- Futures mixed.
- Treasury yields extend gains.
- Verizon Communications Inc., Johnson & Johnson, Coca-Cola Co and Anthem, Inc. posted earnings results in premarket.
- Bitcoin Storms Back Over $31,000.
(July 21) US equity futures, European bourses and Treasury yields rose for a second day clawing back much of the week's losses that were sparked by fears over spiking COVID-19 cases, as well as the "peak growth" and "peak inflation" narratives, as bargain hunters helped the S&P 500 to all but erase Monday’s slide in a rally led by cyclicals such as industrial stocks even though the dollar notched further gains on concerns over the impact of a fast-spreading coronavirus variant.
“The correction we had is healthy to clear some of the excess out of the market and to get better balancing between growth and value,” Katie Koch, Goldman Sachs Asset Management’s co-head of fundamental equity, said on Bloomberg Television. “From a long-term perspective we are really still very constructive on equity markets, so we’d encourage clients to be overweight risk assets.”
At 7:55 a.m. ET, Dow E-minis were up 77 points, or 0.22%, S&P 500 E-minis were ip 2.75 points, or 0.06% and Nasdaq 100 E-minis were down 45.25 points, or 0.31%. Bitcoin recovered from its drop below 30,000 jumping back over $31,000 ahead of a conference that sees Elon Musk, Jack Dorsey and Cathie Woodspeak on cryptos.
Here are some of the biggest U.S. movers today:
- Cryptocurrency-related stocks jump in premarket trading, tracking a rebound for Bitcoin back above the $30,000 level. Marathon Digital (MARA) rises 6.9% and Riot Blockchain (RIOT) gains 6.3%.
- Moderna (MRNA) slips 1.5% ahead of its inclusion into the S&P 500 Index.
- Netflix (NFLX) gains 0.3% in premarket trading with most analysts maintaining a positive view on the stock despite second-quarter results and forecast for subscriber growth that came in below expectations.
- Next shares surge as much as 11%, the most since April 2020, after the U.K. retailer raised its profit forecast again as shoppers returned to stores after the end of lockdowns. RBC sees consensus estimates being increased by mid-to-high single digits.
- Thule rises as much as 11% in its steepest intraday gain since Feb. 10 as the maker of bike racks and bags beats the highest profit estimate in the consensus range.
- ASML shares rise as much as 4.6%, the most intraday since May 5, after the company reported record orders that Oddo BHF (outperform) says were “slightly above expectations.”
- SAP’s shares fall more than 5.1% after earnings, with analysts underwhelmed by the software giant’s slightly raised outlook for cloud revenue.
- Ubisoft shares drop as much as 4.3% to a two-month low after giving a sales update. Jefferies notes the video game maker’s guidance remains a wide range.
- Daimler shares fall as much as 4% in Frankfurt after lowering the sales outlook for its Mercedes-Benz division amid a chip shortage. Warburg says the reduction “is clearly negative” while noting that the margin target corridor for Mercedes-Benz Cars and Vans was confirmed.
Financial Result posted in premarket:
1) ASML-ASML reports €4.0 billion net sales and €1.0 billion net income in Q2 2021 Net sales now expected to grow by around 35% in 2021.Q2 net sales of €4.0 billion, gross margin of 50.9%, net income of €1.0 billion; Q2 net bookings of €8.3 billion; ASML expects Q3 2021 net sales between €5.2 billion and €5.4 billion and a gross margin between 51% and 52%; ASML announces a new share buyback program of up to €9 billion to be executed by December 31, 2023.
2) Coca-Cola - Coca-Cola rallied almost 2% in premarket trading following an upbeat quarter. Coca-Cola came in 12 cents above estimates withadjusted quarterly earnings of 68 cents per share, with revenue beating forecasts as venues like stadiums and movie theaters reopened. Coca-Cola also raised its full-year forecast.
3) Verizon - Verizon beats on Q2 earnings, issues robust FY21 outlook. Verizon Communications Inc reported second-quarter FY21 operating revenue growth of 10.9% year-on-year to $33.8 billion, beating the analyst consensus of $32.68 billion. Wireless revenue growth, strong Fios and Verizon Media results, and increased wireless equipment revenue drove the revenue numbers.
4) Johnson & Johnson - Johnson & Johnson Q2 earnings beat expectations; raises FY21 outlook, sees $2.5B sales from COVID vaccine. Johnson & Johnson reported Q2 adjusted earnings of $2.48 per share, almost 50% higher than the $1.67 posted a year ago and better than the consensus of $2.27. Net sales increased 27% Y/Y to $23.3 billion, and ahead of the $22.1 billion consensus.
Treasury 10-year yields rose further above 1.2% though it remains to be seen if the recovery in yields has legs amid lingering concerns about the delta virus variant that led traders to pare back bets on a Federal Reserve rate hike. Treasuries bear-steepened with long-end yields cheaper by 3bp-4bp as U.S. stock futures rise to weekly highs, with focus turning to corporate earnings. Treasury 10-year yields 1.243%, were cheaper by ~2bp on the day and mildly underperforming bunds and gilts; long-end-led losses steepen 2s10s and 5s30s by ~2bp. The Asian session produced gains for Treasuries, led by Aussie bonds, that began to erode during European morning helped by 10-year futures block sale. U.S. session’s main event is 20-year bond reopening.
In FX, the dollar index edged up 0.07% to 93.030, with the euro down 0.07% to $1.1771. The Bloomberg dollar index advanced to its highest since early April and risk-sensitive currencies rallied as a slew of corporate earnings took the focus off the coronavirus. The Aussie headed for its longest run of losses since September amid stricter virus curbs and a weaker-than-expected retail sales print. The Norwegian krone and New Zealand dollar led G-10 gains while the yen underperformed.
In commodities, Brent crude oil climbed back above $70 a barrel. The precious metals complex moved in tandem with yields, with spot gold in a tight range just above USD 1,800/oz (1,803-13/oz) and spot silver north of USD 25/oz (24.76-25.12/oz). Base metals have nursed overnight losses as the risk appetite across the markets offers base metals with some solace from China’s NDRC resuming its jawboning.Chinese state media noted that China is to auction 30k tonnes of copper, 90k tonnes of aluminium, and 50k tonnes of zinc from state reserves later this month, whilst the NDRC urged stepping up supervision on commodity prices and ensure overall price level targets this year.
On day after sliding below $30,000, a key support level which many said has to hold, it did just that with bitcoin storming higher and back over $31,000.