Dow Sinks on Concerns Over Slowing Global Growth, Chances of a China Trade Deal
The Dow Jones Industrial Average tumbles as concerns over slowing global growth push equities lower and chances of a U.S.-China trade deal dim.
Here Are 3 Hot Things to Know About Stocks Right Now
The Dow Jones Industrial Average tumbled Thursday as concerns over slowing global growth push equities lower and chances of a U.S.-China trade deal dim.
SunTrust Banks Inc. (STI) and BB&T Corp. (BBT) agreed to merge in a $66 billion all-stock deal that will create the sixth-biggest commercial bank in the United States.
Twitter Inc. (TWTR) posted stronger-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings but said expenses would rise notably in 2019. The stock tumbled 10.2%.
Wall Street Overview
Stocks fell on Thursday, Feb. 7, and shares in Europe tumbled after the European Commission and the Bank of England slashed their growth forecasts for the $19 trillion European economy and White House adviser Larry Kudlow said there was a “pretty sizable distance” between the U.S. and China regarding a trade deal.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average sank 358 points, or 1.41%, to 25,031, the S&P 500 was down 1.5%, and the Nasdaq fell 1.71%.
The European Commission said it sees broader eurozone growth slowing to 1.3% this year, down from a prior forecast of 1.9% before rebounding modestly to a growth rate of 1.6% in 2020. The new forecasts are notably lower than the commission had estimated in November and also included softer projections for currency area inflation of 1.4% for this year, well shy of the European Central Bank’s ‘”just below 2%” price stability target.
Kudlow, meahwhile, told Fox Business in an interview that the U.S. and China were still far apart in trade negotiations. It was confirmed earlier that Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin will travel to Beijing next week to re-start trade talks with China.
CNBC reported that Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping were “highly unlikely” to meet before a March 1 trade deal deadline. CNBC quoted a senior administration official.
An all-stock merger of SunTrust Banks Inc. (STI) and BB&T Corp. (BBT) valued at $66 billion did little to lift sentiment. The merger, announced Thursday, would create the sixth-largest U.S. commercial bank.
SunTrust said the deal would create a company with $442 billion in assets, as well as $324 billion in deposits with a customer base of around 10 million American households. The all-stock deal will seen SunTrust investors receiving 1.295 shares of BB&T for each stock they own, with BB&T owning 57% of the combined group to 43% for SunTrust.
“This is a true merger of equals, combining the best of both companies to create the premier financial institution of the future,” said BB&T CEO Kelly King. “It’s an extraordinarily attractive financial proposition that provides the scale needed to compete and win in the rapidly evolving world of financial services. Together with Bill’s leadership and our new SunTrust teammates, we’re going to bring the best of both companies forward to serve our clients and communities.”
SunTrust rose 8.4% to $63.65, while BB&T rose 2.5% to $49.73.
BB&T and SunTrust Agree to $66 Billion Merger to Create 6th-Biggest U.S. Commercial Bank
Twitter Inc. (TWTR) posted stronger-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings as the micro-blogging website held user growth steady but said expenses would rise notably this year as it moved to protect the integrity of its platform. The stock fell 10.2%.
Twitter said earnings for the three months ended in December were 31 cents per share, topping the Wall Street forecast of 25 cents per share. Revenue rose 24% to $909 million and beat the consensus forecast of $868 million.
Looking into 2019, Twitter said it sees first-quarter revenue in the region of $715 to $775 million, essentially in-line with the Refinitiv forecast of $765 million. Twitter also said GAAP and cash operating expenses would rise by 20% from last year “as we support our existing priorities of health, conversation, revenue product and sales, and platform.”
Twitter Tops Q4 Earnings Estimate but Guides for Sharp 2019 Spending Increase
Yum! Brands Inc. (YUM) said U.S. store sales improved thanks to solid gains from its Taco Bell and KFC-branded stores. Yum! fell 0.7%.
Yum! said earnings were $1.04 a share vs. expectations of 96 cents. Adjusted earnings were 40 cents a share. Sales slipped modestly from last year to $1.56 billion and narrowly missed the consensus forecast. However, worldwide same-store sales rose 3%, well ahead of the 2.48% Refinitiv forecast.
Yum Brands Tops Q4 Same-Store Sales Forecasts, Misses on Revenue
T-Mobile U.S. Inc. (TMUS) posted better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings and added more than 1 million new customers to its post-paid wireless network. The stock was rising 1.1%.
Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. (CMG) rose 13.8% after the burrito chain posted adjusted fourth-quarter earnings that beat analysts’ estimates.
Chipotle earned $1.72 a share on an adjusted basis with revenue rising 10% to $1.2 billion. Analysts had called for adjusted earnings of $1.40 a share on sales of $1.2 billion. Same-restaurant sales rose 6.1% in the quarter vs. analysts’ expectations of an increase of 4.5%. Chipotle said it expects comparable-restaurant sales growth in the mid-single digit range in 2019.
Dunkin’ Brands Group Inc. (DNKN) posted fourth-quarter adjusted earnings of 68 cents a share, beating forecasts of 61 cents, but revenue and same-store sales in the quarter came in below Wall Street forecasts. Shares declined 5%.
Posted By Jack Dempsey
401 Gold Consultants LLC
jdemp2003@gmail.com