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☆ Jim Cramer's top 10 things to watch in the market Wednesday: Inflation cools, Microsoft job cuts
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-18 | by ( Jim Cramer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

But I think this Club stock has broken away from the pack. Wells Fargo cuts price target on Goldman Sachs (GS) to $390 per share from $400 after Tuesday's earnings disappointment. UBS cuts price target on UnitedHealth (UNH) to $550 per share from $590 after a largely solid quarter; keeps neutral (hold) rating. Analysts also reiterated their $185-per-share price target on the Club stock, which represents over 38% upside from Tuesday's close. As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade.

The new HomePod is $50 cheaper than the original, and packs in more smart home features. It's Apple's first new smart speaker since the release of the $99 HomePod Mini in November 2020. The launch price of the new HomePod is actually $50 cheaper than the original model, which was discontinued in 2021. Should you preorder the new Apple HomePod? Apple's smart speakers have struggled to win over customers compared to Amazon's Echo brand and Google's Nest, and remain more expensive than the competition.

☆ Futures slip ahead of Goldman, MS earnings as China data hits sentiment
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SummarySummary Companies Futures down: Dow 0.18%, S&P 0.22%, Nasdaq 0.31%Jan 17 (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures started the week lower ahead of quarterly results from Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, with downbeat economic data from China denting investor sentiment globally on Tuesday. Goldman Sachs (GS.N) and Morgan Stanley (MS.N) were set to wrap up a mixed season for big bank earnings with their fourth-quarter results due before the bell. Analysts expect year-over-year earnings from S&P 500 companies to decline 2.2% for the quarter, according to Refinitiv data as of Friday. The S&P 500 (.SPX) and the Nasdaq (.IXIC) indexes closed at one-month highs on Friday, with the former up 4.2% so far in 2023. ET, Dow e-minis were down 61 points, or 0.18%, S&P 500 e-minis were down 9 points, or 0.22%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were down 35.5 points, or 0.31%.

Apple's latest Mac Mini uses the company's M2 and all-new M2 Pro processors. Though it's kept the same minimalistic form factor, the new compact desktop is now powered by Apple's M2 and M2 Pro processors. If these claims hold true, the new Mac Mini should give content creators a nice boost in performance. The Mac Mini with M2 Pro is pricier but delivers more power for professionalsFor even heavier loads, the Mac Mini with M2 Pro offers more power. Mac Mini with M2 (256GB)Mac Mini with M2 Pro (512GB)

☆ 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%.

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%.

☆ SNAPSHOT S&P 500 futures edge higher after December CPI data
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Jan 12 (Reuters) - S&P 500 futures rose in choppy trading on Thursday after a key inflation reading came in line with expectations, adding to hopes that the Federal Reserve will take a less aggressive approach at its next policy meeting. The highly awaited Labor Department's report showed consumer prices rose 6.5% year-on-year in December, in line with a forecast by economists polled by Reuters. ET, Dow e-minis were up 66 points, or 0.19%, S&P 500 e-minis were up 5.25 points, or 0.13%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were down 12 points, or 0.1%. Moments before the data, Dow e-minis were up 126 points, or 0.37%, S&P 500 e-minis were up 16.25 points, or 0.41%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were up 39.75 points, or 0.35%. Reporting by Amruta Khandekar; Editing by Shounak DasguptaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ 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%.

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.

"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.

Global stocks rallied and the dollar dropped. The upbeat market momentum continued on Monday, with Asian stocks up after China reopened its borders, bolstering the outlook for the global economy. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) rose to its highest in more than six months. Redha said that there was "over-excitement" in the market reaction to the U.S. jobs data, and that more wage data would be needed. Emerging market stocks (.MSCIEF) were up 2.4% on the day, and have risen by more than 20% since their October lows.

☆ Futures rise on China reopening optimism, easing rate hike worries
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

A key inflation report due on Thursday will provide further cues on the state of price pressures and the outlook for interest rates. The U.S. Labor Department's consumer prices index (CPI) report is expected to show prices increased by 6.5% year-on-year in December, moderating from a 7.1% rise in November. "Sentiment still feels as fragile as a teacup and U.S. inflation numbers on Thursday could provide a key test for investor confidence." ET, Dow e-minis were up 89 points, or 0.26%, S&P 500 e-minis were up 12.5 points, or 0.32%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were up 30.25 points, or 0.27%. Reporting by Shubham Batra and Amruta Khandekar in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak DasguptaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ 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.

