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☆ Debt ceiling optimism helps lift S&P 500, Nasdaq
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Chuck Mikolajczak | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The benchmark S&P 500 index (.SPX) rebounded from early declines on news that top U.S. congressional Republican Kevin McCarthy said a deal to raise or suspend the debt ceiling could potentially be reached in time to hold a House vote next week. On Wednesday, President Joe Biden and McCarthy reiterated their aim to strike a deal soon to raise the $31.4 trillion federal debt ceiling and agreed to talk as soon as Sunday. The debt ceiling has drawn attention away from uncertainty about the Federal Reserve's stance on interest rates. Declining issues outnumbered advancers on the NYSE by a 1.12-to-1 ratio; on Nasdaq, a 1.17-to-1 ratio favored decliners. The S&P 500 posted 23 new 52-week highs and seven new lows; the Nasdaq Composite recorded 77 new highs and 74 new lows.

☆ Tech pushes Nasdaq higher, dollar climbs on solid data, debt ceiling progress
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Stephen Culp | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Investors were closely monitoring the debt ceiling negotiations in Washington for signs that Democrats and Republicans might be inching closer to a deal. Optimism about debt ceiling talks ebbed and flowed, with hopes for a deal that avoids a catastrophic default. European stocks closed higher and the German DAX rose to its highest level since January 2022 on optimism about the U.S. debt ceiling talks. The greenback extended its ascent against a basket of world currencies, reaching a seven-week high, powered by the economic data and debt ceiling hopes. Gold moved in opposition to the dollar, with the precious metal losing some luster as the economic data lowered the likelihood of a Fed rate cut before year-end.

President Joe Biden and McCarthy reiterated their aim to strike a deal soon on Wednesday to raise the $31.4 trillion federal debt ceiling and agreed to talk as soon as Sunday. Growth stocks led gains, with Nvidia Corp (NVDA.O), Apple Inc (AAPL.O) and Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O) rising between 1% and 4.4%. Bath & Body Works Inc (BBWI.N) gained 9.6% after the beauty and skincare firm raised its annual profit forecast. Declining issues outnumbered advancers for a 1.07-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and for a 1.04-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq. The S&P index recorded 22 new 52-week highs and four new lows, while the Nasdaq recorded 68 new highs and 50 new lows.

Dow Jones Industrial Average (.DJI) constituent Cisco Systems Inc's (CSCO.O) shares fell 4.3% in premarket trading after it said a large backlog of products weighed on demand for new orders from customers. Shares of Walmart Inc (WMT.N) rose 1.7% after the retailer raised its annual sales and profit targets, befitting from inflation-wary consumers trading down to cheaper groceries. ET, Dow e-minis were down 31 points, or 0.09%, S&P 500 e-minis were up 1.75 points, or 0.04%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were up 15 points, or 0.11%. Bath & Body Works Inc (BBWI.N) gained 13% after the beauty and skincare firm raised its annual profit forecast. Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said he welcomed and expected more investment from global chipmakers in the country.

☆ Walmart lifts annual sales, profit view on resilient consumer spending
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

May 18 (Reuters) - Walmart Inc (WMT.N) raised its annual sales and profit targets on Thursday as the retail behemoth drew from price-conscious shoppers trading down to cheaper groceries, easing worries of softening consumer spending due to inflation. Shares of the top U.S. retailer rose about 2.6% as it also reported better-than-expected results for the first quarter. The strong results are a stark contrast to smaller rival Target's bleak second-quarter forecast, which it blamed on weak consumer demand. Walmart forecast second-quarter results above expectations. "We leveraged expenses, expanded operating margin, and grew profit ahead of sales," CEO Doug McMillon said.

☆ Walmart shares rise slightly on higher full-year guidance. Here's how to play the stock
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Joshua Natoli | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Market Movers rounded up the best reactions from investors and analysts as Walmart increased its full-year sales forecast on Thursday. The pros, including Jim Cramer , discussed the retail giant after it beat quarterly earnings and revenue expectations. After sales rose nearly 8% in its most recent quarter, Walmart is raising its guidance. The company now predicts consolidated net sales will rise about 3.5% in the fiscal year. Walmart said consumers are buying fewer big-ticket discretionary items like TVs, but its grocery business helped offset those weaker purchases.

