Melly Alazraki
Toronto, Canada - http://
Before the bell: Futures lower on Dell's earnings, ECB move
U.S. stock futures fell Friday morning, indicating continued weakness in the stock market. Dell's worse-than-expected earnings reported late Thursday are putting pressure on equities as a whole and technology shares in particular. Investors may be moving toward safer securities in the absence of confidence in the strength of the sector, which has already stumbled the last couple of days.On Thursday, stocks fell across the board: the Dow industrials were down 0.9%, the S&P 500 declined 1.3% and the Nasdaq composite skidded 1.7%, following an analyst downgrade of semiconductors. This put further pressure on a sector that was already reeling from earnings the day before. Economic reports didn't help to increase investors' confidence Thursday.
Continue reading Before the bell: Futures lower on Dell's earnings, ECB move
SocGen's proposed portfolio for a global economic collapse
French bank Société Générale has advised clients to be ready for a possible "global economic collapse" over the next two years, The Telegraph reports.
In a 68-page report titled "Worst-Case Debt Scenario," SocGen explains that the rescue packages over the past year have merely transferred private liabilities onto government shoulders, creating a fresh set of problems. Debt levels, public or private, are too high as a share of GDP. The deleveraging process will take years.
Continue reading SocGen's proposed portfolio for a global economic collapse
Before the bell: Futures lower on economic concerns; retail, tech in focus
U.S. stock futures declined Thursday morning, pointing to a lower start on Wall Street as investors started weighing the possibility that stocks have run up too far and too fast ahead of the economy -- the economic recovery may not be as robust. The retail sector is in focus with several retailers reporting earnings. The tech sector could also experience pressure.On Wednesday, stocks ended lower with technology shares leading the decline, and the Nasdaq composite down nearly half a percent. Results from Salesforce.com (CRM) and Autodesk (ADSK) weighed on the sector as Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) and Microsoft (MSFT) were among the leading decliners in the Dow.
Continue reading Before the bell: Futures lower on economic concerns; retail, tech in focus
Before the bell: Futures fall after housing, inflation data
U.S. stock futures edged higher Wednesday morning, a little above the 13-month highs they reached Tuesday, as investors await key data figures, including consumer prices and housing starts. As traders take a breather from the recent runup in stocks, the same trends that pushed markets higher on Tuesday remain: the dollar dropped and commodities soared, driving mining stocks higher in overseas markets. [Update 8:30 a.m.: October housing starts were down 30% from last year, the weakest since April. CPI rose 0.3% in October on higher energy, car prices. At first glance, these figures may affect the mood negatively. 8:35 a.m.: Stock market futures are declining, indicating a lower start.]
Continue reading Before the bell: Futures fall after housing, inflation data
Before the bell: Futures edge lower ahead of inflation data
U.S. stock futures edged lower Tuesday morning following yet another strong rally on Monday. This morning, investors await some economic data due out before the opening bell, including an inflation gauge and a housing indicator. The housing market is further in focus with Home Depot's earnings report.
On Monday, stock markets closed about 1.4% higher across the board after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke didn't indicate a change in the Fed's policy any time soon to support the dollar. In fact, as the U.S. economy remains weak and unemployment keeps rising, the Fed will likely extend its low interest rate policy longer. He did mention the central bank policy will ensure that the "dollar is strong." The dollar edged higher from its 15-month lows following Bernanke's speech.
Continue reading Before the bell: Futures edge lower ahead of inflation data
Before the bell: Futures higher ahead of retail sales data
U.S. stock futures followed global markets higher Monday morning as Japan announced its economy grew at a faster-than-expected pace and governments around the world said they would maintain their stimulus policies. Investors are also awaiting a speech from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, GM's first earnings report since emerging from bankruptcy, as well as more economic data, including retail sales and manufacturing. Japan's gross domestic product grew at an annual pace of 4.8% in the third quarter, its largest expansion in more than two years. This was higher than economists' 2.6% projection. The world's second largest economy relies heavily on exports and demand at home and overseas improved, indicating its trading partners are also recovering.
Continue reading Before the bell: Futures higher ahead of retail sales data
Before the bell: Stock futures higher ahead of consumer sentiment, trade gap data
U.S. stock futures were higher Friday morning indicating Wall Street, after taking a two-day rest from its drive upward, was ready to rebound. While investors await several economic releases, including trade balance and consumer sentiment, Walt-Disney's better-than-expected results has helped sentiment.On Thursday, U.S. stocks declined, after crude inventories were reported higher than expected, dragging down oil prices, oil companies and the markets. Investors also questioned the sustainability of the recent rally, driving the Dow industrials down nearly 100 points.
Continue reading Before the bell: Stock futures higher ahead of consumer sentiment, trade gap data
Before the bell: Stocks to open lower despite Wal-Mart's beat
U.S. stock futures were lower Thursday morning after the Dow industrials hit yet another 13-month high on Wednesday, but the S&P 500 couldn't close above the 1,100 level. Even though Wal-Mart beat earnings and improved its outlook, futures declined as investors await weekly jobs data.Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) posted third-quarter profit of 84 cents a share, above Bloomberg's analyst estimates for profit of 81 cents. Wal-Mart also upped its full-year profit above estimates, but fourth quarter guidance barely matched projections. Sales grew by just 1% in the quarter. WMT shares slid over 1% in pre-market trading.