☆ 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%.

☆ Futures edge higher ahead of Fed meeting minutes
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SummarySummary Companies Futures up: Dow 0.20%, S&P 0.31%, Nasdaq 0.46%Jan 4 (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures edged higher on Wednesday as hopes of an economic recovery in China lifted sentiment, while focus was also on minutes from the Federal Reserve's December policy meeting for clues on the outlook for interest rate hikes. Minutes from the Fed's previous meeting, when it raised interest rates by half a percentage point and cautioned rates may need to remain higher for longer, are due to be released at 2 p.m. "The minutes of the latest Fed meeting will be devoured later, in a search for clues about how much higher rates will go before policymakers consider pressing the pause button," said Susannah Streeter, senior investment and markets analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown. ET, Dow e-minis were up 65 points, or 0.2%, S&P 500 e-minis were up 11.75 points, or 0.31%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were up 50.25 points, or 0.46%. Reporting by Shubham Batra and Amruta Khandekar in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak DasguptaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Futures rise on first trading day of 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SummarySummary Companies Futures up: Dow 0.90%, S&P 1.00%, Nasdaq 1.18%Jan 3 (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures rose on Tuesday, the first trading day of 2023, as investors await a slew of economic data this week as well as minutes from the Federal Reserve's previous meeting for clues on the path of future interest rate hikes. The benchmark S&P 500 (.SPX) shed 19.4% in 2022, marking a roughly $8 trillion decline in market cap, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq (.IXIC) fell 33.1%. As investors return from the New Year holidays, focus is now on the likelihood of a recession following aggressive monetary policy tightening. ET, Dow e-minis were up 298 points, or 0.90%, S&P 500 e-minis were up 38.5 points, or 1.00%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were up 129.75 points, or 1.18%. Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) fell 2.6% in premarket trading as the electric-vehicle maker missed Wall Street estimates on deliveries for the fourth quarter of 2022.

SummarySummary Companies Wall St eyes first annual drop in four yearsU.S.-listed shares of Shaw Communications jumpFutures down: Dow 0.40%, S&P 0.59%, Nasdaq 0.94%Dec 30 (Reuters) - Wall Street was set to open lower on the final trading day of a roller-coaster year marked by aggressive interest-rate hikes to curb inflation, the Russia-Ukraine war and recession fears. Investors avoided riskier bets and fled to safer assets such as the U.S. dollar, pushing down the benchmark S&P 500 (.SPX) 19% and the tech-heavy Nasdaq (.IXIC) 33% this year. "(The) back half of 2023 is going to be better because I believe the Fed will stop raising interest rates. ET, Dow e-minis were down 132 points, or 0.4%, S&P 500 e-minis were down 22.75 points, or 0.59%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were down 104 points, or 0.94%. Reporting by Ankika Biswas and Amruta Khandekar in Bengaluru; Editing by Vinay Dwivedi and Arun KoyyurOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Initial claims for unemployment benefits rose 9,000 to a seasonally adjusted 225,000 for the week ended Dec. 24, the Labor Department said. The report suggested that the rapid interest rate hikes were starting to take a toll on the labor market, bolstering hopes that the U.S. central bank would dial down its aggressive stance. "Signs of the job market beginning to weaken is certainly apparent," said Peter Cardillo, chief market economist, Spartan Capital Securities LLC. ET, Dow e-minis were up 172 points, or 0.52%, S&P 500 e-minis were up 29 points, or 0.76%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were up 116.25 points, or 1.08%. Reporting by Ankika Biswas and Amruta Khandekar in Bengaluru; Editing by Arun KoyyurOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

[1/2] The German share price index DAX graph is pictured at the stock exchange in Frankfurt, Germany, December 27, 2022. With markets thin, China and Hong Kong stocks fell, and MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) was down 0.7% at 1223 GMT. U.S. stock index futures pointed to a more upbeat tone on Wall Street, with Nasdaq 100 e-minis up 0.6% and S&P 500 e-minis up 0.4% . Risk appetite was subdued for much of 2022 as global central banks raised interest rates in an attempt to bring down inflation. The Fed raised interest rates by 50 bps earlier in December after delivering four consecutive 75 bps hikes in the year, but it has said it may need to keep higher interest rates for longer.

