Stocks Manage Modest Up-Move on Monday

Charles Schwab: On the Market

Posted: 7/18/2016 4:15 PM ET

Stocks Manage Modest Up-Move on Monday

U.S. stocks gained ground to start the week with Bank of America topping the Street's quarterly estimates as earnings season begins to ramp up. Technology stocks were among the session's top performers and may have found some support from the announcement that Japan's SoftBank agreed to acquire chip designer ARM Holdings for $32 billion. International equity markets were mostly mixed with a plethora of geopolitical events being weighed by global investors. Treasuries, gold and crude oil prices were lower, while the U.S. dollar was little changed.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) rose 17 points (0.1%) to 18,533, the S&P 500 Index increased 5 points (0.2%) to 2,167, and the Nasdaq Composite gained 26 points (0.5%) to 5,056. In moderate volume, 727 million shares were traded on the NYSE and 1.6 billion shares changed hands on the Nasdaq. WTI crude oil was $0.71 lower at $45.24 per barrel, wholesale gasoline shed $0.03 to $1.39 per gallon and the Bloomberg gold spot price decreased $7.85 to $1,329.60 per ounce. Elsewhere, the Dollar Index—a comparison of the U.S. dollar to six major world currencies—was nearly unchanged at 96.55.

Bank of America Corp. (BAC $14) reported 2Q earnings-per-share (EPS) of $0.36, above the $0.33 FactSet estimate, as revenues declined 7.2% year-over-year (y/y) to $20.6 billion, versus the expected $20.4 billion. The company said it saw improved customer and client activity, and each of its four business segments reported y/y earnings growth. BAC finished higher.

Hasbro Inc. (HAS $80) posted 2Q EPS of $0.41, north of the expected $0.39, with revenues rising 10.0% y/y to $879 million, topping the forecasted $859 million. Shares lost solid ground as analysts expressed concerns toward the toy maker's slowdown in sales of its key boy-oriented toys division.

Technology issues gained ground as chip designer ARM Holdings PLC. (ARMH $66) surged after Japan's SoftBank Group Corp. (SFTBY $26) announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire the U.K.-based company for roughly $32 billion in cash. ADR shares of ARMH surged over 40% in U.S. trading, while ADR shares of SFTBY were sharply lower.

Homebuilder sentiment dips as housing data heats up this week

The July National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Housing Market Index showed homebuilder sentiment this month dipped to 59 from 60 in June, where the Bloomberg estimate had called for it to remain. However, builder confidence remained above 50, which separates good and poor conditions. The NAHB said the index is consistent with the ongoing gradual housing recovery, but there are still reports of scattered softness in some markets, due largely to regulatory constraints and shortages of lots and labor.

The ramp-up of 2Q earnings season is likely to garner attention this week, particularly guidance and commentary surrounding the impact of the Brexit vote in the U.K., while the U.S. economic calendar will be tilted toward the housing sector. Today's homebuilder sentiment report got the ball rolling and will be followed by tomorrow's look at housing construction activity in the form of housing starts and building permits and Thursday's existing home sales report. Other releases worth noting on this week's economic docket include: the Leading Index and Markit's preliminary Manufacturing PMI Index.

For some timely insight into the stock market as earnings season is set to heat up, see the latest Schwab Sector Views: Sector Impact of Brexit from Schwab's Director of Market and Sector Analysis, Brad Sorensen, CFA. Brad adds that healthy mortgage demand could be bolstered by the continued low interest rate environment and high rental rates in some areas that provide incentive for home buying. These are some of the factors that lead us to our outperform rating for the financial sector. Read more at www.schwab.com/marktetinsight.

Treasuries were lower with the yield on the 2-year note rising 2 basis points (bps) to 0.69%, the yield on the 10-year note increasing 3 bps to 1.59% and the 30-year bond rate gaining 4 bps to 2.30%. Bond yields have been volatile in the wake of the U.K. Brexit fallout, which exacerbated global growth concerns, as well as amid dampened expectations for a Fed rate hike this year. However, the June U.S. labor report has helped ease growth concerns and given a boost to bond yields as of late.

For analysis see the video from Schwab's Chief Investment Strategist, Liz Ann Sonders and Managing Director of Trading and Derivatives, Randy Frederick, titled Strong Jobs Report: Recession off the Table but Is Rate Hike Back On?, at www.schwab.com/insights. Follow Liz Ann and Randy on Twitter: @lizannsonders and @randyafrederick.

Europe and Asia mixed to begin week

European equities finished mixed, with oil & gas stocks seeing some pressure as crude oil prices fell, while traders were likely cautious ahead of this week's European Central Bank monetary policy decision. Also, the global markets digested a plethora of geopolitical events that added to the backdrop of heightened volatility and Schwab's Chief Global Investment Strategist, Jeffrey Kleintop, CFA, offers Three Reasons Why Now is Not the Time to Retreat from Global Diversificationat www.schwab.com/marketinsight. Be sure to follow Jeff on Twitter: @jeffreykleintop. The euro and British pound were higher versus the U.S. dollar and bond yields in the region mostly gained ground.

