The stock market is on track for a modestly higher start as futures on the S&P 500 trade 12 points above fair value.
The market faced a volatile start to the week, but the current indication suggests a calmer session today, as the abbreviated week draws toward its close.
Overnight action saw a mixed, but largely flat, showing from Asian equities while European markets hold slim gains.
Reports from Washington suggest that getting Senator Manchin on board with a scaled down spending plan will be difficult and could require the plan to go through the committee process.
The market will receive a few economic reports today with the third estimate of Q3 GDP (Briefing.comconsensus 2.1%; prior 2.1%) and third estimate of Q3 GDP Deflator (Briefing.comconsensus 5.9%; prior 5.9%) set to be released at 8:30 ET, followed by December Consumer Confidence (Briefing.comconsensus 111.5; prior 109.5) and November Existing Home Sales (Briefing.comconsensus 6.50 mln; prior 6.34 mln) at 10:00 ET. Reported earlier, the weekly MBA Mortgage Index fell 0.6% to follow last week's 4.0% decrease.
Treasuries hold slim gains with the 10-yr yield down two basis points at 1.47%. WTI crude is little changed at $71.12/bbl.
In U.S. corporate news:
Carmax (KMX 144.50, +7.51): +5.5% after beating Q3 expectations.
Merck (MRK 76.56, +1.02): +1.4% after announcing that the British government agreed to purchase 1.75 mln courses of Molnupiravir.
CalAmp (CAMP 8.36, -1.53): -15.5% after missing Q3 expectations.
Reviewing overnight developments:
Asian markets ended near their flat lines. Japan's Nikkei +0.2%, Hong Kong's Hang Seng +0.6%, and China's Shanghai Composite -0.1%
In economic data:
Australia's MI Leading Index +0.1% m/m (last +0.3%)
In news:
BOJ minutes from October meeting suggest the bank is likely to keep easy policy until inflation hits 2%
The Bank of Thailand left its policy rate unchanged at 0.50%, as expected, sticking to view that inflation pressures will be temporary
Reuters reports the Chinese government suspended its cooperation agreement with Alibaba's cloud computing group
Major European indices trade near their flat lines. Germany's DAX +0.1%, France's CAC +0.1%, and the U.K.'s FTSE +0.1%
In economic data:
UK's Q3 GDP +1.1% qtr/qtr (expected +1.3%; last +5.4%) and +6.8% yr/yr (expected +6.6%; last +24.6%)
France's November PPI +3.5% m/m (last +2.9%)
Spain's November PPI +33.1% yr/yr (last +31.9%)
In news:
Germany will impose new restrictions after Christmas, including soccer games without fans
ECB Member Schnabel still pointing to expectation that inflation will decline in 2022, although there seems to be some growing differences of opinion at the ECB over the inflation risk
U.S. equity futures:
S&P 500 Futures: +2 @ 4,652
DJIA Futures: +49 @ 35,542
Nasdaq 100 Futures: -2 @ 15,985
Overseas:
Europe: DAX +0.1%, FTSE +0.1%, CAC +0.1%
Asia: Nikkei +0.2%, Hang Seng +0.6%, Shanghai Composite -0.1%
Commodities:
Crude Oil +0.02 @ 71.14
Nat Gas +0.263 @ 3.928
Gold +4.85 @ 1793.55
Silver +0.143 @ 22.672
Copper +0.0322 @ 4.3782
U.S. Summary:
Earnings/Guidance (Full Earnings Calendar):
AAR Corp (AIR) misses by $0.01, misses on revs; announces $150 mln share repurchase program
BlackBerry (BB) beats by $0.07, beats on revs
CalAmp (CAMP) misses by $0.14, misses on revs as global component shortages became more pronounced than expected
CarMax (KMX) beats by $0.09, beats on revs
Kidpik Corp. (PIK) reports Q3 (Oct) results; sales +20%, gross margins down 11 bps
MSC Industrial (MSM) beats by $0.05, beats on revs
Rockley Photonics (RKLY) provides downside revenue guidance for FY21and FY22after deciding to not proceed with its technical sale to its joint venture partner after a US Bureau of Industry and Security action
General News:
Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) told his colleagues that he will keep talking but he has many concerns about Build Back Better Act. Mr. Manchin said he will not quickly support a smaller bill and wants it to go through committee process, which could make prospects for passage difficult, according to CNN
