On January 19, American stock indexes finished trading in the green zone. The S&P 500 Index rose 0.81% to 3799 points, the NASDAQ rose 1.53%, the Dow Jones added 0.38%. The optimism was driven by a call for Congress, Janet Yellen, who will become the next finance minister, to increase fiscal stimulus by raising government spending. The tech sector emerged as one of the top gainers with 1.31% as Janet Yellen opposed a sharp increase in corporate taxes.
Corporate news
- Investment bank Goldman Sachs (GS: -2.3%) showed strong results, but management was cautious in forecasting gains from trading.
- General Motors (GM: + 9.8%) entered into a partnership agreement with Microsoft (MSFT: + 1.8%) to commercialize electric vehicles with autopilot function.
- Lithium Americas (LAC: + 30.6%) has been cleared by the Bureau of Land Management to mine lithium in Nevada.
Today, global stock markets are showing mixed dynamics. The news background is mostly calm. Investors are focusing on the inauguration of Joe Biden, who will become the 46th President of the United States. In the first hours and days as head of state, Biden plans to repeal a number of Donald Trump’s decrees related to climate policy, immigration, and a number of other aspects. What really matters for the stock market will be decisions related to the fight against COVID-19. It is expected that Biden will oblige citizens to wear masks on federal sites and establish additional sanitary rules. In the first 100 days of his term, the new head of state expects that 100 million people will be vaccinated against the coronavirus. Investors will watch to see how successfully this plan is implemented.
The epidemiological situation in the United States is gradually improving, which has a positive effect on the mood of market participants. The number of patients hospitalized with coronavirus infection fell to 123.8 thousand from a historical high of 132.5 thousand, reached two weeks earlier. Probably, the peak loads on US hospitals have been left behind. In the near future, volatility across sectors and industries will increase due to the publication of quarterly reports. Investor expectations are generally positive, but management’s forecasts for 2021 will be critical.
Meanwhile, the Freedom Finance Sentiment Index climbed to 58 out of 100. The index reflects market participants’ hope for a global economic recovery in 2021. Concerns about the negative impact of the coronavirus pandemic are weakening thanks to the prospect of mass vaccinations.
Technical picture
Technically, the S&P 500 is still prone to short-term consolidation. On the eve of the broader market index showed a sharp rebound from the level of 3750 points, signaling the continued strength of buyers. Technical indicators are a mixed bag. In case of confident overcoming of the historical maximum at 3827 points, the S&P 500 will continue its upward movement within the equidistant channel.
Today Top Movers
BEST Inc (BEST), a trucking company, soared about 12.20% at $2.30 in pre-market trading Wednesday on a possible deal with Alibaba Group.
Aikido Pharma Inc (AIKI) share price jumped 15.45% to $1.27 during early morning trading session on Wednesday.
PC-Tel Inc (PCTI) stock ascended 26.58% at $11.24 in the pre-market trading today after declaring a development partnership with Zeem Solutions.
Sundial Growers Inc (SNDL) gained over 2.90% at $0.71 in pre-market trading on Wednesday.
Top Upgrades & Downgrades
UBS turned bullish on Netflix Inc. (NFLX), upgrading the stock to “Buy” and assigning a $650.0 price target, representing potential upside of 29.54% from Tuesday’s close.
The Boeing Company (BA) has won the favor of Berenberg’s equity research team. The firm upgraded the shares from Sell to Hold and moved their price target to $215.0, suggesting 2.06% additional upside for the stock.
Polaris Inc. (PII) received an upgrade from analysts at BMO Capital, who also set their one-year price target on the stock to $136. They changed their rating on PII to Outperform from Market Perform in a recently issued research note.
Earlier Wednesday BTIG reduced its rating on Beyond Meat Inc. (BYND) stock to Neutral from Buy.
Piper Sandler analysts reduced their investment ratings, saying in research reports covered by the media that its rating for Global Blood Therapeutics Inc. (GBT) has been changed to Neutral from Overweight and the new price target is set at $50.
Analysts at Piper Sandler downgraded ShockWave Medical Inc. (SWAV)’s stock to Neutral from Overweight Wednesday.
Latest Insider Activity
IHS Markit Ltd. (INFO) EVP, CFO Gear Jonathan announced the sale of shares taking place on Jan 19 at $87.50 for some 4,000 shares. The total came to more than $0.35 million.
Teladoc Health Inc. (TDOC) Head of Research & Development WANG YULUN sold on Jan 14 a total of 243,768 shares at $226.66 on average. The insider’s sale generated proceeds of almost $1.81 million.
Orgenesis Inc. (ORGS) Director SIDRANSKY DAVID declared the purchase of shares taking place on May 20 at $6.98 for some 10 shares. The transaction amount was around $70.
Old Republic International Corporation (ORI) Director KOVALESKI CHARLES J bought on Jan 13 a total of 10,346 shares at $18.74 on average. The purchase cost the insider an estimated $4,685.
Important Earnings
Top US earnings releases scheduled for today include Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS). It will announce its Dec 2020 financial results. The company is expected to report earnings of $1.27 per share from revenues of $11.54B in the three-month period.
Analysts expect U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB) to report a net income (adjusted) of $0.95 per share when the bank releases its quarterly results shortly. Revenue for the fiscal quarter ended Dec 2020 is predicted to come in at $5.82B.
Kinder Morgan Inc. (KMI), due to announce earnings after the market closes today, is expected to report earnings of $0.24 per share from revenues of $3.05B recently concluded three-month period.