Stocks in Asia also finished mixed to begin the week, while markets in Japan were closed for a holiday and the global markets eyed the failed coup attempt in Turkey. For more on Turkey, see Schwab's Jeffrey Kleintop's, article, Turmoil in Turkey: What Does Coup Attempt Mean for Markets?, at www.schwab.com/marktetinsight. Chinese stocks trading in Shanghai declined, while those in Hong Kong advanced on the heels of a report that showed the nation's June property price gains slowed. Australian securities rose with strength in oil & gas issues more than offsetting a decline in basic materials stocks. South Korean equities moved to the upside, while Indian listings declined following some disappointing earnings results and weakness in telecom issues as companies lowered data prices.

Tomorrow, the international economic docket will deliver the CPI and PPI from the U.K., construction output from the eurozone and the Zew Economic Sentiment Survey from Germany.

Global Markets Continue to Recover

Charles Schwab: On the Market

Posted: 6/30/2016 4:15 PM ET

Global Markets Continue to Recover

U.S. equities were again solidly higher, joining their foreign counterparts in recovering from the post-Brexit malaise, amid signals of further stimulus measures from the Bank of England, and despite a halt in crude oil's latest march upward. Equity news was a mixed bag, headlined by the results of the Fed's stress test results of the banking sector, as well as confirmation from Hershey that Mondelez offered to acquire the chocolatier, notwithstanding its solid rejection of the offer. Treasuries finished higher amid a rise in jobless claims and a strong regional manufacturing activity report, while the U.S. dollar and gold were higher.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) rose 235 points (1.3%) to 17,930, the S&P 500 Index gained 28 points (1.4%) to 2,099, and the Nasdaq Composite added 63 points (1.3%) to 4,843. In heavy volume, 1.3 billion shares were traded on the NYSE and 2.1 billion shares changed hands on the Nasdaq. WTI crude oil fell $1.55 to $48.33 per barrel and wholesale gasoline was $0.04 lower at $1.50 per gallon, while the Bloomberg gold spot price gained $2.65 to $1,321.80 per ounce. Elsewhere, the Dollar Index—a comparison of the U.S. dollar to six major world currencies—was 0.3% higher at 96.04.

After a halt in trading of its shares, Hershey Co. (HSY $114) resumed trading and finished solidly higher, after it issued a press release that confirmed reports that it received a preliminary, non-binding indication of interest from Mondelez International Inc. (MDLZ $45) to acquire the chocolate maker for $107 per share, in a 50/50 cash and stock transaction. Hershey also said that after careful consideration, as well as consultation with its management and outside financial and legal advisors, the company's board rejected the proposal in a unanimous decision, and said it provided no further bass to continue talks between it and MDLZ. Shares of MDLZ were also higher.

ConAgra Foods Inc. (CAG $48) reported fiscal 4Q earnings-per-share (EPS) of $0.52, roughly in line with the FactSet estimate, as revenues declined 9.5% year-over-year (y/y) to $2.8 billion, below the projected $2.9 billion. CAG said it expects double-digit full-year profit growth, due to a continuation of the productivity, price/mix, and cost discipline initiatives underway. Shares overcame early losses and finished modestly higher.

Constellation Brands Inc. (STZ $165) posted 1Q EPS ex-items of $1.54, above the expected $1.52, with revenues rising 15.0% y/y to $1.9 billion, versus the projected $1.8 billion. STZ reaffirmed its full-year outlook. STZ was nicely higher.

Darden Restaurants Inc. (DRI $63) announced fiscal 4Q earnings of $1.10 per share, one penny north of estimates, with revenues rising 2.1% y/y to $1.8 billion, after excluding the impact of an extra week of sales in the prior year, roughly in line with forecasts. The parent of Olive Garden said its adjusted same-restaurant sales increased 2.6% y/y, slightly below the expected 2.7% gain. DRI issues softer-than-expected full-year guidance, while raising its quarterly dividend by 12% to $0.56 per share. DRI traded solidly lower.

Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. (LGF $20) announced an agreement to acquire Starz (STRZA $30) for $32.73 per share in cash and stock, valued at about $4.4 billion. Shares of LGF lost ground, while STRZA was higher.

Financials were in focus after the Federal Reserve announced the results of its second round of stress tests of the sector, objecting to only two capital plans of the thirty-three banks that were tested. The Fed noted that it objected to plans submitted by Deutsche Bank Trust Corp and Santander Holdings USA Inc. Moreover, while the Fed did not object to Morgan Stanley's (MS $26) plan, it is requiring the firm to submit a new capital plan by the end of 4Q 2016 to address certain weaknesses in its capital planning processes. Shares of MS finished slightly higher. For more on the financial sector see Schwab's Director of Market and Sector Analysis, Brad Sorensen's, CFA, latest Schwab Sector Views: Financials: Danger or Opportunity?, at www.schwab.com/marketinsight and follow Schwab on Twitter: @schwabresearch.