President Biden will hold meeting on supply chain today at 10:30 ET, according to Reuters
Israel will start giving out fourth dose of coronavirus vaccine, according to the New York Times
US Army developed a single COVID-19 vaccine that works against all variants, according to Defense One
AAR Corp (AIR) authorizes renewal of stock repurchase program, permitting repurchase of up to $150 mln of common stock
Alibaba (BABA): China regulator has suspended cyber security deal with Alibaba cloud division, according to Reuters
Allakos (ALLK) announces topline phase 3 data from the ENIGMA 2 study and phase 2/3 data from the KRYPTOS study in patients with Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Diseases
AstraZeneca (AZN) & Oxford begin production on Omicron-targeted vaccine version, according to Financial Times
Becton Dickinson (BDX) announces new distribution and retail partners for BD Veritor at-home COVID-19 test
Biogen (BIIB) and Eisai (ESALY) announce Japan's NDC will continue deliberations on the application of aducanumab for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease
Calavo Growers (CVGW) appoints Brian Kocher as President and Chief Executive Officer of the company effective Feb. 1, 2022
Camden National Corp. (CAC) announces 11% increase in quarterly dividend from last quarter to $0.40/share
Eli Lilly (LLY): Federal health officials could soon pause antibody shipments from Eli Lilly and Regeneron (REGN) in favor of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) due to Omicron variant, according to the New York Times
Gilead Sciences (GILD) announces clinical hold on studies evaluating injectable Lenacapavir for HIV treatment and prevention due to vial quality concerns
IMV (IMV) announces that its Board of Directors has appointed Andrew Hall to the role of Chief Executive Office and Director of the Board, effective January 1, 2022
KKR (KKR) provides update on intra-quarter monetization activity for Q4
Ligand Pharma (LGND) subsidiary announces expansion of collaboration and license agreement with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)
MagnaChip Semi (MX) announces new $75 mln stock repurchase program
Merck (MRK) and Ridgeback announce UK Government to purchase additional 1.75 million courses of Molnupiravir
Mereo (MREO) and UAB Announce Positive Top-line Results from 'COSTA' a Phase 1b/2 Trial of Alvelestat (MPH966) in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19 Respiratory Disease
MSG Entertainment (MSGE) names David F Byrnes CFO, effective January 24
Nevro (NVRO) settles patent lawsuit with Nalu Medical
New Fortress Energy (NFE) executes MOU with Mauritania for "Fast LNG" project
Nexstar (NXST) says WHTM-TV has begun broadcasting with NEXTGEN TV; co plans to convert another 20 markets in 2022
Novartis AG Sandoz (NVS) submits Marketing Authorization Application for proposed biosimilar trastuzumab to EMA
Novavax (NVAX): World Health Organization SAGE gives recommendations for its COVID-19 vaccine
Novavax (NVAX): World Health Organization believes Novavax third shot is necessary for immunocompromised persons, according to Reuters
Novavax (NVAX) announces initiation of PREVENT-19 study of booster doses of NVX-CoV2373
Pfizer (PFE) to provide the United Kingdom an additional 2.5 million treatment courses of investigational oral antiviral candidate to help combat COVID-19
Raytheon Technologies (RTX) awarded $580 mln Navy contract
Repro Med Systems (KRMD) receives FDA 510(k) clearance expanding on-label use of the FREEDOM60 to two additional SCIg drugs, Cutaquig and Xembify
Seritage Growth Properties (SRG) announced that Eric Dinenberg, Executive Vice President of Development and Construction at Seritage, has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer, effective January 1, 2022
Southwest Gas (SWX) announces Delaware Chancery Court denies Carl Icahn motion
Stryker (SYK) awarded $490 mln Defense Logistics Agency contract
