Showing posts with label DAR. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DAR. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

MORNING CALL 3/1

Barchart Morning Call

OVERNIGHT MARKETS AND NEWS
Mar E-mini S&Ps (ESH17 +0.51%) this morning are up +0.44% at a new all-time nearest-futures high and European stocks are up +1.57% at a 14-1/2 month high on signs of global economic strength. President Trump's address to Congress last night turned out to be a non-event as it lacked specifics on his tax cut plans or details on infrastructure spending. Global stocks rallied after Chinese manufacturing activity unexpectedly expanded last month and Eurozone manufacturing activity remained at a 3-year high. Mining stocks and raw-material producers also moved higher as May copper (HGK17 +1.11%) climbed +1.34% to a 1-week high on expectations of stronger global demand for commodities. Asian stocks settled mostly higher: Japan +1.44%, Hong Kong +0.15%, China +0.16%, Taiwan -0.78%, Australia -0.13%, Singapore +0.84%, South Korea closed for holiday, India +0.84%. Asian stocks found support on signs of strength in Chinese manufacturing activity, while Japanese exporter stocks also garnered support from a slide in the yen as USD/JPY rose +0.88% to a 1-1/2 week high, which boosts the earnings prospects of exporters.
The dollar index (DXY00 +0.74%) is up +0.66% at a 1-1/2 month high as hawkish Fed commentary late yesterday boosted the odds of a Mar Fed rate hike. EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is down -0.41%. USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is up +0.88% at a 1-1/2 week high.
Jun 10-year T-note prices (ZNM17 -0.61%) are down -21.5 ticks.
St. Louis Fed President Bullard (non-voter) said he's "agnostic" about when to raise the fed funds rate and that being pre-emptive "would be overkill" as he "doesn't think the fiscal uncertainty will be resolved before summer."
The China Feb manufacturing PMI unexpectedly rose +0.3 to 51.6, stronger than expectations of -0.1 to 51.2.
The Eurozone Feb Markit manufacturing PMI was revised downward to 55.4 from the originally reported 55.5, still the fastest pace of expansion since the data series began in 2014.
Japan Q4 capital spending rose +3.8% y/y, stronger than expectations of +0.8% y/y. Q4 capital spending ex-software rose 3.3% y/y, stronger than expectations of +1.1% y/y.
U.S. STOCK PREVIEW
Key U.S. news today includes: (1) weekly MBA mortgage applications (previous -2.0% with purchase sub-index -2.8% and refi sub-index -1.0%), (2) Jan personal spending (expected +0.3%, Dec +0.5%) and Jan personal income (expected +0.3%, Dec +0.3%), (3) Jan PCE deflator (expected +0.5% m/m and +2.0% y/y, Dec +0.2% m/m and +1.6% y/y) and Jan core PCE deflator (expected +0.3% m/m and +1.7% y/y, Dec +0.1% m/m and +1.7% y/y), (4) revised Feb Markit manufacturing PMI (expected +0.2 to 54.5, prelim-Feb -0.7 to 54.3), (5) Feb ISM manufacturing index (expected +0.2 to 56.2, Jan +1.5 to 56.0), (6) Jan construction spending (expected +0.6% m/m, Dec -0.2% m/m), (7) Dallas Fed President Robert Kaplan (voter) speaks at Paul Quinn College in Dallas, TX, (8) Fed Beige Book, (9) Fed Governor Lael Brainard speaks on the economic outlook and monetary policy at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, (10), Feb total vehicle sales (expected 17.70 million, Jan 17.48 million), (11) EIA Weekly Petroleum Status Report.
Notable S&P 500 earnings reports today include: Best Buy (consensus $1.67), Lowe's (0.79), Dollar Tree (1.32), Monster Beverage (0.30), Broadcom (3.48), Mylan (1.42).
U.S. IPO's scheduled to price today: Snap (SNAP).
Equity conferences: CITI Asset Management, Broker Dealer & Market Structure Conference on Wed, Gabelli & Company Pump, Valve & Water Systems Symposium on Wed, Wells Fargo Real Estate Securities Conference on Wed, ABA National Conference on Wed, EnerCom The Oil & Gas Conference on Wed, J.P. Morgan Gaming, Lodging, Restaurant & Leisure Management Access Forum on Thu, Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global Agriculture and Chemicals Conference on Wed-Thu, BTIG Healthcare Conference on Thu, Capital Link Master Limited Partnership Investing Forum on Thu, Simmons Energy Conference on Thu-Fri.
OVERNIGHT U.S. STOCK MOVERS
Micron (MU -1.35%) was upgraded to 'Buy' from 'Neutral' at Goldman Sachs with a price target of $29.
