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Writer's pictureSimon Charles Hooper

20/10/21 Briefing

Updated: Oct 21, 2021

The S&P 500 futures trade six points, or 0.1%, above fair value as the market takes a breather following a five-session winning streak in the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite. Earnings reports and other corporate news are in the spotlight this morning.

Verizon (VZ 52.76, +0.41, +0.8%), Abbott Labs (ABT 122.80, +3.46, +2.9%), and United Airlines (UAL 47.01, +0.79, +1.7%) are some notable stocks trading higher following their earnings reports and/or guidance, while Netflix (NFLX 624.50, -14.50, -2.3%) trades lower after providing mixed Q4 guidance.

Interestingly, Facebook (FB 341.12, +1.13, +0.3%) could change its name next week to better reflect its work in the metaverse, according to The Verge. Novavax (NVAX 118.00, -42.55, -26.5%) shares, meanwhile, have plunged 26.5% on news that it's running into production issues for its COVID-19 vaccine.

Separately, the reconciliation bill in Congress continues to be slimmed down, this time by removing free community college and only extending the child tax credit by one year, according to CNN. Reportedly, the bill is looking closer to $1.75-$1.9 trillion, versus $3.5 trillion initially.

Earlier, the weekly MBA Mortgage Applications Index fell 6.3% following a 0.2% increase in the prior week. Later, the Fed's Beige Book for October will be released at 2:00 p.m. ET.

U.S. Treasuries trade little changed like the equity futures market. The 2-yr yield is flat at 0.39%, and the 10-yr yield is flat at 1.64%. The U.S. Dollar Index is up 0.1% to 93.82. WTI crude futures are down 1.1%, or $0.87, to $81.57/bbl.

In U.S. Corporate news:

  • Netflix (NFLX 624.50, -14.50): -2.3% despite beating global net subscriber estimates and guiding Q4 revenue above estimates. Q4 EPS guidance was below consensus, though. On a related note, NFLX was downgraded to Hold from Buy at Deutsche Bank.

  • Verizon (VZ 52.76, +0.41): +0.8% after beating EPS estimates on below-consensus revenue. The company also raised its FY21 EPS above consensus.

  • Abbott Labs (ABT 122.80, +3.46): +2.9% after beating top and bottom-line estimates and guiding FY21 EPS above consensus.

  • United Airlines (UAL 47.01, +0.79): +1.7% after beating top and bottom-line estimates.

  • Novavax (NVAX 118.00, -42.55): -26.5% amid news that it's running into production issues for its COVID-19 vaccine.

  • Facebook (FB 341.12, +1.13): -0.3% amid a report from The Verge indicating that the company could change its name next week to better reflect its work in the metaverse.

Reviewing overnight developments:

  • Equity indices in the Asia-Pacific region ended Wednesday on a mixed note. Japan's Nikkei: +0.1% Hong Kong's Hang Seng: +1.4% China's Shanghai Composite: -0.2% India's Sensex: -0.7% South Korea's Kospi: -0.5% Australia's ASX All Ordinaries: +0.5%.

    • In economic data:

      • China's September House Prices 3.8% yr/yr (last 4.2%) o Japan's September trade deficit JPY622.80 bln (expected deficit of JPY519.20 bln; last deficit of JPY637.20 bln). September Imports 38.6% yr/yr (expected 34.4%; last 44.7%) and Exports 13.0% yr/yr (expected 11.0%; last 26.2%)

      • Australia's September MI Leading Index 0.0% m/m (last -0.3%)


  • In news:

    • Reports from China suggest that a likelihood of another reserve requirement ratio cut has decreased due to high producer inflation. However, China's vice commerce minister said that measures to increase consumption will be implemented.

    • The People's Bank of China made no changes to its one-year and five-year loan prime rates for the 18th consecutive month.

    • Chinese property developer Sinic defaulted on a $250 mln dollar-denominated note that was due on Monday.



  • Major European indices trade near their flat lines while Italy's MIB (+0.5%) outperforms. STOXX Europe 600: +0.2% Germany's DAX: +0.1% U.K.'s FTSE 100: +0.1% France's CAC 40: UNCH Italy's FTSE MIB: +0.5% Spain's IBEX 35: +0.4%.