Takeda Pharma (TAK) receives CRL from the FDA for NDA for TAK-721 for the treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis
Taysha Gene Therapies (TSHA) announces positive preliminary clinical safety data for first-generation construct in CLN7 disease and completion of next-generation CLN7 construct design
Tesla (TSLA) CEO Elon Musk was interviewed and said he has "sold enough stock" and was critical of California's high taxes, according to Reuters
Thor Industries (THO) authorizes the repurchase of up to $250 mln of its common stock
Walt Disney (DIS) extends Christine McCarthy's contract as Senior Executive Vice President and CFO through June 30, 2024
M&A:
AGCO Corp (AGCO) announces agreement to acquire Appareo Systems; terms of deal not disclosed
Apollo Medical (AMEH) affiliate agrees to acquire Jade Health Care Medical Group; terms not disclosed
Atkore International (ATKR) acquires assets of Four Star Industries, a manufacturer of HDPE conduit; terms of the sale are undisclosed
Envista (NVST) to acquire Carestream Dental's Intra-Oral Scanner business for $600 mln
Meta (FB) aiming to acquire ImagineOptix, according to The Information
Novartis AG (NVS) entered into a definitive agreement to acquire all of the outstanding share capital of Gyroscope Therapeutics
Sempra Energy (SRE) enters into definitive agreement to sell non-controlling 10% interest in Sempra Infrastructure Partners for $1.785 bln
Sony Pictures Networks (SONY) India and Zee Entertainment Enterprises sign definitive agreements to merge
Ternium S.A. (TX) announces $1.0 bln offer to acquire a 28.73% participation in Ternium Mexico S.A. de C.V. that it does not own directly
Syndicate:
AgileThought (AGIL) priced a public offering of 3,560,710 shares of its Class A Common Stock at $7.00/share
Biofrontera (BFRI) files for 5,714,286 share common stock offering by selling shareholder
Hagerty (HGTY) files for 344,871,956 share common stock offering by selling shareholders
PAVmed (PAVM) files for $275 mln mixed securities shelf offering
Petrobras Brasileiro (PBR) files mixed securities shelf offering
IPOs:
Expected to Price:
No IPOs expected to price.
Gapping Up/Down
Gapping up:
KRMD +7.8%, KKR +5.3%, MX +5.1%, KMX +2.9%, THO +1.3%, MRK +1.3%,
Gapping down:
CAMP -15.1%, RKLY -11.6%, BFRI -8.6%, AIR -8.2%, ALLK -7.7%, PAVM -5.2%, PIK -2.2%, SONY -2.1%, NVAX -1.1%,
Analyst Research (see Upgrades/Downgradescalendarfor full list):
Upgrades
BigCommerce (BIGC) upgraded to Outperform from Neutral at Wedbush; tgt $50
Caterpillar (CAT) upgraded to Outperform from Mkt Perform at Bernstein; tgt $240
Darden Restaurants (DRI) upgraded to Buy from Hold at Stifel; tgt $165
EVO Payments (EVOP) upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Northcoast; tgt $29
Global Payments (GPN) upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Northcoast; tgt $160
PACCAR (PCAR) upgraded to Outperform from Mkt Perform at Bernstein; tgt $98
Downgrades:
Adagio Therapeutics (ADGI) downgraded to Hold from Buy at Jefferies; tgt lowered to $10
AGCO Corp (AGCO) downgraded to Mkt Perform from Outperform at Bernstein; tgt lowered to $127
Allakos (ALLK) downgraded to Mkt Perform from Outperform at SVB Leerink; tgt $17
Allakos (ALLK) downgraded to Mkt Perform from Outperform at William Blair
ALX Oncology (ALXO) downgraded to Hold from Buy at Jefferies; tgt lowered to $25
CalAmp (CAMP) downgraded to Hold from Buy at Craig Hallum; tgt lowered to $10
Canopy Growth (CGC) downgraded to Underperform from Neutral at BofA Securities
Cognyte Software (CGNT) downgraded to Neutral from Outperform at Wedbush; tgt $17
Rockley Photonics (RKLY) downgraded to Neutral from Buy at BofA Securities; tgt lowered to $6
Scholar Rock (SRRK) downgraded to Hold from Buy at Jefferies; tgt lowered to $28
Others:
Accuray (ARAY) initiated with a Buy at Loop Capital; tgt $7.50
Artisan Partners Asset Mgmt (APAM) initiated with an In-line at Evercore ISI; tgt $48
CleanSpark (CLSK) assumed with a Buy at H.C. Wainwright; tgt $16
Compass Therapeutics (CMPX) initiated with an Outperform at Raymond James; tgt $5