Allstate (ALL +1.01%) was downgraded to 'Market Perform' from 'Outperform' at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods with a 12-month target price of $81.
William Lyon Homes (WLH -2.28%) rose 3% in after-hours trading after it was announced that it will replace Arctic Cat in the S&P SmallCap 600 at the opening of trade on Monday, March 6.
Intel (INTC -0.85%) was downgraded to 'Underperform' from 'Market Perform' at Bernstein with a 12-month target price of $30
salesforce.com (CRM -0.23%) slid over 1% in after-hours trading after it said it sees full-year revenue of $10.15 billion-$10.20 billion, below consensus of $10.20 billion.
Tesaro (TSRO +0.51%) lost 1% in after-hours trading after it reported a Q4 loss of -$2.60 a share, wider than consensus of -$1.95.
Palo Alto Networks (PANW -1.33%) slumped nearly 20% in after-hours trading after it said it sees Q3 revenue of $406 million-$416 million, below consensus of $454.6 million.
Weight Watchers International (WTW +9.93%) jumped over 8% in after-hours trading after it reported Q4 EPS of 20 cents, better than consensus of 19 cents, and said it sees full-year EPS of $1.30-$1.40, above consensus of $1.17.
Darling Ingredients (DAR +1.64%) rallied over 6% in after-hours trading after it reported Q4 EPS of 25 cents, above consensus of 19 cents.
Veeva Systems (VEEV -1.02%) fell nearly 2% in after-hours trading after it forecast fiscal 2018 EPS of 78 cents-80 cents, below consensus of 80 cents.
TASER International (TASR -1.57%) gained over 1% in after-hours trading after it reported Q4 EPS of 12 cents, better than consensus of 10 cents.
CyberOptics (CYBE -1.01%) sank over 10% in after-hours trading after it reported Q4 revenue of $13.50 million, less than consensus of $14.21 million.
Builders FirstSource (BLDR +0.94%) climbed nearly 6% in after-hours trading after it reported Q4 net sales of $1.55 billion, higher than consensus of $1.50 billion.
Chuy's Holdings (CHUY +0.88%) fell over 3% in after-hours trading after it reported Q4 EPS of 14 cents, below consensus of 17 cents, and said it sees full-year EPS of $1.11 to $1.15, weaker than consensus of $1.19.
Big 5 Sporting Goods (BGFV -2.89%) jumped over 13% in after-hours trading after it said it sees Q1 EPS of 12 cents-18 cents, well above consensus of 6 cents.
Dynavax (DVAX +2.27%) surged over 20% in after-hours trading after it announced the FDA will review Dynavax's responses to the Complete Response Letter issued by the FDA in Nov 2016 for the Biologics License Application for HEPLISAV-B, Dynavax's vaccine for immunization against hepatitis B infection in adults 18 years and older.
MARKET COMMENTS
Mar E-mini S&Ps (ESH17 +0.51%) this morning are up +10.50 points (+0.44%) at a fresh record nearest-futures high. Tuesday's closes: S&P 500 -0.26%, Dow Jones -0.12%, Nasdaq -0.32%. The S&P 500 on Tuesday closed lower on the unrevised U.S. Q4 GDP of +1.9% (weaker than expectations of +2.1%) and some long liquidation ahead of President Trump's address to Congress on Tuesday night. Stocks were supported by the unexpected +3.2 increase in U.S. Feb consumer confidence (Conference Board) to 114.8 (stronger than expectations of -0.8 to 111.0 and a 15-1/2 year high) and the +7.1-point increase in the Feb Chicago PMI to 57.4 (stronger than expectations of +3.2 to 53.5 and the fastest pace of expansion in 2 years).
Jun 10-year T-notes (ZNM17 -0.61%) this morning are down -21.5 ticks. Tuesday's closes: TYM7 -0.50, FVM7 -2.75. Jun 10-year T-notes on Tuesday closed slightly lower on comments from New York Fed President Dudley (voter) who said the case for tightening had become "a lot more compelling" in recent months and on the +3.2 increase in U.S. Feb consumer confidence to 114.8, a 15-1/2 year high. Losses were limited after U.S. Q4 GDP was left unrevised at +1.9%, weaker than expectations of +2.1%.
