US Markets: Broader indices in the United States traded on a mixed note - particularly, the S&P 500 index traded 4.43 points or 0.15 per cent higher at 2,958.34, Dow Jones Industrial Average Index contracted by 48.91 points or 0.20 per cent lower at 24,548.46, and the technology benchmark index Nasdaq Composite traded higher at 9,295.96, up by 61.14 points or 0.66 per cent against its previous day close (at the time of writing, before the U.S market close at 11:30 AM ET).
US News: Wall Street appeared volatile today and looked consolidating post Monday’s gains, as potential vaccine driven rally was offset by rising US-China tension. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump threatened to withdraw funding from the WHO (World Health Organization) unless the agency exhibit independence from China. Among the gaining stocks, Walmart grew around 1.6 per cent post reporting better than expected first-quarter results. Darden Restaurants slightly rose about 0.5 per cent as they gradually reopen restaurants. Southwest Airlines grew over 1.7 per cent after witnessing a positive booking in May 2020. Among the declining stocks, Kohls plunged over 7.4 per cent post reporting wider than the anticipated loss in the first quarter. Moderna dipped around 2.5 per cent after surging nearly 20 per cent yesterday, as they intend to raise USD 1.3 billion in additional capital. Similarly, Home Depot shed over 1.9 per cent post missing first-quarter earnings forecast and scrapping profit guidance for FY20.
S&P 500 (SPX)
Top Performers*: Advance Auto Parts Inc, Autozone Inc, and Take-Two Interactive Software Inc shares increased by 6.83 per cent, 2.40 per cent and 2.38 per cent, respectively.
Non Performers*: Kohls Corp, Gap Inc and TechnipFMC Plc shares decreased by 7.60 per cent, 5.37 per cent and 5.21 per cent, respectively.
NASDAQ Composite (IXIC)
Top Performers*: ShiftPixy Inc, Nano Dimension Ltd and Kirkland’s Inc shares expanded by 110.49 per cent, 70.17 per cent and 45.98 per cent, respectively.
Worst Performers*: Gamida Cell Ltd, RumbleON Inc and X T L Biopharmaceuticals Ltd shares plunged by 21.53 per cent, 18.81 per cent and 18.62 per cent, respectively.
Top Performing Sectors*: Energy (+0.59 per cent), Basic Materials (+0.37 per cent), and Technology (+0.35 per cent).
Top Worst Sectors*: Telecommunications Services (-2.51 per cent), Utilities (-0.96 per cent), and Financials (-0.70 per cent).
Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI)
Top Performers*: Walmart Inc, Intel Corp and Apple Inc shares climbed by around 1.64 per cent, 0.58 per cent and 0.44 per cent, respectively.
Non Performers*: Home Depot Inc, Walt Disney Co and Procter & Gamble Co shares decreased by 2.86 per cent, 1.73 per cent and 1.70 per cent, respectively.
European Markets: The London’s broader equity benchmark index FTSE 100 traded at 46.36 points or 0.77 per cent lower at 6,002.23, the FTSE 250 index snapped at 90.05 points or 0.56 per cent higher at 16,320.08, and the FTSE All-Share Index ended 17.47 points or 0.53 per cent lower at 3,302.74, respectively. Another European index STOXX 600 ended down by 2.10 points or 0.61 per cent, at 339.49. Among other major European indices, DAX index closed the session at 11,075.29, up by 16.42 points or 0.15 per cent; CAC 40 index decreased by 40.18 points or 0.89 per cent and ended the trading session at 4,458.16.
European News: London and European markets surged today as investors are anticipating a speedy recovery from the Coronavirus-imposed recession. Meanwhile, Britain increased the size of the loan from GBP 50 million to GBP 200 million, which large businesses can borrow. Also, the jobless claims in the UK reached nearly 24 years highest to 2.1 million in April 2020. Among the gaining stocks, Beazley gained over 9.1 per cent post raising GBP 247 million in fresh capital. Similarly, Micro Focus International soared over 9.3 per cent despite reporting an 11 per cent decrease in first-half revenue. N Brown jumped over 14.7 per cent as it reported improved performance in the latest trading update. Avon Rubber rose over 3.3 per cent post reporting strong growth in its organic revenue in its half-yearly report. Among the decliners, Imperial Brands slumped over 8.2 per cent on plans to slash its dividend by one-third. Compass Group dipped over 6.7 per cent as they plan to raise GBP 2 billion in equity post shutting its foodservice operations in schools and office.
London Stock Exchange
Top Performers*: BROWN(N.)GROUP PLC (BWNG), LAMPRELL PLC (LAM) and ASA INTERNATIONAL GROUP PLC (ASAI) accelerated significantly by 25 per cent, 21.94 per cent and 13.59 per cent, respectively.
Worst Performers*: TOWN CENTRE SECURITIES PLC (TOWN), IMPERIAL BRANDS PLC (IMB) and MENZIES(JOHN) PLC (MNZS) plunged by 10.64 per cent, 7.59 per cent and 7.30 per cent, respectively.
FTSE 100 Index Performance
3 months FTSE 100 Index Performance (May-19-2020), before the market closed (Source: Refinitiv, Thomson Reuters)
Best Gainers*: STANDARD LIFE ABERDEEN PLC (SLA), INTL CONSOLIDATED AIRLINES GROUP SA (IAG) and M&G PLC (MNG) expanded by 3.56 per cent, 3.32 per cent and 3.02 per cent, respectively.
Non Performers*: IMPERIAL BRANDS PLC (IMB), COMPASS GROUP PLC (CPG) and CENTRICA PLC (CNA) traded in red zone and were down by 7.20 per cent, 6.37 per cent and 5.82 per cent, respectively.
Active Stocks (traded with high volume)*: (LLOY) LLOYDS BANKING GROUP PLC; (VOD) VODAFONE GROUP PLC; (BP) BP PLC.
Top Sector traded in the positive zone*: Telecommunications Services (+0.87 per cent).
Top Sectors traded in the negative zone*: Utilities (-2.64 per cent), Consumer Non-Cyclicals (-2.23 per cent), and Consumer Cyclicals (-2.08 per cent).
Crude Oil Prices*: WTI crude oil (future) price was tilting at $31.63 per barrel, and Brent future crude oil (future) price was nudging at $34.56 per barrel.
Forex Rates*: GBP to USD and EUR to GBP were hovering at 1.2251 and 0.8922, respectively.
Bond Yields*: U.S 10-Year Treasury yield was tilting at 0.706 per cent, and the UK 10-Year Government Bond yield was hovering at 0.246 per cent, respectively.
*At the time of writing
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