Monday, August 14, 2023

Markets slip lower ahead of big earnings week from retailers

Dow was off 21, decliners over advancers 2-1 & NAZ went up 72.  The MLP index edged lower to the 236s & the REIT index slipped back 2+ to 369.  Junk bond funds hardly budged & Treasuries had limited selling which raised yields (more below).  Oil slid back to the 82s & gold fell 5 to 1940.

AMJ (Alerian MLP Index tracking fund)


 

 




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Treasury yields were little changed as investors digested the latest inflation data & looked ahead to key economic reports due throughout the week.  The yield on the 10-year Treasury inched up by less than 1 basis point to 4.172% & the 2-year Treasury yield was trading up more than 3 basis point higher at 4.931%.  Yields & prices have an inverted relationship & 1 basis point equals 0.01%.  Investors weighed the latest inflation figures & what it could mean for Federal Reserve monetary policy as they awaited further economic data.  Fri's producer price index for Jul had come in at 0.3% on a monthly basis, slightly higher than the 0.2% expected.  That marked the biggest monthly increase since Jan.  The reading was at odds with other recent inflation indicators, including the Jul consumer price index that suggested pressures from rising prices may be easing.  Consumer inflation rose by 0.2% on a monthly basis, in line with expectations & 3.2% from a year ago, which was slightly below the forecast of 3.3%.  There have been mixed messages from Fed officials about what could be on the horizon for policy & whether rates will go higher. 

Treasury yields are little changed as investors consider economic outlook 

US Steel (X) began a formal review of its strategic options after declining a $7.3B buyout offer from rival steelmaker Cleveland-Cliffs (CLF).  CLF made its offer public after X rejected the bid & announced a formal review process after receiving multiple bids for parts or all of its business.  "At this juncture, we cannot determine whether your unsolicited proposal properly reflects the full and fair value of the Company," CEO David Burritt wrote in a letter to CLF CEO Lourenco Goncalves.  "For all of the above reasons, the Board has no choice but to reject your unreasonable proposal."  CLF said it "feels compelled to make its offer publicly known for the direct benefit of all of U.S. Steel’s stockholders and also make it known that Cliffs stands ready to engage on this offer immediately."  CLF offered to pay $17.50 in cash & 1.023 shares of its stock for each X share, implying a 42% premium to the closing share price on Jul 28 when Cliffs privately reached out to the company.  A merger between the 2 companies would create a global steelmaking giant & help it become a bigger competitor in an industry largely dominated by China.  US Steel stock rose 6.49 (29%).
If you would like to learn more about US Steel,
click on this link:
club.ino.com/trend/analysis/stock/X_aid=CD3289&a_bid=6aeoso5b6f7
 

US Steel rejects $7.3 billion buyout offer from Cleveland-Cliffs

Tesla (TLSA) has once again cut prices in mainland China, a competitive move that sent shares sliding.  2 Chinese versions of its Model Y crossover, priced at 299K & 349K yuan, have been discounted by 14K yuan (around $2000).  The Model 3 will have a “limited-time insurance subsidy” of 8K yuan (around $1100). The insurance subsidy will last until Sep.  A ferocious price war between TSLA & domestic Chinese automakers ate into TSLA's margins in Q2-2023 & TSLA has lost ground to domestic competitors, even as it ramps up production in its Shanghai Gigafactory.  The stock fell 4.59 (2%).
If you would like to learn more about TSLA,
click on this link:
club.ino.com/trend/analysis/stock/TLSA_aid=CD3289&a_bid=6aeoso5b6f7

Tesla shares drop after company announces China price cuts

The big gain from X comes from hopes for a better buyout offer & that is keeping Dow in the black.  However, overall stocks are weak with more stocks being sold than purchased.  The chart below shows Dow has been treading sideways for 1½ months.

Dow Jones Industrials

 






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