Friday, March 18, 2016

Republic Services - Chart of the Day

Republic Services (RSG) is the Barchart Chart of the Day.  The solid waste company has a Trend Spotter buy signal, a Weighted Alpha of 20.30+, gained 14.84% in the last year and paid a 2.51% dividend.

The Chart of the Day belongs to Republic Services (RSG).  I found the solid waste stock by using Barchart to sort today's All Time High list first for the highest technical buy signals then again for the most new highs in the last month.  Next I review the chart using the Flipchart feature. Since the Trend Spotter signaled a buy on 2/16 the stock gained 6.14%

Republic Services, Inc., is a leading provider of services in the domestic non-hazardous solid waste industry. They provide non-hazardous solid waste collection services for commercial, industrial, municipal and residential customers through their collection companies. They also own or operate transfer stations and solid waste landfills.


The status of Barchart's Opinion trading systems are listed below. Please note that the Barchart Opinion indicators are updated live during the session every 10 minutes and can therefore change during the day as the market fluctuates. The indicator numbers shown below therefore may not match what you see live on the Barchart.com web site when you read this report.

Barchart technical indicators:

  • 100% technical buy signals
  • Trend Spotter buy signal
  • Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
  • 14 new highs and up 5.50% in the last month
  • Relative Strength index 70.83%
  • Technical support level at 47.58
  • Recently traded at 48.08 with a 50 day moving average of 45.04
Fundamental factors:
  • Market Cap $16.70 billion
  • P/E 23.23
  • Dividend yield 2.51%
  • Revenue expected to grow 2.70% this year and another 3.30% next year
  • Earnings estimated to increase 4.40% this year, another 8.40% next year and continue to compound at an annual rate of 6.42% for the next 5 years
  • Wall Street analysts issued 6 strong buy and 4 hold recommendations on the stock

MORNING CALL 3/18

MORNING CALL



Thursday, March 17, 2016

Vectren - Chart of the day

Vectren Corp (VVC) is the Barchart Chart of the Day.  The utility company has a Trend Spotter buy signal, a Weighted Alpha of 20.30+, gained 15.86% in the last year and paid a 3.25% dividend.

The Chart of the Day belongs to Vectren Corp (VVC).  I found the utility stock by using Barchart to sort today's All Time High list first for the highest number of new highs in the last month then again for technical buy signals over 80%.  Since the Trend Spotter signaled a buy on 2/1 the stock gained 16.79%.

Vectren Corp., through its regulated subsidiaries Indiana Gas and SIGECO, offers gas and/or electricity to customers in adjoining service areas that cover nearly two-thirds of Indiana. Vectren's non-regulated subsidiaries currently offer energy-related products and services, including energy marketing, fiber-optic based communication services, and utility related services including materials management, debt collections, locating, meter reading and trenching services to customers throughout the surrounding region.

The status of Barchart's Opinion trading systems are listed below. Please note that the Barchart Opinion indicators are updated live during the session every 10 minutes and can therefore change during the day as the market fluctuates. The indicator numbers shown below therefore may not match what you see live on the Barchart.com web site when you read this report.

Barchart technical indicators:

  • 96% technical buy signals
  • Trend Spotter buy signal
  • Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
  • 15 new highs and up 11.51% in the last month
  • Relative Strength Index 78.07%
  • Technical support at 48.25
  • Recently traded at 49.85 with  a 50 day moving average of 44.35
Fundamental factors:
  • Market Cap $4.12 billion
  • P/E 20.58
  • Dividend yield 3.25%
  • Revenue expected to grow 7.30% this year and another 4.60% next year
  • Earnings estimated to increase 5.40% this year, an additional 7.50% next year and continue to compound at an annual rate of 5.00% for the next 5 years
  • Wall Street analysts issued 1 strong buy, 1 buy, 4 hold and 1 under perform recommendation on the stock

The 5 Best NASDAQ 100 Stocks for Momentum Investors

I have received requests to use short term technical screening criteria so momentum stocks are identified earlier.  Today I used Barchart to sort the NASDAQ 100 Index stocks first for the highest number of new highs in the last month, then again for the highest short term technical buy signals.  Next I used the Flipchart feature to review the charts.  Today's list includes:

Intuitive Surgical (ISRG), Applied Materials (AMAT), Paychex (PAYX), Charter Communications (CHTR) and Tesla Motors (TSLA)

Intuitive Surgical (ISRG)


