Showing posts with label UPS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label UPS. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Markets remain under fire

Dow dropped 86, decliners over advancers 2-1 & NAZ was off 13.  The Financial Index slipped 1 to 191, a 1 month low.  The MLP index fell 2 to the 395s & the REIT index was flat in the 262s.  Junk bond funds were mixed to lower & treasuries also eased back.  Oil rose for the first time in 3 days as clashes in Syria raised tension in the MidEast & as China’s manufacturing may contract at a slower pace in Jul.  Gold edged higher.

AMJ (AlerianMLP Index tracking fund)


stock chart

Treasury yields:

U.S. 3-month

0.096%

U.S. 2-year

0.218%

U.S. 10-year

1.435%

CLV12.NYM....Crude Oil Oct 12...88.80 ...Up 0.37  (0.4%)

GCN12.CMX...Gold Jul 12.......1,581.90 ...Up 4.80  (0.3%)




Get the latest daily market update below:



Germany, Juncker Push Back After Moody’s Rating Outlook Cuts

Photo:   Bloomberg

Angelea's Merkel's gov said Germany will remain Ejurope's haven during the financial crisis, pushing back against Moody’s decision to lower the outlook on the country’s top credit rating.  The risks in the euro zone are “not new” & Germany remains “in a very sound economic and financial situation,” the Finance Minister said.  In counterpoint to Moody’s, it cited the verdict of financial markets that have rewarded Germany with record low borrowing costs.  “Germany will, through solid economic and financial policy, defend its ‘safe haven’ status and continue to responsibly maintain its anchor role in the euro zone,” the Berlin-based ministry said.  “Together with its partners, it will do everything to overcome the sovereign debt crisis as rapidly as possible.”  German 10-year gov bond yields advanced 6 basis points to 1.23%, while equivalent Dutch yields climbed 8 basis points to 1.70%.  Meanwhile Spanish 10-year yields rose to a euro-era record of 7.569% before falling back to 7.53%.  Moody’s said risks Greece may leave the euro & an “increasing likelihood” of collective support for countries such as Spain & Italy were among the reasons for its decision.  “Given the greater ability to absorb the costs associated with this support, this burden will likely fall most heavily on more highly rated member states if the euro area is to be preserved in its current form,” Moody’s said.

Germany Pushes Back After Moody’s Lowers Rating Outlook


Home Values Post First Increase in U.S. Since 2007, Zillow Says

Photo:   Bloomberg

National home values have hit bottom & are on the rise, the real-estate website Zillow reported.  “After 4 months with rising home values & increasingly positive forecast data, it seems clear that the country has hit a bottom in home values,” Zillow Chief Economist said.  “The housing recovery is holding together despite lower-than-expected job growth, indicating that it has some organic strength of its own.”  Values of US homes rose 0.2% in Q2 over last year, marking the first annual increase in values since 2007.  Zillow predicted a 1.1% increase in home values over the next year, values are expected to rise in 67 of the 156 markets in Zillow’s Home Value Forecast.  “Of course, there is still some risk as we look down the foreclosure pipeline and see foreclosure starts picking up.  This will translate into more homes on the market by the end of the year, but we think demand will rise to absorb that, particularly in markets where there are acute inventory shortages now,” Zillow said.  “Looking forward, we expect home values to remain relatively flat as the market works through a backlog of foreclosures and high rates of negative equity.”  Zillow reported that 5.8 out of every 10K homes were lost to foreclosure in Jun, down from 7.9 of every 10K homes lost in Jan.  But the number of foreclosures is expected to increase, based on a pickup in foreclosure starts since the completion of the National Foreclosure Settlement, the company said.  Mildly good news for housing.



UPS Cuts Full-Year Forecast as Slowing Economy Presses Earnings

Photo:   Bloomberg

UPS lowered its earnings expectations for the year as economic weakness & uncertainty persist around the globe.  Full-year forecast was lowered 25¢ to $4.50-$4.75.  The world's largest package delivery company said customers are worried about the global economy weakening in H2.  Their skittishness was also felt in the Q2, where UPS missed expectations for both earnings & revenue.  "Increasing uncertainty in the United States, continuing weakness in Asia exports and the debt crisis in Europe are impacting projections of economic expansion,"  CEO Scott Davis said.  Q2 EPS was $1.15, compared with $1.09 per share, a year earlier.  Expectations were $1.17.  Revenue rose 1.2% to $13.35B.  US revenue rose 4% from a year earlier, driven by a higher volume of packages, the increase was mostly due to a higher number of packages ordered from internet retailers.  But overseas, revenue fell 4% on lower exports from Asia & falling revenue per package (an indication of lower prices).  Revenue in UPS' supply chain & freight business fell 1.7% (UPS' long haul trucking business & a unit that helps manufacturers make streamline & make their businesses more efficient).  But UPS sounded confident that it can ride out the economic slowdown.  "Throughout its history, UPS has maintained its strength in all economic cycles and we are making the adjustments necessary to respond to today's challenging conditions," Davis said.  The stock fell 3.36.

