Markets are shifting gears as investors process record-breaking stock performances, central bank policy signals, and a wave of major earnings reports. Here’s a breakdown of what’s driving the action.
📉 Futures Slide After S&P 500’s Record Close
After a historic session where the S&P 500 reached a fresh all-time high, U.S. stock futures edged lower early Thursday:
S&P 500 Futures: 🔻 0.32%
Nasdaq 100 Futures: 🔻 0.43%
Dow Jones Futures: 🔻 99 points (-0.22%)
Despite these declines, investors remain optimistic about further market gains. JPMorgan Wealth Management strategist Elyse Ausenbaugh noted, "We see more room for this market rally to run and expect single-digit upside in 2025."
📊 Key Market Events Driving Sentiment
📉 Fed Signals No Rush on Rate Cuts
Minutes from the Federal Reserve’s January meeting revealed that policymakers want to see inflation fall further before cutting rates. This dampened hopes for an imminent easing of monetary policy.
💼 Jobless Claims & Economic Data in Focus
Investors await the latest weekly jobless claims data, due at 8:30 a.m. ET, to gauge the strength of the labour market.
📢 Major Earnings on Deck
Heavyweights Walmart and Alibaba are set to report earnings before the opening bell, offering fresh insights into consumer spending and global commerce.
💡 News Highlights
📈 U.S. vs. Europe: Investors Shift Preferences
A new Bank of America survey reveals that global investors are reducing exposure to U.S. stocks in favour of European equities and gold.
European markets have surged 10% in 2024, outperforming the S&P 500’s 4% gain.
With U.S. inflation still high, Fed rate cuts seem less likely, while the ECB and Bank of England may ease policies sooner, attracting capital to European stocks.
🍏 Apple’s Budget iPhone & Potential Tariff Hike
Apple has launched the iPhone 16e 📱, a budget-friendly model priced at $599. However, analysts warn that Trump’s proposed 9% tariff hike on Chinese imports could push iPhone prices higher.
🤖 Alibaba Teams Up with Apple for AI Integration
Alibaba confirmed a strategic AI partnership with Apple, fuelling excitement about the tech giant’s growing cloud business, which has posted triple-digit growth for five straight quarters.
🏬 Walmart Earnings: U.S. Consumer Strength Under the Microscope
As inflation bites, Walmart’s results will be a key barometer of consumer spending.
Q4 sales: $169.59B (+3.1% foot traffic, +22% e-commerce growth)
Analysts expect $180.01B revenue and $0.64 EPS
Walmart shares: +15% YTD, +83% over the past year
🏦 Lloyds Eyes £2B Buyback Amid Lower Earnings
Lloyds Banking Group expects pre-tax income to drop from £7.5B to £6.4B due to loan provisions and regulatory scrutiny. However, investors anticipate a £2B share buyback and a dividend increase to 3.09p.
📈 Market Movers & Shakers
Stock | % Change | Latest Price | Key Driver |
📈 IDEX Biometrics | +38.92% | 0.11 | Biometric tech surge |
📈 Hims & Hers | +17.50% | 68.74 | Strong revenue growth |
📈 Garmin (GRMN) | +12.64% | 241.93 | Earnings beat expectations |
📉 Palantir (PLTR) | -10.08% | 112.06 | Defense budget concerns |
🏆 Gold Hits New High
Gold Price: $2,950/oz (+0.62%)
The VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) is up 6.6% in February as investors seek safe-haven assets.
⚠️ Defense Sector Takes a Hit
Lockheed Martin: 🔻 12% YTD
Leidos & Huntington Ingalls: 🔻 15% & 14%
🚗 Carvana Slumps Despite Strong Earnings
EPS: $0.56 (beat estimates)
Revenue: $3.55B
Investors concerned about profitability due to weaker gross profit per unit.
🔮 Coming Up Today
Event | Time (GMT) | Market Impact |
🇺🇸 U.S. Initial Jobless Claims (15 Feb) | 1:30pm | USD pairs |
🛢️ U.S. EIA Crude Oil Inventories | 4:00pm | Brent, WTI |
🇯🇵 Japan CPI (January) | 11:30pm | JPY crosses |
🚀 What’s Next?
With record market highs, earnings season in full swing, and central banks in focus, traders should prepare for volatility ahead. Keep a close eye on key data releases and market sentiment shifts!
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