Barchart technical indicators:
  • 14 new highs and up 9.76% in the last month
  • Trend Spotter buy signal
  • 80% short term technical buy signals
  • Relative Strength Index 66.38%
  • Recently traded at 587.38 with a technical support level at 581.96


Barchart technical indicators:
  • 14 new highs and up 19.92% in the last month
  • Trend Spotter buy signal
  • 80% short term technical buy signals
  • Relative Strength Index 67.48%
  • Recently traded at 20.05 with a technical support level at 19.87
Paychex (PAYX)


Barchart technical indicators:
  • 14 new highs and up 6.62% in the last month
  • Trend Spotter buy signal
  • 100% short term technical buy signals
  • Relative Strength Index 66.60%
  • Recently traded at 53.30 with a technical support level at 52.91


Barchart technical indicators:
  • 14 new highs and up 17.30% in the last month
  • Trend Spotter buy signal
  • 100% short term technical buy signals
  • Relative Strength Index 70.81%
  • Recently traded at 198.16 with a technical support level at 190.51


Barchart technical indicators:
  • 14 new highs and up 43.02% in the last month
  • Trend Spotter buy signal
  • 80% short term technical buy signals
  • Relative Strength Index 71.77%
  • Recently traded at 221.93 with a technical support level at 218.44













MORNING CALL 3/17

MORNING CALL
OVERNIGHT MARKETS AND NEWS
Jun E-mini S&Ps (ESM16 -0.30%) are down -0.45%, retreating from a 2-1/2 month high on global growth concerns. The markets lost their euphoria over the Fed's decision Wednesday to scale back interest rate increases on concern over global growth. Caterpillar is down over 3% in pre-market trading after it lowered guidance on Q1 adjusted EPS to 65 cents-70 cents, below consensus of 95 cents. European stocks are down -1.66%, led by losses in carmakers, as EUR/USD rallied to a 5-week high. Commodity producers and mining stocks bucked the trend and are trading higher as crude oil jumped to a 3-1/4 month high and copper climbed to a 1-1/2 week high. Asian stocks settled mixed: Japan -0.22%, Hong Kong +1.21%, China +1.20%, Taiwan +0.41%, Australia +0.96%, Singapore +1.26%, South Korea +0.72%, India -0.02%. China's Shanghai Composite posted a 3-week high as the yuan strengthened to a 2-1/2 month high against the dollar, although Japanese stocks closed lower after JPY/USD fell to a 3-week low, which undercut exporters and dragged the overall market lower.
The dollar index (DXY00 -1.00%) is down -1.14% at a 4-3/4 month low. EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is up +0.90% at a 5-week high. USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is down -1.12% at a 3-week low.
Jun T-note prices (ZNM16 +0.45%) are up +22 ticks at a 1-week high on positive carryover from the FOMC's decision yesterday to scale back its interest rate increases.
The ECB Governing Council lowered the ELA ceiling for Greek banks to 71.3 billion euros from 71.4 billion euros, saying the move "reflects an improvement of the liquidity situation of Greek banks, amid a reduction of uncertainty and the stabilization of private sector deposit flows."
U.S. STOCK PREVIEW
Key U.S. news today includes: (1) weekly initial unemployment claims (expected +9,000 to 268,000, previous -18,000 to 259,000) and continuing claims (expected +10,000 to 2.235 million, previous -32,000 to 2.225 million), (2) Q4 current account deficit (expected -$118.0 billion, Q3 -$124.1 billion), (3) Mar Philadelphia Fed business outlook survey (expected +1.3 to -1.5, Feb +0.7 to -2.8), (4) Jan JOLTS job openings (expected -57,000 to 5.550 million, Dec +261,000 to 5.607 million), (5) Feb leading indicators (expected +0.2%, Jan -0.2%), and (6) the Treasury's auction of $11 billion of 10-year TIPS.
There are 4 of the Russell 1000 companies that report earnings today: Adobe Systems (consensus $0.61), Marvell Technology (0.10), Michaels Cos (0.84), International Game Technology (0.37).
U.S. IPO's scheduled to price today: Spring Bank Pharmaceuticals (SBPH).
Equity conferences during the remainder of this week include: Barclays Capital Global Health Care Conference on Tue-Thu, Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global Industrials & EU Autos Conference on Wed-Thu, Evercore ISI Retail Summit on Wed-Thu, ACI European Food & Beverage Plastic Packaging Conference on Thu, and Citigroup Retail Madness Conference on Thu.