UPS Cuts 2012 Forecast as Slowing Economy Press Profit

UPS (UPS)


stock chart


Markets are drifting with a downward bias, there is no news to inspire buying.  Tonight Apple (AAPL), with the world's largest market cap, reports & expectations are high (as usual).  The bigger question becomes, how can it top this qtr?  Dow is at the lower portion of its trading range since early Jun & I think will have to test the 12½K low end very soon.

Dow Jones Industrials


stock chart





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Thursday, April 26, 2012

Markets drifit on mixed economic reprts

Dow rose 40 (but off its highs), advancers just ahead of decliners & NAZ was up 1 as Apple (AAPL) pulled back 5 following yesterday's big rally.  The Financial Index was up a fraction in the 207s (not doing much in Apr). The MLP index fell a fraction to the 392s & the REIT index was off 1 (from yesterday's yearly highs) to the 257s.  Junk bond funds were mixed (but are having a good month) & Treasuries rose.  Oil & gold hardly budged. 

JPMorgan Chase Capital XVI (AMJ)


stock chart

Treasury yields:

U.S. 3-month

0.081%

U.S. 2-year

0.262%

U.S. 10-year

1.949%

CLM12.NYM...Crude Oil Jun 12...104.39 ...Up 0.27  (0.3%)

GCJ12.CMX.....Gold Apr 12.......1,643.60 ...Up 0.60  (0.0%)



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More Americans Than Projected Filed Jobless Claims Last Week

Photo:   Bloomberg

The number of unemployment benefits remained stuck near a 3-month high last week, a sign that hiring has likely slowed since winter.  The Labor Dept said that weekly applications dipped 1K to 388K (little changed from the previous week'), the highest since Jan 7.  The 4-week average rose to 381K, also the highest in 3 months.  Applications jumped sharply 3 weeks ago, a sign that employers had stepped up layoffs & added fewer jobs. The increase might have been inflated by temporary layoffs during the spring holidays, when many school employees are laid off.  But applications haven't dropped back since then.  The prediction is for a job gain of about 175K in Apr will be reported next week (below the average of 250K in Dec-Feb).  However, some suggest that weather might have distorted the weak Mar jobs report.  Warmer winter likely pulled some hiring that normally would have occurred last month into Jan & Feb.  Ben Bernanke agreed that weather has likely disrupted recent data.  The warm winter "made perhaps January and February artificially strong and March perhaps artificially a little bit weak," he said.  "I wouldn't draw too much conclusion from the March report."  I think jobs data will be weaker going forward.


The number of Americans who signed contracts to buy homes rose in Mar, another sign the battered housing market is slowly improving.  The National Association of Realtors said its index of sales agreements increased 4.1% to a reading of 101.4, the highest since Apr 2010, when buyers could qualify for a federal home-buying tax credit.  A reading of 100 is considered healthy.  Contract signings typically indicate where the housing market is headed.  But there's a 1-2 month lag between a signed contract & a completed deal.  More signings are among recent signs of a slight pickup in the housing market. New home sales fell in Mar but have risen over the past year & builders are also more confident.  Housing is still limping along, trying to find its footing for a recovery.

Pending Sales of U.S. Existing Homes Increased 4.1% in March

  • <p>               FILE - This Jan. 30, 2012, file photo, shows a UPS logo at a UPS store in the Lake Balboa area of Los Angeles. United Parcel Service Inc., said Thursday, April 26, 2012, that net income rose to $970 million, or $1 per share, from $915 million, or 91 cents per share. Revenue rose 4.4 percent to $13.14 billion. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)
Photo:   Yahoo

UPS Q1 profit rose 6%, but the results came in below expectations as Asian exports & other overseas shipments slowed.  UPS, the world's largest package company, EPS was $1, up from 91¢ last year.  Revenue rose 4.4% to $13.1B.  Expectations were for EPS of $1.02 on revenue of $13.3.  Much of the profit came from domestic shipping, where revenue was up 6.1% on higher volume & prices.  But that was offset by a shift toward lighter & slower shipping methods.  Online sales drove some of its speedy shipping options, including next day air.  Ground volume rose 4% on demand for lightweight, less expensive shipments.  Intl revenue was up just 2.3% to $2.97B, but revenue per package fell.  Asian exports have slowed as China's economy cools, & some European countries slide into recession.  The intl business, which has seen double-digit quarterly sales gains, has been slowing since last summer.  Part of the reason that shipments from Asia to the US are down is that some businesses are locating factories in Mexico or other countries closer to home, to keep a tighter handle on inventory.  UPS tends to be a good indicator of broader economic health because it moves millions of packages for businesses & consumers every day.  The stock fell $2.59.

