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The S&P 500 banks index (.SPXBK) has lagged the broader S&P 500 (.SPX) this year with a 13% decline, while the KBW Regional Banking index (.KRX) has already lost 20% in its worst performance since 2009. "The retail sales are kind of a disappointment," said Robert Pavlik, senior portfolio manager at Dakota Wealth. Traders stuck to bets the U.S. central bank will raise its benchmark rate in May by another 25 basis points after the retail sales data. Among other big-ticket earnings, healthcare conglomerate UnitedHealth Group Inc (UNH.N) beat estimates for quarterly profit and raised its annual forecast, pushing its shares up 0.4%. BlackRock Inc's (BLK.N) quarterly profit also beat analysts' estimates as investors continued to pour money in the world's largest asset manager's various funds.

A Labor Department report showed producer prices rose 2.7% in March, on a year-over-year basis, below economists' estimates of a 3% rise. The dollar and Treasury yields slid as investors mostly stuck to expectations of the 25-bps hike after Thursday's data. Analysts expect S&P 500 companies to record a profit decline of 5.2% in the first quarter, as per Refinitiv IBES data, in what could be their worst showing since the third quarter of 2020. Financial companies that are part of the S&P 500 are expected to report a profit growth of 4.3% in the first quarter. ET, Dow e-minis were up 62 points, or 0.18%, S&P 500 e-minis were up 12.5 points, or 0.30%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were up 60.75 points, or 0.47%.

Following a selloff in March due to the banking crisis, the benchmark S&P 500 (.SPX) has traded in tight ranges this month as investors assessed the path for U.S. interest rates following strong jobs data and signs of cooling inflation. ET (1230 GMT) is expected to show producer prices barely rose in March on a month-on-month basis, following a 0.1% contraction in February. Meanwhile, another set of data is also expected to show weekly jobless claims rose 232,000 in the week ended April 8, higher than the 228,000 claims filed a week earlier. Financial companies that are part of the S&P 500 are expected to report a profit growth of 4.3% in the first quarter. ET, Dow e-minis were down 4 points, or 0.01%, S&P 500 e-minis were up 3.75 points, or 0.09%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were up 30.5 points, or 0.24%.

☆ Mary Quant, designer who epitomized Swinging 60s, dies at 93
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-13 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Mary Quant, the visionary fashion designer whose colorful, sexy miniskirts epitomized Swinging London in the 1960s has died at 93. Mary Quant, the visionary fashion designer whose colorful, sexy miniskirts epitomized Swinging London in the 1960s and influenced youth culture around the world, has died. "She was the right person with the right sensibility in the right place at the right time. Quant was also credited with introducing hot pants and micro-minis to the fashion scene in the late 1960s. Quant stepped down from the day-to-day management of her firm, Mary Quant Ltd., in 2000 after it was purchased by a Japanese company, but kept working as a consultant.

☆ Futures climb ahead of fresh inflation data
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Wall Street closed lower on Wednesday after data showed consumer prices rose at a slower-than-expected pace in March, although core prices remained sticky, supporting the case for another 25-basis point rate hike by the Fed in May. ET (1230 GMT) is expected to show producer prices barely rose in March on a month-on-month basis, following a 0.1% contraction in February. Analysts expect S&P 500 companies to record a profit decline of 5.2% in the first quarter, according to Refinitiv IBES data, in what could be their worst showing since the third quarter of 2020. Financial companies that are part of the S&P 500 are expected to report a profit growth of 4.3% in the first quarter. ET, Dow e-minis were up 44 points, or 0.13%, S&P 500 e-minis were up 9.75 points, or 0.24%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were up 48.25 points, or 0.37%.

The Labor Department data showed headline and core CPI in March rose 0.1% and 0.4%, respectively, on a month-on-month basis. "We are finally starting to see the cumulative effects of the relentless rate hikes," said Peter Andersen, founder at Andersen Capital Management. US inflation, Fed rates and marketsMinutes from the U.S. central bank's policy meeting in March will also be watched closely by investors later in the day for further clues on the trajectory of interest rates. The Fed raised rates by 25 bps last month and signaled it was on the verge of pausing further rate hikes. ET, Dow e-minis were up 220 points, or 0.65%, S&P 500 e-minis were up 33 points, or 0.80%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were up 130 points, or 0.99%.

☆ Futures edge higher ahead of inflation data
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SummarySummary Companies Futures up: Dow 0.19%, S&P 0.13%, Nasdaq 0.06%April 12 (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures edged higher on Wednesday as investors awaited key inflation data and minutes from the Federal Reserve's policy meeting for clues on whether U.S. interest rates are near their peak. The Labor Department data, which will be published at 8:30 a.m. US inflation, Fed rates and marketsMinutes from the U.S. central bank's policy meeting in March will be watched closely by investors later in the day for fresh clues on the trajectory of interest rates. The Fed in March raised rates by 25 bps and signaled it was on the verge of pausing further rate hikes. ET, Dow e-minis were up 64 points, or 0.19%, S&P 500 e-minis were up 5.25 points, or 0.13%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were up 8 points, or 0.06%.