Walmart — Shares of the big box retailer rose slightly after the company reported an earnings and revenue beat for the fiscal first quarter. However, its adjusted earnings guidance for the fiscal second quarter came in lower than expectations. Bath & Body Works — The retailer's shares jumped more than 9% after its fiscal first quarter earnings topped expectations. Take-Two Interactive — Shares surged almost 13% and hit a new 52-week high following the company's earnings announcement Wednesday. To be sure, the company's guidance for bookings in the first-quarter and full-year fell below Wall Street's expectations.

Dow Jones Industrial Average (.DJI) constituent Cisco Systems Inc (CSCO.O) slipped 1.7% after it said a large backlog of products weighed on demand for new orders from customers. Shares of Walmart Inc (WMT.N) rose 2.8% after the retailer raised its annual sales and profit targets, benefiting from inflation-wary consumers trading down to cheaper groceries. And you got a little follow through from the optimism around getting a (debt ceiling) deal done," said Thomas Hayes, chairman at Great Hill Capital LLC. Bath & Body Works Inc (BBWI.N) gained 8.7% after the beauty and skincare firm raised its annual profit forecast. Declining issues outnumbered advancers for a 2.30-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and for a 1.47-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq.

[1/3] Packaged food for sale is seen on shelves at a Dollar Tree in Islandia, New York, U.S., May 12, 2023. Razor manufacturer Edgewell Personal Care Co (EPC.N) and Kraft Heinz Co (KHC.O) have overhauled or built new teams dedicated to working with the biggest U.S. dollar stores like Dollar Tree Inc (DLTR.O) and Dollar General Corp (DG.N) in the last year. Makers of food and household staples are pushing deeper into dollar stores because the low-cost retailers are opening thousands of locations each year. Griffin added that dollar stores are also introducing more "premium" private label brands, like Dollar General's Nature's Menu for pets. Kraft-Heinz also created a new team of five people late last year to identify and develop products for dollar stores, a spokesman said.

The Commerce Department reported retail sales rose 0.4% in April, at half the pace against an expected increase of 0.8%. "The retail sales data has been positive in several months, but it's still weak," said Jamie Cox, managing partner at Harris Financial Group. You are probably seeing the end of the decline in retail sales, but it's not going to be a smooth ride from here." Dow Jones Industrial Average (.DJI) component Home Depot (HD.N) shed 1.4%, hitting its lowest level in over six months after the company lowered its annual sales forecast. Shares of Capital One Financial Corp (COF.N) jumped 2.4%, rising the most on the S&P 500, after Berkshire Hathaway Inc (BRKa.N) on Monday disclosed it has begun investing in the consumer lender.

The Commerce Department reported retail sales rose 0.4% in April, at half the pace against an expected increase of 0.8%. "The retail sales data has been positive in several months, but it's still weak," said Jamie Cox, managing partner at Harris Financial Group. You are probably seeing the end of the decline in retail sales, but it's not going to be a smooth ride from here." "There is little chance we will see a resolution to the U.S. debt ceiling issue today," said Ipek Ozkardeskaya, senior analyst at Swissquote Bank. "The negotiations will likely remain tight as Republicans ask decent spending cuts to accept a debt ceiling relief, while Biden is not willing to compromise on spending into the election year."

☆ Home Depot cuts forecasts, signals weakness ahead for big US retailers
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Deborah Mary Sophia | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Home improvement retailers have now lost their pandemic-era sparkle as consumers shift away from home renovations and focus on travel, vacations and other services, driving quarterly transactions 4.8% lower at Home Depot. Home Depot kicks off a big week for U.S. retailers' earnings, with Target Corp (TGT.N) and Walmart Inc (WMT.N) scheduled to report on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. Home Depot now expects fiscal 2023 comparable sales to fall between 2% and 5%, compared to its prior outlook for nearly flat sales. The company forecast earnings per share to decline between 7% and 13%, compared to a mid-single digits decline estimated previously. The company posted a profit of $3.82 per share, above estimates of $3.80.