The dollar index (DXY00 +0.74%) this morning is up +0.67 (+0.66%) at a 1-1/2 month high. EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is down -0.0043 (-0.41%). USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is up +0.99 (+0.88%) at a 1-1/2 week high. Tuesday's closes: Dollar index -0.01 (-0.01%), EUR/USD -0.0011 (-0.10%), USD/JPY +0.58 (+0.52%). The dollar index on Tuesday closed lower on the weaker-than-expected U.S. Q4 GDP report and long liquidation in the dollar ahead of President Trump's speech to Congress on Tuesday night. Losses were limited after New York Fed President Dudley said the case for tightening had become "a lot more compelling" in recent months.
Apr WTI crude oil prices (CLJ17 +0.26%) this morning are up +13 cents (+0.24%) and Apr gasoline (RBJ17 -1.14%) is -0.0205 (-1.19%). Tuesday's closes: Apr crude -0.04 (-0.07%), Apr gasoline -0.0123 (-0.71%). Apr crude oil and gasoline on Tuesday closed lower on the prediction from JBC Energy GmgH that OPEC Feb crude production rose by +55,000 bpd to 32.245 million bpd and by expectations that Wednesday's weekly EIA data will show U.S. crude inventories rose by +3.0 million bbl.
GLOBAL EVENT CALENDAR03/01/2017
Wednesday, Mar 1
US0700 ETWeekly MBA mortgage applications, previous -2.0% with purchase sub-index -2.8% and refi sub-index -1.0%.
0830 ETJan personal spending expected +0.3%, Dec +0.5%. Jan personal income expected +0.3%, Dec +0.3%. Jan PCE deflator expected +0.5% m/m and +2.0% y/y, Dec +0.2% m/m and +1.6% y/y. Jan core PCE deflator expected +0.3% m/m and +1.7% y/y, Dec +0.1% m/m and +1.7% y/y.
0945 ETRevised Feb Markit manufacturing PMI expected +0.2 to 54.5, prelim-Feb -0.7 to 54.3.
1000 ETFeb ISM manufacturing index expected unch at 56.0, Jan +1.5 to 56.0. Feb ISM new orders, Jan +0.1 to 60.4. Feb ISM employment, Jan +3.3 to 56.1. Feb ISM prices paid expected -1.0 to 68.0, Jan +3.5 to 69.0.
1000 ETJan construction spending expected +0.6% m/m, Dec -0.2% m/m.
1030 ETEIA Weekly Petroleum Status Report.
1300 ETDallas Fed President Robert Kaplan (voter) speaks at Paul Quinn College in Dallas, TX.
1400 ETFed Beige Book.
1800 ETFed Governor Lael Brainard speaks on the economic outlook and monetary policy at Harvard Universitys John F. Kennedy School of Government.
n/aFeb total vehicle sales expected 17.70 million, Jan 17.48 million. Feb domestic vehicle sales expected 13.65 million, Jan 13.60 million.
Thursday, Mar 2
US0730 ETFeb Challenger job cuts, Jan -38.8% y/y.
0830 ETWeekly initial unemployment claims expected +1,000 to 245,000, previous +6,000 to 244,000. Weekly continuing claims expected unch at 2.060 million, previous -17,000 to 2.060 million.
0830 ETUSDA weekly Export Sales.
1100 ETTreasury announces amount of 3-year T-notes (previous $24 billion), 10-year T-notes (previous $23 billion) and 30-year T-bonds (previous $15 billion) to be auctioned Mar 7-9.
1900 ETCleveland Fed President Loretta Mester (non-voter) speaks on leadership at the Athena Center for Leadership Studies at Barnard College in New York.