Hopes that the Fed will soon end its aggressive monetary policy tightening have helped the benchmark S&P 500 (.SPX) stabilize so far in April after the collapse of two U.S. mid-sized lenders sparked a selloff last month. This marks a shift in traders' bets of a pause in the Fed's policy tightening after recent weak economic data raised the possibility of a U.S. recession. Data on Wednesday is expected to show consumer prices grew 5.2% in March after a 6.0% rise in February. Analysts expect first-quarter profits at S&P 500 companies to fall 5.2% year-on-year, a stark reversal from the 1.4% annual growth expected at the beginning of the year, according to Refinitiv data. ET, Dow e-minis were up 24 points, or 0.07%, S&P 500 e-minis were up 4.25 points, or 0.10%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were down 2.25 points, or 0.02%.

☆ Futures edge higher as focus shifts to inflation data, earnings
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SummarySummary Companies Futures up: Dow 0.15%, S&P 0.26%, Nasdaq 0.34%April 11 (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures rose on Tuesday as investors awaited inflation data to gauge the Federal Reserve's next policy moves, while caution prevailed ahead of the quarterly earnings season. All eyes will be on the inflation data on Wednesday, with economists forecasting consumer prices to grow 5.2% in March after a 6.0% rise in February. Big U.S. banks Citigroup Inc (C.N), JPMorgan Chase & Co (JPM.N) and Wells Fargo & Co (WFC.N) will kick off the first-quarter earnings season. Investors will be scrutinizing the earnings reports for clues on the overall health of the banking sector. ET, Dow e-minis were up 51 points, or 0.15%, S&P 500 e-minis were up 10.75 points, or 0.26%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were up 44.75 points, or 0.34%.

"One has to step back and look at a bigger picture than just these week-to-week market battles over data. ET, Dow e-minis were down 122 points, or 0.36%, S&P 500 e-minis were down 21.5 points, or 0.52%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were down 107.75 points, or 0.82%. Shares of regional banks slipped after Fed data on Friday showed overall credit from U.S. banks declined by a record of more than $120 billion in the latest week, on a nonseasonally adjusted basis. Semiconductor stocks such as Micron Technology Inc (MU.O) and Western Digital Corp (WDC.O) gained 5.5% and 4.7%, respectively, following Samsung Electronics Co Ltd's (005930.KS) plans to cut chip production. Reporting by Sruthi Shankar and Ankika Biswas in Bengaluru; Additional reporting by Medha Singh; Editing by Varun H K and Shounak DasguptaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Futures muted after jobs data raises odds of more rate hikes
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. employers maintained a strong pace of hiring in March, data released on Friday showed, pushing the unemployment rate down to 3.5% and raising odds of the Fed hiking rates one more time next month. While nonfarm payrolls increased by 236,000 jobs last month, slightly weaker than economists' expectations, investors focused on the overall data which signaled labor market resilience. "We see a disconnect between markets presuming much easier Fed policy on "softer" data and how the Fed will actually see the data," Citi economists said in a note. Citi expects three 25 basis point rate hikes at the coming Fed meetings with a policy rate reaching 5.50-5.75%. ET, Dow e-minis were up 12 points, or 0.04%, S&P 500 e-minis remained unchanged, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were down 31.75 points, or 0.24%.

☆ Asian shares muted, dollar buoyant on odds of rate rise
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-10 | by ( Ankur Banerjee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) was 0.12% higher, while Japan's Nikkei (.N225) gained 0.5%. Traders have increasingly become convinced that the Fed will cut rates in the second half to ward off an economic downturn. The two-year U.S. Treasury yield, which typically moves in step with interest rate expectations, eased to 3.951%, after closing at 3.993% on Friday's abbreviated trading. A closely watched part of the U.S. Treasury yield curve measuring the gap between yields on two- and 10-year Treasury notes , seen as an indicator of economic expectations, was at -57.7 basis points. The yen weakened 0.41% to 132.69 per dollar as Japan's new central bank governor Kazuo Ueda takes over from Haruhiko Kuroda.

☆ Futures muted as focus shifts to jobs data amid recession fears
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SummarySummary Companies Futures mixed: Dow flat, S&P down 0.05%, Nasdaq down 0.24%April 6 (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures were subdued on Thursday as investors awaited jobs data to gauge the impact of the Federal Reserve's aggressive policy tightening on the U.S. economy. Weak data from services and manufacturing sectors this week has pointed to slowing growth, fueling hopes in the market of a pause in interest rate hikes. ET, Dow e-minis were up 9 points, or 0.03%; and S&P 500 e-minis were down 2 points, or 0.05%. The benchmark S&P 500 (.SPX) and the tech-heavy Nasdaq (.IXIC) are on track to notch declines for the first time in four weeks. The U.S. stock market will be shut on Friday for the Good Friday holiday.

