labor Department.

Selloff Extends After Recession Fears Grip U.S. Markets

Barry Adams
19 May, 2022
New York City

Fear dominated financial markets for the second day in a row and indexes lost ground as the S&P 500 sinks to bear territory.

The S&P 500 dropped 0.3% to3,913.19 and the Nasdaq Composite decreased 0.9% to 11,325.81.

Crude oil declined 1% $108.43 a barrel and the yield on 10-year U.S. Treasury notes decreased to 2.789%

The benchmark bond yields rose in seven of the last nine trading days and weekly jobless claims rose the third week in a row.

Investors sold stocks and feared that inflation is finally showing up in corporate results and more pain is likely to follow as the Fed prepares aggressive rate hikes that may tip the economy into a recession.

The twin fears of future faster rate hikes and sustained inflation have been playing out over the last eight weeks and reached a new height on Wednesday.

The earnings miss from Walmart and Target and cautious outlook from Lowe's also fanned the negative sentiment today.

Cisco declined 11% in the pre-market trading after the networking systems maker reported flat quarterly sales and guided revenues to decline in the current quarter.

Kohl's dropped 7% after the general merchandise retailer reported a first quarter and comparable sales declined 5.2% and said earnings per share plunged 90% to 11 cents from $1.05 a year ago.

U.S. weekly jobless claims in the week ending on May 18 came in at 281,000, an increase of 21,000 from the previous week, the Labor Department said on Thursday.

The U.S. rout sparked a global market selloff and dragged indexes in Asia and Europe down between 1% and 2%.

The DAX index in Frankfurt fell 1.8% to 13,750.99, the CAC-40 in Paris decreased 2.06% to 6,222.02, and the FTSE 100 index in London dropped 2.03% to 7,285.88.

Italian insurer Assicurazioni Generali gained 0.5% after the company reported a smaller-than-expected net profit and the insurer took losses in closing down its Russian operations.

In the first quarter to March, the insurer reported a net profit of 727 million euros compared to 802 million euros a year ago.

The current quarter earnings included a charge of 136 million euros on the account of Russian assets impairments.

In Tokyo, the Nikkei index declined 1.9% to 26,402.82.

Tech and automakers led the decline in Tokyo and SoftBank Group fell 1.6% to 5,055.00 yen and Recruit Holdings Co fell 4.2% to 4,602.00 yen.

Japan's trade deficit in April rose to 839.2 billion yen (about $7 billion) from the upwardly revised 414.1 billion in March.

Imports were the largest since record keeping began in 1979.

Japan recorded a monthly deficit for the ninth month in a row and swung from a surplus of 227 billion in April 2021.

Core machine orders rose 7.6% in March to 869.5 billion yen, the Cabinet Office reported today.

In Hong Kong the Hang Seng Index fell 2.5% to 20,120.68, the largest decline since May 6. Hang Seng Tech index fell 4% but the Shanghai Composite Index gained 0.4%, the only gainer in Asian markets.

Ten Cents plunged 6.5% after the operator of Chinese super app WeChat reported flat revenues in the first quarter and a 51% plunge in net income.

In Sydney, the ASX 200 index fell 1.7% to 7,064.50 after retailers plunged. Wesfarmers dropped 8% to an 18-month low, Coles declined 5%, and furniture retailer Norman declined 5.5%.

In Mumbai, the Sensex index declined 2.6% or 1,416.30 to 52,792.23 and the Nifty index fell 2.65% or 430.95 to 15,809.32.

Tech stocks dropped between 5% and 7% following the decline in the U.S.

Asian Markets Tumble Following U.S. Rout

Arjun Pandit
19 May, 2022
New York City

Asian markets declined after the key index in the U.S. dropped more than 4%, the largest decline since June 2020.

The fears of rising inflation hitting the corporate earnings and the lagging response from the Federal Reserve Bank added to market anxieties.

Investors are worried on the one hand that the higher interest rates may slow down the economy but on the other hand if rates are not raised fast enough then inflation will get entrenched and eat into corporate earnings.

These conflicting views have been feeding market uncertainty for the last eight weeks.

Global market selloff sparked by the U.S. decline after two leading retailers Walmart and Target reported sharply lower earnings and highlighted rising operating costs.