U.S. STOCK CALENDAR03/01/2017
CompanyTickerTimeEvent DescriptionPeriodEstimate
Mallinckrodt PLCMNK US4:30Annual General MeetingY 2017
Lowe's Cos IncLOW USBf-mktQ4 2017 Earnings ReleaseQ4 20170.785
Dollar Tree IncDLTR USBf-mktQ4 2017 Earnings ReleaseQ4 20171.321
Best Buy Co IncBBY US7:00Q4 2017 Earnings ReleaseQ4 20171.667
Best Buy Co IncBBY US8:00Q4 2017 Earnings CallQ4 2017
Honeywell International IncHON US9:00Investor ConferenceY 2017
Hershey Co/TheHSY US9:00Analyst DayY 2017
Lowe's Cos IncLOW US9:00Q4 2017 Earnings CallQ4 2017
Universal Health Services IncUHS US9:00Q4 2016 Earnings CallQ4 2016
Dollar Tree IncDLTR US9:00Q4 2017 Earnings CallQ4 2017
TransDigm Group IncTDG US9:00Annual General MeetingY 2017
Ford Motor CoF US9:15February 2017 Sales and Revenue Release2017
Exxon Mobil CorpXOM US9:30Analyst MeetingY 2017
Ford Motor CoF US10:00February 2017 Sales and Revenue Call2017
Mylan NVMYL US13:00Investor DayY 2017
Monster Beverage CorpMNST US17:00Q4 2016 Earnings CallQ4 2016
Broadcom LtdAVGO US17:00Q1 2017 Earnings CallQ1 2017
Monster Beverage CorpMNST USAft-mktQ4 2016 Earnings ReleaseQ4 20160.302
Broadcom LtdAVGO USAft-mktQ1 2017 Earnings ReleaseQ1 20173.474
Equifax IncEFX USInvestor MeetingY 2017
Helmerich & Payne IncHP USAnnual General Meeting
McDonald's CorpMCD USInvestor MeetingY 2017
Mylan NVMYL USQ4 2016 Earnings ReleaseQ4 20161.422

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

MORNING CALL 3/2

MORNING CALL
OVERNIGHT MARKETS AND NEWS
March E-mini S&Ps (ESH16 -0.14%) are down -0.28% as they follow crude oil prices lower, although European stocks are up +0.39% at a 1-month high as miners and commodity producers rallied and led the overall market higher after the price of copper jumped to a 3-1/2 month high. Crude oil is down -1.95% after data late yesterday from API showed U.S. crude inventories surged +9.9 million bbl last week. Asian stocks settled higher: Japan +4.11%, Hong Kong +3.07%, China +4.26%, Taiwan +0.69%, Australia +2.01%, Singapore +1.66%, South Korea +1.70%, India +1.95%. Chinese stocks rallied on speculation the government will announce measures to boost growth at legislative meetings that begin Saturday. China's National People's Congress will begin a 2-week meeting starting March 5 where delegates will sign off on a new 5-year economic plan. Japan's Nikkei Stock Index climbed to a 3-week high as exporter stocks rallied after the yen fell to a 2-week low against eh dollar, which improves earnings prospects of exporters
The dollar index (DXY00 +0.10%) is up +0.10%. EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is down -0.12%. USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is up +0.32% at a 2-week high.
Jun T-note prices (ZNM16 -0.12%) are down -4 ticks at a 4-week low on hawkish comments from San Francisco Fed President Williams who said the U.S. economy is set to "power ahead." which increases the chance of a Fed rate hike at the Mar 15-16 FOMC meeting.
In a telephone interview with the Financial Times, San Francisco Fed President Williams said "he doesn't see any signs in the data of any slackening of domestic demand" and that the U.S. economy is set to "power ahead" and push inflation back to target as positive U.S. domestic demand outweighs weakness from abroad.
U.S. STOCK PREVIEW
Key U.S. news today includes: (1) weekly MBA mortgage applications (previous -4.3% with purchase sub-index +2.2% and refi sub-index -7.7%), (2) Feb ADP employment change (expected +188,000, Jan +205,000), (3) Feb New York ISM (Jan -7.4 to 54.6), (4) San Francisco Fed President John Williams' speech at the Bishop Ranch Forum in San Ramon, CA, and (5) Fed Beige Book.
There are 2 of the S&P 500 companies that report earnings today: Costco Wholesale (consensus $1.28), Brown-Forman (0.94).
U.S. IPO's scheduled to price today: Syndax Pharmaceuticals (SNDX).
Equity conferences this week include: Morgan Stanley Technology Media & Technology Conference on Mon-Thu, Pacific Crest Securities Emerging Technology Summit on Tue-Wed, UBS Natural Gas & Electric Utilities Conference on Wed, Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global Agriculture and Chemicals Conference on Wed-Thu, Bank of America Refining Conference on Thu, Citi Asset Management, Broker Dealer & Exchanges Investor Conference on Thu, Gabelli & Company Waste & Environmental Services Conference on Thu, Simmons Energy Conference on Thu-Fri.


OVERNIGHT U.S. STOCK MOVERS

Dollar Tree (DLTR +2.22%) was downgraded to 'Market Perform' from 'Strong Buy' at Raymond James.
Amazon.com (AMZN +4.80%) was rated a new 'Outperform' at BMO with a price target of $700.
Weatherford International PLC (WFT -3.28%) dropped over 3% in after-hours trading after it announced an offering of 80 million shares of common stock.
Ross Stores (ROST +2.27%) gained almost 1% in after-hours trading after it reported Q4 EPS of 66 cents, higher than consensus of 64 cents.
Ascena Retail Group (ASNA +4.73%) slid over 4% in after-hours trading after it reported Q2 revenue of $1.84 billion, weaker than consensus of $1.88 billion, and then lowered guidance in Q3 EPS to 10 cents-14 cents, below consensus of 19 cents.