OVERNIGHT U.S. STOCK MOVERS
Caterpillar (CAT +2.62%) is down over 3% in pre-market trading after it lowered guidance on Q1 adjusted EPS to 65 cents-70 cents, below consensus of 95 cents.
Hyatt Hotels (H -0.61%) were downgraded to 'Equalweight' from 'Overweight' at Morgan Stanley.
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International (VRX +0.09%) is down over 2% in pre-market trading after Wells Fargo lowered its valuation on the stock to $30-$31 from $56-$58.
St. Jude Medical (STJ -1.54%) rose nearly 2% in after-hours trading after the stock was rated a 'Buy' at Nomura with a price target of $64.
FedEx (FDX +0.84%) climbed nearly 5% in after-hours trading after it reported Q3 adjusted EPS of $2.51, higher than consensus of $2.34, and then raised guidance on fiscal 2016 adjusted EPS to $10.70-$10.90 from a previous estimate of $10.40-$10.90, above consensus of $10.56.
Jabil Circuit (JBL +2.57%) sank nearly 9% in after-hours trading after it reported Q2 core EPS of 57 cents, below consensus of 60 cents, and said it sees Q3 core EPS of 12 cents-18 cents, well below consensus of 51 cents.
Herman Miller (MLHR +2.26%) gained over 2% in after-hours trading after it reported Q3 EPS of 46 cents, better than consensus of 39 cents, and said it sees Q4 EPS of 57 cents-61 cents, higher than consensus of 53 cents.
U.S. Silica (SLCA +2.98%) lost 3% in after-hours trading after it reported a stock offering of 8 million shares.
Homeinns Hotel Group (HMIN -0.20%) reported Q4 revenue of $258.9 million, above an estimated range of $236.3 million-$240.4 million.
Silver Wheaton (SLW +5.51%) rose over 1% in after-hours trading after it reported Q4 adjusted EPS of 14 cents, better than consensus of 13 cents.
Williams-Sonoma (WSM +2.15%) slipped 4% in after-hours trading after it reported Q4 EPS of $1.55, below consensus of $1.58, and said it sees Q1 EPS of 48 cents-52 cents, weaker than consensus of 55 cents.
Guess (GES -1.84%) slumped over 9% in after-hours trading after it reported Q4 EPS of 57 cents, below consensus of 58 cents, and said it sees fiscal year 2017 EPS of 65 cents-85 cents, weaker than consensus of $1.05.
Barrick Gold (ABX +6.98%) CFO Shaun Usmar will leave the company to lead Elliot Management Venture and will be replaced by EVP Catherine Raw effective April 26.
Rofin-Sinar Technologies (RSTI -0.13%) surged over 40% in after-hours trading after Coherent (COHR +0.24%) agreed to buy the company for $32.50 a share or $942 million.
MARKET COMMENTS
Jun E-mini S&Ps (ESM16 -0.30%) this morning are down -9.00 points (-0.45%). Wednesday's closes: S&P 500 +0.56%, Dow Jones +0.43%, Nasdaq +0.85%. The S&P 500 on Wednesday erased early losses and rallied to a 2-1/4 month high and closed higher. Stocks were boosted by the +0.2% increase in U.S. Feb manufacturing production (stronger than expectations of +0.1%) and by the dovish FOMC meeting where the FOMC lowered its 2016 year-end fed funds rate forecast to 0.9% from a 1.4% estimate in Dec, which implies only two 25 bp rate increases in 2016 versus an estimate of four rate hikes in Dec.
