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A reading from the Commerce Department showed retail sales fell 1.1% in December against expectations of a 0.8% drop, while a separate report showed producer prices declined more than expected in December. Traders' bets of a 25-basis point rate hike rose after the data, while U.S. 10-year Treasury yields fell to a four-month low. Analysts now expect year-over-year earnings from S&P 500 companies to decline 2.6% for the quarter, according to Refinitiv data, compared with a 1.6% decline in the beginning of 2023. Among major S&P 500 sectors, consumer discretionary stocks (.SPLRCD) were up 1%, leading gains. U.S. stock markets have started 2023 on a strong footing on hopes that a moderation in inflationary pressures could give the Fed cover to dial down the size of its interest rate hikes.

JPMorgan Chase & Co (JPM.N) fell 1.2% as it set aside $1.4 billion in anticipation of a mild recession, even after beating quarterly profit estimates. The bank's Chief Executive Jamie Dimon listed a number of uncertainties facing the economy including geopolitical tensions and sticky inflation. Bank of America Corp (BAC.N) reported better-than-expected profit, with CEO Brian Moynihan also acknowledging an "increasingly slowing economic environment". Wells Fargo & Co (WFC.N) and Citigroup Inc (C.N) fell short of quarterly profit estimates, sending their shares down 3.9% and 0.6% respectively. Keeping the pressure off the Dow Jones, UnitedHealth Group Inc (UNH.N) rose 1.9% after beating Wall Street expectations for fourth-quarter profit.

☆ Futures subdued as focus shifts to results from big U.S. banks
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

With the Federal Reserve's aggressive tightening campaign to combat inflation, higher borrowing costs have prompted consumers and businesses to curb their spending, impacting banks' profits as demand for credit slows. "Bank earnings are going to be a big test," said Michael Hewson, chief market analyst at CMC Markets UK. "It will be interesting to see whether they (banks) have made any further provisions for non-performing loans, how they see demand for loans." Delta Air Lines Inc (DAL.N), BlackRock Inc (BLK.N) and UnitedHealth Group Inc (UNH.N) are also scheduled to report fourth-quarter earnings on Friday. ET, Dow e-minis were up 10 points, or 0.03%, S&P 500 e-minis were down 0.5 points, or 0.01%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were down 16.5 points, or 0.14%.

☆ Wall St ends up as data suggests inflation may be on downward trend
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Caroline Valetkevitch | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Friday brings results from a number of big U.S. banks, kicking off the start of the fourth-quarter earnings season for S&P 500 companies. Microsoft (MSFT.O) shares rose 1.2%, providing the biggest boost to the S&P 500 and Nasdaq, while energy shares also were higher along with oil prices. The S&P 500 is now up 3.7% for the year so far. Also, overall S&P 500 earnings are expected to have declined year-over-year in the fourth quarter, according to IBES data from Refinitiv, which would be the first quarterly U.S. earnings decline since 2020. The S&P 500 posted 14 new 52-week highs and one new low; the Nasdaq Composite recorded 96 new highs and 16 new lows.

☆ Wall St gains; data suggests inflation may be on downward trend
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Caroline Valetkevitch | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The Labor Department's report showed U.S. consumer prices grew 6.5% on an annual basis in December, in line with expectations. Microsoft (MSFT.O) shares were providing the biggest boost to the S&P 500, energy shares also were higher along with oil prices. Friday brings results from a number of big U.S. banks, kicking off the start of the fourth-quarter earnings season for S&P 500 companies. Overall S&P 500 earnings are expected to have declined year-over-year in the fourth quarter, according to IBES data from Refinitiv, which would be the first quarterly U.S. earnings decline since 2020. The S&P 500 posted 14 new 52-week highs and one new low; the Nasdaq Composite recorded 80 new highs and 16 new lows.

The Fed raised the key rate by 50 basis points in December, after four back-to-back 75-bps hikes, but also indicated a prolonged period of rate hikes to above 5% in 2023. Traders' bets of a 25-basis point rate hike by the Fed in February shot up to 89% after the inflation data, from 77% previously. Advancing issues outnumbered decliners for a 2.31-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and a 1.63-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq. The S&P index recorded eight new 52-week highs and one new low, while the Nasdaq recorded 39 new highs and 10 new lows. Reporting by Shubham Batra, Amruta Khandekar and Ankika Biswas in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak DasguptaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

The Labor Department's report showed U.S. consumer prices grew 6.5% on an annual basis in December, in line with expectations, from a 7.1% rise last month. Markets initially spiked lower after the data, but quickly reversed to edge higher as investors assessed the numbers. Consumer prices unexpectedly fell for the first time in more than 2-1/2 years in December, suggesting that inflation was now on a sustained downward trend. Some Fed policymakers earlier this week signaled the possibility of a 25-basis point hike during the February meeting, if the much-awaited consumer prices data further adds to evidence of a cooling economy. ET, Dow e-minis were up 138 points, or 0.4%, S&P 500 e-minis were up 17.25 points, or 0.43%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were up 45 points, or 0.39%.

