Early birds in the trading game will find S&P 500 E-Mini futures (ESH24) are losing 0.23% steam this morning. Awaiting release are the precious minutes of Federal Reserve’s January policy meeting, in addition to Nvidia’s quarterly financial status – both set to sway market motions today.
Market Recap and Earnings Expectations
Yesterday, the pendulum swung to the negative as Wall Street’s premier indexes wrapped up in the red. The Nasdaq 100, in particular, tumbled to a 2-week low. Expeditors International of Washington Inc (EXPD) nosedived by over 6%, garnering the title of top percentage loser on the S&P 500 after revealing unimpressive Q4 results. Encumbered by the same downtrend, NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) descended more than 4% pre-Nvidia. Meanwhile, Tesla Inc (TSLA) crumbled by more than 3% following a downgrade by Phillip Securities to Neutral from Accumulate, projecting a $175 price target. Steering in the opposite direction, the spotlight was on Discover Financial Services (DFS), rocketing up by over 12% and clinching the top percentage gainer’s badge on the S&P 500. Capital One Financial’s $35.3 billion all-stock buyout struck gold as well. Walmart Inc (WMT) showed muscle with a staggering over 3% progression, securing the top percentage gainer on the Dow after airing Q4 U.S. comparable sales that outperformed expectations. Additionally, the retail giant announced its agreement to acquire Vizio Holding Corp. for about $2.3 billion.
Today, the spotlight’s focus is on the fray of earnings results, with major players like NVIDIA (NVDA), Analog Devices (ADI), Synopsys (SNPS), Etsy (ETSY), Rivian Automotive (RIVN), Marathon Oil (MRO), and Lucid Group (LCID) poised to unveil their quarterly figures today.
Market Anticipation and Economic Insights
The much-anticipated release of the Federal Reserve’s January meeting minutes will magnetize investor attention. This, in hopes of unearthing novel monetary policy trajectories. With the current market climate setting the stage for four projected quarter-point rate cuts this year, commencing in June, Morgan Stanley asserted, “For now, market pricing is consistent with our call for 100bps of cuts, starting in June.”
Meanwhile, the odds painted by U.S. rate futures are a 6.5% probability of a 25 basis point rate cut at the March FOMC meeting and a 33.7% chance of a 25 basis point rate cut at May’s monetary policy meeting.
Today, the U.S. economic data slate looks scarce, with market participants likely to hone in on speeches from Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic and Fed Governor Michelle Bowman.
Global Market Snapshots and Corporate Disclosures
Across the pond, United States 10-year rates are at 4.270%, marking a 0.14% descent. On the other side, Euro Stoxx 50 futures kick off with a 0.13% rise this morning. Investors linger in anticipation of the Federal Reserve’s January meeting minutes and Nvidia’s quarterly earnings. Surging ahead are automobile and retail stocks, steering the overall market upward, albeit with sinking bank stocks. HSBC Holdings Plc (HSBA.LN) takes a nosedive, plummeting over 7% post-reporting an 80% drop in Q4 pre-tax profit, courtesy of a $3 billion charge on its Bank of Communications Co. holdings, and another $2 billion for its French sale. Also in the crosshairs are the Eurozone consumer confidence flash estimate for February, scheduled for later today. Elsewhere, Glencore Plc (GLEN.LN) and Rio Tinto Plc (RIO.LN) spiral downwards by over 3% and 1%, respectively, with the former seeing a steep decline in annual profit and cutting its dividend, and the latter reporting a 12% fall in annual underlying profit on weaker metal prices and rising costs.
Elsewhere in Asia, a mixed bag greeted investors at the stock market finish line. China’s Shanghai Composite Index (SHCOMP) enjoyed a 0.97% soar, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 Stock Index (NIK) slumped by 0.26%.
China’s Shanghai Composite Index saw an upswing, with real estate stocks taking the lead after a bolstered lending helping hand from banks. The Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges have vowed to tighten oversight of quantitative trading, following substantial penalties on a major fund for unleashing a rapid-fire shares sell-off. On a policy front, plans were unveiled to deepen China’s connectivity with the global market by slashing down restrictive policies, as reported by the South China Morning Post. Heading into corporate news, Anyuan Coal Industry Group Co Ltd revved up more than 3% after announcing the revival of operations in two of its mines following mandatory safety inspections, naming Shanxi Coal Mine and Liushe Coal Mine.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 Stock Index put on a downcast demeanor today as investors weighed through results