Cytokinetics (CYTK) initiated with an Outperform at Oppenheimer; tgt $55
ESS Inc. (GWH) initiated with an Outperform at Robert W. Baird; tgt $15
First Solar (FSLR) initiated with an In-line at Evercore ISI; tgt $107
Lending Club (LC) assumed with an Outperform at Wedbush; tgt lowered to $40
Local Bounti (LOCL) initiated with an Outperform at Oppenheimer; tgt $11
Luminar Technologies (LAZR) resumed with a Buy at Citigroup; tgt $38
Microsoft (MSFT) initiated with an Outperform at SMBC Nikko; tgt $410
StepStone Group (STEP) initiated with an Outperform at Evercore ISI; tgt $48
Sun Country Airlines (SNCY) initiated with an Outperform at Evercore ISI; tgt $45
Upstart (UPST) initiated with a Neutral at Wedbush; tgt $160
Vulcan Materials (VMC) resumed with a Buy at BofA Securities; tgt $233
Williams-Sonoma (WSM) upgraded to Buy from Hold at Loop Capital; tgt $205
Workiva (WK) assumed with a Buy at Stifel; tgt lowered to $150
XPO Logistics (XPO) initiated with a Buy at The Benchmark Company; tgt $103
Upcoming Events:
Econ Data:
07:00 ET: MBA Mortgage Applications Index for Dec. 18 (Briefing.comConsensus NA; Prior -4.0%)
08:30 ET: GDP - Third Estimate for Q3 (Briefing.comConsensus 2.1%; Prior 2.1%)
08:30 ET: GDP Deflator - Third Estimate for Q3 (Briefing.comConsensus 5.9%; Prior 5.9%)
10:00 ET: Consumer Confidence for Dec (Briefing.comConsensus 111.5; Prior 109.5)
10:00 ET: Existing Home Sales for Nov (Briefing.comConsensus 6.50M; Prior 6.34M)
10:30 ET: EIA Crude Oil Inventories for Dec. 18 (Briefing.comConsensus NA; Prior -4.58M)
Earnings:
Monday (Dec 20)
Afternoon: CVGW MU NKE
Tuesday (Dec 21)
Morning: APOG CGNT EPAC FDS GIS NEOG RAD
Afternoon: AIR BB CAMP
Wednesday (Dec 22)
Morning: KMX CTAS MSM PAYX
Asia & Europe detail:
Asia: Nikkei +0.2%, Hang Seng +0.6%, Shanghai Composite -0.1%
Equity indices in the Asia-Pacific region mostly posted gains on Wednesday, drafting off the strong move in the U.S. on Tuesday but keeping a nervous eye on the Omicron variant. Australia leaders held off on announcing any new restrictions to prevent Omicron spread, but South Korea stepped up its restrictive measures and China closed off Dongxing, a city that borders Vietnam after discovering a single case there. BOJ minutes from October meeting suggest the bank is likely to keep easy policy until inflation hits 2%. The Bank of Thailand left its policy rate unchanged at 0.50%, as expected, sticking to view that inflation pressures will be temporary. Reuters reports the Chinese government suspended its cooperation agreement with Alibaba's cloud computing group.
In economic data:
Australia's MI Leading Index +0.1% m/m (last +0.3%)
---Equity Markets---
Japan's Nikkei: +0.2%
Hong Kong's Hang Seng: +0.6%
China's Shanghai Composite: -0.1%
India's Sensex: +1.1%
South Korea's Kospi: +0.3%
Australia's ASX All Ordinaries: +0.2%
---FX---
USD/JPY: +0.1% to 114.21
USD/CNH: +0.1% to 6.3802
USD/INR: -0.2% to 75.524
Europe: DAX +0.1%, FTSE +0.1%, CAC +0.1%
Major European indices are trading in tightly contested ranges with little movement from yesterday's closing levels. Market participants continue to contemplate the economic effects of the Omicron variant and record high energy prices. Germany will impose new restrictions after Christmas, including soccer games without fans. ECB Member Schnabel still pointing to expectation that inflation will decline in 2022, although there seems to be some growing differences of opinion at the ECB over the inflation risk. EUR/USD +0.2% to 1.1305.
In economic data:
UK's Q3 GDP +1.1% qtr/qtr (expected +1.3%; last +5.4%) and +6.8% yr/yr (expected +6.6%; last +24.6%)
France's November PPI +3.5% m/m (last +2.9%)
Spain's November PPI +33.1% yr/yr (last +31.9%)
---Equity Markets---
STOXX Europe 600: +0.2%
Germany's DAX: +0.1%
U.K.'s FTSE 100: +0.1%
France's CAC 40: +0.1%
Italy's FTSE MIB: -0.1%
Spain's IBEX 35: +0.4%
---FX---
EUR/USD: +0.2% to 1.1305
GBP/USD: +0.4% to 1.3312
USD/CHF: -0.1% to 0.9224
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