Veeva Systems (VEEV +3.25%) dropped over 2% in after-hours trading after it lowered guidance on fiscal 2016 adjusted EPS to 54 cents-56 cents, below consensus of 57 cents.
Bob Evans Farms BOBE reported Q3 adjusted EPS of 62 cents, better than consensus of 55 cents.
NeoPhotonics (NPTN +5.75%) rose over 5% in after-hours trading after it reported Q4 adjusted EPS of 16 cents, better than consensus of 10 cents.
Chuy's Holdings (CHUY +2.34%) climbed over 6% in after-hours trading after it reported Q4 adjusted EPS of 18 cents, higher than consensus of 13 cents.
Guidewire Software (GWRE +2.62%) jumped 8% in after-hours trading after it raised guidance on fiscal 2016 adjusted EPS to 64 cents-71 cents from a prior view of 57 cents-66 cents, above consensus of 64 cents.
Darling Ingredients (DAR +1.44%) rose over 3% in after-hours trading after it reported Q4 pro forma adjusted Ebitda of $103.1 million, above estimates of $97.1 million.
Big 5 Sporting Goods (BGFV -2.99%) slumped over 12% in after-hours trading after it lowered guidance for Q1 EPS to between a net -5 cent loss to a 2 cent profit, below consensus of a 6 cent profit.
MARKET COMMENTS
Mar E-mini S&Ps (ESH16 -0.14%) this morning are down -5.50 points (-0.28%). Tuesday's closes: S&P 500 +2.39%, Dow Jones +2.11%, Nasdaq +3.15%. The S&P 500 on Tuesday rose to a 1-3/4 month high and closed sharply higher on the strong U.S. economic reports, which included the +1.3 point increase in the U.S. Feb ISM manufacturing index to 49.5 (stronger than expectations of +0.3 to 48.5) and the +1.5% jump in U.S Jan construction spending (stronger than expectations of +0.3% m/m and the largest increase in 8 months). Stocks were undercut by the -0.4 point decline in the China Feb manufacturing PMI to 49.0, weaker than expectations of unch at 49.4 and matched Nov 2011 as the steepest pace of contraction in 7 years.
Jun 10-year T-notes (ZNM16 -0.12%) this morning are down -4 ticks at a 4-week low. Tuesday's closes: TYM6 -29.50, FVM6 -16.00. Jun T-notes on Tuesday sold off to a 3-week low and closed lower on strength in the U.S. Feb ISM manufacturing and Jan construction spending reports, reduced safe-haven demand with the rally in stocks, and an increase in inflation expectations after the 10-year T-note breakeven inflation rate climbed to a 1-1/2 month high.
The dollar index (DXY00 +0.10%) this morning is up +0.101 (+0.10%). EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is down -0.0013 (-0.12%). USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is up +0.36 (+0.32%) at a 2-week high. Tuesday's closes: Dollar Index +0.141 (+0.14%), EUR/USD -0.00051 (-0.05%), USD/JPY +1.32 (+1.17%). The dollar index on Tuesday rose to a 4-week high and settled higher on the stronger-than-expected U.S. Feb ISM manufacturing and Jan construction spending reports, which may accelerate a Fed rate hike. In addition, EUR/USD slumped to a 1-month low on expectations for the ECB to expand stimulus at next week's policy meeting.
Apr WTI crude (CLJ16 -1.37%) this morning is down -67 cents (-1.95%) and Apr gasoline (RBJ16 +0.61%) is up +0.0007 (+0.05%). Tuesday's closes: CLJ6 +0.65 (+1.93%), RBJ6 -0.0202 (-1.53%). Apr crude oil and gasoline on Tuesday settled mixed. Metals prices were boosted by the rally in global stocks and the stronger-than-expected U.S. Feb ISM manufacturing and Jan construction spending reports, which were positive for energy demand. Metals prices were undercut by the rally in the dollar index to a 4-week high and by expectations for U.S. crude supplies to increase by +2.75 million bbl in Wednesday's EIA inventory report.
GLOBAL EVENT CALENDAR03/02/2016
US0700 ETWeekly MBA mortgage applications, previous -4.3% with purchase sub-index +2.2% and refi sub-index -7.7%.
0815 ETFeb ADP employment change expected +188,000, Jan +205,000.
0945 ETFeb New York ISM, Jan -7.4 to 54.6.
1000 ETSan Francisco Fed President John Williams speaks at the Bishop Ranch Forum in San Ramon, CA.
1030 ETEIA Weekly Petroleum Status Report.
1400 ETFed Beige Book.
UK0430 ETUK Feb Markit/CIPS construction PMI expected +0.5 to 55.5, Jan 55.0.