The main indexes started the week with modest gains as trading was range-bound amid a wrangling in Washington between the White House and Republicans. "There is little chance we will see a resolution to the U.S. debt ceiling issue today," said Ipek Ozkardeskaya, senior analyst at Swissquote Bank. Shares of rival Lowe's Companies Inc (LOW.N) fell 3.2%, while retail giant Walmart Inc (WMT.N) slipped 0.4%. Focus will also be on economic data, with retail sales expected to increase by 0.8% in April after falling 0.6% in the month before. ET, Dow e-minis were down 80 points, or 0.24%, S&P 500 e-minis were down 3 points, or 0.07%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were up 5.25 points, or 0.04%.

The Commerce Department reported retail sales rose 0.4% in April, at half the pace against an expected increase of 0.8%. "The retail sales data has been positive in several months, but it's still weak," said Jamie Cox, managing partner at Harris Financial Group. You are probably seeing the end of the decline in retail sales, but it's not going to be a smooth ride from here." The S&P 500 retail index (.SPXRT) lost 0.6%. Shares of Capital One Financial Corp (COF.N) jumped 5.4%, rising the most on the S&P 500, after Berkshire Hathaway Inc (BRKa.N) on Monday disclosed it has begun investing in the consumer lender.

☆ Rakuten shares slump 6% on expected $2.2 bln new share issuance
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The Japanese e-commerce and fintech company's board could meet as early as this week to decide on the capital raising, which is expected to raise roughly 300 billion yen ($2.2 billion), sources told Reuters on Monday. Prospects of a share dilution led on Monday to the biggest one-day drop in three years. "Whenever there is a large sale of new equity, that is dilutive but it also forces decisions about whether to hold. Some will be upset and will sell," said analyst Travis Lundy of Quiddity Advisors, who publishes on Smartkarma. Rakuten said in a statement it was not true that any such decision had been made.

☆ Home Depot cuts annual sales forecast on slowing demand
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Shares of the largest U.S. home improvement chain tumbled about 4% in premarket trading after the company also missed first-quarter sales estimates, hit by adverse weather and falling lumber prices. The company now expects comparable sales to decline between 2% and 5% in fiscal 2023, compared to its prior outlook for sales to remain nearly flat. Analysts were expecting comparable sales to decline 0.9% this year, according to Refinitiv IBES data. The company forecast earnings per share to decline between 7% and 13%, compared to prior expectations for a mid-single digits decline. Home Depot's first-quarter comparable sales decreased 4.5%, missing estimates of a 1.74% drop.

☆ Exclusive: Japan's Rakuten plans new share issue to raise around $2.2 bln -sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Miho Uranaka | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The public offering is expected to raise roughly 300 billion yen ($2.2 billion) but the amount could change depending on Rakuten's share price, which will influence the pricing of its new equity issuance. Additionally, Rakuten plans to issue shares to founder and CEO Hiroshi Mikitani and a fund controlled by the entrepreneur, the person said. A Rakuten spokesperson said it was not something it could comment on. Rakuten shares erased gains and tumbled, closing down 9% after the Reuters report. The group has some 400 billion yen in bonds due by 2024 and a further 430 billion yen in 2025, Refinitiv data showed.

☆ Focus shifts to retailers as U.S. quarterly results hit final leg
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Caroline Valetkevitch | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Investors are anxious to see whether the last results of the earnings season may be enough to turn the estimate for S&P 500 first-quarter earnings positive on a year-over-year basis. Results so far this earnings season have been much better than expected. Based on reports from 457 of the S&P 500 companies as of Friday and analyst estimates for the rest of the components, first-quarter S&P 500 earnings were estimated to have declined just 0.6% year-over-year, according to Refinitiv data. "The retailers are going to be important because obviously they're going to be a clear sign of where the consumer is headed. Both the S&P 500 (.SPX) and Dow (.DJI) posted losses for last week.

