Marketing

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline Mortgage rates tumbled last week to their lowest level in over a month, according to data released Wednesday morning by the Mortgage Bankers Association, as waning confidence in the U.S. banking system provides a reprieve to home buyers. Key Facts The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate slipped from 6.71% to 6.48% last week, falling to its lowest level since mid-February and its largest percentage decline since November. Mortgage applications rose 3% last week, according to the survey, as buyers take advantage of rapidly declining home prices. That followed a wild stretch for the banking sector – headlined by the failures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, the nation’s second and third-biggest such failures ever – causing investors to pack into safer assets such as government bonds. Yields for 10-year U.S. Treasury notes sank 70 basis points to 3.4% in the two-week period … [Read more...] about Housing Market: Mortgage Rates Sink To 5-Week Low Amid Bank Havoc

Key Takeaways U.S. equities indexes fell on March 22, 2023, as the Fed hiked interest rates even though markets remained concerned about issues in the banking sector. The Dow, Nasdaq, and S&P 500 all posted losses of approximately 1.6% during Wednesday's session. Bank stocks saw significant declines, with First Republic (FRC) turning in the worst performance among S&P 500 stocks on uneasiness about its risk of failure. U.S. equities sank after the Federal Reserve raised interest rates another 25 basis points (bps) in its effort to bring down inflation. The decision came despite expectations by some that policymakers might pause hikes because of concerns about the banking sector in the aftermath of the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank. Fed Chair Jerome Powell noted that the banking stress will likely cause tighter credit conditions that will impact the economy. The Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all dropped about 1.6%. Bank stocks tumbled, … [Read more...] about Markets Dip as Fed Raises Rates Despite Banking Concerns

Key Takeaways U.S. stocks posted gains on March 16, with an industry bailout for First Republic Bank (FRC) and positivity around tech stocks sending markets higher. The tech-heavy Nasdaq added nearly 2.5% in Thursday's session, while the S&P 500 and the Dow advanced around 1.8% and 1.2%, respectively. Semiconductor stocks contributed to the gains in the tech sector, with Intel (INTC) leading the Dow higher following an analyst upgrade. U.S. equities jumped on an industry bailout of struggling First Republic Bank ( FRC ) and on enthusiasm for semiconductor and other tech stocks. The Dow and S&P 500 rose more than 1%, and the Nasdaq popped 2.5%. First Republic was the best-performing stock in the S&P 500, bouncing back from big losses earlier in the day after several major banks pledged $30 billion to prop up the ailing financial institution. Shares of Comerica ( CMA ), Regions Financial ( RF ), and other regional banks increased. However, American … [Read more...] about Markets Gain on First Republic Bank Aid, Tech Enthusiasm

LONDON  – Nearly half of emerging market investors are bullish on prospects for developing markets in the second quarter, a survey by HSBC showed on Thursday, thanks to rising optimism following the reopening of the Chinese economy. Some two thirds of the respondents expected emerging equities to outperform those of the developed economies in the next three months, the survey of 138 investors from 133 institutions, conducted between Jan. 24 and March 6, found. More than two thirds of the respondents expected emerging currencies to beat those of developed markets in the same period. Those surveyed represent $547 billion in assets under management. “Asia has seen the largest improvement in sentiment, largely reflecting the expectations of a strong rebound of Chinese economic activity,” said Murat Ulgen, Global Head of Emerging Markets Research at HSBC. The MSCI emerging market equity index has risen 2 percent since the start of the year, though those gains come in the wake of a … [Read more...] about Emerging market investors turn increasingly bullish for Q2, HSBC survey shows

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin When you unshackle 1.4 billion consumers who have been penned up at home for three years, it’s reasonable to expect some fireworks. For the residents of Mainland China, life under “zero COVID” policies was a dreary round of rolling travel restrictions and lockdowns – as if the United States was permanently stuck on a skipping record of the Spring of 2020. While most of the population was able to find a way to get back to work eventually, the everyday routines of travel, dining out, and visiting friends and family were severely curtailed. Wallets stayed snapped shut. Since China executed its “COVID pivot” in late December 2022, economists have been scrutinizing the data to see if the country will be able to achieve its goal of 5% growth in 2023. If achieved, China will serve as an engine to help developed economies avoid tipping into recession. This is particularly relevant in the new era of higher interest rates, … [Read more...] about Why China’s COVID Comeback Is Still In The Early Innings, With Upside Ahead