The earnings results and other economic indicators have been signaling that inflation is entrenching post-pandemic and slowing the economic activities.

In Tokyo, the Nikkei index declined 1.9% to 26,402.82.

Tech and automakers led the decline in Tokyo and SoftBank Group fell 1.6% to 5,055.00 yen and Recruit Holdings Co fell 4.2% to 4,602.00 yen.

Japan's trade deficit in April rose to 839.2 billion yen (about $7 billion) from the upwardly revised 414.1 billion in March.

Exports increased 12.5% to 8.076 trillion yen or $63 billion and imports increased 28.2% to 8.915 trillion yen or $70 billion, the Ministry of Finance reported today.

Imports were the largest since record keeping began in 1979.

Japan recorded a monthly deficit for the ninth month in a row and swung from a surplus of 227 billion in April 2021.

Core machine orders rose 7.6% in March to 869.5 billion yen, the Cabinet Office reported today.

In Hong Kong the Hang Seng Index fell 2.5% to 20,120.68, the largest decline since May 6. Hang Seng Tech index fell 4% but the Shanghai Composite Index gained 0.4%, the only gainer in Asian markets.

Ten Cents plunged 6.5% after the operator of Chinese super app WeChat reported flat revenues in the first quarter and a 51% plunge in net income.

The weak results reflected the fallout from the resurgent Covid-19 virus, the impact of the year-long regulatory crackdown on tech companies, and the headwind from the macro economy.

The weak results from Ten Cents dragged down other tech stocks.

Alibaba Group Holdings fell 7.3%, NetEase declined 2.5%, and Meituan dropped more than 3.7%.

In economic news, Hong Kong unemployment rate increased to 5.4% in three months to April from 5.0% in the previous three months.

Under employment increased to 3.8% in three months to April from 3.1% in the previous three months to March.

In Seoul, the Kospi index declined 1.3% to 2,592.34.

In Sydney, the ASX 200 index fell 1.7% to 7,064.50 after retailers plunged. Wesfarmers dropped 8% to an 18-month low, Coles declined 5%, and furniture retailer Norman declined 5.5%.

The Sensex index declined 2.6% or 1,416.30 to 52,792.23 and the Nifty index fell 2.65% or 430.95 to 15,809.32.

Tech stocks dropped between 5% and 7% following the decline in the U.S.

Tata Consultancy Services dropped 5% to 3,271.90 rupees, Infosys declined 5.2% to 1,431.03 rupees , Tech Mahindra fell 5.03% to 1,113.04 rupees, and HCL Tech plunged 5.8% to 1,011.40 rupees.

Metal and materials stocks also declined more than 4%.

Hindalco fell 4.4% to 417.20 rupees, Tata Steel declined 4.3% to 1,128.95 rupees, and JSW Holdings fell 3.2% to 3,465.05 rupees.

Cisco Reports Flat Quarterly Sales, Guides Q4 Sales to Fall

Scott Peters
18 May, 2022
New York City

Cisco Systems Inc reported sales in the fiscal year third quarter ending in April sales were flat $12.8 billion compared to a year ago and net income increased 6% to $3 billion.

Diluted earnings per share in the quarter increased 7% to 73 cents from a year ago.

Revenues in the Americas rose 5%, Europe and Middle East decreased 6%, and Asia Pacific including China and Japan fell 6%.

Sales were also impacted by one less week in the quarter which resulted in 3% of revenues increase a year ago.

In March, the company also announced suspension of its business in Russia and Belarus which generated revenues of $200 million.

The company also said the product backlog exceeds $15 billion.

Total gross margin declined to 63.3% from 63.9% in the prior year's quarter and operating margin in the quarter was 28.1%.

Deferred revenues increased 7% to $22.3 billion with deferred product revenues up 13% and deferred service revenues up 2%.

In the third quarter of fiscal 2022, the company returned $1.8 billion to stockholders through share buybacks and dividends.

The declared and paid a cash dividend of $0.38 per common share, or $1.6 billion, and repurchased approximately 5 million shares of common stock under our stock repurchase program at an average price of $54.20 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $252 million.

The stock repurchase program has still available $17.6 billion with no termination date.

