(Update: August 4, 2021 at 8:28 a.m. ET)
(Aug 4) Stock futures arewobblingafter the S&P 500 hit its 42nd record close of the year, as investors weighstrong corporate earningsagainst the potentialthreat of the Delta variantof Covid-19.
At 08:28 a.m. ET, Dow E-minis were down 76 points, or 0.22%, S&P 500 E-minis fell 7 points, or 0.16% and Nasdaq 100 E-minis slid 9 points, or 0.06% .
Stocks making the biggest moves premarket：
1) General Motors(GM) – General Motors missed the consensus estimate of $2.23 per share with an adjusted second-quarter profit of $1.97 per share, though revenue did top Wall Street forecasts. GM did raise its forecast for the remainder of the year, based on strong demand and pricing. GM initially fell 3% in the premarket but then bounced back to recover most of that loss.
2) CVS Health(CVS) – CVS earned an adjusted $2.42 per share for the second quarter, beating the $2.06 consensus estimate, with revenue beating forecasts as well. The drug store and pharmacy benefits company also saw same-store sales rise a better than expected 12.3%. Separately, CVS also announced it was raising its minimum wage for employees to $15 per hour.
3) Kraft Heinz(KHC) – Kraft Heinz beat estimates by 6 cents with adjusted quarterly earnings of 78 cents per share, while the food producer’s revenue also exceeded estimates. Demand continued to be strong during the quarter for the company’s snacks and packaged meals.
4) Tupperware(TUP) – Tupperware shares jumped 2.5% in the premarket, after beating on the top and bottom lines for the second quarter. The maker of household storage products earned an adjusted 95 cents per share, well above the 57 cent consensus estimate.
5) Robinhood(HOOD) – The trading platform’s stock soared 13.1% in premarket trading, on top of a 24.2% gain in Tuesday trading, when it rose above its $38 per share IPO price for the first time since going public last Thursday. It was also among yesterday’s most heavily traded stocks.
6) Activision Blizzard(ATVI) – Activision Blizzard beat estimates by 15 cents with adjusted quarterly earnings of 91 cents per share and the videogame producer’s revenue was slightly above Wall Street forecasts. It also gave an upbeat forecast, anticipating continued strong demand for popular franchises like “Candy Crush” and “Call of Duty”. Shares rallied 5.6% in premarket trading.
7) Amgen(AMGN) – Amgen earned an adjusted $4.38 per share for its latest quarter, compared with a consensus estimate of $4.09. The biotech giant’s revenue topped analyst estimates as well, although it said visits and procedures remain below pre-pandemic levels. Amgen also said it is in a dispute with the IRS, fighting a claim that it owes $3.6 billion in back taxes.
8) Lyft(LYFT) – Lyft reported an adjusted quarterly loss of 5 cents per share, smaller than the 24 cent loss predicted by analysts, with the ride-hailing service coming in with better-than-expected revenue. Lyft saw strong ride-hailing demand and did reach profitability as measured by earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA).
9) Match Group(MTCH) – Match Group fell 6 cents shy of estimates with quarterly earnings of 46 cents per share, although the operator of Tinder and other dating services did see revenue exceed forecasts. Revenue growth for Tinder is accelerating as vaccination rates rise, but Match said recovery is lagging in some important overseas markets. Shares fell 4% in premarket trading.
10) Caesars Entertainment(CZR) – Caesars earned 34 cents per share for its latest quarter, surprising analysts who had expected a loss of 18 cents per share. The casino operator’s revenue exceeded estimates as well, thanks to a strong rebound in the Las Vegas market. Caesars added 2% in premarket action.
11) Affirm Holdings(AFRM) – Affirm added another 2.4% in the premarket, after jumping 3% yesterday. The payment service’s shares are getting a boost from a Bloomberg report that it will partner withApple(AAPL) to offer “buy now, pay later” services for Canadian purchases of Apple devices.
12) Avis Budget(CAR) – Avis Budget rose 1.9% in premarket trading after reporting what it called the best quarter in its history, with surging demand and higher rental prices leading to a tripling in sales. Adjusted earnings per share came to $5.90, compared to a consensus estimate of $1.21.
13) Live Nation(LYV) – Live Nation said sales for its latest quarter surged nearly eight-fold, as live events returned amid an increase in vaccinations. The live event promoter said concerts and other events were selling out quickly, and at ticket prices that were 10% above pre-pandemic levels. Live Nation gained 2.3% in the premarket.
In FX, the euro dipped after a European Central Bank policy maker said the central bank won’t rush a decision on stimulus. The Bloomberg Dollar Index held little changed and most Group- of-10 currencies traded in narrow ranges. The pound rose for a second day, with some investors expecting the Bank of England to take a hawkish turn on Thursday; the euro slipped to a session low of 1.1842 before trimming losses. New Zealand’s dollar rose against all its G-10 peers as traders boosted bets for interest- rate hikes after the nation’s jobs data beat economists’ estimates. The kiwi was also bolstered by fund-related purchases against the Australian dollar, traders said. The Australian dollar bounced off a session low after a gauge of China’s services activity topped analysts’ estimates. The safe haven Swiss franc and Japanese yen led losses on concern the spread of the delta variant could derail global growth.
In rates, treasury yields suddenly slumped to session lows of 1.1555% after trading steady for much of the overnight session as market awaits latest quarterly refunding announcement at 8:30am ET. Price action calm over Asia, early European session has seen yields trade in a narrow range. ISM services and ADP employment data also due Wednesday, which may provide some insight ahead of Friday payrolls. No Treasury supply this week, although quarterly refunding announcement at 8:30am ET will draw focus as officials may provide details about the timing of reducing auction sizes. Euro zone government bond yields hovered near recent lows, with the German 10-year yield at -0.489%, little moved by July euro zone purchasing managers index survey data that came in slightly worse than expected.
In commodities, Brent futures gave up early gains to last trade 0.2% lower at $72.30 a barrel, while U.S. crude was down 0.4% at $70.26 a barrel. Spot gold was up 0.2% at $1,812.9 an ounce.
Looking at the day ahead, expected data include ADP employment change for July as well as the ISM services index. Key U.S. jobs data this week could stoke market swings if they lead investors to adjust expectations over the Federal Reserve’s likely timeline for eventually tapering stimulus. Fed Vice Chair Richard Clarida is due to speak about monetary policy Wednesday. “Today’s employment figures could rapidly change the market mood,” said Swissquote analyst Ipek Ozkardeskaya. “A strong read should accelerate the thinking that the Fed will get to the tapering stage quicker than otherwise. That could apply a certain pressure on the U.S. stocks.” Separately the Central Bank of Brazil will release its latest monetary policy decision and then Federal Reserve Vice Chair Clarida speaks. Finally, earnings releases today include CVS Health, Booking Holdings, General Motors, Uber, and Toyota.