Trades on January 7, US stock indexes finished in the green zone, setting new all-time highs. The S&P 500 Index rose 1.48% to 3804 points, the Dow Jones added 0.69%, the NASDAQ rose 2.56%. Investors took advantage of the attractive weakness in growth stocks as concerns about a corporate tax hike eased. Macro statistics turned out to be better than expected, business activity in the services sector rose steadily in December. Against this background, the IT sector became the growth leader with a result of 2.65%.
Corporate Updates
Plug Power (PLUG: + 35.1%) has entered into a strategic partnership with SK Group, which is investing $1.5 billion in PLUG in exchange for a 9.9% stake.
L Brands (LB: + 6%), which owns the Victoria’s Secret brand, reported strong sales over the holidays and raised its 4Q EPS forecast.
Albemarle (ALB: + 5.1%) will double production in Nevada by 2025 to meet demand for lithium used in electric car batteries.
Today, world stock exchanges are showing mostly positive dynamics. The news background is quite calm and no new drivers of movement are observed. Donald Trump has been criticized for supporting his supporters on social media, and senators are discussing the possibility of an earlier removal of the president from office. On a positive note, Trump is committed to a peaceful transfer of power to new President Joseph Biden. Investors remain focused on assessing Biden’s potential reforms under Congress with a slight Democratic lead. Expectations are generally positive, so risk appetite is increased. The focus of investors’ attention will gradually shift from the political arena to the real economy.
According to the latest comments from representatives of the Federal Reserve, the pace of economic recovery in the first quarter will be minimal, there is a risk of GDP contraction. In this regard, today’s publication of the block of macro-statistics on the labor market, which may not meet expectations, is of interest.
Economic Highlights
Today will be published the change in the number of employed in the non-agricultural sector for December. Growth is expected by 71 thousand, which is much less than the previous – 245 thousand. Published on Wednesday, January 6, data from the ADP showed a decline in the number of employees, which may be reflected in today’s publication. Yesterday, the employment component of the service PMI showed weakness, falling below 50. All this indicates the risk of the unemployment rate rising in December from 6.7% to 6.8-7.0%.
The Freedom Finance Sentiment Index climbed to 66 out of 100. The indicator reflects market participants’ hope for a global economic recovery in 2021. Worries about the negative impact of the coronavirus pandemic are starting to wane thanks to the prospect of mass vaccinations starting soon.
Technical picture
Technically, the S&P 500 still looks attractive, the trend remains strong. Buyers continue to demonstrate relative strength. At the same time, the index is approaching the overbought zone according to the RSI indicator, which may mean a quick slowdown in growth and, at least, consolidation. A fall below the 3640-support level will lead to a reversal of the short-term trend.
Today Top Movers
Scworx Corp (WORX), a software solutions provider company for the management of health, soared about 48.73% at $2.35 in pre-market trading Friday.
Jaguar Health Inc (JAGX) share price jumped 13.05% to $3.03 during early morning trading session on Friday.
Ideanomics Inc (IDEX) stock ascended 7.38% at $3.20 in the pre-market trading today. The company recently signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of privately held Wireless Advanced Vehicle Electrification, Inc. for cash and stock consideration.
Future Fintech Group Inc (FTFT) increased over 36.35% at $7.84 in pre-market trading on Friday following the declaration from the firm that on December 31, 2020, China Copyright Protection Center has accepted the Company’s application for ten software copyrights relating to blockchain technology applications.
Top Upgrades & Downgrades
Keefe, Bruyette & Woods turned bullish on Regions Financial Corporation (RF), upgrading the stock to “Outperform” and assigning a $18.5 price target, representing potential upside of 4.76% from Thursday’s close.
Tenet Healthcare Corporation (THC) has won the favor of Jefferies’s equity research team. The firm upgraded the shares from Hold to Buy and moved their price target to $60.0, suggesting 34.02% additional upside for the stock.
3M Company (MMM) received an upgrade from analysts at B of A Securities, who also set their one-year price target on the stock to $170.0. They changed their rating on MMM to Underperform from Neutral in a recently issued research note.
Earlier Friday RBC Capital reduced its rating on Taylor Morrison Home Corporation (TMHC) stock to Sector Perform from Outperform and assigned the price target to $27.0. With shares trading at around $25.78, the Wall Street firm thinks Taylor Morrison Home Corporation’s stock could add than 4.71%.
Evercore ISI Group analysts reduced their investment ratings, saying in research reports covered by the media that its rating for Voya Financial Inc. (VOYA) has been changed to In-Line from Outperform and the new price target is set at $64.
Analysts at Needham downgraded Lam Research Corporation (LRCX)’s stock to Hold from Buy on Friday.
Latest Insider Activity
Capstone Turbine Corporation (CPST) Chief Financial Officer Hencken Frederick S. III announced the sale of shares taking place on Jan 05 at $10.69 for some 2,569 shares. The total came to more than $27463.
Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN) Director RUBINSTEIN JONATHAN sold on Jan 05 a total 6,758 shares at $3166.01 on average. The insider’s sale generated proceeds of almost $0.99 million.
Blue Apron Holdings Inc. (APRN) 10% Owner DPH Holdings Ltd declared the purchase of shares taking place on Jan 04 at $5.63 for some 8,000 shares. The transaction amount was around $45040.
Root Inc. (ROOT) 10% Owner Malka Meyer bought on Dec 30 a total of 1,753,976 shares at $16.55 on average. The purchase cost the insider an estimated $12.48 million.
Important Earnings
Top US earnings releases scheduled for Monday include Teligent Inc. (NASDAQ:TLGT). It will announce its Dec 2020 financial results. The company is expected to report earnings of -$1.27 per share from revenues of $15.45M in the three-month period.
Analysts expect Commercial Metals Company (NYSE: CMC) to report a net income (adjusted) of $0.54 per share when the bank releases its quarterly results shortly. Revenue for the fiscal quarter ended Nov 2020 is predicted to come in at $1.34B.