Continue reading Before the bell: Stocks to open lower despite Wal-Mart's beat
Before the bell: Stocks ready to climb on hopes of continued low rates
U.S. stock futures were higher Wednesday morning, indicating stocks will open on an upbeat note after investors expectation that interest rates will remain low for some time increased following speeches from Federal Reserve officials. As the dollar further fell, investors turned to asset buying, pushing stocks higher.Stocks looked for direction Tuesday, finishing the day mixed and not much changed, as Wall Street took a break from a 6-day rally. Today, U.S. bond markets are closed for Veteran's Day.
Continue reading Before the bell: Stocks ready to climb on hopes of continued low rates
EU objects to Sun-Oracle deal
It's not the first time this happened, and likely not the last. The European Commission has objected to Oracle's (ORCL) acquisition of Sun Microsystems (JAVA) after U.S. authorities have approve the $7.4 billion deal.The issue is Sun's database product, MySQL, which European antitrust authorities fear wouldn't be developed after the acquisition since Oracle has its own database and therefore it would hurt competition in the database business. Together, the two will have quite a large share of the market, the EU contends. The U.S. authorities disagrees, saying there are enough competitors in the market and that "the merger is unlikely to be anticompetitive."
Continue reading EU objects to Sun-Oracle deal
Before the bell: Stocks ready for a lower open after reaching 13-month highs
It was to be expected. After Wall Street climbed to 13-months highs with stocks rallying over 2% just on Monday to add to last week's gains, finally U.S. stock futures edged lower Tuesday morning, indicating stocks will are poised to retreat somewhat at the open. There's not much news this morning as investors await some housing data.Deals and the Group of 20 helped sentiment Monday push stocks for their six straight higher close. Several deals in the making boosted investor confidence as did the Group of 20, which said over the weekend that it would keep economic stimulus measures in place for now. And with the Federal Reserve indicating it would keep rates low, buyers came back in droves Monday taking the Dow industrials up over 200 points.
Continue reading Before the bell: Stocks ready for a lower open after reaching 13-month highs
Before the bell: Futures climb as Wall Street eyes deals
U.S. stock futures climbed significantly higher Monday morning, pointing to a strong open on Wall Street following gains in overseas stock markets. With little in the way of economics data and earnings, investors mostly are following several potential deal news.Last week, with mostly encouraging economic data and generally better-than-expected earnings, the Dow reclaimed the 10,000 mark and remained above it despite the unemployment rate reaching 10.2%. It seems for now, the promise of a recovery and a Federal Reserve that's keeping stimulating policies are enough to boost sentiment.
Continue reading Before the bell: Futures climb as Wall Street eyes deals
Before the bell: Futures decline after unemployment rate rises to 10.2%
U.S. stock futures were higher Friday morning, continuing Thursday's strong performance and nearing two-week highs. All eyes this morning will turn to the government's jobs report. While there have been signs of growth and recovery in the economy, the labor market has been one of the biggest concerns, as the Federal Reserve statement just from Wednesday attests.[Update 8:33 a.m.: Stock futures changed course after the government reported the unemployment rate rose to 10.2%, above the 9.9% expected. Nonfarm payrolls dropped by 190,000 in October, bringing to total number of jobs lost in the recession to 7.3 million.]
U.S. stock markets surged about 2% on Thursday with the Dow Jones Industrial Average reclaiming the 10,000 mark with a 203 point move. Positive economic news, including sales results from retailers and upbeat outlook from tech giant Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO).
Continue reading Before the bell: Futures decline after unemployment rate rises to 10.2%
Before the bell: Futures higher after data, earnings
U.S. stock futures drifted a little lower (later a little higher) Thursday morning following Wednesday's Federal Reserve's statement that it was keeping rates at record low levels. However, earnings from tech giant Cisco accompanied by an upbeat outlook could give a boost to tech. Also this morning, investors will watch as retail chain-stores report October sales.[Update: Futures now point to a higher open following retail sales data, earnings and lower claims numbers.]
On Wednesday, Wall Street ended mixed and relatively flat after the Federal Reserve decided to keep rates steady. While conceding the economy has picked up, policymakers said this was not enough to hike interest rates, saying an increase will instead depend on when the labor market and inflation pickup. Given that there have been no inflationary pressures and that unemployment is expected to rise, the dollar weakened yesterday and short-term Treasury yields fell. The Fed also cautioned consumer spending would remain strained. Of course, the market would have liked to see a stronger show of confidence.
Continue reading Before the bell: Futures higher after data, earnings
Before the bell: Futures rise ahead of Fed decision
U.S. stock futures climbed on Wednesday morning, ahead of the decision by the Federal Reserve on interest-rate and monetary policy. This afternoon, the Fed will give its outlook on the economy and the corresponding policy it's taking. It is widely believed the Fed will not raise rates. Meanwhile, more earnings and economic data are on tap.Unlike this morning, traders appeared more cautious Tuesday, as the Fed began its two-day policy meeting. Stocks ended mixed and fairly unchanged following news that Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.B) has decided to buy Burlington Northern Santa Fe (NYSE: BNI) in a deal worth $44 billion and as Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) announced a 6-7% workforce reduction.
Continue reading Before the bell: Futures rise ahead of Fed decision
Why is gold marching higher? Ask the central bankers
Newspaper ad revenue of 28%, 8 quarters of double-digit drops
Closing Bell: Earnings working against stocks (BCRX, DELL, DHI, INTC, LEAP, PCS)