    • In economic data:

      • Eurozone's September CPI 0.5% m/m, as expected (last 0.4%); 3.4% yr/yr, as expected (last 3.0%). September Core CPI 0.5% m/m, as expected (last 0.4%); 1.9% yr/yr, as expected (last 1.6%). August Current Account surplus EUR13.40 bln (last surplus of EUR21.60 bln)

      • Germany's September PPI 2.3% m/m (expected 1.0%; last 1.5%); 14.2% yr/yr (expected 12.7%; last 12.0%)

      • U.K.'s September CPI 0.3% m/m (expected 0.4%; last 0.7%); 3.1% yr/yr (expected 3.2%; last 3.2%). September Core CPI 0.4% m/m (expected 0.5%; last 0.7%); 2.9% yr/yr (expected 3.0%; last 3.1%). September Input PPI 0.4% m/m (expected 1.0%; last 0.5%) and September Output PPI 0.5% m/m, as expected (last 0.7%)


  • In news:

    • The Italian government will lower income taxes in 2022, increasing its growth forecast to 4.7% from 4.2%.

    • The British government will reportedly lower the tax surcharge on bank profits by 60% and it also plans to ban sales of new gasoline-powered vehicles in 2030.

    • Bundesbank President Weidmann will resign from his post at the end of the year.





U.S. equity futures:

  • S&P 500 Futures: -3 @ 4,517

  • DJIA Futures: -30 @ 35,444

  • Nasdaq 100 Futures: -5 @ 15,406

Overseas:

  • Europe: DAX +0.1%, FTSE +0.1%, CAC UNCH

  • Asia: Nikkei +0.1%, Hang Seng -0.2%, Shanghai -0.2%

Commodities:

  • Crude Oil -0.86 @ 81.58

  • Nat Gas -0.079 @ 5.009

  • Gold +9.25 @ 1779.75

  • Silver +0.055 @ 23.938

  • Copper -0.0662 @ 4.7695

U.S. Summary:

  • Earnings/Guidance (Full Earnings Calendar):

    • Abbott Labs (ABT) beats by $0.46, beats on revs; guides FY21 EPS above consensus

    • Anthem (ANTM) beats by $0.42, reports revs in-line; guides FY21 EPS above consensus

    • ASML (ASML) beats by 0.30, misses on revs; guides Q4 revs below consensus

    • Baker Hughes (BKR) misses by $0.05, beats on revs

    • Biogen (BIIB) beats by $0.68, beats on revs; raises FY21 EPS, revs guidance

    • Brinker (EAT) issues downside SepQ earnings and revenue guidance ahead of Investor Day tomorrow due to the COVID surge that started in August

    • Canadian Nat'l Rail (CNI) beats by $0.10, beats on revs; guides FY21 EPS above consensus; CEO to retire

    • Canadian Pacific (CP) misses by $0.06, misses on revs

    • Citizens Financial Group (CFG) beats by $0.07

    • Comerica (CMA) beats by $0.26

    • Digital Media Solutions (DMS) lowers revenue guidance for Q3 and FY21

    • FirstCash (FCFS) beats by $0.03, misses on revs

    • First Horizon (FHN) beats by $0.09

    • Fulton Fincl (FULT) beats by $0.13, beats on revs; guides FY21 revs in-line

    • Gray Television (GTN) sees Q3 revs above consensus

    • Hancock Whitney (HWC) beats by $0.19, beats on revs

    • Healthcare Services Group (HCSG) misses by $0.14, beats on revs

    • Interactive Brokers (IBKR) beats by $0.02, misses on revs

    • Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) lowers top end of procedure growth slightly

    • Largo Resources (LGO) provides Q3 operations update; lowers production and sales guidance

    • Lithia Motors (LAD) beats by $1.93, beats on revs

    • M&T Bank (MTB) reports Q3 (Sep) results

    • Magna (MGA) lowers FY21 sales guidance again citing declines in light vehicle production

