(June 8) U.S. stock futures were mixed Tuesday, putting the Dow on course for a tepid slide at the opening bell as investors awaited data on the scale of the trade deficit.
Futures tied to the broad S&P 500 index wavered between gains and losses. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures ticked 0.2% lower. On Monday,the blue-chip index briefly climbed into record territorybefore ending the session down 0.4%. Nasdaq-100 futures edged up 0.2%, pointing to subdued gains for technology stocks.
At 7:52 a.m. ET, Dow e-minis were down 18 points, or 0.05%, S&P 500 e-minis were up 5.25 points, or 0.12%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were up 56.25 points, or 0.41%.
Stocks have been range bound in recent sessions, with indexes hovering close to record levels due to a rapidly rebounding U.S. economy and significant levels of support from Washington and the Federal Reserve. The market’s moves in recent weeks have moderated amidinflation concerns. Investors say they are settling in for a period of choppy trading while they await fresh clues on whether a sharp rise in consumer prices will prove to be fleeting.
U.S. trade deficit narrows to $68.9 billion in April from record $75 billion in prior month.
Stock-index futures remain flat to slightly higher after trade data.
Stocks making the biggest moves in the premarket:
1) Stitch Fix(SFIX) – Stitch Fix lost 18 cents per share for its first quarter, smaller than the 27 cents a share loss that analysts were anticipating. The online clothing styling company's revenue came in above estimates. Stitch Fix also issued an upbeat forecast, amid 20% growth in its active client base compared to a year ago. Shares soared 14.8% in premarket action.
2) Contango Oil & Gas(MCF) – The energy producer agreed to combine withKKR's(KKR) Independence Energy business in an all-stock deal. The combined company will have an initial market capitalization of about $4.8 billion. Contango shares jumped 10.3% in premarket trading.
3) Coupa Software(COUP) – Coupa reported quarterly earnings of 7 cents per share, compared to Wall Street forecasts for a 19 cents per share loss. Revenue beat estimates, and the financial software company also issued an upbeat outlook. Despite the upbeat numbers, Coupa shares tumbled 9.2% in premarket trading.
4) Thor Industries(THO) – The recreational vehicle maker's shares jumped 3.4% in the premarket after it beat estimates on both the top and bottom lines for its fiscal third quarter. Sales more than doubled compared to a year ago, and the company said it sees no signs of demand slowing.
5) Chico’s FAS(CHS) – Chico’s surged 6.6% in the premarket after the apparel retailer said it was taking all appropriate steps to improve performance and increase shareholder value. The statement was in response to a letter sent to management by activist investor Barington Capital. Separately, Chico’s reported quarterly earnings and sales that topped Wall Street forecasts.
6) Fastly(FSLY) – The cloud computing company’s shares fell 1.7% in the premarket, but came off earlier lows stemming froman internet outageimpacting Fastly-backed websites. Shortly after the outage hit, Fastly said it had identified the issue and that a fix was being implemented.
7) Tesla(TSLA) – The automaker delivered 33,463 China-made vehicles in that market in May, up 29% from April when production was impacted by a maintenance shutdown. Tesla rose 3% in the premarket.
8) AMC Entertainment(AMC) – AMC insiders have been selling shares amid a social media-fueled rally in the movie theater operator’s stock. According to a study of insider filings done by analytics firm InsiderScore, seven AMC insiders have sold parts of their stakes since May 28, among nine who have executed sales this quarter though CEO Adam Aron is not among them. There were no AMC insider sales in 2020. AMC added 4.3% in the premarket.
9) Marvell Technology(MRVL) – Marvell shares jumped 5.5% in premarket trading after it beat Wall Street estimates on both the top and bottom lines for its first quarter. The chip maker also expects its current-quarter revenue will surpass $1 billion for the first time.
10) Keurig Dr Pepper(KDP) – The beverage company’s stock lost 3.6% in the premarket after it announced a secondary offering of 28 million common stock shares, to be sold on behalf of food producer and Keurig Dr Pepper shareholderMondelez(MDLZ). Keurig Dr Pepper will not receive any proceeds from the offering.
11) Vail Resorts(MTN) – Vail Resorts beat estimates by 18 cents a share, with quarterly profit of $6.72 per share. The resort operator also saw revenue top forecasts. Vail said pass sales were up 50% by units and 33% by dollars compared to pre-pandemic results in 2019, as the company slashed season pass sale prices by 20%.
12) Etsy(ETSY) – Etsy announced a private offering of $1 billion in convertible senior notes, with the online crafts marketplace planning to use the proceeds to fund stock buybacks and for general corporate purposes. Etsy fell 1.9% in premarket trading.
Since 2008, this has been the biggest signal for stock direction. Here’s where it’s telling investors to go now.
The summer lull is real for investors right now, as stock catalysts seem few and far between. Thursday’s update on consumer prices could bring the next one, after May dataspooked markets last month.
With equitiesSPX,-0.08%hovering at record highs amid a mind-blowing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic slump, investors want to know when and how central banks will start responding to signs of surging global inflation. And as not all stocks are built alike for different stages of a recovery, many rightly want to know if they are betting on the right ones.
They should start by keeping an eye on what has been the most reliable indicator for stock direction since 2008 — the 10-year bond yieldTMUBMUSD10Y,1.541%,according to The Leuthold Group’s chief investment strategist, Jim Paulsen, who provides ourcall of the day.
Since the 2008-09 financial crisis, “the bond market has been determining, or at least coincidentally signaling” which groups of stocks will be the winners and losers, he told clients in a note. That has been particularly true for several popular themes including cyclicals, growth investing, small-caps, etc.
For example, via the below charts he showed how defensive sectors, such as utilities and staples or low-volatility investments, only do well when bond yields are headed lower:
The Leuthold Group
So should the yield on the 10-year, currently hovering at 1.561%, make another run at 2%, that group is likely to underperform, he said. But if the economy is headed for overheat pressures and yields are set to rise, history has shown the most volatile stocks are often winner, he added.
Paulsen pointed to the below charts of small-cap stocks, cyclical sectors and emerging markets that are “often the winners during periods in which rising yields cause stock market mayhem.”
The Leuthold Group
The Leuthold Group
And the strategist is among those who do indeed see yields rising.
“The recent pause in the 10-year yield despite escalating inflation expectations has been puzzling. Moreover, if yields continue to trend sideways or retrace part of their recent advance, defensive investments, including growth stocks, will likely be stock market leaders,” wrote Paulsen.
He expects another leg higher for that yield, pushing it above 2%, likely by the end of 2021. And that means “stock investors should heed the bond market’s message and drive a few of those fast ‘cyclical’ stock cars!”