EUR0500 ETEurozone Jan PPI expected -1.0% m/m and -2.9% y/y, Dec -0.8% m/m and -3.0% y/y.
CHI2045 ETChina Feb Caixin composite PMI, Jan +0.7 to 50.1.
U.S. STOCK CALENDAR03/02/2016

CompanyTickerTimeEvent DescriptionPeriodEstimate
Brown-Forman CorpBF/B US8:00Q3 2016 Earnings ReleaseQ3 20160.94
Huntsman CorpHUN US8:00Investor DayY 2016
Exxon Mobil CorpXOM US9:00Analyst MeetingY 2016
Progressive Corp/ThePGR US9:00Investor Relations Conference Call
TransDigm Group IncTDG US9:00Annual General MeetingY 2016
Honeywell International IncHON US10:00Investor ConferenceY 2016
Brown-Forman CorpBF/B US10:00Q3 2016 Earnings CallQ3 2016
Middleby Corp/TheMIDD US11:00Q4 2015 Earnings CallQ4 2015
Cerner CorpCERN US12:00Investment Community MeetingY 2016
WESCO International IncWCC US13:00Investor DayY 2016
Target CorpTGT US14:30Financial Community MeetingY 2016
Cable One IncCABO USAft-mktQ4 2015 Earnings ReleaseQ4 20153.33
Costco Wholesale CorpCOST US21:00Q2 2016 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20161.281
Helmerich & Payne IncHP USAnnual General Meeting
Costco Wholesale CorpCOST USFebruary 2016 Sales and Revenue Release2016
Hologic IncHOLX USAnnual General Meeting
PTC IncPTC USAnnual General Meeting
AECOMACM USAnnual General Meeting
Mallinckrodt PLCMNK USAnnual General MeetingY 2016

Thursday, March 5, 2015

BARCHART MORNING ALL 3/5

BARCHART MORNING CALL

OVERNIGHT MARKETS AND NEWS
March E-mini S&Ps (ESH15 +0.16%) this morning are up +0.12% and European stocks are up +0.79% at a 6-3/4 year high ahead of today's ECB meeting where ECB President Draghi will announce details of the ECB's bond-buying program. Increased M&A activity is also supportive for stocks after Abbvie agreed to buy Pharmacyclics for $21 billion. As expected, the BOE kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 0.50% and left its asset purchase target at 375 billion pounds. Asian stocks closed mixed: Japan +0.26%, Hong Kong -1.11%, China -0.98%, Taiwan -0.28%, Australia +0.04%, Singapore -0.59%, South Korea -0.06%, India +0.23%. Chinese stocks fell after Premier Li Keqiang lowered China's 2015 GDP target to 7.0%, the lowest in more than 15 years, from 7.5% in 2014, and said "the difficulties we are to encounter in the year ahead may be even more formidable than those of last year." Commodity prices are mixed. Apr crude oil (CLJ15 +0.80%) is up +1.01% at a 1-1/2 week high after Libya's National Oil Corp. declared force majeure on oil supplies from 11 Libyan oil fields due to attacks on oil infrastructure from Islamic militants. Apr gasoline (RBJ15 -0.22%) is down -0.24%. Apr gold (GCJ15 +0.02%) is down -0.11%. May copper (HGK15 +0.15%) is up +0.17%. Agriculture prices are weaker. The dollar index (DXY00 +0.22%) is up +0.25% at an 11-1/3 year high. EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is down -0.23% at an 11-1/2 year low. USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is up +0.39%. Jun T-note prices (ZNM15 -0.05%) are down -2 ticks.
German Jan factory orders fell -3.9% m/m, weaker than expectations of -1.0% m/m and the biggest monthly decline in 5 months. On an annual basis, Jan factory orders unexpectedly fell -0.1% y/y, weaker than expectations of +2.6% y/y.
UK Feb Halifax house prices fell -0.3% m/m and rose +8.3% y/y, weaker than expectations of -0.2% m/m and +8.5% y/y.
U.S. STOCK PREVIEW
Today’s Feb ADP employment report is expected to show a respectable increase of +220,000, stronger than the +213,000 increase seen in January. Today’s Feb ISM non-manufacturing index is expected to show a small -0.2 decline to 56.5, thus reversing January’s small +0.2 point increase to 56.7. The Fed today will release its Beige Book report ahead of the March 17-18 FOMC meeting. There are 3 of the S&P 500 companies that report earnings today: H&R Block (consensus $-0.17), Brown-Forman (0.86), PetSmart (1.37).