Jun 10-year T-notes (ZNM16 +0.45%) this morning are up +22 ticks at a 1-week high. Wednesday's closes: TYM6 +14.00, FVM6 +15.00. Jun T-notes on Wednesday recovered from a 1-1/2 month low and closed higher on the dovish FOMC meeting where the FOMC cut its GDP and inflation forecasts and now predicts only two rate hikes this year rather the four. T-notes fell early to a 1-1/2 month low after U.S. Feb core CPI rose +2.3% y/y, the largest increase in 3-3/4 years.
The dollar index (DXY00 -1.00%) this morning is down -1.093 (-1.14%) at a 4-3/4 month low. EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is up +0.0101 (+0.90%) at a 5-week high. USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is down -1.26 (-1.12%) at a 3-week low. Wednesday's closes: Dollar Index -0.743 (-0.77%), EUR/USD +0.0115 (+1.04%), USD/JPY -0.62 (-0.55%). The dollar index on Wednesday slid to a 1-month low and closed lower on the dovish FOMC meeting where the Fed cut its expectations for rate hikes, acknowledged global risks, and cut its GDP and inflation forecasts.
Apr WTI crude (CLJ16 +1.72%) this morning is up +1.59% to a 3-1/4 month high and Apr gasoline (RBJ16 +0.27%) is up +0.0039 (+0.27%). Wednesday's closes: CLJ6 +2.12 (+5.83%), RBJ6 +0.0101 (+0.72%). Apr crude oil and gasoline on Wednesday closed sharply higher on the slide in the dollar index to a 1-month low, the -0.1% decline in U.S. crude production in the week ended Mar 11 to a 16-month low of 9.068 million bpd, and the +1.3 million bbl increase in weekly EIA crude inventories, less than expectations of +2.75 million bbl.
GLOBAL EVENT CALENDAR03/17/2016
US0830 ETWeekly initial unemployment claims expected +9,000 to 268,000, previous -18,000 to 259,000. Weekly continuing claims expected +10,000 to 2.235 million, previous -32,000 to 2.225 million.
0830 ETQ4 current account balance expected -$118.0 billion, Q3 -$124.1 billion.
0830 ETMar Philadelphia Fed business outlook survey expected +1.3 to -1.5, Feb +0.7 to -2.8.
0830 ETUSDA weekly Export Sales.
1000 ETJan JOLTS job openings expected -57,000 to 5.550 million, Dec +261,000 to 5.607 million.
1000 ETFeb leading indicators expected +0.2%, Jan -0.2%.
1100 ETTreasury announces amount of 2-year floating rate notes to be auctioned Mar 23 (previous $13 billion).
1300 ETTreasury auctions $11 billion of 10-year TIPS.
EUR0600 ETRevised Eurozone Feb CPI, preliminary -0.2% y/y. Revised Feb core CPI, preliminary +0.7% y/y.
UK0800 ETBOE announces interest rate decision and asset purchase target expected no change to the 0.50% benchmark rate or to the 375 billion-pound asset purchase target.
CHI2130 ETChina Feb property prices.
U.S. STOCK CALENDAR03/17/2016
CompanyTickerTimeEvent DescriptionPeriodEstimate
Michaels Cos Inc/TheMIK USBef-mktQ4 2016 Earnings ReleaseQ4 20160.841
International Game Technology PLCIGT USBef-mktQ4 2015 Earnings ReleaseQ4 20150.374
International Game Technology PLCIGT US8:00Q4 2015 Earnings CallQ4 2015
Michaels Cos Inc/TheMIK US9:00Q4 2016 Earnings CallQ4 2016
Adobe Systems IncADBE US17:00Q1 2016 Earnings CallQ1 2016
Adobe Systems IncADBE USAft-mktQ1 2016 Earnings ReleaseQ1 20160.606
Equifax IncEFX USInvestor MeetingY 2016
Marvell Technology Group LtdMRVL USQ4 2016 Earnings ReleaseQ4 20160.099
Keysight Technologies IncKEYS USAnnual General Meeting