UPS First-Quarter Profit, Revenue Miss Estimates as Overseas Growth Slows

United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS)


stock chart


Markets are absorbing the gains from earlier this week as earnings reports are getting mixed grades today.  The jobless report was a reminder that some of the enthusiasm a few months ago over the recovery may have premature.  Next Fri, the big jobs report comes out which could be holding back buyers.  Dow has been meandering for a couple of months. looking for direction.  Earnings have not been a help.  Gold can be a contrary indicator but has done little this year. 

Dow Industrials


stock chart







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Monday, March 19, 2012

Apple's rise to a new record high leads markets higher

Dow began lower & rose into the black where it remained.  It finished up 6, advancers over decliners almost 2-1 & NAZ jumped 23 (propelled by a 15 advance to 601 for Apple).  Bank stocks settled back a bit, taking Financial Index up only 1+ to the 213s (off 2 from its highs).

The MLP index gained 4 to 401 & the REIT index was up 2 to the 253s, matching its yearly highs (far below the record high of 350 in 2007).  Junk bond funds pulled back & Treasuries sank again, driving the yield on the 10 year Treasury bond up to nearly 3.4%.  Oil had another good day, heading back to $110 & gold was up modestly.

JPMorgan Chase Capital XVI (AMJ)


stock chart



Click below for the latest market update below:


Treasury yields:


U.S. 3-month

0.081%

U.S. 2-year

0.379%

U.S. 10-year

2.377%

CLJ12.NYM...Crude Oil Apr 12108.04 ...Up 0.98  (0.9%)

Live 24 hours gold chart [Kitco Inc.]




  • <p>               This March 16, 2012, shows a sign for new homes for sale in Doral, Fla. Homebuilders' feelings about the current housing market haven't changed from February. But many are growing more optimistic that sales could pick up in the coming months. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)
Photo:    Yahoo

Homebuilders' feelings about the current housing market haven't changed from Feb, but many are growing more optimistic that sales could pick up in the coming months.  The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo said that its builder sentiment index stayed at 28, the highest level since Jun 2007 (followed 5 straight increases).  Builders expressed more confidence in sales over the next 6 months.  A separate gauge, measuring that outlook, rose in Mar for the 6th straight month, from 34 to 36.  However, the industry has a long way to go.  Any reading below 50 indicates negative sentiment about the housing market & the index hasn't reached 50 for 6 years.  A key reason homebuilders are more optimistic is that they have seen more people express interest in buying a home.  Growing interest has occurred alongside other improvements that suggest the market could pick up after 4 weak years.  Sales of previously occupied homes rose in Jan to its highest level since May 2010.  Mortgage rates have never been lower & home construction has picked up.  But prices continue to fall.  Builders keep slashing prices to stay competitive.  Last year was the worst for new-home sales on records dating back to 1963.  Builders are struggling to compete with foreclosures, which have forced down prices of previously occupied homes.  In addition, many are finding it hard to qualify for loans or meet higher required down payments.  Low appraisals are scuttling some deals after contracts have been signed.  As a result, some people who want to buy a new house are holding off because they can't sell their home.  The recent rise in yields for Treasuries will increase mortgage rates linked to the 10 year Treasury.  Overall, limited good news for housing.

Homebuilder Confidence in U.S. Holds at Highest Since 2007


UPS to Buy TNT Express for $6.8 Billion

Photo:    Bloomberg

United Parcel Service will buy Dutch peer TNT Express for €5.2B ($6.85B) to boost its position as the world's largest package delivery company outside the US.  It will become the market leader in Europe & also gain access to TNT's stronger networks in the fast-growing Asian & Latin American markets, increasing the company's global revenue to more than $60B from $53B in 2011 & leaving it with 477K employees.  "TNT Express fits into UPS's long-term network plan," UPS CEO Davis said.  "This broadens UPS's global footprint."  The deal will expand UPS revenue outside the US to 36% of its total, from 26% today, & increase its presence in Brazil & Australia.  The acquisition is the largest by far in the 104-year history of UPS & sharply widens the gap between UPS and #2 FedEx (FDX).  The stock rose 2.72 to 81.13.

UPS to Purchase TNT Express for $6.8 Billion

United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS)


stock chart


Gas prices keep climbing, now just a dime below the highpoint last year.

12onth Average
State's Graph
Source:   AAA


This was a another day with reasonably good news, but markets did not respond in a meaningful way.  The Apple div news comes in first place although not a complete surprise after so many have been asking about it.  The UPS acquisition was significant & housing news was encouraging.  Maybe buyers took long weekends to spend some of their profits.  Dow spent most of the day in the black but lost much of those gains in the last hour.  Dow is up 1K in Q1 & has doubled off its lows 3 years ago (with only minimal setbacks along the way).  That's quite a run!

Dow Industrials


stock chart








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