    • MarketAxess (MKTX) beats by $0.08, reports revs in-line

    • Marten Transport (MRTN) beats by $0.01, beats on revs

    • MSC Industrial (MSM) misses by $0.02, reports revs in-line

    • NASDAQ (NDAQ) beats by $0.05, reports revs in-line

    • National Bank (NBHC) beats by $0.02, net interest income increased 5.8%

    • Nestle (NSRGY) reports 9-month results; organic growth up 7.6% yr/yr

    • Netflix (NFLX) reports Q3 results, revs in-line, beats on global net adds; guides Q4 EPS below consensus, revs above consensus; expects a more normalized content slate in 2022

    • NextEra Energy (NEE) beats by $0.04, misses on revs; guides FY21 EPS in-line; guides FY22 EPS in-line

    • NextEra Energy Partners (NEP) reports Q3 (Sep) results, misses on revs

    • Northern Trust (NTRS) beats by $0.14, beats on revs

    • Omnicom (OMC) beats by $0.28, reports revs in-line

    • Option Care Health (OPCH) reports preliminary Q3 results

    • Palomar Holdings (PLMR) estimates catastrophe losses of $14.5-15.5 mln for Q3

    • Roche Hldg (RHHBY) reports 9-month trading update; raises outlook

    • Stepan Company (SCL) reports Q3 (Sep) results

    • United Airlines (UAL) beats by $0.66, beats on revs

    • United Comm Banks (UCBI) beats by $0.17

    • Vale S.A. (VALE) provides Q3 operational update

    • Verizon (VZ) beats by $0.05, misses on revs; raises FY21 EPS above consensus

    • Watsco (WSO) beats by $0.07, misses on revs

    • WD-40 (WDFC) misses by $0.63, misses on revs; guides FY22 EPS below two analyst estimate, revs above two analyst estimate

    • Winnebago (WGO) beats by $0.52, beats on revs

    • Wintrust Fin (WTFC) beats by $0.26, net interest margin down 4 bps qtr/qtr


  • General News:

    • UK wants "urgent" return of COVID-19 restrictions, according to CNBC

    • Democrats are aiming to reach compromise on reconciliation bill by end of this week. President Biden expects final price will be $1.75-2.0 trillion. Democrats are trying to find other climate initiatives to fund since clean electricity program was removed, according to the New York Times

    • Free community college will get removed from budget reconciliation bill and child tax credit will only be extended for another year, according to CNN

    • NYC will require COVID-19 vaccines for all city workers, according to the Wall Street Journal

    • Activision (ATVI) fires 20 employees over harassment allegations, according to Financial Times

    • Aerie Pharma (AERI) discloses departure of Interim CFO Christopher Staten, effective October 29

    • Akero Therapeutics (AKRO) receives FDA Fast Track designation for its non-alcoholic steatohepatitis treatment, efruxifermin

    • Allison Transmission (ALSN) announces partnership with Zhongtong Bus to provide city buses in Armenia

    • Apple (AAPL) could have 9-10 mln iPad Pro and MacBook Pro shipments this year, according to Digitimes

    • BeyondSpring Pharmaceuticals (BYSI) Announces New Patient-Derived Cancer Model Data for Plinabulin Monotherpy at the AACR-NCI-EORTC Virtual International Conference to Further Support the Positive Clinical Data Already Reported for the Treatment of Small Cell Lung Cancer

    • Boeing (BA) space capsule could be delayed further, according to the New York Times

    • Canadian Nat'l Rail (CNI) Board approves dividend increase to C$0.6150/sh from C$0.4825/sh

    • Cellectis (CLLS) Presents Initial Preclinical Data on Two Novel Gene Therapies for Patients with RAG1 Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) and Hyper IgE syndrome at ESGCT 2021

    • Compass Minerals (CMP) announces successful conversion testing of sustainable lithium brine resource to battery-grade lithium hydroxide

    • Credit Suisse (CS) announces settlements for legacy issues with regards to Mozambique and resolves the case on past observation activities

