Equity market volatility

FOR global investors trying to the gauge the fallout from surging interest rates and slowing economic growth, Hong Kong is quickly emerging as a must-watch market. Perhaps nowhere else is as exposed to two of the biggest worries roiling global asset prices – the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) rapidly tightening monetary policy and China’s sputtering economy. While Hong Kong’s US$466bil (RM2 trillion) foreign-reserves stockpile and plentiful interbank liquidity suggest little chance of an imminent crisis, signs of financial stress are building. This week saw the city intervene to prop up its pegged currency for the first time since 2019. Its stock market has tumbled this year at one of the fastest rates globally. Home prices in the world’s least affordable property market are falling and signs of capital flight are multiplying, after portfolio outflows last year topped US$100bil (RM440bil) for only the second time since Hong Kong’s 1997 handover to China. “There’s a lot the city … [Read more...] about Hong Kong becomes world’s must-watch market

Shares of Peloton Interactive Inc. ( PTON ) are skyrocketing after the connected exercise company announced a major restructuring. The stock is up nearly 30% as of Tuesday afternoon. Currently trading around $38, the company is still down more than 70% in the last year. U.S. equity markets as a whole are decisively higher after wavering this morning, led by tech and small-cap stocks, with the Nasdaq up more than 1% and the Dow Jones not far behind. Shares of Harley-Davidson ( HOG ) are up nearly 15% this morning after the company posted better-than-expected revenue and earnings. Analysts expected a loss of 38 cents per share; instead, Harley-Davidson reported a gain of 14 cents per share, thanks in part to increased demand for one of its more expensive motorcycle models. Key Takeaways The Dow Jones, S&P 500 and Nasdaq are all higher after wavering earlier. Amgen and Peloton are both helping lead markets higher, as are small-cap stocks as measured by the Russell … [Read more...] about Stocks Rally as Amgen, Peloton, Travel Companies Push Markets Higher

U.S. equity markets are mixed following strong earnings from Amazon.com, Inc. ( AMZN ) that lifted the Nasdaq while a blowout jobs report pushed bond yields higher by fueling fears of bigger interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve. Key Takeaways Tech shares are rising, boosted by Amazon and Snap, as the Nasdaq aims for its first weekly gain this year. A blowout jobs report pushed bond yields higher by fueling fears of bigger interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve. Crude oil's price surge continued, with the price crossing $93 per barrel. The Nasdaq , helped by Snap Inc. ( SNAP ) and Amazon, is set for its first weekly close higher this year. The S&P 500 is also higher, while the Dow Jones is little changed. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note is skyrocketing nine basis points (BPS) to 1.92% after the Labor Department reported that many more jobs were created in January than expected (more below). That's prompting speculation that … [Read more...] about Markets Mixed as Amazon, Snap Fuel Tech, Dow Drops on Rate Worries

- A + A LONDON (May 16): European stocks slipped on Monday and Wall Street was set for a lower open, as investor sentiment struggled to recover from last week's sell off amid fears of a slowdown in economic growth. Global shares hit their lowest point in 18 months last week, with investors worried that rising interest rates to counter high inflation will damage the global economy. Unexpectedly weak economic data kept from China kept those worries in centre stage on Monday. April retail sales plunged 11.1% on the year, almost twice the fall forecast, as full or partial Covid-19 lockdowns were imposed in dozens of cities. Industrial output dropped 2.9% when analysts had looked for a slight increase. At 1104 GMT, the MSCI world equity index, which tracks shares in 50 countries, was up around 0.1% on the day, struggling to recover from last week's lows. Europe's STOXX 600 was down 0.2%, while London's FTSE 100 was down flat. US stock index futures pointed to a … [Read more...] about Stock markets struggle as fears over economy grow

U.S. equity markets are sinking as Russia escalates attacks on Ukraine, raising concerns about disruptions of oil and other commodities. The Dow at one point was down more than 600 points, while crude oil approached $107 a barrel. Key Takeaways The Dow Jones fell more than 600 points as crude oil surged past $105 a barrel and financial and travel company shares slumped. Wheat and corn futures traded limit up as both Russia and Ukraine are major exporters, with wheat hitting prices not seen since 2008. Retailers including Target and Walmart are trading higher. Oil prices are soaring to more than $105 a barrel, the highest they’ve been since 2014. Wheat and corn futures traded limit up as both Russia and Ukraine are major exporters. Wheat prices are at levels not seen since 2008. Investors continued to put money into haven investments. Bond prices are rising with the yield on the 10-year Treasury note falling another 11 basis points (BPS) to 1.72%. Gold and … [Read more...] about Stocks’ Rout Deepens as Oil Soars and Russian Invasion Raises Recovery Worries

