Early Earnings Season Takeaways
What’s in Today’s Report:
- Early Earnings Season Takeaways
Futures are modestly higher as China made two surprise interest rate cuts overnight, helping stocks bounce from Wednesday’s late-day declines.
China’s central bank made two small surprise interest rate cuts overnight which helped Asian stocks rally (Hang Seng up 3%) and that’s pushing U.S. futures higher.
Today focus will be on economic data and earnings, and for stocks to extend the early morning rebound we need to see stable data and solid earnings (meaning no extreme cost pressures). Economically, the key report today is the Philly Fed Manufacturing Index (E: 19.1). If it suddenly plunges as Empire did on Tuesday, that will slightly increase anxiety about the economy. We’ll also be watching Jobless Claims (E: 207K) and Existing Home Sales (E: 6.40M).
On the earnings front, the key report today is NFLX ($0.82) after the close, but we’ll also be watching: AAL (-$1.54), TRV ($3.86), UNP ($2.60), CSX ($0.41) and PPG ($1.19). If margins are much weaker than expected, look for more earnings-related volatility.
