Cody Huelster
The U.S. stock market opened with little change on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, as traders assessed Moody’s recent downgrade of 10 small and midsized banks, which had caused a mild pullback the day before. European markets found solace in Italy’s planned limits on bank windfall tax, giving them a lead, while Chinese equities slid on unexpected softness in domestic demand. The overnight market had witnessed a drop in China’s July CPI and a slight rise in WTI oil, up 1% at $84, setting a mixed tone for the day’s opening.
In a mixed performance, several sectors demonstrated strength, while others faltered. Energy, Utilities, Consumer Staples, and Health Care were the stars of the day, buoyed by favorable market conditions and investor sentiment. The Energy sector was propelled by a surge in WTI oil, up about 1% at $84, and increasing global demand.
On the flip side, financials were particularly weak, reflecting the recent Moody’s downgrade of 10 small and midsized banks, an aftershock of stress in the sector earlier in March. Despite this being well understood by the market, it seems the financial sector still felt some residual effects.
The market also witnessed a wait-and-see approach, especially with the upcoming CPI report.
Several major players in the stock market showcased impressive performance, while others lagged. Axon (AXON) was one of the key gainers, increasing by 14.33%, after being added to Needham’s Conviction List following last night’s earnings beat and raised forecast. FleetCor (FLT) and Charles River (CRL) also performed admirably, with gains attributed to their positive earnings.
On the other hand, media giant Paramount Global (PARA) was among the day’s worst performers, erasing all gains from the previous day’s post-earnings rally. Mega-cap stocks such as Salesforce (CRM), Intel (INTC), and IBM (IBM) underperformed, pressured by broader consolidation efforts.
Earnings season is in full swing, and the stock market is reacting to an array of financial results from various companies. Among the more notable names, Axon (AXON) led the charge, following positive feedback from analysts and strong quarterly figures. FleetCor (FLT) and Charles River (CRL) followed suit with robust earnings, highlighting the strength in their respective sectors.
However, it wasn’t all positive. Paramount Global (PARA) suffered, giving back all the previous day’s post-earnings gains. Tonight’s anticipated earnings from Disney (DIS), Wynn Resorts (WYNN), Illumina (ILMN), Viasat (VSAT), AppLovin (APP), and The Trade Desk (TTD) will provide further insight into various industries, from entertainment to technology, and could shape market sentiment in the coming days.
Economic data has been at the forefront of market movements and discussions. All eyes are on inflation, with tomorrow’s CPI reading acting as a critical datapoint in shaping Federal Reserve policy expectations. The trend of disinflation, which accelerated in June, has been a key narrative, and the July reading is predicted to reflect a year-over-year growth of 3.3%. Factors such as declining used-car prices, slowing rent inflation, and China’s deflationary impact are expected to contribute to this scenario.
Last week’s nine-month high in 10-year Treasury yields and the loss in investment-grade bonds has put a renewed focus on fiscal deficits. Factors such as U.S. economic strength and rising commodity prices contributed to the uptick in yields. But there has been a rebound, highlighting the current historically high yields as an opportunity for generating income and positioning for lower yields ahead, as the Fed may cut rates next year.
Additionally, China’s equities were affected by a negative July CPI (-0.3% year-over-year), indicative of the ongoing softness in domestic demand. Bond yields stabilized with the 10-year hovering around 4%, indicating a cautious market approach.
The market awaits more economic indicators, including weekly Initial Claims, Continuing Claims, natural gas inventories, and the July Treasury Budget, which could provide further insights into the economic landscape.
This detailed examination of various sectors, individual stocks, earnings, and relevant economic data provides an intricate view of the market’s movements and the underlying forces shaping it.
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The major indices concluded a day of measured fluctuation with the Dow settling at 35317.25 (+0.01%), the Nasdaq at 13824.89 (-0.43%), and the S&P 500 at 4497.20 (-0.08%). Treasuries were mixed in the face of tomorrow’s anticipated CPI data, and the day’s close echoed the steady but cautious tones resonating across global markets. As the broader market built up strength, the session was marked by consolidation and positioning ahead of key economic insights, resulting in a day of quiet navigation.
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