The ADP National Employment report showed U.S. private employment rose by 145,000 jobs last month, compared with economists' projections of an increase of 200,000 jobs, adding to recent signs of a cooling labor market. With growing concerns about a worsening economic outlook following the recent turmoil in the banking sector, market expectations have shifted in favor of the U.S. central bank hitting the brakes on its interest rate hikes. "But at the same time, I think investors are closely watching to make sure that we don't fall into a deep recession." Traders' bets of a pause by the Fed in May shot up to 62.2%, while odds of a 25-basis point interest rate hike fell to 37.8%, according to CME Group's Fedwatch tool. All eyes are now on the non-farm payrolls data for March, a more comprehensive employment report, that is due on Friday for more conclusive clues on the state of the labor market.

☆ Futures fall as investors await key economic data amid recession fears
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

ET, Dow e-minis were down 46 points, or 0.14%, S&P 500 e-minis were down 8.75 points, or 0.21%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were down 30.5 points, or 0.23%. Weak job openings data and falling factory orders on Tuesday followed soft manufacturing activity data on Monday, sparking fresh concerns about economic outlook and pushing the S&P 500 (.SPX) to snap a four-day winning streak in the prior session. Escalating oil prices following the OPEC+ group's output cuts have also worsened the outlook for inflation, adding to investors' anxiety. Both the benchmark S&P 500 and tech-heavy Nasdaq (.IXIC) are on track to notch weekly declines in four in the holiday-shortened week. Reporting by Ankika Biswas in Bengaluru; Editing by Nivedita BhattacharjeeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Futures edge higher as tech and growth stocks gain; focus on jobs data
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Oil prices extended gains on Tuesday, with investor attention shifting to demand trends and the impact of higher prices on the global economy. Energy firms Chevron Corp (CVX.N), Exxon Mobil Corp (XOM.N) and Occidental Petroleum Corp (OXY.N) were set to extend gains, rising between 0.5% and 0.9% premarket. Among stocks, Virgin Orbit Holdings Inc (VORB.O) tanked 25% after the satellite launch company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on failing to secure long-term funding. Etsy Inc (ETSY.O) gained 3.8% after Piper Sandler upgraded the consumer e-commerce platform's stock to "overweight". Reporting by Ankika Biswas in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak DasguptaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ S&P, Nasdaq futures fall on inflation worries after OPEC+ output cut
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SummarySummary Companies Futures mixed: Dow up 0.36%, S&P down 0.10%, Nasdaq down 0.64%April 3 (Reuters) - Futures tracking the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq fell on Monday as soaring oil prices renewed worries of persistent inflationary pressures, while energy stocks surged at the start of the week. Saudi Arabia and other OPEC+ oil producers announced further oil output cuts of around 1.16 million barrels per day, threatening an immediate rise in prices. Oil prices jumped 5.4% on Monday, propelling over 3% gains in energy firms such as Exxon Mobil Corp (XOM.N) and Chevron Corp (CVX.N) in premarket trade. ET, Dow e-minis were up 119 points, or 0.36%, S&P 500 e-minis were down 4 points, or 0.10%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were down 84.5 points, or 0.64%. Remarks by Federal Reserve Board Governor Lisa Cook on economic outlook and monetary policy are also expected later on Monday.

SummarySummary Companies February PCE growth slowsVirgin Orbit announces layoff plans, shares tankFutures up: Dow 0.37%, S&P 0.28%, Nasdaq 0.14%March 31 (Reuters) - Wall Street's main indexes were set to open higher on Friday after data showed inflation slowed in February, supporting hopes of a softer monetary policy approach from the Federal Reserve. Traders' bets of a 25-basis-point rate hike in May stand at 55.5%, with odds of a pause at 44.5%, according to CME Group's Fedwatch tool. "But in terms of the Fed's calculus, they'll have to have more confirmation that disinflation is really taking hold beyond just a few data points here and there." U.S. 10-year Treasury yields fell to a session low of 3.534% after the data. The KBW Regional banking index (.KRX) and the S&P 500 banks index (.SPXBK), which houses major banks, have lost 19% and 14%, respectively, so far during the quarter.