U.S. equity markets are continuing their rally as solid corporate earnings boost investor optimism. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. ( CMG ) and Yum! Brands, Inc. ( YUM ) gained, as the Dow and Nasdaq are both up about 200 points. Key Takeaways U.S. stocks are higher, with the Nasdaq and S&P 500 each gaining more than 1% as solid corporate earnings boost investors' confidence. Investors are awaiting an earnings report from The Walt Disney Company ( DIS ). Crude oil reversed its earlier decline and is back above $90 per barrel. Bond yields declined. Better-than-expected financial reports from restaurant chains Chipotle and Yum!, along with food sciences firm FMC Corporation ( FMC ), are sending their shares higher. Shares are rising for media companies after Omnicom Group Inc. ( OMC ) reported profit that beat forecasts, and its shares are trading near all-time highs. Tech stocks are powering the Nasdaq's 1.5% gain. Meta Platforms, Inc. ( FB) shares … [Read more...] about U.S. Stock Surge Continues as Chipotle, Tech Shares Drive Gain

The Nifty ended on a positive note after six straight days of losses in a highly volatile session on May 16, with gains in auto and financial names lifting the market. Amid mixed Asian cues, the Nifty opened marginal higher and, extended gains as the day progressed and closed in on 16,000 but profit booking at higher levels dragged the index down. The Nifty closed at 15,842.30, up 60.10 points, or 0.38 percent, and formed a Doji candle on the daily scale. "For the last three trading sessions, the index is trying to defend its recent low of 15,735. Hence, as long as the Nifty sustains above the said low, the hopes of a pullback attempt from the bulls will remain alive, which will be confirmed on a close above 16,100 levels. In that scenario, a decent target of 16,400 can be expected," Mazhar Mohammad, Founder & Chief Market Strategist, Chartviewindia.in, said. As volatility has remained high, if the index breached 15,735 on a closing basis, weakness shall resume with a … [Read more...] about Technical View | Nifty forms Doji candle, weakness can resume on breach of 15,735

U.S. equity markets are falling, with the Nasdaq sinking deeper into correction territory as shares of streaming service providers drop. Key Takeaways U.S. equity markets are falling, on their way to further weekly declines, as the Nasdaq sinks deeper into correction territory. Shares of streaming service providers are dropping after Netflix reported slowing subscriber growth. Crude oil futures are falling for a second day. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note is sinking, now at 1.76%. Netflix, Inc. ( NFLX ) is the worst-performing stock in the S&P 500, with shares plunging on its slowing subscriber growth. The news is dragging down shares of The Walt Disney Company ( DIS ) and others in the online entertainment sector. Shares of smaller banks are continuing their week-long decline, led by Huntington Bancshares Incorporated ( HBAN ) following its earnings report. Shares of Intel Corporation ( INTC ) and other semiconductor companies are higher on … [Read more...] about Nasdaq Correction Deepens as Stocks Slide on Rate Concerns

U.S. equity markets wavered to begin the new month, reflecting investors' uncertainty over issues ranging from the impact of corporate earnings to how Fed rate hikes will shape the economy this year. UPS Inc. ( UPS ) is the best-performing stock in the S&P 500 on its earnings news. Better-than-expected earnings are also lifting shares of Exxon Mobil Corp. ( XOM ). That’s boosting shares of other energy companies as well. Shares of cruise lines, airlines, and other travel-related companies are advancing on decreasing omicron variant case numbers. Key Takeaways U.S. equity markets wavered to begin the new month, with all three major indexes fluctuating between green and red. The quit rate fell for the first time since Dec. 2020. Ups and downs reflect investors' uncertainty over issues ranging from the impact of corporate earnings, Fed rate hikes, and ongoing supply chain and pandemic concerns. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note has widened and narrowed … [Read more...] about Stocks Fluctuate to Begin Month as Investors Digest Data, Earnings

Stocks fell further this afternoon as the Fed's James Bullard said he'd like to see rates a full percentage point higher by July. Bullard backs at least a half-point hike on the way to a full point gain before July, the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis president told Bloomberg News in an interview today. Bullard votes on monetary policy. Key Takeaways Stocks fell further this afternoon as the Fed's James Bullard said he'd like to see rates a full percentage point higher by July. Stocks had been pulling back from the morning's steep declines as strong corporate earnings from Walt Disney and Mattel partially offset stronger-than-expected inflation data. The Consumer Price Index report released today revealed an annual inflation rate of 7.5%, higher than expected and the largest increase in 40 years. Bond yields rose to their highest since July 2019. Today's Market Movers Stocks had pulled back from the morning's steep declines, with some indexes moving … [Read more...] about Stocks’ Decline Steepens on Bullard’s Rate Hike Comments, Inflation Data