Equity conferences during the remainder of this week include: Cowen & Co. Health Care Conference on Mon-Wed, Citigroup Global Property CEO Conference on Mon-Wed, Raymond James & Associates Institutional Investors Conference on Mon-Wed, Morgan Stanley Technology Media & Telecom Conference on Mon-Thu, Bank of America Merrill Lynch Consumer & Retail Conference on Tue-Wed, J.P. Morgan Aviation, Transportation and Industrials Conference on Tue-Thu, Mitsubishi UFJ Securities 3rd Annual Seattle Consumer Conference on Wed, Morgan Stanley European MedTech & Services Conference on Wed, Simmons Energy Conference on Wed, UBS Natural Gas, Electric Power and MLP Conference on Wed, UBS Utilities and Natural Gas Conference on Wed, UBS Global Consumer Conference on Wed-Thu, Bank of America Merrill Lynch Refining Conference on Thu, Barclays Investment Grade Energy & Pipeline Conference on Thu, Pacific Crest Emerging Technology Summit on Thu, Morgan Stanley MLP/Diversified Natural Gas, Utilities Clean Tech Conference on Thu.



OVERNIGHT U.S. STOCK MOVERS
Costo Wholesale (COST -0.14%) reported Q2 EPS of $1.25, more than consensus of $1.18.
Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF -15.51%) was downgraded to 'Neutral' from 'Buy' at Nomura.
Exxon Mobil (XOM -0.50%) was downgraded to 'Hold' from 'Buy' at Evercore ISI.
McDonald's (MCD +0.51%) was downgraded to 'Neutral' from 'Overweight' at Piper Jaffray.
Joy Global (JOY -1.95%) reported Q1 EPS of 25 cents, less than consensus of 36 cents, and then lowered guidance on fiscal 2015 adjusted EPS view to $2.50-$3.00 from $3.10-$3.50, well below consensus of $3.20.
Sprouts Farmers Markets (SFM -1.22%) filed to sell 15.85 million shares of common stock for holders.
Darling (DAR -0.23%) rose over 4% in after-hours trading after it reported Q4 EPS of 42 cents, double consensus of 21 cents.
Pharmacyclics (PCYC +6.33%) jumped over 7% in pre-market trading after AbbVie agreed to buy the company fpr $21 billion.
Alon USA Partners (ALDW -0.06%) reported Q4 EPS of 67 cents, better than consensus of 60 cents.
Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY +6.06%) announced that the FDA has approved its Opdivo injection, for intravenous use, for the treatment of patients with metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer.
Coca-Cola Bottling (COKE -2.00%) reported Q4 EPS of 32 cents, higher than one estimate of 13 cents.
H&R Block (HRB -0.86%) reported a Q3 adjusted EPS loss of -13 cents, a smaller loss than consensus of -17 cents.
Roundy's (RNDY -0.25%) reported Q4 adjusted EPS of 7 cents, more than twice consensus of 3 cents.
MARKET COMMENTS
Mar E-mini S&Ps (ESH15 +0.16%) this morning are up +2.50 points (+0.12%). The S&P 500 index on Wednesday tumbled to a 1-1/2 week low and closed lower: S&P 500 -0.44%, Dow Jones -0.58%, Nasdaq -0.30%. Bearish factors included (1) the +212,000 increase in Feb ADP employment, less than expectations of +220,000, (2) weakness in industrial companies led by a -5% plunge in Alcoa, and (3) a slide in transportation stocks after railroad companies sold off for a second day. Stocks recovered from their worst levels after the Feb ISM non-manufacturing index unexpectedly rose +0.2 to 56.9, stronger than expectations of -0.2 to 56.5.
Jun 10-year T-notes (ZNM15 -0.05%) this morning are down -2 ticks. Jun 10-year T-note futures prices on Wednesday recovered from a 1-week low and closed higher. Closes: TYM5 +3.00, FVM5 +3.50. Bullish factors included (1) the smaller-than-expected increase in Feb ADP employment, and (2) the fall in the S&P 500 to a 1-1/2 week low, which boosted the safe-haven demand for T-notes.
The dollar index (DXY00 +0.22%) this morning is up +0.238 (+0.25%) at a fresh 11-1/3 year high. EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is down -0.0025 (-0.23%) at an 11-1/2 year low. USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is up +0.47 (+0.39%). The dollar index on Wednesday soared to an 11-1/3 year high and closed higher: Dollar index +0.582 (+0.61%), EUR/USD -0.00975 (-0.87%), USD/JPY -0.063 (-0.05%). Bullish factors included (1) the stronger-than-expected Feb ISM non-manufacturing index, which should keep the Fed on track to raise interest rates later this year, and (2) weakness in EUR/USD/ which fell to a 11-1/3 year low after the Eurozone Feb Markit composite PMI was revised lower.