SummarySummary Companies February PCE data due at 8:30 am ETVirgin Orbit announces layoff plans, shares tankFutures mixed: Dow up 0.23%, S&P up 0.19%, Nasdaq flatMarch 31 (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures were mixed on Friday as investors awaited inflation data for cues on the Federal Reserve's monetary policy path amid receding fears of a banking crisis. The Commerce Department is expected to release the February reading of the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index, the Fed's preferred measure of inflation, at 8:30 am ET (12:30 GMT). The KBW Regional banking index (.KRX) and the S&P 500 banks index (.SPXBK), which houses major banks, have lost 19% and 14%, respectively, so far during the quarter. ET, Dow e-minis were up 76 points, or 0.23%, S&P 500 e-minis were up 7.75 points, or 0.19%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were up 1.25 points, or 0.01%. Reporting by Amruta Khandekar and Ankika Biswas; Editing by Nivedita Bhattacharjee and Vinay DwivediOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Futures muted as investors await key inflation data
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SummarySummary Companies Futures: Dow flat, S&P up 0.04%, Nasdaq down 0.02%March 31 (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures were flat on Friday as investors steered clear of big bets ahead of crucial inflation data, amid receding fears of a banking crisis. The Commerce Department is expected to release February data on the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index- the Fed's preferred measure of inflation, at 8:30 am ET (12:30 GMT). Consumer sentiment data from the University of Michigan is also due later in the day. New York Federal Reserve Bank President John Williams and Fed Governor Lisa Cook are also scheduled to speak later on Friday. ET, Dow e-minis were flat, S&P 500 e-minis were up 1.75 points, or 0.04%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were down 2 points, or 0.02%.

☆ Futures rise as bank fears ebb, focus shifts to key inflation data
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Investors will now watch out for February data on the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index - the Fed's preferred inflation gauge - that is due on Friday for further clues on the central bank's rate-hike trajectory. Traders' bets are still tilted towards a pause in rate hikes in May, with rate cuts expected soon after that. Final estimates for quarterly U.S. economic growth are expected to confirm gross domestic product likely remained unchanged at 2.7% in the fourth quarter. ET, Dow e-minis were up 145 points, or 0.44%, S&P 500 e-minis were up 15.75 points, or 0.39%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were up 32.5 points, or 0.25%. Reporting by Amruta Khandekar; Editing by Anil D'SilvaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Larger peers Bank of America (BAC.N), Goldman Sachs (GS.N) and JPMorgan Chase & Co (JPM.N) rose between 0.7% and 1%. "Markets are calmer as the tension of the banking situation is lessening. The CBOE volatility index (.VIX), known as Wall Street's fear gauge, fell to its lowest since March 9, reflecting easing investor anxiety. ET, Dow e-minis were up 216 points, or 0.66%, S&P 500 e-minis were up 32.5 points, or 0.81%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were up 114.25 points, or 0.9%. Reporting by Amruta Khandekar; Editing by Dhanya Ann Thoppil and Vinay DwivediOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Larger peers Bank of America (BAC.N), Goldman Sachs (GS.N) and JPMorgan Chase & Co (JPM.N) rose between 0.7% and 1.6% in premarket trade. "Markets are calmer as the tension of the banking situation is lessening. A key inflation reading expected at the end of the week will provide more clues on the Fed's monetary tightening plans. ET, Dow e-minis were up 244 points, or 0.75%, S&P 500 e-minis were up 35.25 points, or 0.88%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were up 109.25 points, or 0.86%. Reporting by Amruta Khandekar; Editing by Dhanya Ann Thoppil and Vinay DwivediOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

SummarySummary Companies Futures down: Dow 0.10%, S&P 0.17%, Nasdaq 0.22%March 28 (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures slipped on Tuesday as Treasury yields rose amid easing worries about a banking crisis following First Citizens BancShares' U.S. regulator-backed deal for failed Silicon Valley Bank. Shares of First Citizens BancShares Inc (FCNCA.O) fell 1% in premarket trading after surging more than 50% on Monday following its deal to acquire the deposits and loans of failed Silicon Valley Bank. Regional banks also rose, led by First Republic Bank's (FRC.N) 2.2% gain after a 12% rally on Monday. Later in the day, Fed Vice Chair for Supervision Michael Barr will testify before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs on "bank oversight" in the first of several hearings on the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank. ET, Dow e-minis were down 31 points, or 0.1%, S&P 500 e-minis were down 6.75 points, or 0.17%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were down 27.75 points, or 0.22%.

☆ Stocks gain, US treasury yields rise as banking fear eases
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-28 | by ( Xie Yu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) edged up 0.3% by early morning Hong Kong time. U.S. Treasury yields rose on optimism that stress in the banking sector could be contained and as the Treasury Department saw soft demand for a sale of two-year notes. Benchmark 10-year yields rose to 3.5317%, up from its U.S. close of 3.528% on Monday. Two-year yields rose to 3.957%, up from a six-month low of 3.555% on Friday but below the almost 16-year high of 5.084% hit on March 8. By Tuesday morning Hong Kong time, Brent crude futures and West Texas Intermediate U.S. crude were both hovering around Monday’s closing levels.

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