☆ Futures muted ahead of key inflation data
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SummarySummary Companies Futures muted: Dow, S&P flat; Nasdaq down 0.1%Jan 12 (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures were subdued on Thursday ahead of the keenly awaited December inflation data that would offer more clues on the Federal Reserve's path of monetary tightening. ET (1330 GMT), is expected to show U.S. consumer prices grew 6.5% year-on-year in December, moderating from a 7.1% rise in November. Wall Street's main indexes ended sharply higher on Wednesday, led by major technology stocks, with the S&P 500 (.SPX) and Nasdaq (.IXIC) gaining more than 1% each. This week marks the start of the quarterly earnings season, with big banks expected to report lower profits, while overall S&P 500 earnings are expected to decline year-over-year, according to Refinitiv. ET, Dow e-minis were up 1 point, S&P 500 e-minis were down 0.5 point, or 0.01%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were down 11 points, or 0.1%.

☆ Wall St ends higher, Powell comments avoid rate policy
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-10 | by ( Caroline Valetkevitch | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Fed Governor Michelle Bowman said on Tuesday the bank will have to raise interest rates further to combat high inflation. Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN.O) shares rose 2.9% and gave the Nasdaq and S&P 500 their biggest boosts. This week marks the start of the fourth-quarter earnings season for S&P 500 companies, with results from several of Wall Street's biggest banks due later this week. The World Bank on Tuesday slashed its 2023 growth forecasts on Tuesday to levels teetering on the brink of recession for many countries as the impact of central bank rate hikes intensifies. The S&P 500 posted four new 52-week highs and no new lows; the Nasdaq Composite recorded 71 new highs and 30 new lows.

☆ Wall Street climbs; Powell comments avoid rate policy
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-10 | by ( Caroline Valetkevitch | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Fed Governor Michelle Bowman said on Tuesday the bank will have to raise interest rates further to combat high inflation. Traders are betting on a 25-basis point rate hike at the Fed's upcoming policy meeting in February. Amazon.com Inc (AMZN.O) and Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O) gave the S&P 500 its biggest boost. The World Bank on Tuesday slashed its 2023 growth forecasts on Tuesday to levels teetering on the brink of recession for many countries as the impact of central bank rate hikes intensifies. The S&P 500 posted two new 52-week highs and no new lows; the Nasdaq Composite recorded 54 new highs and 25 new lows.

The Fed's aggressive monetary policy tightening to curb decades-high inflation hammered U.S. equities in 2022, with the three main indexes logging their steepest annual declines since 2008. Fed Governor Michelle Bowman said on Tuesday the U.S. central bank will have to raise interest rates further to combat high inflation. Healthcare stocks (.SPXHC) rose 0.5% and were also a major boost to the benchmark S&P 500 index. Advancing issues outnumbered decliners for a 1.17-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and a 1.62-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq. The S&P index recorded one new 52-week high and no new low, while the Nasdaq recorded 37 new highs and 20 new lows.

SummarySummary Companies Powell steers clear of monetary policy outlookMicrosoft up on report of investment talksBoeing down on report of rating downgradeIndexes up: Dow 0.33%, S&P 0.42%, Nasdaq 0.70%Jan 10 (Reuters) - Wall Street's main indexes edged higher on Tuesday, boosted by gains in Microsoft and Amazon, as investors assessed commentary from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell that steered clear of the monetary policy outlook. Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O) rose 1.2% after a report stated the software company was in talks to invest $10 bln in ChatGPT creator OpenAI. The U.S. central bank's independence from political influence is central to its ability to battle inflation, Powell said on Tuesday. The Fed's aggressive monetary policy tightening to curb decades-high inflation hammered U.S. equities in 2022, with the three main indexes logging their steepest annual declines since 2008. The S&P index recorded 1 new 52-week high and no new lows, while the Nasdaq recorded 27 new highs and 14 new lows.