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Sonoco Products - Chart of the Day

Sonoco Products (SON) is the Barchart Chart of the Day.  The paper products company has a Trend Spotter buy signal, a Weighted Alpha of 13.80+ and gained 7.26% in the last year.

The Chart of the Day is Sonoco Products (SON).  I found the paper products stock by using Barchart to sort today's All Time High list first for the highest number of new highs during the last month, then I used the Flipchart feature to review the charts.  Since the Trend Spotter signaled a buy on 2/10 the stock gained 18.81%.

Sonoco is one of the world's largest manufacturers of packaging materials for industrial and consumer markets. In addition, the company is one of the leading producers of recycled paperboard, utilizing more than a million tons of recovered paper annually in its papermaking operations. Sonoco products are used by many of the world's leading industries, including food processing, beverages, textiles, supermarkets, plastics, papermaking, pharmaceuticals, material converting, material handling, agriculture, personal care, health care and many others.


The status of Barchart's Opinion trading systems are listed below. Please note that the Barchart Opinion indicators are updated live during the session every 10 minutes and can therefore change during the day as the market fluctuates. The indicator numbers shown below therefore may not match what you see live on the Barchart.com web site when you read this report.

Barchart technical indicators:

  • 88% technical buy signals
  • Trend Spotter buy signal
  • Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
  • 15 new highs and up 15.94% in the last month
  • Relative Strength index 84.97%
  • Technical support level at 46.24
  • Recently traded at 48.01 with a 50 day moving average of 41.38
Fundamental factors:
  • Market Cap $4.85 billion
  • P/E 18.45
  • Dividend yield 2.99%
  • Revenue expected to grow .40% this year and another 1.90% next year
  • Earnings estimated to increase 7.20% this year, an additional 8.60% next year and continue to compound at an annual rate of 4.99% for the next 5 years
  • Wall Street analysts issued 2 strong buy, 2 buy, 7 hold and 1 under perform recommendation on the stock

5 Small Caps for Momentum Investors

I have been asked the same question many, many times: Why couldn't you find these stocks much earlier?  Well I'm listening and now using Barchart to find stocks much earlier by using more short term screening criteria.  Today I used Barchart to sort the S&P 600 Small Cap Index stocks first for the highest number of new highs in the last month, then again for a Trend Spotter buy signal.  Next I reviewed the charts using the Flipchart feature.  Today's  watch list includes:

Cantel Medical (CMN), Cash America International (CSH), Hawaiian Holdings (HA), Parkway Properties (PKY) and Cousins Properties (CUZ)

Cantel Medical (CMN)


Barchart technical indicators:
  • 17 new highs and up 20.53% in the last month
  • Trend Spotter buy signal
  • 80% short term technical buy signals
  • Relative Strength Index 74.21
  • Recently traded at 70.54 with a technical support level at 71.01


Barchart technical indicators:
  • 16 new highs and up 21.73% in the last month
  • Trend Spotter buy signal
  • 60% short term technical buy  signals
  • Relative Strength Index 72.31%
  • Recently traded at 36.63 with a technical support level at 36.22


Barchart technical indicators:
  • 15 new highs and up 24.96% in the last month
  • Trend Spotter buy signal
  • 80% short tern technical buy signals
  • Relative Strength Index 71.97%
  • Recently traded at 45.00 with a technical support at 43.38


Barchart technical indicators:
  • 15 new highs and up 19.27% in the last month
  • Trend Spotter buy signal
  • 80% short term technical buy signals
  • Relative Strength Index 66.20%
  • Recently traded at 14.74 with  a technical support level at 14.60


Barchart technical indicators:
  • 14 new highs and up 19.57% in the last month
  • Trend Spotter buy signal
  • 80% short term technical buy signals
  • Relative Strength Index 74.15%
  • Recently traded at 9.91 with a 50 day moving average of 9.70










MORNING CALL 3/16

MORNING CALL

OVERNIGHT MARKETS AND NEWS
Jun E-mini S&Ps (ESM16 -0.04%) are unchanged ahead of the outcome of today's FOMC meeting and press conference from Fed Chair Yellen. Gains in mining stocks and energy producers are supporting the overall market as the price of crude oil and copper gain. European stocks are up +0.12% as a rally in automakers leads the market higher after data from the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association showed European new car registrations rose for a 30th month in Feb. Asian stocks settled mixed: Japan -0.83%, Hong Kong -0.15%, China +0.21%, Taiwan +1.02%, Australia +0.15%, Singapore +0.17%, South Korea +0.22%, India +0.53%.
The dollar index (DXY00 +0.25%) is up +0.23%. EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is down -0.20%. USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is up +0.36% as the yen weakened after comments from BOJ Governor Kuroda who said that a negative -0.5% Japanese benchmark rate was a possibility.
Jun T-note prices (ZNM16 +0.06%) are unchanged.
BOJ Governor Kuroda told a Japanese parliamentary committee that "looking at Europe, theoretically, there is a lot of room" to cut the negative interest rate further. He added that a cut in the interest rate to -0.5% was a possibility.
Eurozone Feb new car registrations rose +14.3% y/y t0 1.057 million, the 30th consecutive month that new car registrations have increased.
U.S. STOCK PREVIEW
Key U.S. news today includes: weekly MBA mortgage applications (previous +0.2% with purchase sub-index +4.2% and refi sub-index -2.3%), (2) Feb housing starts (expected +4.6% to 1.150 million, Jan -3.8% to 1.099 million), (3) Feb CPI (expected -0.2% m/m and +0.9% y/y, Jan unch m/m and +1.4% y/y) and Feb CPI ex food & energy (expected +0.2% m/m and +2.2% y/y, Jan +0.3% m/m and +2.2% y/y), (4) Feb industrial production (expected -0.3%, Jan +0.9%), and (5) the FOMC post-meeting statement and a press conference by Fed Chair Yellen.
There are 3 of the Russell 1000 companies that report earnings today: FedEx (consensus $2.34), Williams-Sonoma (1.58), Jabil Circuit (0.60).
U.S. IPO's scheduled to price today: Hutchison China MediTech (HCM).
Equity conferences during the remainder of this week include: Citi Global Property CEO Conference on Mon-Wed, Bank of America Merrill Lynch Consumer & Retail Tech Conference on Tue-Wed, Barclays Emerging Payments Forum on Tue-Wed, Barclays Capital Global Health Care Conference on Tue-Thu,
3rd Annual Pharma Customer Experience Summit 2016 on Wed, Goldman Sachs Innovation Symposium on Wed, Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global Industrials & EU Autos Conference on Wed-Thu, Evercore ISI Retail Summit on Wed-Thu, ACI European Food & Beverage Plastic Packaging Conference on Thu, and Citigroup Retail Madness Conference on Thu.


