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US Markets: Broader indices in the United States traded in green - particularly, the S&P 500 index traded 84.75 points or 2.96 per cent higher at 2,948.14, Dow Jones Industrial Average Index expanded by 620.03 points or 2.57 per cent higher at 24,721.58, and the technology benchmark index Nasdaq Composite traded higher at 8,910.53, up by 302.80 points or 3.52 per cent against its previous day close (at the time of writing, before the U.S market close at 1:30 PM ET).
US News: The Wall Street surged for a sixth consecutive day on enthusiasm over potential coronavirus treatment as Gilead Sciences reported heartening results for remdesivir (potential drug studied); subsequently, Gilead stock surged about 5.5 per cent. However, USD GDP growth contracted by 4.8 per cent during the first three months of 2020 (indicating the worst quarter since 2008). Meanwhile, as per the data from the National Association of Realtors, pending home sales plunged 20.8 per cent in March. Among the stocks, Blue Apron tumbled around 19 per cent post reporting a 28 per cent sales decline in the first quarter. Likewise, General Electric dipped over 2 per cent with weak first-quarter earnings. Contrarily, Google’s parent Alphabet soared over 8 per cent after stating strong first quarter results. Similarly, Boeing surged over 4 per cent post announcing plans for 10 per cent job cut due to a whopping first-quarter loss. Mastercard climbed over 7 per cent after posting early signs of spending levels stabilizing.
S&P 500 (SPX)
Top Performers*: NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE, ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES, and CAPITAL ONE FINANCIAL shares increased by 12.30%, 11.69% and 10.56%, respectively.
Non Performers*:CH Robinson Worldwide, Akamai and Hasbro shares decreased by 6.27%, 5.42% and 3.79%, respectively.
NASDAQ Composite (IXIC)
Top Performers*: Capricor Therapeutics Inc, Chimerix Inc and Nxt-ID Inc shares expanded by 150.70%, 57.62% and 44.34%, respectively.
Worst Performers*: Creative Realities Inc, Remark Holdings Inc and Entera Bio Ltd shares plunged by 20.59%, 15.94% and 15.79%, respectively.
Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI)
Top Performers*: Visa, Dow and ExxonMobil are the top gainers and increased by 5.28%, 4.43% and 4.26%, respectively.
Non Performers*: Walmart, 3M and Procter & Gamble shares decreased by 3.12%, 0.86% and 0.73% respectively.
European Markets: The London’s broader equity benchmark index FTSE 100 traded at 156.75 points or 2.63 per cent higher at 6,115.25, the FTSE 250 index snapped at 543.76 points or 3.34 per cent higher at 16,835.34, and the FTSE All-Share Index ended 89.38 points or 2.72 per cent higher at 3,371.26, respectively. Another European equity benchmark index STOXX 600 ended up by 5.97 points or 1.75 per cent, at 347.06. Among other major European indices, DAX index closed the session at 11,107.74, up by 312.11 points or 2.89 per cent; CAC 40 index increased by 101.32 points or 2.22 per cent and ended the trading session at 4,671.11.
European News: London and European markets showed a mixed response today. The United Kingdom stocks surged for a third consecutive day over optimism of lockdown easing and revival of global business activities. Meanwhile, 12 European Union governments are urging EU executive to trash rule for a full refund for cancelled flights during Covid-19 pandemic and rather offer vouchers for future travel. As per the DIW economic institute, the Germany economy is likely to contract over 6 per cent this year. Among the stocks, Dixons Carphone gained over 16 per cent with rising online demand. AstraZeneca jumped over 1 per cent with surging demand for its new medicines. The energy stocks, BP PLC and Royal Dutch Shell, soared over 3 per cent with the crude price rise. Contrarily, IAG fell around 4 per cent after stating that passenger number would take years to recover and would cut a quarter of its jobs. The clothing and homeware, Next PLC retailer dipped about 2 per cent, post stating 41 per cent crash in its first-quarter sales.
London Stock Exchange
Top Performers*: ASA INTERNATIONAL GROUP PLC (ASAI), DIXONS CARPHONE PLC (DC.) and PROVIDENT FINANCIAL PLC (PFG) are top movers and rose by 60%, 18.39% and 14.74%, respectively.
Worst Performers*: ZOTEFOAMS PLC (ZTF), ANGLO-EASTERN PLANTATIONS PLC (AEP) and CAPITAL & REGIONAL PLC (CAL) plunged by 5.56%, 5.56% and 5.22%, respectively.
FTSE 100 Index
5 days FTSE 100 Index Performance (April-29-2020), before the market closed (Source: EODHD/Others, Thomson Reuters)
Best Gainers*: BARCLAYS PLC (BARC), CARNIVAL PLC (CCL) and CENTRICA PLC (CNA) expanded by 12.79%, 11.90% and 11.75%, respectively.
Non Performers*: OCADO GROUP PLC (OCDO), RECKITT BENCKISER GROUP PLC (RB.) and MORRISON(WM.)SUPERMARKETS PLC (MRW) plunged by 1.97%, 1.61% and 0.79%, respectively.
Shares traded with high-level volume*: (LLOY) LLOYDS BANKING GROUP PLC; (BARC) BARCLAYS PLC; (CNA) CENTRICA PLC.
Top Sectors traded in the positive zone*: Basic Materials (+3.73%), Consumer Cyclicals (+3.71%), and Energy (+3.64%).
Oil Prices*: WTI crude oil future price was nudging at $15.34 per barrel, and Brent crude oil future price was trading at $24.19 per barrel.
Forex Rates*: GBP/USD and EUR/GBP were hovering at 1.2449 and 0.8722, respectively.
Bond Yields*: U.S 10-Year Treasuries yield was tilting at 0.611%, and the UK 10-Year Government Bond yield was hovering at 0.285%, respectively.
*At the time of writing
