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☆ European stock index futures drop after surprise BOJ policy shift
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Dec 20 (Reuters) - European stock index futures fell on Tuesday after Bank of Japan rattled markets with a surprise policy shift that would allow long-term interest rates to rise more. Futures on the EURO STOXX 50 index and Germany's DAX briefly fell more than 1% each, before steadying at 0.9% declines by 0710 GMT. The policy tweak was widely seen as the beginning of a potential end to Japan's ultra-loose monetary policy and comes just as hawkish messages from other major central banks last week doused hopes of an end to monetary policy tightening any time soon. London's FTSE 100 index futures dipped 0.5%. Reporting by Amruta Khandekar; Editing by Saumyadeb ChakrabartyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Europe shares slump on jitters ahead of ECB rate decision
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( Amruta Khandekar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SummarySummary Companies STOXX 600 set for worst day since SeptECB rate decision due 1315 GMTBoE rate decision due 1200 GMTH&M falls as quarterly sales fail to impressDec 15 (Reuters) - European shares slumped on Thursday, as risk sentiment waned ahead of an interest rate decision from the bloc's central bank, after the U.S. Federal Reserve's hawkish comments on rate hikes rattled global markets. The region-wide STOXX 600 (.STOXX) was down 1.2% at 0915 a.m. GMT, and appeared set for its worst day since late September, following a dismal trading session on Wall Street overnight after the Fed signalled more rate hikes to come. “There is a very high probability that the ECB will signal that they’ve still work to do in terms of rates.”UK's blue-chip FTSE 100 (.FTSE) was down 0.7%, with investors eyeing the Bank of England's interest rate decision also due later in the day. Among STOXX 600 sectors, energy (.SXEP) was the biggest loser, down 1.9%, tracking crude prices lower, while the retail sector (.SXRP) declined 1.8%. Reporting by Amruta Khandekar; editing by Uttaresh.V and Dhanya Ann ThoppilOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ European shares fall on caution ahead of key rate hike decisions
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-12 | by ( Amruta Khandekar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The continent-wide STOXX 600 index (.STOXX) was down 0.7% at 0857 GMT, deepening losses from earlier in the session. With recent signs of easing inflationary pressures in the euro zone, the European Central Bank is expected to deliver a dialled-down 50 basis points (bps) rate hike on Dec. 15, a day after the Federal Reserve's interest rate announcement. "The markets are still relying on this narrative that inflation will cool, the central banks will be able to slow down, pause interest rate increases," said Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell. "But the numbers remain mixed, so it's perhaps not quite as clear cut as the markets would like it to be." Sanofi SA (SASY.PA) rose 0.7% after the French drugmaker on Sunday said it pulled out of talks to buy Horizon Therapeutics (HZNP.O).

☆ European shares rise as industrials, financials gain on China optimism
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Amruta Khandekar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The ECB may raise rates by 50 basis points next week, according to a Reuters poll, following two straight 75 basis point increases. Industrial stocks such as Siemens AG (SIEGn.DE) were among the biggest boosts to the index, while some China-exposed financials such as Prudential Plc (PRU.L) also rose. Energy stocks (.SXEP) led sectoral declines, falling 0.4% dragged down by a fall in shares of heavyweights such as Shell Plc and BP Plc (BP.L). Credit Suisse shares rose nearly 3% after the embattled bank hailed a "milestone" in its turnaround plan on Thursday after raising 2.24 billion Swiss francs ($2.39 billion) as part of a 4 billion franc cash call. Reporting by Amruta Khandekar; Editing by Vinay Dwivedi and Saumyadeb ChakrabartyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (.DJI) rose 199.37 points, or 0.59%, to 33,745.69, the S&P 500 (.SPX) gained 18.78 points, or 0.48%, to 3,965.34 and the Nasdaq Composite (.IXIC) added 1.11 points, or 0.01%, to 11,146.06. For the week, the S&P 500 fell 0.7%, retreating modestly after a strong month-long rally spurred by softer-than-expected inflation data that sparked hopes the central bank could temper its market-punishing rate hikes. "We are not likely to see any real evidence in terms of potentially declining wage pressure or inflation pressure for another couple of weeks.”Defensive groups led the way among S&P 500 sectors, with utilities (.SPLRCU) up 2%, real estate (.SPLRCR) rising 1.3% and healthcare (.SPXHC) 1.2% higher. The S&P 500 posted 8 new 52-week highs and 3 new lows; the Nasdaq Composite recorded 62 new highs and 141 new lows. About 9.7 billion shares changed hands in U.S. exchanges, compared with the 12 billion daily average over the last 20 sessions.