Powell is likely to say the Fed will keep raising rates until it sees inflation is under control, Matousek added. Money market bets pointed to a 77% chance of a 25-bps hike to 4.50%-4.75% in the Fed's upcoming policy meeting, with the terminal rate seen slightly below 5% by June. ET, Dow e-minis were down 162 points, or 0.48%, S&P 500 e-minis were down 19.5 points, or 0.5%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were down 76.75 points, or 0.69%. Bed Bath & Beyond Inc (BBBY.O) gained 11% after the home goods retailer posted lower quarterly expenses driven by aggressive cost reduction initiatives. Reporting by Ankika Biswas and Amruta Khandekar in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini GanguliOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Futures edge lower ahead of Powell's speech
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The highly awaited U.S. Labor Department's inflation report on Thursday is expected to show some moderation in year-on-year consumer prices in December. Money market bets pointed to a 77% chance of a 25-bps hike to 4.50%-4.75% in the Fed's upcoming policy meeting, with the terminal rate seen slightly below 5% by June. This is in contrast to the 5%-5.25% peak policy rate expected by San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly and Atlanta President Raphael Bostic. Along with economic data and comments from Fed officials, investors are also awaiting corporate earnings reports, with big U.S. banks expected to report lower fourth-quarter profits this week. Bed Bath & Beyond Inc (BBBY.O) was up 4.9% in premarket trading, ahead of its quarterly earnings report due later in the day.

☆ S&P 500 near flat as investors weigh chances of less aggressive rate hikes
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( Caroline Valetkevitch | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The Dow ended lower, and the Nasdaq Composite (.IXIC) ended well off the day's highs. A consumer prices report due Thursday could be key for rate expectations, said Quincy Krosby, chief global strategist, LPL Financial in Charlotte, North Carolina. Also, S&P 500 companies are about to kick off the fourth-quarter earnings period, with results from top U.S. banks expected later this week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (.DJI) fell 112.96 points, or 0.34%, to 33,517.65, the S&P 500 (.SPX) lost 2.99 points, or 0.08%, to 3,892.09 and the Nasdaq Composite (.IXIC) added 66.36 points, or 0.63%, to 10,635.65. The S&P 500 posted 13 new 52-week highs and two new lows; the Nasdaq Composite recorded 129 new highs and 32 new lows.

☆ S&P 500, Nasdaq rise as investors bet on less aggressive rate hikes
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( Caroline Valetkevitch | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SummarySummary Companies Tech shares lead S&P 500 sector gainsAlibaba climbs as Ant Group's Jack Ma to give up controlMacy's, Lululemon drop on holiday-quarter warningsIndexes: Dow down 0.03%, S&P 500 up 0.5%, Nasdaq up 1.3%NEW YORK, Jan 9 (Reuters) - The Nasdaq Composite (.IXIC) and S&P 500 (.SPX) indexes rose Monday afternoon, led by technology shares, on growing expectations that the Federal Reserve will become less aggressive with its interest rate hikes. Technology (.SPLRCT) led the gains among S&P 500 sectors as U.S. Treasury yields declined, while the Nasdaq led the rise among the major indexes. Also, S&P 500 companies are about to kick off the fourth-quarter earnings period, with results from top U.S. banks expected later this week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (.DJI) fell 9.63 points, or 0.03%, to 33,620.98, the S&P 500 (.SPX) gained 17.57 points, or 0.45%, to 3,912.65 and the Nasdaq Composite (.IXIC) added 138.83 points, or 1.31%, to 10,708.12. The S&P 500 posted 13 new 52-week highs and two new lows; the Nasdaq Composite recorded 114 new highs and 23 new lows.

Megacap growth stocks Apple Inc (AAPL.O), Alphabet Inc (GOOGL.O) and Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O) gained over 2% each as U.S. Treasury yields declined. The highly awaited U.S. Labor Department's inflation report on Thursday is expected to show some moderation in year-on-year consumer prices in December. Advancing issues outnumbered decliners for a 4.45-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and a 2.54-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq. The S&P index recorded 12 new 52-week highs and two new lows, while the Nasdaq recorded 107 new highs and 18 new lows. Reporting by Shubham Batra, Amruta Khandekar and Ankika Biswas in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak DasguptaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

"The number of jobs created is working its way down slowly and wages are starting to calm down. Money market bets show 75% odds of a 25-basis point hike in the Fed's February policy meeting, with the terminal rate expected just below 5% by June. ET, Dow e-minis were up 103 points, or 0.30%, S&P 500 e-minis were up 16 points, or 0.41%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were up 56.75 points, or 0.51%. Macy's Inc (M.N) and Lululemon Athletica Inc (LULU.O) dropped 4.7% and 10%, respectively, following dour holiday-quarter forecasts from both the retailers. Reporting by Shubham Batra, Amruta Khandekar and Ankika Biswas in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak DasguptaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Other rate-sensitive growth stocks like Apple Inc (AAPL.O) and Alphabet Inc (GOOGL.O) gained about 1% each as U.S. Treasury yields declined. The gains pushed technology (.SPLRCT) to the top of the major S&P 500 sector indexes list. The S&P 500 growth index (.IGX) was up 3.6%, outperforming a 0.7% rise in its value peers (.IVX). Advancing issues outnumbered decliners for a 3.68-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and a 2.15-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq. The S&P index recorded 10 new 52-week highs and two new lows, while the Nasdaq recorded 95 new highs and 14 new lows.