OVERNIGHT U.S. STOCK MOVERS
Oracle (ORCL +0.10%) rallied over 4% in pre-market trading after it reported Q3 adjusted EPS of 64 cents, higher than consensus of 62 cents.
Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG -2.47%) is down nearly 6% in pre-market trading after it said it expects a Q1 EPS loss of -$1.00, much weaker than consensus for a 3 cent gain.
Kraft Heinz (KHC +0.27%) and Monster Beverage (MNST +0.02%) were both added to the 'Conviction Buy' list at Goldman Sachs.
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International (VRX -51.46%) slid 6% in pre-market trading after the stock plunged more than 51% yesterday.
LinkedIn (LNKD -1.45%) dropped nearly 5% in pre-market trading after it was downgraded to 'Equalweight' from 'Overweight' at Morgan Stanley.
Achaogen (AKAO -1.63%) was downgraded to 'Hold' from 'Buy' at Needham & Co.
Casey's General Stores (CASY +0.80%) reported that its February same-store-sales for grocery and other merchandise rose +12% y/y.
Relypsa (RLYP -9.95%) climbed over 3% in after-hours trading after it reported that 812 new patients started taking its Veltassa last month versus 409 in January.
Caleres (CAL -0.79%) dropped over 8% in after-hours trading after it lowered guidance on full-year adjusted EPS to $2.00-$2.10, below consensus of $2.22.
Osiris Therapeutics (OSIR -4.29%) reported that it received a subpoena from the SEC about its accounting practices.
Xcel Brands (XELB +4.58%) jumped nearly 7% in after-hours trading after it reported Q4 adjusted EPS of 10 cents, higher than consensus of 7 cents.
Tronox Ltd. (TROX -6.96%) rose over 3% in after-hours trading on signs of insider buying after Tronox SVP Willlem Van Niekerk reported that he bought another 4,600 shares of stock.
MARKET COMMENTS
Jun E-mini S&Ps (ESM16 -0.04%) this morning are unchanged. Tuesday's closes: S&P 500 -0.18%, Dow Jones +0.13%, Nasdaq -0.01%. The S&P 500 on Tuesday closed lower on concern about weak consumer spending after the Feb retail sales report of -0.1% and -0.1% ex-autos and the downward revision in Jan retail sales to -0.4% and -0.4% ex-autos from +0.2% and +0.1% ex-autos. There was also weakness in energy producers after crude oil dropped to a 1-week low.
Jun 10-year T-notes (ZNM16 +0.06%) this morning are unchanged. Tuesday's closes: TYM6 -0.50, FVM6 -2.25. Jun T-notes on Tuesday closed little changed. T-notes were undercut by the +17.26 point increase in the Mar Empire manufacturing survey of business conditions to an 8-month high of 0.62 (stronger than expectations of +6.14 to -10.50) and by some position-squaring ahead of Wednesday's FOMC meeting outcome, which could be a bit more hawkish in tone than the market expects. T-notes received support from the weak retail sales report and March NAHB housing index report and by the mildly lower close in stocks.
The dollar index (DXY00 +0.25%) this morning is up +0.223 (+0.23%). EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is down -0.0022 (-0.20%). USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is up +0.41 (+0.26%). Tuesday's closes: Dollar Index +0.009 (+0.01%), EUR/USD +0.0006 (+0.05%), USD/JPY -0.64 (-0.56%). The dollar index on Tuesday closed little changed. The dollar received a boost from the stronger-than-expected Mar Empire manufacturing survey business conditions index that rose to an 8-month high and bolstered the case for the Fed to keep raising interest rates. However, the dollar index was undercut by the weak U.S. retail sales report and by some strength in the yen which received a boost after the BOJ left its policy unchanged and refrained from expanding stimulus measures.