    • CytoSorbents (CTSO) comments on REMOVE study presentation

    • Express (EXPR) CFO Perry Pericleous leaving the company to pursue another opportunity, effective November 12, 2021

    • Facebook (FB) could change company name next week, according to Verge

    • HEXO (HEXO) announce Scott Cooper as HEXO's new President & CEO, effective immediately

    • Intellia Therapeutics (NTLA) announces new data supporting novel capabilities of its CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing platform

    • LumiraDx (LMDX) receives approval for its COVID-19 Antigen Test for use in India

    • Matador Resources Company (MTDR) provides operational update; Matador's portion of San Mateo's capital expenditures was approximately $15 million for the third quarter of 2021

    • Micron (MU) announces over $150 bln in global manufacturing and R&D investments to address 2030 era memory demand

    • Microsoft (MSFT) Xbox Game Pass subs were lower than expected, according to Axios

    • MiX Telematics (MIXT) announces that a major logistics company has recently extended its contract with MiX Telematics in Australasia

    • Novavax (NVAX) is running into issues with production for COVID-19 vaccine, according to Politico

    • Qiagen (QGEN) launches QIAreach QuantiFERON-TB test for tuberculosis infection for high-burden regions

    • Rio Tinto (RIO) provides outline to strengthen the business and improve performance

    • Rocket Lab USA (RKLB) to attempt controlled ocean splashdown and recovery of Electron rocket during November launch

    • Rocket Pharmaceuticals (RCKT) Announces Positive Clinical Data from RP-L201 Trial for the Treatment of LAD-I at the 28th Annual Congress of the European Society of Gene & Cell Therapy

    • Sesen Bio (SESN) discloses scheduling of CMC Type A Meeting with the FDA for Vicineum BLA

    • Southwest (LUV) ends plan to put unvaccinated workers on unpaid leave; they will be allowed to work, according to CNBC

    • SpringWorks Therapeutics (SWTX) to collaborate with ab magnitude on target identification and discovery of next-generation targeted oncology therapeutics

    • Stride (LRN) misses by $0.08, beats on revs; guides DecQ revs above consensus; guides FY22 revs above consensus

    • Tilray (TLRY) signs national brokerage agreement with Great North Distributors

    • Union Pacific (UNP) will run its California facility 24/7 to ease supply chain bottlenecks, according to Newsweek

    • Valaris (VAL) awarded contract with Petrobras (PBR) offshore Brazil

    • Vinco Ventures (BBIG) discloses leadership changes; announces resignations of CEO & Chairman Christopher Ferguson and CFO Brett Vroman


  • M&A:

    • A.O. Smith (AOS) acquires Giant Factories, Inc for approx $192 mln in cash

    • Core & Main (CNM) to acquire substantially all of the assets of Catalone Pipe & Supply Co; financials not disclosed

    • Littelfuse (LFUS) to acquire Carling Technologies for $315 million in cash


  • Syndicate:

    • Option Care Health (OPCH) announces $500 mln senior note offering, intention to amend and restate firs lien loan B facility

    • Penn Natl Gaming (PENN) files for 768,441 share common stock offering; relates to acquisition of Score Media and Gaming

    • Quipt Home Medical (QIPT) files for $200 mln mixed securities shelf offering


  • IPOs:

    • Expected to Price:

      • Aris Water Solutions (NYSE: ARIS): The environmental infrastructure and solutions company that helps customers reduce their water and carbon footprints is expected to price its 17.7 M share IPO between $16-18.

      • Enfusion (NYSE: ENFN): The SaaS provider focused on transforming the investment management industry is expected to price its 18.8 M share IPO between $15-$17.

      • P10, Inc. (NYSE: PX): The multi-asset class private market solutions provider in the alternative asset management industry is expected to price its 20.0 M share IPO between $14-$16.

      • Portillo's (Nasdaq: PTLO): The restaurant chain serving iconic Chicago street food through multichannel restaurants is expected to price its 20.3 M share IPO between $17-$20.

      • Runway Growth Finance (Nasdaq: RWAY): The specialty finance company focused on providing senior secured loans to high growth-potential companies is expected to price its 6.9 M share IPO between $14.60-$15.60.