The S&P 500 has retreated this week after a month-long rally following softer-than-expected inflation data that sparked hopes the central bank could temper its market-punishing rate hikes. “What is driving all equities of course is Fed policy and the gravitational force that rising interest rates have on the equity complex as a whole," Goodwin said. Energy fell 1.7%, most among S&P 500 sectors, as oil prices dropped, stemming from concern about weakened demand in China and further increases to U.S. interest rates. Gap Inc (GPS.N) shares rose about 5% after the company beat Wall Street estimates for quarterly sales and profit. The S&P 500 posted 7 new 52-week highs and 3 new lows; the Nasdaq Composite recorded 49 new highs and 112 new lows.

Traders' bets of a 75-bps rate hike in December have gone up to 24.2% from 19.4% the previous week, according to the CME Group's FedWatch tool. The benchmark S&P 500 (.SPX) and the Nasdaq (.IXIC) have lost 17% and nearly 29%, respectively, so far this year on worries that the aggressive rate hikes could push the economy into a recession. Among S&P 500 sectors, defensive stocks advanced on Friday, with utilities (.SPLRCU) and health (.SPXHC) rising 1.5% and 0.9%, respectively, and in the lead. Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by a 1.19-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and for a 1.01-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq. The S&P index recorded seven new 52-week highs and two new lows, while the Nasdaq recorded 45 new highs and 96 new lows.

St. Louis Fed President James Bullard said on Thursday the U.S. central bank needed to keep raising interest rates given that its tightening so far "had only limited effects on observed inflation". The comments, coming on the heels of strong retail sales data, dampened hopes of the Fed toning down its hawkish approach following softer-than-expected inflation reports. They are getting more comfortable with a generally higher interest rate regime," said Paul Nolte, portfolio manager at Kingsview Asset Management in Chicago. ET, Dow e-minis were up 224 points, or 0.67%, S&P 500 e-minis were up 35.5 points, or 0.9%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were up 118.25 points, or 1.01%. Applied Materials Inc (AMAT.O) gained 4.0% after the chip tools maker forecast first-quarter revenue above estimates, on hopes of easing supply chain constraints.

"Initially when that (Bullard commentary) came out, you saw the market sell off and then there was some discussion about was he being over-reactive?" Equities had seen strong gains last week after a softer-than-expected inflation report boosted hopes of smaller rate hikes from the Fed. Most of the 11 major S&P 500 sectors advanced, with defensive utilities (.SPLRCU) and real estate (.SPLRCR) leading gains, up about 1% each. The S&P index recorded six new 52-week highs and no new low, while the Nasdaq recorded 34 new highs and 60 new lows. Reporting by Shubham Batra, Ankika Biswas and Amruta Khandekar in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta and Vinay DwivediOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Several other Fed officials in recent days have also stressed the need to continue raising rates, albeit at a slower pace. "The Fed is trying to make sure the market doesn't get too ahead of itself," said Tim Holland, chief investment officer at Orion Advisor Solutions. "They're trying to walk this rhetorical tightrope where in between meetings and big data points, they're reminding the market that they're still tightening." Traders are now pricing in 89% odds of a 50-basis-point rate hike from the Fed in December and see terminal rate at around 5% in June 2023. The S&P index recorded no new 52-week high and one new low, while the Nasdaq recorded 12 new highs and 101 new lows.

Softer-than-expected inflation data in recent days had boosted expectations of smaller interest rate increases, but strong retail sales figures on Wednesday stoked fears that the Fed could keep tightening the monetary policy further. Several other Fed officials in recent days have also stressed on the need to continue raising interest rates, though at a slower pace. Wall Street closed the previous session lower as a grim outlook from Target Corp (TGT.N) sparked concerns about retailers heading into the crucial holiday season. ET, Dow e-minis were down 384 points, or 1.14%, S&P 500 e-minis were down 52.5 points, or 1.32%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were down 177.5 points, or 1.51%. U.S.-listed shares of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd fell 2.1% after the Chinese e-commerce giant posted a smaller-than-expected rise in quarterly revenue.