Apr WTI crude (CLJ16 +2.09%) this morning is up +72 cents (+1.98%) and Apr gasoline (RBJ16 +0.48%) is up +0.0027 (+0.19%). Tuesday's closes: CLJ6 -0.84 (-2.26%), RBJ6 -0.0146 (-1.03%). Apr crude and gasoline on Tuesday closed lower with Apr crude at a 1-week low. Crude oil prices were undercut by Russian Energy Minister Novak's comment that Iran has "reasonable arguments" for not joining other major producers in freezing production and by expectations for Wednesday's weekly EIA crude inventories to increase by +2.75 million bbl.
GLOBAL EVENT CALENDAR03/16/2016
US0700 ETWeekly MBA mortgage applications, previous +0.2% with purchase sub-index +4.2% and refi sub-index -2.3%.
0830 ETFeb housing starts expected +4.6% to 1.150 million, Jan -3.8% to 1.099 million. Feb building permits expected 0.2% to 1.200 million, Jan unch at 1.202 million.
0830 ETFeb CPI expected -0.2% m/m and +0.9% y/y, Jan unch m/m and +1.4% y/y. Feb CPI ex food & energy expected +0.2% m/m and +2.2% y/y, Jan +0.3% m/m and +2.2% y/y.
0915 ETFeb industrial production expected -0.3%, Jan +0.9%. Feb manufacturing production expected +0.1%, Jan +0.5%. Feb capacity utilization expected -0.2 to 76.9%, Jan 77.1%.
1030 ETEIA Weekly Petroleum Status Report.
1400 ETFOMC announces interest rate decision; no change expected to the 0.25%-0.50% fed funds rate target.
1430 ETFed Chair Janet Yellen holds press conference following FOMC meeting.
JPN0200 ETRevised Japan Feb machine tool orders.
1950 ETJapan Feb trade balance expected +400.2 billion yen, Jan -648.5 billion yen. Feb exports expected -3.0% y/y, Jan -12.9% y/y. Feb imports expected -15.8% y/y, Jan -17.8% y/y.
EUR0300 ETEurozone Feb new car registrations, Jan +6.2% y/y.
0600 ETEurozone Jan construction output, Dec -0.6% m/m and -0.4% y/y.
UK0530 ETUK Feb jobless claims change expected -9,100, Jan -14,800. Feb claimant count rate expected unch at 2.2%.
0530 ETUK Jan avg weekly earnings expected +2.0% 3-month avg y/y, Dec +1.9% 3-month avg y/y.
0530 ETUK Jan avg weekly earnings ex-bonus expected +2.1% 3-month avg y/y, Dec +2.0% 3-month avg y/y.
0530 ETUK Jan ILO unemployment rate expected unch at 5.1% for the three months through Jan, previous 5.1% for the 3-months through Dec.
U.S. STOCK CALENDAR03/16/2016
CompanyTickerTimeEvent DescriptionPeriodEstimate
Mallinckrodt PLCMNK US5:30Annual General Meeting
ARRIS International PLCARRS US8:00Investor & Analyst DayY 2016
MDU Resources Group IncMDU US9:00Investor MeetingY 2016
Expedia IncEXPE US10:00Investor & Analyst MeetingY 2016
Jabil Circuit IncJBL US16:02Q2 2016 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20160.596
FedEx CorpFDX US16:15Q3 2016 Earnings ReleaseQ3 20162.337
Jabil Circuit IncJBL US16:30Q2 2016 Earnings CallQ2 2016
FedEx CorpFDX US17:00Q3 2016 Earnings CallQ3 2016
Williams-Sonoma IncWSM US17:00Q4 2016 Earnings CallQ4 2016
Williams-Sonoma IncWSM USAft-mktQ4 2016 Earnings ReleaseQ4 20161.582
Progressive Corp/ThePGR USFebruary 2016 Sales and Revenue Release2016
Questar CorpSTR USRoadshow - New YorkY 2016
Agilent Technologies IncA USAnnual General Meeting