      • The Vita Coco Company (Nasdaq: COCO): The creator of plant-based functional hydration platform, which pioneered packaged coconut water in 2004, is expected to price its 11.5 M share IPO between $18-$21.

      • Ventyx (Nasdaq: VYTX): The clinical-stage biopharmaceutical advancing new therapies for millions of patients living with inflammatory diseases and autoimmune disorders is expected to price its 7.8 M share IPO between $15-$17.


  • Priced to Trade:

    • Stronghold Digital Mining (Nasdaq: SDIG): The vertically integrated crypto asset mining company currently focused on mining Bitcoin priced its 6.7 M share IPO at $19, above the $16-$18 expected price range.



Gapping Up/Down

  • Gapping up:

    • SESN +17.8%, LGO +5%, HWC +4.8%, AKRO +4%, DMS +3.3%, CNI +3.3%, RCKT +3.1%, FULT +2.5%, LRN +2.4%, CLLS +1.9%, UAL +1.9%, RKLB +1.5%, LAD +1%, CMP +0.6%, BRO +0.6%, ANTM +0.6%, MDT +0.5%, UNP +0.5%, WTFC +0.5%


  • Gapping down:

    • BBIG -18.1%, EAT -12.6%, WDFC -11.5%, AERI -8.1%, ATIP -5.5%, DIN -3.3%, ASML -2.6%, NFLX -2.4%, BLMN -2.2%, RRGB -2.2%, CHUY -2.1%, BJRI -2%, VALE -1.9%, CS -1.8%, UCBI -1.6%, CAKE -1.5%, PLAY -1.4%, OMC -1.3%, TXRH -1.2%, DRI -1%, IBKR -0.9%


Analyst Research (see Upgrades/Downgrades calendar for full list):

  • Upgrades

    • Clearwater Paper (CLW) upgraded to Outperform from Sector Perform at RBC Capital Mkts; tgt raised to $50


  • Downgrades:

    • Apollo Global Management (APO) downgraded to Perform from Outperform at Oppenheimer

    • Array Tech (ARRY) downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Guggenheim

    • Ascendis Pharma (ASND) downgraded to Neutral from Buy at BofA Securities; tgt raised to $169

    • Atea Pharmaceuticals (AVIR) downgraded to Neutral from Overweight at JP Morgan; tgt lowered to $16


  • Others:

    • Allogene (ALLO) initiated with an Outperform at Cowen

    • Cadence Design (CDNS) initiated with a Buy at Needham; tgt $183


Upcoming Events:

  • Econ Data:

    • 07:00 ET: MBA Mortgage Applications Index for Oct 16 (Briefing.com Consensus NA; Prior 0.2%)

    • 10:30 ET: EIA Crude Oil Inventories for Oct 16 (Briefing.com Consensus NA; Prior +6.09M)

    • 14:00 ET: Fed's Beige Book for Oct


  • Earnings

    • Monday (Oct 18)

      • Morning: ACI PHG STT

      • Afternoon: ELS FNB HXL STLD ZION


  • Tuesday (Oct 19)

    • Morning: BK CBSH DOV ERIC FITB FMBI HAL IRDM JNJ KSU MAN ONB PM PG SBNY SI SYF SNV TRV

    • Afternoon: CNI FULT HWC IBKR ISRG MRTN NBHC NFLX OMC LRN UAL UCBI WDFC WTFC


  • Wednesday (Oct 20)

    • Morning: ABT ANTM ASML BKR BIIB BOKF CP CFG CMA FHN FCFS KNX LAD MTB MKTX MSM NDAQ NEE NEP NTRS BPOP VZ WSO WGO

    • Afternoon: CNS CCI CSX CVBF DFS EFX EEFT FR GL GGG IBM KALU KMI LRCX LSTR LVS OMF PPG XM REXR RLI SLM SEIC SLG STL FTI THC TSLA TCBI UFPI UMPQ VMI


  • Thursday (Oct 21)

