Early Look

Monday, August 9, 2021

Futures	Up/Down	%	Last
Dow	-110.00	0.32%	34,979
S&P 500	-8.25	0.19%	4,421
Nasdaq	10.50	0.07%	15,106

 

 

Stock futures traded mostly lower Monday as investors increased bets the Federal Reserve would pull back on stimulus following a stronger-than-expected U.S. jobs report last week. Stocks closed higher on Friday, adding to its string of weekly advances as the S&P 500 index hits its 44th record high after a strong monthly jobs report fuels a further rotation into riskier assets. The U.S. economy added 943,000 jobs in July as hiring surged and employers raised wages to lure workers. It marked the second straight month of impressive growth. For the week, unofficially, the S&P rose 0.94%, the Dow added 0.78%, and the Nasdaq gained 1.11%. U.S. Treasury yields rose Friday after the jobs report, rising 8.7 bps at 1.3036%, its highest of the day, as equity indexes closed at record highs (back down at 1.28%). The financial sector saw its biggest daily percentage gain since July 20, while materials scored their best day in nearly a month as consumer discretionary stocks lagged.

 

In Asian markets, The Nikkei Index gained 91 points to 27,820, the Shanghai Index rises 36 points (over 1%) to 3,494, the Hang Seng Index jumps 104 points to 26,283. In Europe, the German DAX is down -30 points to 15,730, while the FTSE 100 is down about -25 points, dipping just below 7,100. Bitcoin prices are higher by over 5% to $45,000 while Ethereum prices extend last week gains, also up over 5% topping $3,000. Oil prices looking lower again as WTI Crude slips 3.75% or over $2.50 to $65.70 (lowest levels since June) as worries about the COVID Delta variant’s impact on global growth increase. Goldman Sachs cut its forecast for China Q3 and full-year GDP, but does expect the government to bring the outbreak under control in about a month. Also, China’s crude imports slipped to the lowest since May last month after operations were halted at key ports on the east coast due to a typhoon. The nation imported 41.24 metric tons of crude in July, according to data. Gold prices slide $22 or over 1$ at $1,742.00 an ounce – but well-off overnight lows after plunging just below $1,700 an ounce

Market Closing Prices Yesterday

·     The S&P 500 Index gained 7.42 points, or 0.17%, to 4,436.52

·     The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 144.26 points, or 0.41%, to 35,208.51

·     The Nasdaq Composite declined -59.36 points, or 0.40%, to 14,835.76

·     The Russell 2000 Index advanced 11.75 points, or 0.53% to 2,247.76

 

Events Calendar for Today

·     10:00 AM EST    JOLTs Job Openings for June

 

Earnings Calendar:

·     Earnings Before the Open: AGEN, AMRX, APD, AVYA, AXSM, BALY, BFLY, BHV, CEVA, CRNC, DISH, DRNA, DS, EBIX, ELAN, ENR, EPZM, HE, III, ITCI, JOUT, KOS, LINC, MPAA, RDNT, SCPL, SGMS, SNDX, TGNA, TSN, TTD, USFD, VTRS, WHF, WKHS

·     Earnings After the Close: ACM, ADMS, AMC, APEI, APPF, APPS, ASUR, AVD, BCEI, BRP, CABO, CARA, CBT, CCXI, CF, CMBM, CMP, CSTL, CXW, DDD, DOOR, ELY, ETH, EVBG, FGEN, FSK, FTK, GBDC, GOOD, HALO, IIIV, IIN, INO, IPAR, LOTZ, MESA, MODN, MYO, NCMI, NHI, OMER, OSH, OUST, PEN, PLNT, PRPL, QLYS, REAL, REI, RETA, RPAY, SAIL, SENS, SNCR, STE, SWAV, TALK, TPTX, VUZI, WES, ZIOP

 

Other Key Events:

·     BTIG Biotechnology Conference 2021 (virtual), 8/9-8/10

·     Cowen Annual Communications Infrastructure Hybrid Summit, 8/9-8/12

·     Cowen 9th Annual Internet & Media Bus Tour (virtual), 8/9-8/13

·     KeyBanc Capital Markets Technology Leadership Virtual Forum, 8/9-8/12

·     Needham 10th Annual Industrial Technologies 1:1 Conference (virtual), 8/6-8/9

 

 

Macro	Up/Down	Last
Nymex	-2.60	65.68
Brent	-2.53	68.17
Gold	-22.00	1,741.00
EUR/USD	-0.0006	1.1756
JPY/USD	-0.08	110.17
10-Year Note	-0.008	1.28%

 

 

World News

·     China’s export growth slowed in July, adding to concerns the economy’s recovery will face fresh pressure in the second half of the year. Exports grew 19.3% in dollar terms in July from a year earlier, while imports rose 28.1%, the customs administration said Saturday. That left a trade surplus of $56.58 billion for the month.

 

Sector News Breakdown

Consumer

·     Sanderson Farms (SAFM) is said close to a deal to sell itself to Cargill and Continental Grain for about $4.5B. The deal, which could be announced as soon as tomorrow, is expected to value Sanderson Farms (SAFM) at $203 per share – WSJ https://on.wsj.com/3yAS4dD

·     Philip Morris (PM) has raised its bid for British drugmaker Vectura (VEGPF) to 165 pence, or $2.29, per share, according to Reuters, citing the tobacco company.