Guidance & Outlook

The network systems maker guided fiscal fourth quarter revenues to decline between 1% and 5% from a year ago and earnings per share between 60 cents and 70 cents.

In the full fiscal year 2022, revenues are expected to rise between 2% and 3% and GAAP earnings per share between $2.75 and $2.85.

The guidance reflects 52 weeks in fiscal year 2022 compared to 53 weeks in fiscal 2021.

Company and Stock

Cisco Systems is headquartered in San Jose, California and employs about 80,000 people around the world.

Cisco stock dropped 13% in after-market trading after the earnings release and prior to the release has declined 23.4% in the year-so-far at the close of regular trading hours.

Broad Selloff Sinks S&P 500 and Nasdaq 4% Deeper

Barry Adams
18 May, 2022
New York City

U.S. stocks fell at the opening and gradually declined and sank to lower lows as the session progressed.

Investors turned cautions after four large retailers Walmart, Target, Lowe's and Home Depot reported weak quarterly results and highlighted inflation and wage pressures, rising freight costs and challenges in managing inventories.

TJX, the operator of TJ Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods, reported sharply higher sales and earnings, bucking the trend.

The S&P 500 index declined 4.04% to 3,923.68 and the Nasdaq Composite index fell 4.7% to 11,.418.15.

The indexes closed down after four days of gains.

The Nasdaq Composite sank deeper into bear territory with a year-to-date loss of 27.9% and the S&P 500 index extended losses in the year to 18.2%.

Investors focused on how companies are handling inventories and supply chain problems and were also looking for clues how the consumer is reacting to higher prices at stores and at gas stations.

Walmart said many of its price sensitive customers are switching to store brands and buying fewer items and making fewer trips to stores.

Home Depot also reported fewer transactions but a small increase in average ticket size.

Unusually cold weather also impacted sales of pool supplies, lawn chemicals and other seasonal items forcing retailers to increase markdowns.

However, Target added the consumer is healthy and spending more on items that are linked to experiences such as birthday parties and travel but avoiding high margin discretionary items.

The indexes have been on the defensive for the last seven weeks as rising fuel and food prices are leaving customers with less money to pay for discretionary items.

Target's weak earnings follows Walmart's earnings on Tuesday after the largest retailer lowered expectations for the rest of the year.

On the back of weak results from four leading retailers, stocks in the sector fell and brought down wider indexes as well.

Market is increasingly worried that there is more pain in the economy and the company's valuations are still not reflecting lower future streams of earnings, higher interest rates, slowing down economic conditions.

Dollar General declined 11%, Dollar Tree fell 14%, Five Below plunged 11.4%, Kohl's Corp fell 10.9%, and Macy's decreased 10.6%.

Crude oil fell 3.2% to $109.51 after rising as much as 0.5%.

The yield on 10-year U.S. Treasury notes edged down but traded near 2.877%.

Weekly mortgage applications declined 12% at the end of last week from the previous week and fell 15% from a year ago according to Mortgage Bankers Association.

Separately, home builders association reported the confidence index declined 8 points to 69 in May, a fifth monthly decline in a row and lowest since June 2020.

The single family starts in April declined 7.3% to 1.1 million units annual rate adjusted for seasonal factors, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau.

The multifamily sector, which includes apartment buildings and condos, increased 15.3% to an annualized 624,000 rate.

European markets turned negative on the growing worries of rising inflation and lagging central bank's response.

The U.K. inflation accelerated to 9% in April from 7% in March driven by rising food and fuel prices, the Office of National Statistics said today.

The 40-year high inflation is likely to peak in October around 10% before it declines.

Moreover, new car registration in the European Union declined for the fourth month in a row in April. the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association said today.

The DAX index declined 1.3% to 14,007.76, the CAC-40 index dropped 1.2% to 6,352.94, and the FTSE 100 index fell 1.07% to 7,438.09.

Asian markets closed mixed after Japan reported GDP and industrial production data.

Japan's GDP in the first quarter contracted at 1% annualized rate, the Cabinet Office said today. The preliminary data showed that the economy rose at 0.2% rate after adjusting for seasonality factors.

The decline was less than the 1.8% fall estimated by many economists. The GDP growth data for the previous quarter was lowered to 3.8% increase from the 5.4% rise in the preliminary estimate.