☆ Wall St Week Ahead Amid banking woes, faltering US small-caps offer ominous economic sign
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( Lewis Krauskopf | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

NEW YORK, May 12 (Reuters) - A U.S. stocks rally is leaving behind smaller companies, a sign that investors may be bracing for economic turmoil ahead. "Typically in a recession, small caps underperform." Last month it downgraded its view on U.S. small caps from "unfavorable" to "most unfavorable." Some investors are more upbeat about the outlook for small caps, particularly when looking beyond the next several months. One reason is that small caps, being sensitive to economic fluctuations, tend to shine early in a market recovery.

☆ Walmart names insider Latriece Watkins as US merchandising chief
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

May 5 (Reuters) - Walmart Inc (WMT.N) appointed Latriece Watkins as its U.S. chief merchandising officer, according to a memo seen by Reuters on Friday, days after Charles Redfield stepped down from the role. Watkins, who joined the company 24 years ago, has served in several roles across Walmart U.S. and Sam's Club. Last month, Walmart U.S. CEO John Furner wrote to associates that Redfield would step down and assume an advisory role supporting the U.S. business effective May 1. Watkins' appointment takes place at a time when consumer spending power has been reduced by high inflation, hurting Walmart's business and leading the company to adopt a cautious stance on 2023. "We have a rich history of strong leaders who embrace this constant change, set bold visions for our teams and best represent the humanity that is Walmart," Furner wrote in the memo.

☆ Further improvement seen in weak Q1 U.S. earnings forecast, Refinitiv data shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( Caroline Valetkevitch | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The first-quarter reporting period is in the final stretch, with results now in from 419 of the S&P 500 companies. The latest forecast is based on actual results as of Friday and estimates for the remaining components. Also, in aggregate, companies are reporting earnings 7.2% above expectations, the highest "surprise rate" since the third quarter of 2021, according to Refinitiv. Reuters Graphics Reuters GraphicsS&P 500 earnings fell 3.2% in the fourth quarter of 2022 from the year-ago period. Among companies still to report this earnings season are many top U.S. retailers including Walmart Inc. (WMT.N).

According to complaints filed on Friday, Energizer agreed "under pressure from Walmart" to inflate wholesale battery prices for other retailers starting around January 2018, and require those retailers not to undercut Walmart on price. Walmart rivals allegedly risked higher wholesale prices or being cut off by Energizer, the largest U.S. disposable battery maker, if they charged less at checkout than Walmart, the world's largest retailer. According to the plaintiffs, Energizer's share of the U.S. disposable battery market has risen to more than 50% from 40% in 2018. The cases in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, are: Copeland et al v Energizer Holdings Inc et al, No. 23-02091, and Schuman et al v Energizer Holdings Inc et al, No.

☆ Climate-Disclosure Rules Are Coming. Here’s How Companies Are Adapting.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-25 | by ( Dieter Holger | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +5 min

International jurisdictions and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission are expected to finalize rules by this summer that will require public companies to report their greenhouse-gas emissions. Direct suppliers are known as tier 1 with that number increasing the deeper you go down the supply chain. Partnerships with suppliers: Large companies are working with small suppliers to overcome hurdles to accessing renewable power supplies, a relatively straightforward way to cut emissions. In October, it said its first group was five companies, including Amy’s Kitchen Inc., Levi Strauss & Co. and J.M. Targets for lower-emission alternatives: Nestlé SA is paying a premium to farmers in its supply chain that cut emissions by following regenerative farming practices.

☆ Walmart offloads second e-fashion brand in days with focus on margins
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

April 21 (Reuters) - Walmart Inc (WMT.N) is selling plus-size fashion brand Eloquii Inc just over a week after it agreed to offload menswear label Bonobos, underscoring an effort to improve margins by narrowing focus and building on alternative revenue streams. The buyer, FullBeauty Brands, did not disclose the size of the deal in its statement on Friday. Walmart acquired Eloquii in 2018 for a reported $100 million in its push to appeal to younger shoppers through a range of online brands and better position itself against e-commerce giant Amazon.com Inc (AMZN.O). Walmart has been sharpening its focus on ramping up its businesses including advertising and delivery, to diversify its revenue streams and boost margins as inflationary pressures on consumer spending weigh on the retailer. Reporting by Deborah Sophia in Bengaluru; Editing by Devika SyamnathOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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