Shares of Target Corp (TGT.N) tumbled 13.1% after the big-box retailer forecast a surprise drop in holiday-quarter sales. The S&P 500 consumer discretionary sector (.SPLRCD) shed 1.5%. The S&P 500 information technology sector (.SPLRCT) fell 1.4% and the Philadelphia SE Semiconductor index (.SOX) sank 4.3%. Elsewhere in retail, shares of Lowe's (LOW.N) rose 3% after the home improvement company raised its annual profit forecast. The S&P 500 posted 3 new 52-week highs and 2 new lows; the Nasdaq Composite recorded 71 new highs and 133 new lows.

Shares of Target Corp (TGT.N) tumbled 12% after the big-box retailer forecast a surprise drop in holiday-quarter sales. Micron Technology (MU.O) shares dropped over 7% after the company said it would reduce memory chip supply and make more cuts to its capital spending plan. The S&P 500 information technology sector (.SPLRCT) dropped 1.3%, while the Philadelphia SE Semiconductor index (.SOX) sank over 4%. Elsewhere in retail, shares of Lowe's (LOW.N) rose over 3% after the home improvement company raised its annual profit forecast. The S&P 500 posted 3 new 52-week highs and 2 new lows; the Nasdaq Composite recorded 54 new highs and 110 new lows.

REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File PhotoSummarySummary Companies October retail sales rise more than expectedTarget's dull outlook weighs on retailersMicron's supply cut triggers chip selloffIndexes: Dow up 0.05%, S&P down 0.51%, Nasdaq down 1.10%Nov 16 (Reuters) - The S&P 500 and Nasdaq fell on Wednesday as a grim outlook from Target spurred fresh concerns for retailers heading into the crucial holiday season, while Micron's supply cut triggered a selloff in the chip sector. Target Corp (TGT.N) tumbled as much as 17% in early trading as a pullback in consumer spending despite heavy discounting cut its third-quarter profit by half. Despite the sales warning from Target, data showed U.S. retail sales increased more than expected in October, boosted by purchases of motor vehicles and suggesting that consumer spending remained stable. Declining issues outnumbered advancers for a 1.73-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and for a 2.23-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq. The S&P index recorded three new 52-week highs and two new lows, while the Nasdaq recorded 50 new highs and 104 new lows.

The data showed retail sales rose 1.3% last month led by motor vehicles after remaining flat in September. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast sales accelerating 1%. Among S&P 500 sectors, retail (.SPXRT) and consumer discretionary (.SPLRCD) were down 1.9% and 1.7%, respectively. Declining issues outnumbered advancers for a 2.10-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and for a 2.41-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq. The S&P index recorded one new 52-week high and two new lows, while the Nasdaq recorded 33 new highs and 56 new lows.

[1/2] Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., November 15, 2022. Despite the sales warning from Target, latest data on U.S. retail sales suggested that consumer spending remained stable and could help to underpin the economy in the fourth quarter. The data showed retail sales rose 1.3% last month after remaining flat in September. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast sales accelerating 1%. ET, Dow e-minis were down 57 points, or 0.17%, S&P 500 e-minis were down 14.25 points, or 0.36%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were down 71 points, or 0.6%.

[1/4] The Wall Street entrance to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is seen in New York City, U.S., November 15, 2022. Equities were boosted by Tuesday's inflation report that showed producer prices rising 8% in the 12 months through October against an estimated 8.3% rise. The gains built on a rally that was kicked off late last week by a cooler-than-expected report on consumer prices. "The decline was triggered by reports of a Russian missile landing in Poland," said Steve Sosnick, chief strategist at Interactive Brokers. About 13.1 billion shares changed hands in U.S. exchanges, compared with the 12.2 billion daily average over the last 20 sessions.

[1/2] Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., November 15, 2022. Home Depot Inc (HD.N) left its annual forecasts unchanged, but the home improvement chain's results exceeded Wall Street expectations and shares rose 1.6% amid a jump in shares of retailers. Among the S&P 500 sectors, consumer staples was up (.SPLRCS) 1.2%, while the consumer discretionary (.SPLRCD) index jumped 1.9%. Atlanta President Raphael Bostic echoed the views, saying he sees little evidence that the central bank's aggressive monetary policy tightening is slowing inflation. Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by a 5.30-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and by a 2.80-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq.