·     Tesla (TSLA) upgraded to Buy from Hold at Jefferies and up tgt to $850 from $700 as sees higher global battery electric demand, more battery and assembly capacity coming on stream, a broader and mix-accretive model line-up with more Model Ys and the new S and no legacy issues to contend with

·     Conagra Brands (CAG) files automatic mixed securities shelf

·     Spectrum Brands Holdings (SPB) mentioned positively in Barron’s, calling it an undervalued stock that lets investors bet on multiple Covid-era trends at once. It has the defensive characteristics of a consumer- staples brand and its debt problems appear to be easing.

·     Ross Stores (ROST) and WW Int’l (WW) will benefit from shoppers buying new wardrobes and getting back in shape for a return to the office according to Barron’s. Starbucks (SBUX) and Ruth’s Hospitality Group (RUTH) fell on delta concerns, but both have seen sales momentum as cities reopen

·     ManpowerGroup (MAN) announces new stock repurchase program for up to 4M shares

·     Haverty’s (HVT) announces new $25M stock repurchase program

 

Energy

·     Oil prices looking lower as WTI Crude slips 3.75% or over $2.50 to $65.70 (lowest levels since June) as worries about the COVID Delta variant’s impact on global growth increase. Goldman Sachs cut its forecast for China Q3 and full-year GDP, but does expect the government to bring the outbreak under control in about a month. Also, China’s crude imports slipped to the lowest since May last month after operations were halted at key ports on the east coast due to a typhoon. The nation imported 41.24 metric tons of crude in July, according to data.

·     Saudi Aramco made net profit of 95.5 billion riyals ($25.5 billion) in the second quarter, the highest level since the end of 2018. Free cash flow rose to $22.6 billion

 

Financials

·     Berk­shire Hath­away Inc. (BRKA) said Q2 net earn­ings rose 7%, boosted by im­proved re­sults for its rail­road, util­i­ties and en­ergy com­pa­nies. Op­er­at­ing earn­ings, which ex­clude some in­vest­ment re­sults, rose to $6.7B from $5.5B in the year prior. Prof­its in­creased within the com­pa­ny’s rail-road, util­i­ties and en­ergy di­vi­sions but de­clined at the com­pa­ny’s vast in­sur­ance op­er­a­tions

·     Hudson Pacific Properties (HPP), a real estate investment trust that leases space in West Los Angeles, could gain on bets its Hollywood producer and plastic surgeon tenants won’t give up their offices according to Barron’s. Boston Properties (BXP) was also recommended for its exposure to the thriving health care and tech sectors in Boston and the San Francisco Bay Area.

·     DiamondRock (DRH) files automatic mixed securities shelf

 

Healthcare

·     Exact Sciences (EXAS) has approached Invitae (NVTA) about a possible merger, Bloomberg reported late Friday while saying the companies are not in active talks, and if a deal materializes, it could be an all-stock deal with a low premium https://bit.ly/37wMxch

·     Eton Pharmaceuticals’ (ETON) antiepileptic topiramate oral solution FDA action date has been delayed three months to November 6, 2021, according to an SEC filing after a decision was expected on Friday.

·     Lexicon (LXRX) files $200M mixed securities shelf

·     Epizyme Inc. (EPZM) rises after announcing a deal with Hutchmed China to develop Tazverik, a medicine used to treat certain patients with epithelioid sarcoma and others with follicular lymphoma

·     Elanco (ELAN) Q2 adj EPS $0.28 vs. rest. $0.26; Q2 revs $1.28B vs. est. $1.23B; sees Q3 adj EPS $0.15-$0.19 vs. est. $0.20; sees Q3 revs $1.075B-$1.1B vs. est. $1.09B

 

Industrials & Materials

·     HVAC stocks Carrier Global (CARR), Lennox International (LII), Trane Technologies (TT), and Johnson Controls International (JCI)-have all reported strong calendar Q2 earnings and are up an average of more than 40% this year, according to Barron’s. Article notes the HVAC business is rapidly becoming one of the most consistent end markets in the industrial universe, and it’s also becoming an important ESG play

·     Air Products (APD) Q3 adj EPS $2.31 vs. est. $2.36; Q3 revs $2.6B vs. est. $2.49B; sees Q4 adj EPS $2.44-$2.54 vs. est. $2.51; narrows FY21 adj EPS view to $8.95-$9.05 from $8.95-$9.10 (est. $9.07); sees 2021 cap-ex spending of about $2.5B

·     Barrick Gold (GOLD) Q2 adj EPS $0.29 vs. est. $0.28; Q2 revs $2.89B vs. est. $3.06B

 

Technology, Media & Telecom

·     Dish (DISH) Q2 EPS $1.06 vs. est. $0.89; Q2 revs $4.49B vs. est. $4.43B; Q2 Net Pay-TV subscribers decreased approximately 67,000, compared to a net decrease of approximately 96,000 in the year-ago quarter; closed the quarter with 10.99M Pay-TV subscribers, including 8.55M DISH TV subscribers and 2.44M SLING TV subscribers

·     Nokia (NOK) could continue to rally (after rising 56% YTD) according to Barron’s as it recovers from a period of underperformance. It will benefit from telecom operators upgrading their equipment to support 5G and the work- at-home trend. It’s also a meme stock favored by retail investors.

·     Corporate tech spending is forecast to rise again, and two stocks to benefit from the trend are Microsoft (MSFT) and Cisco Systems (CSCO), according to Barron’s. LinkedIn, owned by Microsoft, could get a boost from increased worker mobility and job listings. Evercore ISI analyst Amit Daryanani sees a path for Cisco to reach $100 per share

·     TikTok owner ByteDance Ltd. is reviving plans to list in Hong Kong by early next year even as Chinese authorities widen their crackdown on the country’s technology companies, the Financial Times reported