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U.S. Stock Futures Hold Steady as Investors Await Tech Earnings and Economic Data

U.S. Stock Futures Hold Steady as Investors Await Tech Earnings and Economic Data

U.S. stock index futures remained relatively stable in evening trading on Monday, with the earlier Wall Street rebound pausing as investors awaited earnings reports from major technology companies later in the week. Investors were also focused on upcoming U.S. interest rate indicators, particularly key inflation data that will likely influence the Federal Reserve’s policy outlook.

Concerns about potentially prolonged higher interest rates were a significant driver behind the recent downturn on Wall Street. S&P 500 Futures held steady at 5,049.0 points, while Nasdaq 100 Futures showed little change at 17,340.50 points by 19:07 ET (23:07 GMT). Dow Jones Futures edged up slightly to 38,487.0 points. Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA), the electric vehicle manufacturer, is scheduled to announce its quarterly earnings after Tuesday’s closing bell.

Analysts anticipate a challenging quarter for Tesla, following its first quarterly drop in deliveries in four years. Tesla’s stock declined 3.4% on Monday to a 15-month low, with an additional 0.3% drop in after-hours trading after the company reduced prices on its vehicles in key markets. This move raises the possibility of a new price competition and adds pressure on its profit margins. In addition to Tesla, this week will see earnings reports from four of the “Magnificent 7” stocks.

Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:META), the parent company of Facebook, will report on Wednesday, followed by Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) and Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) on Thursday.

Market observers will be watching closely to see if these major companies can justify their strong valuations during the first quarter. Other notable technology companies, including Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ:QCOM) and IBM (NYSE:IBM), are also scheduled to report earnings on Wednesday.

Beyond the tech sector, earnings reports from Visa Inc (NYSE:V), PepsiCo Inc (NASDAQ:PEP), General Electric Company (NYSE:GE), and AT&T Inc (NYSE:T) are expected on Tuesday and Wednesday. Wall Street Rebounds, Earnings Anticipation Curbs Gains After two weeks of significant declines, Wall Street indexes rebounded on Monday, with the tech sector leading the way as lower valuations attracted bargain hunters.

NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA), a standout in the artificial intelligence sector, surged 4.4% during the session from a two-month low. However, the stock dipped 0.4% in after-hours trading. Meta, Microsoft, and Alphabet also saw some gains ahead of their earnings reports. Additionally, reduced concerns about a broader conflict in the Middle East contributed to the positive sentiment on Wall Street, with no immediate escalation observed between Israel and Iran following recent strikes.

The S&P 500 climbed 0.9% to 5,010.60 points on Monday, while the NASDAQ Composite jumped 1.1% to 15,451.31 points. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also rose 0.7% to 38,239.98 points. Upcoming Economic Data: PCE Inflation and Q1 GDP Later this week, investors will be closely watching the PCE price index data, which serves as the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation measure.

This data release is expected to provide further insights into the direction of interest rates. Prior to that, GDP data for the first quarter of 2024 is anticipated to reveal the extent of U.S. economic growth resilience. Additionally, Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) data for April will be released, offering more signals about the current economic climate.

ServisFirst Bancshares (NYSE:SFBS) Reports Strong Q1 2024 Growth and Expansion Plans

ServisFirst Bancshares, Inc. (NYSE:SFBS) kicks off Q1 2024 with strong growth in net loans and an active loan pipeline. Henry Abbott, the bank’s Chief Credit Officer, highlighted improved credit quality, while Kirk Pressley, the Chief Financial Officer, announced the highest net interest income since Q1 2023 and a positive outlook for the year. 

 
With plans to enter a new market, ServisFirst has added nine new bankers to its team. Despite an increase in non-performing assets due to a single credit, the bank remains competitive. ServisFirst maintains a solid liquidity position, anticipating deposit growth and improved yields on earning assets. The bank’s customer base is expanding, driven by increased optimism and diminishing recession worries.