The weakness in international trade dragged the economic activities lower.

Industrial production in March rose 0.3% after adjusting for seasonal factors, the report from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry noted today.

In Tokyo, the Nikkei index increased 251.45 or 0.94% to close at 26,911.20.

Market indexes in Australia rose nearly 1% but in India and South Korea eased and in Hong Kong edged higher.

European Markets Drop 1%, Car Registrations Drop for the 4th Month

Barry Adams
18 May, 2022
New York City

European markets turned negative on the growing worries of rising inflation and lagging central bank's response.

The U.K. inflation accelerated to 9% in April from 7% in March driven by rising food and fuel prices, the Office of National Statistics said today.

The 40-year high inflation is likely to peak in October around 10% before it declines.

Moreover, new car registration in the European Union declined for the fourth month in a row in April. the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association said today.

New Passenger vehicle registration fell 20.6% in April after falling 20.5% in March.

The April month data was the weakest since record keeping began except the pandemic year 2020. About 684,506 passenger vehicles were registered in April compared to 862,443 registrations a year ago.

From January to April of 2022, new car registrations declined 14.4% across the EU, totaling 2,930,366 units.

Supply disruptions and chip shortages weighed heavily on manufacturers.

The DAX index declined 1.3% to 14,007.76, the CAC-40 index dropped 1.2% to 6,352.94, and the FTSE 100 index fell 1.07% to 7,438.09.

Lowe's Sales Fall On Colder Weather and Financially Strapped Consumer

Scott Peters
18 May, 2022
New York City

Lowe's Companies, Inc reported first quarter ending in April 2022 sales decreased 3.2% to $23.66 billion and flat net income of $2.33 billion.

Diluted earnings per share in the quarter rose to $3.51 from $3.21 a year ago.

The retailer also increased dividend per share to 80 cents from 60 cents a year ago.

Unusually cold weather in the quarter impacted sales of outdoor seasonal categories.

Operating margin in the quarter rose 65 basis points to 13.96 and the company is looking to improve more in the current year.

Consolidated comparable sales declined 4% in the quarter and fell 3.8% at the U.S. stores.

Comparable sales rose 19.7% on a two-year basis.

About 75% of Lowe's customers are working on remodeling or DIY projects and are sensitive to recent fuel price increases and consumers are replacing their fuel inefficient lawn mowers and laundry machines to battery powered machines.

Guidance & Outlook

The home improvement retailer expects full-year 2022 revenues between $97 billion and $99 billion on a 53-week year basis compared to the 52-week year in 2021.

The company also estimated between $1.0 billion and $1.5 billion in revenues in the 53rd week.

Comparable sales are expected to range between 1% rise and fall and operating margin is expected to be between 12.8% and 13%.

Diluted earnings in the year are expected to be between $13.10 and $13.60.

The company also plans to repurchase total shares of approximately $12 billion.

Company & Stock

As of April 29, 2022, Lowe

Target Earnings Plunge 50% On Cost Pressures and Supply Disruptions

Scott Peters
18 May, 2022
New York City

Target Corp said sales in the fiscal first quarter ending in April increased 4% from a year ago to $24.8 billion and net income declined 52% to $1.0 billion.

Diluted earnings per share in the quarter fell 48% to $2.16 from $4.17 a year ago.

Comparable sales including sales and e-commerce in the quarter rose 3.3% after rising 22.9% a year ago and traffic in the quarter rose 3.9%.

Comparable store sales increased 3.4% in the quarter after rising 18% last year.

Digital comparable sales growth slowed to 3% after surging 50% in the period a year ago.

Consumers focused on basic household items, food and beverages, and beauty essential needs as inflation and rising gas prices limited budgets for discretionary items.

Operating income plunged 43.3% from a year ago to $1.3 billion largely on a lower gross margin rate.

Supply chain disruptions led to some products arriving too late and others reaching warehouses too early forcing the company to larger than usual markdowns.

Operating income margin in the quarter fell to 5.3% from 9.8% in the period a year ago.

Higher freight rates also added to the inventory schedule havoc caused by supply chain disruptions.

Guidance & Outlook

For the second quarter, the retailer expected operating margin rate to fluctuate in a wide range centered around the first quarter's rate of 5.3% and around 6% for the full-year.

