Stock Market News For Aug 5, 2019

Benchmarks closed in the red on Friday to post their worst single-day decline in a month. President Trump’s abrupt decision to impose additional tariffs on Chinese products and services didn’t go down well with investors. Officials from the country’s finance ministry pledged to retaliate against Trump’s move.

Such developments on the trade war front dampened the investor sentiment so much so that market watchers brushed aside the release of stellar economic data.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average decreased 0.4%, to close at 26,485.01. The S&P 500 decreased 0.7% to close at 2,932.05. The tech-laden Nasdaq Composite Index closed at 8,004.07, losing 1.3%. The fear-gauge CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) increased 17% to close at 20.91. Decliners outnumbered advancers on the NYSE by a 2.24-to-1 ratio. On Nasdaq, a 2.25-to-1 ratio favored declining issues.

How Did the Benchmarks Perform?

The Dow dipped 98.4 points to close in the red due to broad-based losses. Shares of Boeing BA dipped 1.8% and weighed on the 30-stock index. The stock carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

The S&P 500 dropped 21.5 points to end in negative territory for the fifth straight session. Of the 11 major sectors of the S&P 500, nine ended in the red, with technology stocks leading the decliners. The Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLK) decreased 1.6% on Friday. Further, second quarter corporate earnings from S&P 500 companies are expected to decline for the second consecutive quarter for the first time since 2016.

Meanwhile, the Nasdaq slid 107.1 points to also close in the red. Shares of Facebook FB declined 1.9% and weighed on the tech-heavy index.

China Vows Retaliation

President Trump had announced in a series of tweets on Aug 2 that a fresh round of tariffs would be imposed on Chinese goods. He stated that the United States would levy 10% tariffs on the remaining $300 billion worth of Chinese goods as well as products. Such developments had rattled the markets.

On Aug 2, a spokesperson from China’s foreign ministry announced at a press meeting that China would take the required action against America’s abrupt decision of imposing additional tariffs.

Further, Zhang Jun, China’s new brand ambassador to the United Nations called Trump’s decision as “an irrational, irresponsible act.” He also stated that China’s stance on the trade issue was “clear” and that the country was willing to hold talks with America if the latter wished to. At the same time, he stated that China would “fight” if the United States wanted a conflict.

Such developments weighed on the broader markets and experts opine that a worsening trade war would spread from the manufacturing sector to the consumer goods sector.

Economic Data

On the economic data front, the U.S. economy added a total of 164,000 jobs in July, slightly below the consensus estimate of 165,000 jobs. Furthermore, the unemployment rate remained at 3.7%, near its 50 year-low, even as a greater number of people entered the labor force in search of jobs.

Meanwhile, U.S. factory orders rose 0.6% in June, slightly lower than the consensus estimate of 0.7%.

Weekly Roundup

For the week, the Dow, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq fell 2.6%, 3.1% and 3.2%, respectively. The Dow posted its biggest weekly decline since May 31 and the S&P 500 posted its biggest weekly dip since Dec 21. Meanwhile, it was the Nasdaq’s biggest weekly loss since Dec 21.

Trump’s renewed attacks on China diminished investor’s hopes of a positive outcome from trade talks. Further, President Trump announced plans to impose additional tariffs on imports from China on Aug 1. Meanwhile, the central bank cut its benchmark rates in a bid to support the American economy amid slowing global growth. However, some investors were disappointed with the extent of the rate cut and Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s comments suggesting the rate cut was only a “mid-cycle adjustment to policy.”

Stocks That Made Headlines

DaVita Earnings Beat, Revenues Miss Estimates in Q2

DaVita Inc. DVA reported second-quarter 2019 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate. (Read More)

DENTSPLY SIRONA Q2 Earnings Beat, Revenues Fall Y/Y

DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc. XRAY reported adjusted earnings per share (EPS) which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate. (Read More)

Gol Linhas Q2 Earnings Meet, Revenues Top Estimates

Gol Linhas Aereas Inteligentes S.A.'s GOL earnings per share in the second quarter of 2019 matched the Zacks Consensus Estimate. (Read More)

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