US open: Stocks drop as JP Morgan profits fall, jobless claims rise

 

 

 

US futures

Dow futures -1.65% at 30312

S&P futures -1.35% at 3747

Nasdaq futures -1% at 11613

In Europe

FTSE -1.2% at 7070

Dax -1.3% at 12590

Euro Stoxx -1.38% at 3411

Learn more about trading indices

JP Morgan misses forecasts

US stocks are heading for a weaker open as investors digest a disappointing start to earnings season and the prospect of a more aggressive Federal Reserve.

Stocks closed modestly lower yesterday after US CPPI rose by more than expected to 9.1%. However, as the dust settles on the higher-than-expected print, worries of rampant inflation have meant that the market has reassessed expectations for rate hikes in both July and September. The market is now pricing in an 85% probability of a 1% rise in July, and a 0.75% hike in September is considered more likely than a 0.5% rise.

The Fed is so concerned about surging prices that pushing the US economy into a recession ASAP is preferable to entrenched inflation, which is quickly becoming a very real risk.

PPI data today unexpectedly rose to 11.3%, up from 10.9% and defying expectations of a fall to 10.8%. Rising PPI suggests that it is still premature to be talking about passing peak inflation.

After the jobs market has shown resilience in the face of mounting recession fears, the rise in jobless is becoming a trend. Initial claims rose 244k, up from 235k. Weakness is creeping into the labour market.

In corporate news:

JP Morgan has kicked off earnings season in a disappointing manner. The banked saw profits fall 28% in Q2 after setting aside $1.1 billion in bad loan reserves. In the same period last year the bank released $3 billion from reserves. The bank has also suspended its share buyback program after missing estimates.

Where next for the Nasdaq?

The Nasdaq has rebounded off the 11085 the 2022 low before running into resistance at 12100 the 50 sma. The index is falling lower below the 20 sma, which, combined with the receding bearish bias on the MACD, keeps sellers hopeful of further downside. Sellers will look for a move below horizontal support at 11350, opening the door to 11085, with a move below here creating a lower low. Buyers will look for a move back over the 209 sma at 11740 to expose the 50 sma at 12000 and 12200, the July high.

FX markets – USD rises, EUR back to parity.

USD is soaring higher as expectations for more aggressive Federal Reserve rate hikes grow, lifting the USD versus major peers as central bank divergence ramps up.

EURUSD has fallen back to parity on USD strength, paring gains from earlier in the day. The ECB is expected to raise interest rates by 25 bps next week, well short of the 100 bpds that the Fed could now hike in July.

USD/CAD trades over 1.31 as the market shrugs off the BoC’s surprise 1% rate hikes and as the loonie tracks oil prices lower. The shock move by the BoC highlights how concerned policymakers are over surging inflation becoming entrenched.

USD/CAD  +1.3% at 1.3133

EUR/USD  -0.5% at 1.0005

Oil tumbles towards $90

Oil prices are falling on a deteriorating demand outlook. After red hot inflation figures mean recession fears have risen considerably, hurting the demand outlook. This, combined with a large build in crude inventories owing to the release of strategic reserves, has pulled oil prices to a level last seen at the start of the Russian invasion into Ukraine at the end of February.

Demand concerns are the big driving force behind the fall. Supply remains an issue; the world is still struggling to produce the amount of oil needed.

WTI crude trades -2.7% at $91.70

Brent trades -2.94% at $95.70

Learn more about trading oil here.

Looking ahead

16:00 Fed Waller speech