Full-year 2022 sales are expected to increase in low- to mid-single digits.

Company & Stock

Target Corp is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota and operates 1,931 stores and employs 400,000 people.

Target stock plunged 27.7% to $155.53 after the company released earnings today and for the year declined 32.8%.

Movers: Target, Lowe's, TJX, Deckers, Children's Place, Ross Stores

Barry Adams
18 May, 2022
New York City

Retail stocks plunged after Target reported weak results and Lowe's sales were below expectations.

Dollar Tree declined 17%, Dollar General fell 12.3%, Five Below declined 7.5%, Costco Wholesale Corp dropped 11.6%, Macy's edged down 5%, and Best Buy, Ulta Beauty, Autozone, and Advance Auto Parts dropped 8%.

Lowe's Companies declined 4% to $186.22 after the home improvement retailer reported fiscal first quarter ending in April net sales declined to $23.66 billion from $24.42 billion a year ago.

The retailer reiterated its full-year sales outlook between $97 billion and $99 billion and same store sales to range between a decline of 1% and an increase of 1%.

Target Cop plunged 24% to $163.31 after the retailer reported weaker than expected earnings on rising inventory problems, higher market downs, and wage pressures.

GAAP earnings per share in the first quarter declined 48% to $2.16 from $4.17 after sales increased 4% to $24.83 billion from a year ago.

Net earnings in the quarter fell 52% to $1.0 billion from $2.1 billion a year ago.

First quarter operating income margin rate was 5.3% compared to 9.8% in 2021 and gross margin rate was 25.7% declined from 30.0 percent in 2021.

"This year's gross margin rate reflected higher markdown rates, driven largely by inventory impairments and actions taken to address lower-than-expected sales in discretionary categories, as well as costs related to freight, supply chain disruptions, and increased compensation and headcount in our distribution centers." the retailer noted in a press release.

TJX Companies soared 8.5% to $60.95 after the apparel and home goods retailer reported net sales in the first quarter ending in April increased 13% to $11.4 billion and net income rose 10% to $587 million.

Total inventories rose 42% to $7.0 billion and said in the earnings release overall availability of quality, branded merchandise in the marketplace remains excellent" for the summer season.

Ross Stores jumped 1.2% on the back of TJX earnings and inventory comments and ahead of earnings tomorrow after the close of market.

Children's Place declined 10.5% to $43.20 ahead of the earnings release and conference call tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m. ET.

Deckers Outdoor Corp declined 7.6% to $225.65 ahead of the earnings call tomorrow after the close of market.

U.S. Indexes Fall After Target Earnings Highlight Retail Sector Struggle

Barry Adams
18 May, 2022
New York City

U.S. stocks fell after Target reported sharply lower quarterly results stoking fears of wider economic malaise.

The S&P 500 index declined 1.5% to 4,026.76 and the Nasdaq Composite index fell 1.8% to 11,770.48.

The indexes are likely to close down for the first time in four days.

Target Corp, a major retailer of food, groceries, and general merchandise, said higher freight costs and wages compounded supply disruptions in the quarter.

However, the retailer added the consumer is healthy and spending more on items that are linked to experiences such as birthday parties and travel.

The indexes have been on the defensive for the last seven weeks as rising fuel and food prices are leaving customers with less money to pay for discretionary items.

Target's weak earnings follows Walmart's earnings on Tuesday after the largest retailer lowered expectations for the rest of the year.

On the back of weak results from two leading retailers, stocks in the sector fell.

Dollar General declined 12%, Dollar Tree fell 15%, Five Below plunged 8.4%, Kohl's Corp fell 8.4%, and Macy's fell 7.5%.

Crude oil edged higher 56 cent to $112.91 on the expectations that China demand will resume in the next month.

The yield on 10-year U.S. Treasury notes edged down but traded near 2.95%.

Weekly mortgage applications declined 12% at the end of last week from the previous week and fell 15% from a year ago according to Mortgage Bankers Association.

Separately, home builders association reported the confidence index declined 8 points to 69 in May, a fifth monthly decline in a row and lowest since June 2020.

The single family starts in April declined 7.3% to 1.1 million units annual rate adjusted for seasonality factors, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau.