The S&P 500 futures are up 11 points and are trading 0.3% above fair value. The Nasdaq 100 futures are up 33 points and are trading 0.3% above fair value. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures are up 78 points and are trading 0.2% above fair value.
The market has finished lower in eight of the last nine sessions, so equity futures are modestly higher now with an expectation that the market is due for a bounce.
Hong Kong could relax masking and COVID testing rules, according to Bloomberg.
Treasury yields are inching higher. The 2-yr note yield is up three basis points to 4.27% and the 10-yr note yield is up four basis points to 3.46%.
The U.S. Dollar Index is flat at 105.13.
Energy complex futures are moving up this morning. WTI crude oil futures are up 2.5% to $73.85/bbl and natural gas futures are up 1.7% to $5.82/mmbtu.
The initial and continuing jobless claims report is due at 8:30 a.m. ET today, although market participants understandably remain preoccupied with the November Producer Price Index tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. ET.
In corporate news:
Exxon Mobil (XOM 102.27, +1.62, +1.6%): provides corporate plan update; expects to double earnings and cash flow potential by 2027, share repurchase program expanded up to $50 bln through 2024
Hershey Foods (HSY 240.89, +4.20, +1.8%): upgraded to Buy from Neutral at UBS
Salesforce (CRM 129.38, -1.10, -0.8%): Robert W. Baird downgraded to Neutral from Outperform
GameStop (GME 22.20, -0.06, -0.3%): misses by $0.03, misses on revs
New York Times (NYT 34.83, +0.32, +0.9%): 1000 employees will strike today, according to Bloomberg
Verint Systems (VRNT 36.47, -0.91, -2.4%): beats by $0.08, misses on revs; guides FY23 EPS in-line, revs below consensus; also announces new $200 million share buyback program
Greif (GEF 66.10, -4.17, -5.9%): misses by $0.11, misses on revs
Ciena (CIEN 50.60, +7.36, +17.0%): beats by $0.54, beats on revs
Tesla (TSLA 170.80, -3.24, -1.9%): Elon Musk's bankers could provide him with new margin loans supported by Tesla stock, according to Bloomberg
Unilever (UL 50.58, -0.24, -0.5%): mulling sale of US ice cream brands for $3 bln, according to Bloomberg
Reviewing overnight developments:
Equity indices in the Asia-Pacific region ended Thursday on a mixed note. Japan's Nikkei: -0.4%, Hong Kong's Hang Seng: +3.4%, China's Shanghai Composite: -0.1%, India's Sensex: +0.3%, South Korea's Kospi: -0.5%, Australia's ASX All Ordinaries: -0.7%.
In economic data:
Japan's Q3 GDP -0.2% qtr/qtr (expected -0.3%; last 1.1%); -0.8% yr/yr (expected -1.1%; last -1.2%). Q3 GDP Capital Expenditure 1.5% qtr/qtr, as expected (last 2.0%). October Current Account deficit JPY610 bln (expected surplus of JPY350 bln; last surplus of JPY670 bln). November Economy Watchers Current Index 48.1 (expected 50.7; last 49.9)
Australia's October trade surplus AUD12.22 bln (expected surplus of AUD12.10 bln; last surplus of AUD12.44 bln). October Imports -1.0% m/m (last 7.0%) and Exports -1.0% (last 0.3%)
In news:
Hong Kong is expected to reduce coronavirus quarantine requirements and may also ease entry restrictions for visitors.
China may ease more rules related to the property sector.
Japan will reportedly look to raise JPY1 trln in new taxes to pay for higher defense spending.
Major European indices trade on a modestly lower note while Spain's IBEX (-0.6%) underperforms with utility companies leading the weakness. STOXX Europe 600: -0.4%, Germany's DAX: -0.2%, U.K.'s FTSE 100: -0.1%, France's CAC 40: -0.2%, Italy's FTSE MIB: -0.3%, Spain's IBEX 35: -0.6%.
In economic data:
U.K.'s November RICS House Price Balance -25% (expected -10%; last -2%)
In news:
The European Commission is preparing its ninth set of sanctions on Russia.
European Central Bank staff is reportedly considering a strike after being offered pay raises below the rate of inflation.
Officials in the Netherlands are reportedly planning to restrict technology exports to China.
U.S. equity futures:
S&P 500 Futures: +12 @ 3,946
DJIA Futures: +70 @ 33,678
Nasdaq 100 Futures: +35 @ 11,430
Overseas:
Europe: DAX -0.2%, FTSE -0.1%, CAC -0.2%
Asia: Nikkei -0.4%, Hang Seng +3.4%, Shanghai Composite -0.1%
Commodities:
Crude Oil +1.74 @ 73.75
Nat Gas +0.102 @ 5.825
Gold -1.20 @ 1796.80
Silver +0.005 @ 22.927
Copper +0.0302 @ 3.8907
Earnings/Guidance:
BuzzFeed ( BZFD ▾ 2.80% ) reaffirms its Q4 revenue and adjusted EBITDA guidance
C3.ai ( AI ▾ 0.08% ) beats by $0.05, beats on revs; guides JanQ revs below consensus; reaffirms FY23 revs guidance
Chevron ( CVX ▴ 0.30% ) announces 2023 CapEx budgets of $14 bln for consolidated subsidiaries and $3 bln for equity affiliates, which total near the high end of prior guidance
Ciena ( CIEN ▾ 2.46% ) beats by $0.54, beats on revs
GameStop ( GME ▾ 4.83% ) misses by $0.03, misses on revs
General Electric ( GE ▾ 0.33% ) healthcare unit provides medium term financial targets ahead of investor day
GMS ( GMS ▴ 3.13% ) beats by $0.45, beats on revs
Gran Tierra Energy ( GTE ▾ 1.89% ) announces 2023 guidance; expects production of 32,000-34,000 BOPD, an 8% increase yr/yr
Greif ( GEF ▴ 0.01% ) misses by $0.11, misses on revs
HashiCorp ( HCP ▴ 4.91% ) beats by $0.18, beats on revs; guides Q4 EPS above consensus, revs above consensus
Hello Group ( MOMO ▾ 8.54% ) beats by RMB0.52, beats on revs; guides Q4 revs in-line
Kinder Morgan ( KMI ▾ 0.33% ) provides preliminary FY23 financial projections; guides EPS slightly below consensus
Korn/Ferry ( KFY ▾ 1.48% ) beats by $0.02, beats on revs; guides Q3 EPS below consensus
Oxford Industries ( OXM ▾ 0.31% ) beats by $0.24, beats on revs; guides Q4 EPS in-line, revs in-line
Sportsman's Warehouse ( SPWH ▴ 2.59% ) beats by $0.05, reports revs in-line, comps of -15%; guides Q4 EPS below consensus, revs below consensus, comps down 9-13%
The Duckhorn Portfolio ( NAPA ▾ 1.06% ) beats by $0.03, beats on revs; reaffirms FY23 EPS guidance, revs guidance
Verint Systems ( VRNT ▾ 0.13% ) beats by $0.08, misses on revs; guides FY23 EPS in-line, revs below consensus; also announces new $200 million share buyback program
News:
Chinese President Xi will meet with leaders of Saudi Arabia today, according to the Wall Street Journal
Hong Kong could relax masking and testing rules, according to Bloomberg
Macau eases COVID-19 testing requirements, according to Reuters
Federal officials are investigating if FTX's founder Sam Bankman-Fried manipulated the cryptocurrency market, according to the New York Times
Senate supporters of marijuana banking reform legislation will try one more time to get bill passed, but chances of passage remain low, according to Bloomberg
Mask mandates could return to some larger cities in US, but most of the country will not mask mandates due to public opposition, according to The Washington Post
Actinium Pharmaceuticals ( ATNM ▴ 2.53% ) Announces Research Collaboration with Columbia University to Study Actimab-A in AML Patients Following Transplant of Engineered Hematopoietic Stem Cells Gene Edited to be CD33 Negative
Akero Therapeutics ( AKRO ▴ 1.49% ) announces that efruxifermin has received a Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
Alpha and Omega Semi ( AOSL ▾ 0.25% ) announces leadership transition; Dr. Mike Chang to transition to Executive Chairman and Stephen Chang to become CEO
Alphabet ( GOOG ▾ 2.22% ), Oracle (ORCL), AWS (AMZN), and Microsoft (MSFT) awarded hybrid Washington Headquarters Services contract with a ceiling of $9.0 bln; estimated completion date is June 2028
ArcelorMittal ( MT ▾ 0.64% ) inaugurates flagship carbon capture and utilisation project at its steel plant in Ghent, Belgium
Argonaut Gold ( EWC ▾ 0.09% ) announces that Larry Radford will step down as President and CEO effective immediately for personal health reasons
BioNTech ( BNTX ▴ 0.62% ) updates share buyback program
Bioventus ( BVS ▴ 0.91% ) announces restructuring to improve profitability; expects to incur $4-5 mln of pre-tax costs and result in $9-10 mln in annualized savings; expects to complete restructuring by the end of 2023
BlackLine ( BL ▴ 2.31% ) is planning to reduce its global workforce by approximately 5%, or approximately 95 total positions
Cano Health ( CANO ▾ 2.84% ): Third Point sells stake in Cano Health, according to Bloomberg
CarGurus ( CARG ▾ 1.89% ) announces $250 mln repurchase program
Carrier Global ( CARR ▴ 0.14% ) increases quarterly dividend by 23% to $0.185/share
CME Group ( CME ▾ 2.16% ) announces annual variable dividend of $4.50/share
Coca-Cola Consolidated ( COKE ▴ 1.86% ) doubles regular quarterly dividend to $0.50/sh from $0.25/sh; co also declares a special cash dividend of $3.00/sh
Criteo ( CRTO ▾ 1.71% ) announces the extension of its share repurchase authorization from $280-480 mln
CubeSmart ( CUBE ▴ 0.65% ) increases quarterly dividend 14% to $0.49/share from $0.43/share
Custom Truck One Source ( CTOS ▾ 0.44% ) promotes Ryan McMonagle to CEO, effective when current CEO Fred Ross retires on March 20, 2023
Denison Mines ( DNN ▴ 1.85% ) announces highly successful results from long-term core leach metallurgical testing completed to further support the Feasibility Study underway for the Phoenix In-Situ Recovery ("ISR") uranium mining operation
Descartes ( DSGX ▴ 0.72% ) beats by $0.04, misses on revs
Design Therapeutics ( DSGN ▾ 6.00% ) Reports Positive Data from Single-Ascending Dose Trial of DT-216 for the Treatment of Friedreich Ataxia and Portfolio Progress
Exxon Mobil ( XOM ▾ 0.22% ) provides corporate plan update; expects to double earnings and cash flow potential by 2027, share repurchase program expanded up to $50 bln through 2024
G1 Therapeutics ( GTHX ▴ 0.63% ) reports Initial Results from Phase 2 Mechanism of Action Trial in Early-Stage Triple Negative Breast Cancer Show that a Single Dose of Trilaciclib Favorably Alters the Tumor Microenvironment
Genuine Parts ( GPC ▴ 0.11% ) appoints William Stengel to expanded role as President and COO, effective January 1, 2023
Google ( GOOG ▾ 2.22% ) aiming to combine teams working on maps and Waze, according to the Wall Street Journal
Google ( GOOG ▾ 2.22% ): The Biden administration will side against Google in social media lawsuit, according to Bloomberg
Immunocore ( IMCR ▴ 7.45% ) presents ovarian cancer expansion data for ImmTAC candidate IMC-C103C targeting MAGE-A4
Instil Bio ( TIL ▴ 7.96% ) announced a reprioritization of its clinical programs to focus on development of its CoStAR-TIL product candidates; Reducing U.S. headcount by approximately 60%
Kronos Bio ( KRON ▴ 4.19% ) Announces Selection of Recommended Phase 2 Dose for its Oral CDK9 Inhibitor, KB-0742, After Reaching Target Engagement Goal with Acceptable Safety Profile in Ongoing Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial
Landstar System ( LSTR ▾ 0.83% ) increases stock repurchase authorization to 3.0 mln shares of common stock; also declares one-time special cash dividend of $2.00/share
New York Times ( NYT ▾ 0.09% ): 1000 NY Times employees will strike today, according to Bloomberg
NGM Bio ( NGM ▴ 1.27% ) Presents Preliminary Data from Phase 1 Monotherapy Dose Escalation Trial of NGM707 in Patients with Advanced or Metastatic Solid Tumors at 2022 ESMO-IO Annual Meeting
Nordstrom ( JWN ▾ 3.64% ) appoints Michael Maher, its Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer, as interim CFO, effective December 5, 2022; also commences internal and external search for permanent CFO
Novartis AG ( NVS ▴ 1.09% ) reports investigational iptacopan provides clinically meaningful increases in hemoglobin levels in complement-inhibitor-nave patients with PNH
PBF Energy ( PBF ▾ 2.08% ) announces appointment of Karen Davis as interim CFO, effective January 1, 2023
PDC Energy ( PDCE ▾ 0.79% ) declares special dividend of $0.65/share
Puma Biotechnology ( PBYI ▾ 3.94% ) Presents Updated Findings from the TBCRC-022 Trial at the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium
RAPT Therapeutics ( RAPT ▴ 2.95% ) presents update from its phase 1/2 clinical trial for FLX475 as monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab in patients with advanced cancer
REGENXBIO ( RGNX ▾ 0.49% ) Announces Completion of Dosing in the Phase I/II Trial of RGX-111 for the Treatment of Severe MPS I
Relmada Therapeutics ( RLMD ▾ 0.95% ) Announces Top-line Results from Phase 3 RELIANCE I Trial for REL-1017 as an Adjunctive Treatment for Major Depressive Disorder
Revolution Medicines ( RVMD ▾ 1.43% ) to Regain Global Rights to RMC-4630 following Sanofi's Termination of SHP2 Inhibitor Development and Commercialization Collaboration
SPX Corp ( SPXC ▴ 0.27% ) appoints Mark Carano as CFO, effective Jan 3, 2023
Takeda Pharma ( TAK ▴ 0.89% ): QDENGA (Dengue tetravalent vaccine) approved for use in European Union
Tesla ( TSLA ▾ 3.21% ): Elon Musk's bankers could provide him with new margin loans supported by Tesla stock, according to Bloomberg
The Duckhorn Portfolio ( NAPA ▾ 1.06% ) CFO Lori Beaudoin intends to retire in the spring of 2023
Vertex Pharma ( VRTX ▴ 1.85% ) and Entrada Therapeutics (TRDA) announced a global collaboration focused on discovering and developing intracellular Endosomal Escape Vehicle therapeutics for myotonic dystrophy type 1
Walgreens Boots Alliance ( WBA ▴ 0.15% ) launches free paxlovid delivery services with DoorDash (DASH) and Uber (UBER)
Wal Mart ( WMT ▾ 0.52% ) might close stores and raise prices in US localities with soft crime laws if surge in retail theft continues, according to the New York Post
Williams Cos ( WMB ▴ 0.96% ) executes agreements with Coterra (CTRA) and Dominion Energy (D) for delivery of full-value chain certified low emission next gen gas
M&A:
First Majestic Silver ( AG ▴ 4.50% ) to sell its 100% owned past producing La Parrilla Silver Mine located in the state of Durango, Mexico for total consideration of up to US$33.5 MLN
IBM ( IBM ▾ 0.16% ) announces agreement to acquire Octo, an IT modernization and digital transformation services provider for the U.S. government; terms of deal not disclosed
Unilever ( UL ▾ 0.68% ) mulling sale of US ice cream brands for $3 bln, according to Bloomberg
Wolverine ( WWW ▾ 1.55% ) to divest or license the Keds brand and Wolverine Leathers business, plans to reduce debt; QTD revs is in-line with expectations
Syndicate:
Chart Industries ( GTLS ▴ 0.63% ) commences concurrent offerings of $600 mln of common stock and $300 million of depositary shares of Series B Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock
Chefs' Warehouse ( CHEF ▾ 1.66% ) intends to offer $250 mln of convertible senior notes due 2028
Cutera ( CUTR ▾ 0.74% ) intends to offer $100 mln of convertible senior notes due 2029
NextEra Energy Partners ( NEP ▴ 1.20% ) announces offering of $500 mln of convertible senior notes due 2026
Prometheus Biosciences ( RXDX ▴ 165.67% ) intends to offer $250 million of shares of its common stock in an underwritten public offering
Replimune ( REPL ▴ 22.23% ) announces proposed public offering of $125 million of shares of its common stock
IPOs:
Expect to Price:
No IPOs expected.
Gapping Up/Down
Gapping up:
MOMO +21%, RXDX +7.9%, HCP +6.2%, GMS +5%, BZFD +4.8%, OXM +4.2%, NAPA +3.6%, SFM +3.2%, GTHX +3.1%, KMI +2.8%, PBYI +2.4%, MT +2%, PBF +0.9%, GME +0.9%, ORCL +0.8%, GPC +0.8%, AMZN +0.6%, LSTR +0.6%, KRON +0.6%
Gapping down:
RLMD -39.9%, DSGN -27%, CUTR -10%, CHEF -7.4%, SPWH -6%, GEF -5.4%, GTE -4.8%, REPL -3.6%, NEP -3.4%, UNIT -3%, VRNT -2.4%, SNY -2.2%, BVS -1.8%, AI -0.8%, RVMD -0.6%
Analyst Research (see Upgrades/Downgrades calendar for full list):
Upgrades
Apartment Income REIT Corp. (AIRC) upgraded to Buy from Sell at Goldman; tgt raised to $43
Downgrades:
AppLovin (APP) downgraded to Neutral from Buy at BTIG Research
AvalonBay (AVB) downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Goldman; tgt lowered to $187
Others:
Altice USA (ATUS) resumed with an Underperform at BofA Securities; tgt $3.50
Bank of America (BAC) initiated with a Neutral at Piper Sandler; tgt $36
Boeing (BA) assumed with a Buy at Citigroup; tgt raised to $222
Upcoming Events:
Econ Data:
08:30 ET: Initial Claims for Dec 3 (Briefing.com Consensus 220K; Prior 225K)
08:30 ET: Continuing Claims for Nov 26 (Briefing.com Consensus NA; Prior 1608K)
10:30 ET: EIA Natural Gas Inventories for Dec 3 (Briefing.com Consensus NA; Prior -81 bcf)
Earnings:
Monday (Dec 5)
Morning: SAIC
Afternoon: GTLB SUMO
Tuesday (Dec 6)
Morning: AZO CONN BASE SIG
Afternoon: AVAV CASY PLAY GWRE MDB S SWBI CXM SFIX TOL ZUO
Wednesday (Dec 7)
Morning: ASO BF.B CPB LOVE OLLI THO UNFI
Afternoon: AI DSGX GME GEF HCP OXM SPWH VRNT
Thursday (Dec 8)
Morning: CIEN GMS MOMO KFY MANU
Afternoon: AVGO CHWY COO COST DOCU DOMO LULU PHR RH CURV MTN
Friday (Dec 9)
Morning: LI
Asia & Europe detail:
Asia: Nikkei -0.4%, Hang Seng +3.4%, Shanghai Composite -0.1%
Equity indices in the Asia-Pacific region ended Thursday on a mixed note. Hong Kong is expected to reduce coronavirus quarantine requirements and may also ease entry restrictions for visitors. China may ease more rules related to the property sector. Japan will reportedly look to raise JPY1 trln in new taxes to pay for higher defense spending.
In economic data:
Japan's Q3 GDP -0.2% qtr/qtr (expected -0.3%; last 1.1%); -0.8% yr/yr (expected -1.1%; last -1.2%). Q3 GDP Capital Expenditure 1.5% qtr/qtr, as expected (last 2.0%). October Current Account deficit JPY610 bln (expected surplus of JPY350 bln; last surplus of JPY670 bln). November Economy Watchers Current Index 48.1 (expected 50.7; last 49.9)
Australia's October trade surplus AUD12.22 bln (expected surplus of AUD12.10 bln; last surplus of AUD12.44 bln). October Imports -1.0% m/m (last 7.0%) and Exports -1.0% (last 0.3%)
---Equity Markets---
Japan's Nikkei: -0.4%
Hong Kong's Hang Seng: +3.4%
China's Shanghai Composite: -0.1%
India's Sensex: +0.3%
South Korea's Kospi: -0.5%
Australia's ASX All Ordinaries: -0.7%
---FX---
USD/JPY: +0.1% to 136.77
USD/CNH: +0.2% to 6.9737
USD/INR: +0.2% to 82.37
Europe: DAX -0.2%, FTSE -0.1%, CAC -0.2%
Major European indices trade on a modestly lower note while Spain's IBEX (-0.6%) underperforms with utility companies leading the weakness. The European Commission is preparing its ninth set of sanctions on Russia. European Central Bank staff is reportedly considering a strike after being offered pay raises below the rate of inflation. Officials in the Netherlands are reportedly planning to restrict technology exports to China.
In economic data:
U.K.'s November RICS House Price Balance -25% (expected -10%; last -2%)
---Equity Markets---
STOXX Europe 600: -0.4%
Germany's DAX: -0.2%
U.K.'s FTSE 100: -0.1%
France's CAC 40: -0.2%
Italy's FTSE MIB: -0.3%
Spain's IBEX 35: -0.6%
---FX---
EUR/USD: +0.1% to 1.0516
GBP/USD: -0.2% to 1.2174
USD/CHF: +0.1% to 0.9409