Apr WTI crude oil (CLJ15 +0.80%) this morning is up +52 cents (+1.01%) at a 1-1/2 week high and Apr gasoline (RBJ15 -0.22%) is down -0.0046 (-0.24%). Apr crude and Apr gasoline prices on Wednesday settled mixed: CLJ5 +1.01 (+2.00%), RBJ5 -0.0274 (-1.41%). Bearish factors included (1) a rally in the dollar index to an 11-1/3 year high, (2) the +10.3 million bbl increase in weekly EIA crude inventories to 444.4 million bbl, far higher than expectations of +4.0 million bbl, and (3) the +0.4% increase in U.S. crude production in the week ended Feb 27 to 9.324 million bpd, the most in over three decades. Crude oil recovered its losses and moved higher after the Fed Beige Book said the U.S. economy continued to expand from Jan through mid Feb.
GLOBAL EVENT CALENDAR03/05/2015
US0830 ETWeekly initial unemployment claims expected -18,000 to 295,000, previous +31,000 to 313,000. Weekly continuing claims expected -6,000 to 2.395 million, previous 21,000 to 2.401 million.
0830 ETRevised Q4 non-farm productivity expected -2.3%, previous -1.8%. Revised Q4 unit labor costs expected +3.3%, previous +2.7%.
0830 ETUSDA weekly Export Sales.
1000 ETJan factory orders expected +0.2%, Dec -3.4%.
1000 ETSan Francisco Fed President John Williams speaks on the economic outlook at the CFA Society Hawaii Economic Forecast Dinner.
1100 ETTreasury announces amount of 3-year T-notes (previous $24 billion), 10-year T-notes (previous $24 billion) and 30-year T-bonds (previous $16 billion) to be auctioned Mar 10-12.
1630 ETFed releases results of its latest bank stress tests.
GER0200 ETGerman Jan factory orders expected -1.0% m/m and +2.6% y/y, Dec +4.2% m/m and +3.4% y/y.
UK0400 ETUK Feb new car registrations, Jan +6.7% y/y.
0700 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.
EUR0745 ETECB announces interest rate decision.
0830 ETECB President Mario Draghi holds press conference following ECB meeting.
U.S. STOCK CALENDAR03/05/2015
CompanyTickerTimeEvent DescriptionPeriodEstimate
Joy Global IncJOY USBef-mktQ1 2015 Earnings ReleaseQ1 20150.361
Kroger Co/TheKR USBef-mktQ4 2015 Earnings ReleaseQ4 20150.903
Costco Wholesale CorpCOST USBef-mktQ2 2015 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20151.179
L Brands IncLB US7:30February 2015 Sales and Revenue Call2015
Verisk Analytics IncVRSK US8:30Investor DayY 2015
MDU Resources Group IncMDU US9:00Investor & Analyst MeetingY 2015
TransDigm Group IncTDG US9:00Annual General MeetingY 2015
Kroger Co/TheKR US10:00Q4 2015 Earnings CallQ4 2015
Greif IncGEF US10:00Q1 2015 Earnings CallQ1 2015
Joy Global IncJOY US11:00Q1 2015 Earnings CallQ1 2015
Costco Wholesale CorpCOST US11:00Q2 2015 Earnings CallQ2 2015
WESCO International IncWCC US13:00Investor DayY 2015
Cooper Cos Inc/TheCOO US16:00Q1 2015 Earnings ReleaseQ1 20151.535
Fossil Group IncFOSL US16:00Investor DayY 2015
Cooper Cos Inc/TheCOO US17:00Q1 2015 Earnings CallQ1 2015
Pandora Media IncP US17:00Analyst & Investor DayY 2015
Paramount Group IncPGRE USAft-mktQ4 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ4 20140.18
Equifax IncEFX USInvestor MeetingY 2015
Gap Inc/TheGPS USFebruary 2015 Sales and Revenue Release2015
L Brands IncLB USFebruary 2015 Sales and Revenue Release2015
Rite Aid CorpRAD USFebruary 2015 Sales and Revenue Release2015
AmerisourceBergen CorpABC USAnnual General Meeting
Xcel Energy IncXEL USInvestor Meeting - New YorkY 2015
Hospira IncHSP USTrial begins-U.S. Ct of Appeals: Medicines Co. vs. Hospira Patent-Infringement
Riverbed Technology IncRVBD USSpecial Meeting - M&A Vote