The nonfarm payrolls rose by 223,000 jobs in December, data from the Labor Department showed, while a 0.3% rise in average earnings was smaller than expected and lower than the previous month. The numbers for November were revised to show nonfarm payrolls rose by 256,000 and average earnings grew by 0.4%. Another set of data showed U.S. services activity contracted for the first time in more than 2-1/2 years in December amid weakening demand, with more signs of inflation abating. Except healthcare stocks (.SPXHC), all the major S&P 500 indexes were in the green led by gains in energy shares (.SPNY). The S&P index recorded 13 new 52-week highs and five new lows, while the Nasdaq recorded 45 new highs and 52 new lows.

☆ Futures subdued ahead of December jobs report
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The Labor Department's more comprehensive jobs report due at 8:30 a.m. The numbers come a day after the ADP National Employment report showed a higher-than-expected rise in private employment in December, while another report showed weekly jobless claims dropped to a three-month low. Factory orders for November and ISM non-manufacturing data for December, due after the opening bell, will also be closely monitored. ET, Dow e-minis were up 29 points, or 0.09%, S&P 500 e-minis were up 2.25 points, or 0.06%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were down 12.25 points, or 0.11%. Reporting by Shubham Batra and Ankika Biswas in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak DasguptaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

On the benchmark S&P 500 index, rate-sensitive real estate stocks (.SPLRCR) led the losses with a 2.2% drop, while financials (.SPSY) slipped 1%. The ADP National Employment report showed a much greater-than-expected rise in private employment in December, while another report showed weekly jobless claims fell last week. The reports came a day after data showed a moderate fall in U.S. job openings, in growing evidence that the labor market remains tight. A strong labor market has been a concern for markets pummeled by rising borrowing costs as it gives the Federal Reserve a reason to raise rates for longer than expected this year. The more comprehensive nonfarm payrolls report is due on Friday, which would provide further clues on labor demand and the rate hike trajectory.

☆ Futures muted as Fed minutes confirm more tightening ahead
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Wall Street's main indexes erased some of their gains on Wednesday after meeting minutes showed the Fed was laser-focused on fighting inflation even as officials agreed to slow the interest rate hiking pace to limit risks to economic growth. "The meeting minutes suggested 'more evidence' is needed to confirm inflation is under control," said Victoria Scholar, head of investment at Interactive Investor. "Consequently, the Fed is expected to continue raising interest rates, with hawkish policy a continued headwind for equities into 2023." This comes a day after data showed a moderate fall in U.S. job openings, indicating a still tight market. ET, Dow e-minis were up 13 points, or 0.04%, S&P 500 e-minis were up 3.25 points, or 0.08%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were up 13.5 points, or 0.12%.

A survey from the Labor Department showed job openings fell 54,000 to 10.458 million on the last day of November, compared with expectations of 10 million job openings. The data indicated a still tight labor market that could give the Fed cover to keep rates higher for longer. Market participants see a 68% chance of a 25-basis point rate hike from the Fed in February, and see rates peaking at 4.99% by June. Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by a 3.53-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and by a 2.18-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq. Reporting by Shubham Batra, Amruta Khandekar and Ankika Biswas in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak DasguptaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) fell nearly 10% as the electric-vehicle maker missed Wall Street estimates for quarterly deliveries. Other rate-sensitive technology and growth stocks such as Alphabet Inc (GOOGL.O), Meta Platforms Inc (META.O), Microsoft (MSFT.O) and Amazon.com Inc (AMZN.O) were up between 0.6% and 2.0%. The S&P 500 shed 19.4% in 2022, marking a roughly $8 trillion decline in market cap, while the Nasdaq fell 33.1%, dragged down by growth stocks. The S&P index recorded no new 52-week high and one new low, while the Nasdaq recorded 73 new highs and 23 new lows. Reporting by Shubham Batra, Ankika Biswas and Amruta Khandekar in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak DasguptaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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