    • Morning: ABB ALK ALLE ALLY AAL T AN BANC BKU BX GTLS CROX DHR DOW EWBC FAF FCX GATX GPC HRI HOMB IPG IQV KEY LNN MMC NUE NVR PPBI POOL PDS DGX RCI SASR SNA SON LUV TSCO TPH TRN UNP VLO WBS

    • During Market Hours: WABC

    • Afternoon: ASB OZK BJRI SAM CSL CE CMG BOOM FFBC GBCI INTC MAT OLN PBCT PSMT RHI SNAP SIVB VICR WRB WAL WHR WSFS


  • Friday (Oct 22)

    • Morning: AIMC AXP ALV CLF FHB GNTX HCA HON RF ROP SLB STX SMPL VFC



Asia & Europe detail:

Asia: Nikkei +0.1%, Hang Seng -0.2%, Shanghai -0.2%

Equity indices in the Asia-Pacific region ended Wednesday on a mixed note. Reports from China suggest that a likelihood of another reserve requirement ratio cut has decreased due to high producer inflation. However, China's vice commerce minister said that measures to increase consumption will be implemented. The People's Bank of China made no changes to its one-year and five-year loan prime rates for the 18th consecutive month. Chinese property developer Sinic defaulted on a $250 mln dollar-denominated note that was due on Monday.

  • In economic data:

    • China's September House Prices 3.8% yr/yr (last 4.2%) o Japan's September trade deficit JPY622.80 bln (expected deficit of JPY519.20 bln; last deficit of JPY637.20 bln). September Imports 38.6% yr/yr (expected 34.4%; last 44.7%) and Exports 13.0% yr/yr (expected 11.0%; last 26.2%)

    • Australia's September MI Leading Index 0.0% m/m (last -0.3%)


---Equity Markets---

  • Japan's Nikkei: +0.1%

  • Hong Kong's Hang Seng: +1.4%

  • China's Shanghai Composite: -0.2%

  • India's Sensex: -0.7%

  • South Korea's Kospi: -0.5%

  • Australia's ASX All Ordinaries: +0.5%

---FX---

  • USD/JPY: +0.1% to 114.44

  • USD/CNH: +0.3% to 6.3882

  • USD/INR: -0.3% to 74.88


Europe: DAX +0.1%, FTSE +0.1%, CAC UNCH

Major European indices trade near their flat lines while Italy's MIB (+0.5%) outperforms. The Italian government will lower income taxes in 2022, increasing its growth forecast to 4.7% from 4.2%. The British government will reportedly lower the tax surcharge on bank profits by 60% and it also plans to ban sales of new gasoline-powered vehicles in 2030. Bundesbank President Weidmann will resign from his post at the end of the year.

  • In economic data:

    • Eurozone's September CPI 0.5% m/m, as expected (last 0.4%); 3.4% yr/yr, as expected (last 3.0%). September Core CPI 0.5% m/m, as expected (last 0.4%); 1.9% yr/yr, as expected (last 1.6%). August Current Account surplus EUR13.40 bln (last surplus of EUR21.60 bln)

    • Germany's September PPI 2.3% m/m (expected 1.0%; last 1.5%); 14.2% yr/yr (expected 12.7%; last 12.0%)

    • U.K.'s September CPI 0.3% m/m (expected 0.4%; last 0.7%); 3.1% yr/yr (expected 3.2%; last 3.2%). September Core CPI 0.4% m/m (expected 0.5%; last 0.7%); 2.9% yr/yr (expected 3.0%; last 3.1%). September Input PPI 0.4% m/m (expected 1.0%; last 0.5%) and September Output PPI 0.5% m/m, as expected (last 0.7%)


---Equity Markets---

  • STOXX Europe 600: +0.2%

  • Germany's DAX: +0.1%

  • U.K.'s FTSE 100: +0.1%

  • France's CAC 40: UNCH

  • Italy's FTSE MIB: +0.5%

  • Spain's IBEX 35: +0.4%

---FX---

  • EUR/USD: UNCH at 1.1630

  • GBP/USD: -0.3% to 1.3753

  • USD/CHF: +0.1% to 0.9233


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