☆ Futures edge higher as investors assess China reopening
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SummarySummary Companies Futures up: Dow 0.25%, S&P 0.19%, Nasdaq 0.14%Dec 28 (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures edged higher on Wednesday as investors weighed the unwinding of pandemic restrictions by China against surging COVID cases in the world's second largest economy. "If the Chinese reopening story is positive for oil and commodity prices, it's bad news for global inflation," said Ipek Ozkardeskaya, senior analyst at Swissquote Bank. "The surge in Chinese demand will certainly boost inflation through higher energy and commodity prices and in response to higher inflation, the central banks will continue hiking rates." ET, Dow e-minis were up 84 points, or 0.25%, S&P 500 e-minis were up 7.25 points, or 0.19%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were up 15.75 points, or 0.14%. They hit their lowest level in more than two years in the previous session over demand worries in China.

☆ Stocks advance, U.S. dollar retreats as China drops quarantine rule
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-27 | by ( Xie Yu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

China will stop requiring inbound travellers to go into quarantine starting from Jan. 8, the National Health Commission said on Monday. It will also downgrade the seriousness of COVID-19 as it has become less virulent and will gradually evolve into a common respiratory infection. read moreBy Tuesday morning in Hong Kong, MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) was up 0.5%. China's bluechip gained 0.6% and Japan's Nikkei stock index (.N225) rose 0.43%. The dollar moved broadly lower on Tuesday while Australia's and New Zealand's currencies jumped as risk appetite grew after China scrapped its quarantine rule.

U.S.-listed shares of Chinese firms such as JD.Com Inc , Alibaba Group Holding Ltd and Pinduoduo Inc (PDD.O) climbed around 2% each in premarket trading. With a handful of trading sessions left this year, investors are hoping for a so-called "Santa rally" at the end of what has been a largely disappointing month for U.S. equities. Economic data so far has offered little hope that the Fed could hit the brakes on its interest rate hikes. ET, Dow e-minis were up 147 points, or 0.44%, S&P 500 e-minis were up 12.5 points, or 0.32%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were up 5 points, or 0.05%. Reporting by Amruta Khandekar and Ankika Biswas in Bengaluru; Editing by Vinay Dwivedi and Sriraj KalluvilaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Futures climb as China eases COVID curbs
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SummarySummary Companies Futures up: Dow 0.62%, S&P 0.65%, Nasdaq 0.56%Dec 27 (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures rose on Tuesday after China further relaxed its COVID-19 curbs, fuelling hopes of a recovery in the world's second largest economy. U.S.-listed shares of Chinese firms such as JD.Com Inc , Alibaba Group Holding , Pinduoduo Inc (PDD.O) climbed between 2.5% and 3% in premarket trading. ET, Dow e-minis were up 208 points, or 0.62%, S&P 500 e-minis were up 25 points, or 0.65%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were up 62.5 points, or 0.56%. Southwest Airlines Co (LUV.N) dipped 3% after facing flight cancellations and delays a day after Christmas. Reporting by Amruta Khandekar Editing by Vinay DwivediOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Futures steady ahead of November inflation data
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SummarySummary Companies Futures up: Dow 0.37%, S&P 0.31%, Nasdaq 0.28%Dec 23 (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures inched higher on Friday as investors awaited fresh inflation data to assess the Federal Reserve's path of future interest rate hikes, with the central bank's policy tightening weighing heavily on equities this year. The core personal consumption expenditure price index, the Fed's preferred inflation gauge, is expected to have increased 0.2% in November after a similar rise in October. Wall Street's main indexes fell sharply on Thursday after data showed a resilient American economy that may push the central bank to keep hiking rates for longer. Markets are in wait-and-see mode ahead of key inflation figures, which will provide some clues about the Fed's next move," said Victoria Scholar, head of investment at Interactive Investor. ET, Dow e-minis were up 122 points, or 0.37%, S&P 500 e-minis were up 11.75 points, or 0.31%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were up 31.5 points, or 0.28%.

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