Jobless claims rise, while regional manufacturing activity jumps

Weekly initial jobless claims (chart) rose by 10,000 to 268,000 last week, versus the Bloomberg estimate calling for claims to increase to 267,000, as the prior week's figure was downwardly revised by 1,000 to 258,000. The four-week moving average was unchanged at 266,750, while continuing claims fell by 20,000 to 2,120,000, south of the estimated level of 2,151,000.

The Chicago Purchasing Managers Index (chart) snapped back into expansion territory (above 50), jumping to 56.8 in June—the highest since January 2015—from 49.3 in May, and versus expectations of a modest rise to 51.0. New orders and production both improved month-over-month, while employment declined.

Regional manufacturing reports for June have mostly signaled expansion, ahead of tomorrow's reads on national manufacturing activity in the form of the ISM Manufacturing Index and Markit's Manufacturing PMI Index, with both forecasted to show 51.3 levels and denote expansion. As noted in the Schwab Market Perspective: British Shock—What's Next, the U.S. economy is fairly healthy and should manage to stay out of recession territory in the near term, although risks have risen. The corporate side of the U.S. private sector continues to struggle to gain momentum, and manufacturing continues to flirt with contraction. The uncertainty associated with Brexit has caused the U.S. dollar to surge again and could exacerbate the manufacturing sector’s problems at least in the short-term. Read more at www.schwab.com/marketinsight. The other item on tomorrow's economic calendar is construction spending, forecasted to have risen 0.5% m/m during May after declining 1.8% in April.

Treasuries finished higher, as the yield on the 2-year note dropped 5 basis points (bps) to 0.59% and the yield on the 10-year note dipped 3 bps to 1.48%, while the 30-year bond rate was 2 bps lower at 2.30%. Bond yields remain above the lows hit in the aftermath of the U.K. Brexit vote and Schwab's Chief Fixed Income Strategist, Kathy Jones offers analysis in her recent article titled, Brexit: What Does It Mean for the Bond Market?, at www.schwab.com/marketinsight. Follow Kathy on Twitter: @kathyjones.

Please note: The bond markets will close early tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. ET in observance of the upcoming July 4th holiday.

Europe continues rally as Brexit fallout eases, Asia mostly higher

The European markets finished higher, adding to their three-day rally, despite a pullback in crude oil prices from their recent jump, while the markets continue to recover from the fallout from last week's vote in the U.K. to leave the European Union. Stocks got an intra-day boost and the British pound and euro both fell as Bank of England Governor Carney said the central bank will likely need to deploy stimulus measures in the wake of the Brexit vote. For deeper analysis of the impact of the Brexit vote, see the Schwab Center for Financial Research's recent article, Brexit: What Investors Should Know, at www.schwab.com/marketinsight and be sure to check out the video from Schwab's Managing Director of Trading and Derivatives, Randy Frederick and Schwab's Chief Global Investment Strategist, Jeffrey Kleintop, CFA, titled Brexit Aftershock: When Will the Markets Calm Down?, at www.schwab.com/insights. Follow Randy and Jeff on Twitter: @randyafrederick and @jeffreykleintop. U.K. political uncertainty ramped up, exacerbated by the announcement from former London Mayor Boris Johnson that he will not run to become the U.K.'s next prime minister. Bond yields in the region were mostly lower. Financials lagged the broad-based advance after the U.S. subsidiaries of Deutsche Bank AG (DB $14) and Banco Santander SA (SAN $4) failed the Federal Reserve's stress tests. In economic news, the eurozone consumer price inflation estimate came in slightly hotter than expected for June.

Stocks in Asia finished mostly to the upside to conclude a mixed quarter in the region, on the heels of yesterday's continued recovery in the U.S. and Europe from last week's U.K. Brexit vote shock. Japanese equities ticked higher, though some late-day strength in the yen capped gains, along with a preliminary report showing the nation's industrial production fell more than expected in May. Mainland Chinese issues ticked slightly lower, while those traded in Hong Kong jumped, as did markets in Australia, with healthcare, oil & gas and financial issues leading a broad-based advance. South Korean stocks rose on the heels of a much stronger-than-expected May industrial production report, and Indian securities moved higher, to complete its best quarter since 2014, bolstered by eased U.S. rate hike concerns and the Brexit recovery, along with recent measures by the government to bolster the economy. Schwab's Director of International Research, Michelle Gibley, CFA, offers a look at the global political landscape in her article, Performing Reformers: How Political Change Can Affect Stocks, at www.schwab.com/oninternational, and be sure to follow Schwab on Twitter: @schwabresearch.

A slew of economic data from the Asia-Pacific region will dominate tomorrow's international calendar, with items scheduled for release to include CPI, personal income, consumer confidence, wage data and the Tankan Index from Japan, CPI from South Korea, and trade figures from China. In addition, the manufacturing PMIs for the Asian nations will be reported, along with those of most of the European countries, while from across the pond will come PPI from the Eurozone and housing data from Italy.