On March 5, the American stock exchanges closed in the green zone. The S&P 500 rose 1.95% to 3842 points, the Dow Jones added 1.85%, the NASDAQ rose 1.55%. All sectors, led by the energy sector, showed a confident growth, which continues to rally supported by oil prices. After the OPEC + decision to leave the production level unchanged, the energy quotes are moving up. Treasury yields were held near weekly highs. The Fed has confirmed its long-term plans to maintain the current parameters of monetary policy.
Company News
Online real estate marketplace CoStar Group (CSGP: + 5.3%) abandoned the acquisition of CoreLogic (CLGX) due to the impact of rising rates on the prospects for the mortgage refinancing market.
Apparel retailer Gap (GPS: + 7.6%) posted a decline in revenue, but EPS was above forecast. The prospects for the development of the Old Navy and Athleta brands are noted.
Insurance company Guidewire Software (GWRE: -4.8%) did better than expected, but margins are worrisome.
Today, global stock markets are showing mixed dynamics. On Saturday, the Senate passed a $ 1.9 trillion stimulus package. It includes a reduction in weekly unemployment benefits from $ 400 to $ 300, direct payments of $ 1,400 for about 85% of American families, $ 350 billion in state and local government assistance, as well as funding a vaccination campaign and expanding tax credits for children. On March 9, a vote on the package will be held in the House of Representatives, after which the law will be submitted to the President for signature. Market participants are confident that the law will be adopted in the first half of March.
The labor market statistics released on Friday pleasantly surprised investors. The unemployment rate fell to 6.2%, and the leisure and hospitality industry became a driver of new job growth. Against the background of a decrease in the incidence of COVID-19 and active vaccination, some states have eased quarantine restrictions: the mandatory wearing of masks and the observance of social distance in public places have been canceled. This revitalized tourism and recreation, but heightened the risk of the spread of the coronavirus. To date, about 17% of the US population has received the vaccine, and this is not enough to stop the epidemic.
Uncertain appetite for risk. The 10-year Treasury rate hovers around the 1.55% mark. Brent oil futures rise to $ 70. Gold dropped to $ 1698.
Technically, the S&P 500 marked a short-term downtrend, maintaining medium-term positive momentum. The broad market index found support near 3700, below the long-term uptrend. In the medium term, mixed dynamics is expected with the nearest support zone of 3640-3700 points.
Today Top Movers
Net Element Inc. (NASDAQ: NETE) shares are trading up 22.27% at $10.87 at the time of writing. Mullen Technologies, Inc. which previously announced a definitive agreement to merge with Net Element in a stock-for-stock reverse merger in which Mullen’s stock holders will receive a majority of the outstanding stock in the post-merger company, revealed today a strategic partnership with NexTech Batteries Inc. as an EV battery supplier and key partner for battery development and technologies.
Anchiano Therapeutics Ltd. (ANCN) stock soared 109.58% to $7.0 in the pre-market trading.
Adaptive Biotechnologies Corporation (ADPT), a Biotechnology company, rose about 11.3% at $47.0 in pre-market trading Monday. The company recently declared that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for T-Detect™ COVID to confirm recent or prior COVID-19 infection.
XpresSpa Group Inc. (XSPA) grew over 26.54% at $2.05 in pre-market trading today. On March 4, 2002, the XpresSpa Group,Inc. (Nasdaq: XSPA) announced it has signed a contract with the Port of Seattle for a COVID-19 popup testing facility at at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).
Top Upgrades & Downgrades
KeyBanc turned bullish on The Trade Desk Inc. (TTD), upgrading the stock to “Overweight” and assigning an $851.0 price target, representing a potential upside of 30.09% from Friday’s close.
IQVIA Holdings Inc. (IQV) has won the favor of KeyBanc’s equity research team. The firm upgraded the shares from Sector Weight to Overweight and moved their price target to $218.0, suggesting a 15.61% additional upside for the stock.
The Coca-Cola Company (KO) received an upgrade from analysts at RBC Capital, who also set their one-year price target on the stock to $60.0. They changed their rating on KO to Outperform from Sector Perform in a recently issued research note.
Earlier Monday KeyBanc reduced its rating on PRA Health Sciences Inc. (PRAH) stock to Sector Weight from Overweight.
KeyBanc analysts reduced their investment ratings, saying in research reports covered by the media that its rating for Entergy Corporation (ETR) has been changed to Sector Weight from Overweight.
Analysts at Goldman Sachs downgraded Viatris Inc. (VTRS)’s stock to Neutral from Buy Monday.
Latest Insider Activity
Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (FCX) Director FORD GERALD J announced the sale of shares taking place on Mar 04 at $33.24 for some 300,000 shares. The total came to more than $9.97 million.
Zynga Inc. (ZNGA) Director DUGAN REGINA E sold on Mar 04 a total of 214,588 shares at $10.53 on average. The insider’s sale generated proceeds of almost $94244.0.
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (CLF) EVP, Chief Financial Officer Koci Keith declared the purchase of shares taking place on Mar 05 at $13.45 for some 15,000 shares. The transaction amount was around $0.2 million.
Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (EPD) Director WILLIAMS RANDA DUNCAN bought on Mar 04 a total of 4,915,183 shares at $22.90 on average. The purchase cost the insider an estimated $6.96 million.
Important Earnings
Top US earnings releases scheduled for today include Waitr Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:WTRH). It will announce its Dec 2020 financial results. The company is expected to report earnings of $0.04 per share from revenues of $51.36M in the three-month period.
Analysts expect ContextLogic Inc. (NASDAQ:WISH) to report a net income (adjusted) of -$3.03 per share, when the company releases its quarterly results shortly. Revenue for the fiscal quarter ended Dec 2020 is predicted to come in at $736.11M.
CarParts.com Inc. (PRTS), due to announce earnings after the market closes today, is expected to report earnings of -$0.1 per share from revenues of $91.97M recently concluded three-month period.