Wall Street Futures Edge Up Amidst Stabilization Efforts and Tech Boost U.S. stock index futures showed a modest uptick in evening trading on Tuesday, indicating a potential stabilization on Wall Street following concerns about prolonged high interest rates that had led to significant losses. However, market sentiment remained delicate, particularly amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and reiterated statements from key Federal Reserve officials affirming the central bank’s stance on maintaining stable interest rates. S&P 500 Futures edged up by 0.2% to reach 5,103.0 points, while Nasdaq 100 Futures also climbed 0.2% to 17,924.50 points, and Dow Jones Futures saw a similar increase, rising by 0.2% to 38,125.0 points as of 19:37 ET (23:37 GMT). On Tuesday, Wall Street closed with a mixed performance, influenced partly by positive earnings reports but tempered by remarks from Fed Chair Jerome Powell, who suggested that recent indications of persistent inflation were reducing the likelihood of early interest rate cuts. Powell’s statements followed stronger-than-anticipated inflation and retail sales data for March, indicating that inflationary pressures were expected to persist above the levels deemed acceptable by the Fed. Consequently, market expectations for a rate cut in June were largely diminished. The S&P 500 experienced a slight decline of 0.2%, settling at 5,051.41 points, while the NASDAQ Composite also dipped by 0.1% to close at 15,865.25 points. In contrast, the Dow Jones Industrial Average managed to eke out a 0.2% gain, reaching 37,798.97 points, buoyed by robust first-quarter earnings from UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH). Following a recent period of volatility that saw declines ranging between 1.5% and 2.3% over the past five sessions, Wall Street appeared to be finding its footing as investors adjusted positions amid worsening risk appetite. The Middle East crisis, exacerbated by Iran’s drone and missile strike against Israel and the latter’s preparations for a response, contributed to market jitters. Tech stocks provided some support, with Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), the largest company on Wall Street, rising by 0.2% after announcing a $1.5 billion investment in Abu Dhabi-based AI firm G42. Microsoft’s gains extended into after-hours trading, with a 0.4% increase. This positive news also boosted other AI-related stocks, including NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA), which saw a 0.6% uptick in aftermarket trading following a 1.6% gain during the session. Additionally, upbeat first-quarter earnings reports from Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS), which rose by 0.2% in aftermarket trading, and UnitedHealth, which maintained a 0.2% increase after its earlier 5.3% surge, helped to bolster market sentiment. Looking ahead, the earnings season continues with Dutch chipmaking company ASML Holding NV (NASDAQ:ASML) and healthcare giant Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) scheduled to report on Wednesday. Rio Tinto Vows to Keep Resolution Mine Copper Within U.S. Borders amid Controversy A senior executive at Rio Tinto (NYSE:RIO) affirmed the company’s commitment to retaining all copper extracted from its Resolution mine within the United States if the project receives regulatory approval. The proposed Arizona mine, expected to yield over 40 billion pounds (18.1 million metric tons) of copper over its lifespan, has faced significant opposition from Native American groups concerned about its potential impact on sacred cultural sites. The project’s significance extends beyond copper production, as it could supply more than a quarter of the nation’s demand for the metal. The debate over Resolution mirrors broader discussions about securing critical minerals, like copper, for the clean energy transition. Bold Baatar, head of Rio’s copper business, dismissed claims that the company would export the mine’s copper, emphasizing strong domestic demand. He stated in an interview at the World Copper Conference in Santiago that Rio’s preference is for all copper from Resolution to be sold within the U.S. Rio already operates the Kennecott copper mine and smelter in Utah, where all output is consumed domestically. With Freeport-McMoRan’s (NYSE:FCX) sole U.S. copper smelter, Rio aims to contribute to the nation’s copper self-sufficiency. However, Resolution faces legal hurdles, with a Native American group urging an appeals court to overturn a prior ruling granting land to Rio and its partner BHP for development. President Joe Biden’s regulatory pause on the project further complicates its future. Baatar remains optimistic about Resolution’s development, citing the rigorous environmental and regulatory standards in the U.S. He emphasized the importance of securing resources domestically, rather than relying on foreign sources. The global copper industry confronts similar challenges, with projects like First Quantum’s (NASDAQ:QMCO) Cobre Panama facing closure due to local opposition, impacting global copper supply. Baatar and other industry leaders express concerns about meeting rising demand, particularly from sectors like personal electronics and artificial intelligence, which are driving copper prices to projected increases of over 30% in the coming years. As Baatar prepares to assume the role of Rio’s chief commercial officer, industry observers see his leadership as pivotal in navigating the evolving landscape of copper supply and demand. Wednesday, the midweek oasis for investors amidst the tumultuous desert of market volatility! As the sun rises on hump day, so too do the opportunities in the world of investing. With the week’s momentum building, savvy investors don their financial armor, ready to conquer the trading battlefield. Whether you’re chasing the bulls or taming the bears, Wednesday offers a chance to dance with Lady Luck and whisper sweet nothings to your portfolio. So, grab your morning coffee, sharpen those pencils, and let’s turn those midweek blues into green! After all, on Wednesdays, we wear profits.

Wall Street Futures Edge Up Amidst Stabilization Efforts and Tech Boost U.S. stock index futures showed a modest uptick in evening trading on Tuesday, indicating a potential stabilization on Wall Street following concerns about prolonged high interest rates that had...

U.S. Stock Futures Drop as Inflation Fears Rise

U.S. Stock Futures Drop as Inflation Fears Rise In late trading on Wednesday, U.S. stock index futures experienced a decline, mirroring the losses witnessed on Wall Street. This downturn came on the heels of inflation data that surpassed expectations, prompting...

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