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Mercedes-Benz stock (OTCMKTS: MBGAF) has had a relatively strong year so far, with its stock up by almost 10%, outperforming the S&P 500. Mercedes posted a relatively strong set of Q4 2022 results, with revenue rising by about 16% year-over-year to about Euro 41 billion ($44 billion). Overall wholesale deliveries expanded by 7% versus last year as supply chain and semiconductor supply-related issues continued to ease. Net profits from continuing operations also rose 66% to about Euro 3.72 per share ($4.01), driven by higher volumes and an expanding mix of top-end vehicles, which saw unit sales rise 14%. However, despite the relatively strong numbers over the last quarter, we remain neutral on Mercedes stock, with a price estimate of about $78 per share, which is roughly in line with the current market price. Now, although Mercedes stock trades at a relatively reasonable valuation of under 7x projected 2023 earnings, … [Read more...] about Is Mercedes-Benz Stock Good Value At $76 Per Share?

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin U.S. Bancorp’s stock (NYSE: USB) has lost approximately 14% YTD as compared to the 4% rise in the S&P500 index over the same period. Further, the recent volatility in the stock price (down 20% over the last ten days) was due to the turmoil in the banking sector. Notably, the collapse of the Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank, and the Credit Suisse crisis has made investors cautious about banking stocks. Overall, USB is trading at the current price of $38 per share, which is 32% below its fair value of $55 – Trefis’ estimate for U.S. Bancorp’s valuation . The bank posted mixed results in the fourth quarter of 2022, with earnings beating the estimates but revenues missing the mark. It reported total revenues of $6.4 billion – up 12% y-o-y, primarily driven by a 37% jump in the net interest income, partially offset by a 19% decline in the non-interest revenues. While the NII benefited from the improvement in … [Read more...] about U.S. Bancorp Stock Is Undervalued

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Walgreens Boots Alliance (NASDAQ: WBA) is scheduled to report its fiscal Q2 2023 results on Tuesday, March 28. We expect the company to post revenue and earnings slightly below the street expectations, partly due to fewer Covid-19 vaccine administrations vs. the prior year quarter. That said, the company expects strong growth for its international business in Q2. Although we expect the company to post a downbeat Q2, we believe its stock has more room for growth, as discussed below. Our interactive dashboard analysis on Walgreens Earnings Preview has additional details (1) Revenues expected to be below the consensus estimates Trefis estimates Walgreens’ Q2 2023 revenues to be around $33.2 billion, slightly below the $33.4 billion consensus estimate. This compares with the $33.8 billion revenue the company garnered in the prior-year quarter. The company should benefit from growth in the international … [Read more...] about What To Expect From Walgreens’ Q2?

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin FedEx stock (NYSE: FDX) is up 13% in a week, compared to a 3% rise for the broader S&P500 index. After its recent surge, FDX stock looks appropriately priced, in our view. Due to a decline in delivery volumes, FedEx FDX and other logistics companies have had a tough year. The big e-commerce surge seen through the lockdown phase of the Covid-19 pandemic has now cooled off. Furthermore, the weakening U.S. economy and high inflation further add to the woes. Our analysis of FedEx’s Revenue details how the company’s revenues are trending. Last week, the company reported its Q3 fiscal 2023 results (the fiscal year ends in May), with revenue of $22.2 billion, down 6% y-o-y, and falling below our estimate of $22.8 billion, primarily due to softening volume. Average daily package volume was down 11% during the quarter. However, yields continued to improve, with composite package yield rising by 3%. The company’s … [Read more...] about Should You Buy FedEx Stock After Q3 Earnings Beat?

SK Biopharmaceuticals logo SK Biopharmaceuticals began global Phase 3 clinical trials of carisbamate, its candidate to treat symptoms of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), the company said Thursday. Trials will be conducted on 250 children and adults who suffer from LGS in 60 institutions in the United States and European countries. LGS is a type of epilepsy. Patients with LGS experience many different types of seizures including tonic stiffening of the body. There is no cure for the disorder. Around 48,000 children and adults in the United States have LGS and around 1 million worldwide. The Pangyo, Gyeonggi-based biopharmaceutical company said carisbamate has received Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The FDA grants ODD status to drugs intended for the safe and effective treatment of rare diseases and disorders. ODD status provides certain benefits, including a seven-year period of market exclusivity if the drug is approved, as well as … [Read more...] about SK Biopharm starts phase 3 trials of epilepsy treatment