The Labor Department's producer prices index rose 8% in the 12 months through October, lower than an estimated 8.3% rise, according to a Reuters poll of economists. Excluding volatile food and energy costs, the index rose 5.4% on an annual basis last month after increasing 5.6% in September. The report follows softer-than-expected consumer prices data late last week, which sparked a massive rally on hopes of a less aggressive monetary policy. "It (the data) is going to confirm people's hopes that inflation is starting to turn the corner. The S&P index recorded no new 52-week highs and no new lows, while the Nasdaq recorded 23 new highs and 27 new lows.

☆ Futures rise on U.S.-China talks, inflation data in focus
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

U.S.-listed shares of Chinese firms Alibaba Group Holding Ltd , Baidu Inc , Pinduoduo Inc (PDD.O) and JD.Com Inc climbed between 5.7% and 11.2%. Biden and Xi agreed to allow senior officials to renew communication on climate, debt relief and other issues, according to the White House. ET, which is expected to show producer prices rose 8.3% annually in October after advancing 8.5% in September, according to a Reuters poll of economists. Excluding volatile food and energy costs, the producer prices index is expected to have increased 7.2% last month, in line with September's gains. ET, Dow e-minis were up 156 points, or 0.46%, S&P 500 e-minis were up 30.5 points, or 0.77%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were up 143.5 points, or 1.22%.

The comments follow a softer-than-expected inflation report last week, which had buoyed hopes that the Fed could scale back its hefty interest rate hikes and helped drive a euphoric market rally. The S&P 500 in the previous session logged its biggest weekly percentage gain in about five months, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq (.IXIC) notched its best week since March. "The market is expecting the Fed to continue its hawkish rhetoric on rates. ET, the S&P 500 (.SPX) was down 17.25 points, or 0.43%, at 3,975.68, and the Nasdaq Composite (.IXIC) was down 115.13 points, or 1.02%, at 11,208.20. The S&P 500 information technology sector (.SPLRCT) was down 1.2% and among the leading sectoral decliners on the benchmark index.

The comments follow a softer-than-expected inflation report last week, which had buoyed hopes that price pressures were easing and the Fed could scale back its hefty interest rate hikes. "The market is expecting the Fed to continue its hawkish rhetoric on rates," said Peter Cardillo, chief market economist at Spartan Capital Securities. Once they (Fed) raise rates at 50 (bps), there's a possibility that they might indicate slower rates." Traders now expect the Fed to hike interest rates in December by a half point, and expect terminal rate in the range of 4.75%-5.0% next year. ET, Dow e-minis were down 50 points, or 0.15%, S&P 500 e-minis were down 11.5 points, or 0.29%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were down 62 points, or 0.52%.

Nonpartisan forecasters and opinion polls suggested a strong chance of Republicans winning a House majority and a tight race for Senate control. Shares in healthcare, energy and defense sectors could see more volatility in the wake of the election. "A Republican victory is seen as removing either current regulations, like in the energy sector, or potential future regulations like in the pharmaceutical sector." The S&P 500 (.SPX) is up nearly 9% from its recent October lows, but has still posted steep losses this year on worries that aggressive monetary policy tightening would tip the U.S. economy into a recession. Among S&P 500 sectors, energy (.SPNY) and consumer discretionary (.SPLRCD) fell the most, down 1% and 0.5%, respectively.

☆ Futures edge higher with focus on midterm elections
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

With Democrat Joe Biden in the White House, that potential result would lead to a split government. Control of even one chamber of Congress would give Republicans the power to bring Biden's legislative agenda to a halt and demand deep spending cuts. "The question for many is whether investors will respond positively to the deadlock in Washington," said Craig Erlam, senior market analyst at Oanda. Traders are currently betting on 63% odds of a 50-basis point hike at the Fed's next meeting in December. ET, Dow e-minis were up 64 points, or 0.19%, S&P 500 e-minis were up 8.25 points, or 0.22%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were up 49.75 points, or 0.45%.

Meta Platforms Inc (META.O) jumped over 6% following a report that the company was planning to begin large-scale layoffs this week. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid 1 2Unofficially, the S&P 500 climbed 0.96% to end the session at 3,806.90 points. S&P 500 by market capOf the 11 S&P 500 sector indexes, eight rose, led by communication services (.SPLRCL) which was up 1.83%, followed by a 1.73% gain in energy (.SPNY). Advancing issues outnumbered falling ones within the S&P 500 (.AD.SPX) by a 2.8-to-one ratio. The S&P 500 posted 18 new highs and 15 new lows; the Nasdaq recorded 93 new highs and 221 new lows.

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