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Writer's pictureSimon Charles Hooper

04/01/22 Briefing

The S&P 500 futures trade 19 points, or 0.4%, above fair value a day after the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at record highs.

The Omicron variant continues to spread rapidly across the country, causing work disruptions due to staffing issues, but the market appears confident that Omicron-related disruptions will be transient with cases expected to peak later this month.

The manufacturing data, meanwhile, has been encouraging with December manufacturing PMIs out of China, Japan, Australia, and the UK showing expansionary readings on Tuesday. The U.S. ISM Manufacturing Index for December (Briefing.com consensus 60.3%) will be released at 10:00 a.m. ET alongside the JOLTS - Job Openings report for November.

In corporate news, Ford Motor (F 22.18, +0.41, +1.9%) plans to nearly double production capacity of the all-electric F-150 Lightning pickup at one of its Michigan plants to meet soaring demand. AT&T (T 25.58, +0.15, +0.6%) and Verizon (VZ 52.61, +0.17, +0.3%) agreed to delay their 5G rollout for two weeks after initially rejecting a government request.

Elsewhere, the 10-yr Treasury note yield is up another three basis points to 1.66% after jumping 12 basis points yesterday. The 2-yr yield is unchanged at 0.79%. The U.S. Dollar Index is up 0.2% to 96.41. WTI crude futures are up 0.4% to $76.36/bbl in front of an OPEC+ production decision today.

In U.S. Corporate news:

  • AT&T (T 25.58, +0.15): +0.6% even after agreeing with Verizon (VZ 52.61, +0.17, +0.3%) to delay their 5G rollout for two weeks over airline concerns. The decision reverses course after initially denying a government request.

  • Ford Motor (F 22.18, +0.41): +1.9% after announcing plans to nearly double production capacity of the all-electric F-150 Lightning pickup to 150,000 vehicles/year at the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center to meet soaring demand.

  • Coca-Cola (KO 59.80, +0.50): +0.8% after receiving an upgrade to Buy from Neutral at Guggenheim.

  • Honeywell (HON 205.50, -1.30): -0.6% after receiving a downgrade to Neutral from Outperform at Credit Suisse.

Reviewing overnight developments:

  • Equity indices in the Asia-Pacific region ended Tuesday on a mixed note. Japan's Nikkei: +1.8% Hong Kong's Hang Seng: +0.1% China's Shanghai Composite: -0.2% India's Sensex: +1.1% South Korea's Kospi: UNCH Australia's ASX All Ordinaries: +1.9%.

    • In economic data:

      • China's December Caixin Manufacturing PMI 50.9 (expected 50.0; last 49.9)

      • Japan's December Manufacturing PMI 54.3 (expected 54.2; last 54.5)

      • Australia's December Manufacturing PMI 57.7 (last 59.2)


  • In news:

    • Japan's Manufacturing PMI expanded for the 11th consecutive month in December while Australia's Manufacturing PMI expanded for the 19th month in a row.

    • Yonhap reported that South Korea's home transactions in November were down 43% yr/yr due to new lending restrictions.

    • Evergrande has been ordered to demolish 39 apartment buildings.

    • Bank of Korea Governor Lee said that issuing consumption vouchers for all citizens "would be helpful."



  • Major European indices trade in the green. STOXX Europe 600: +0.9% Germany's DAX: +0.7% U.K.'s FTSE 100: +1.4% France's CAC 40: +1.3% Italy's FTSE MIB: +0.8% Spain's IBEX 35: +0.6%.

    • In economic data:

      • Germany's December unemployment -23,000 (expected -15,000; last -34,000) and December Unemployment Rate 5.2% (expected 5.3%; last 5.3%). November Retail Sales 0.6% m/m (expected -0.5%; last 0.5%); -2.9% yr/yr (expected -4.9%; last -2.0%)

      • U.K.'s December Manufacturing PMI 57.9 (expected 57.6; last 58.1). November Mortgage Lending GBP3.69 bln (expected GBP3.55 bln; last GBP1.15 bln)

      • France's December CPI 0.2% m/m (last 0.4%); 2.8% yr/yr, as expected (last 2.8%)

      • Spain's December unemployment -76,800 (last -74,400)

      • Swiss December CPI -0.1% m/m, as expected (last 0.3%); 1.5% yr/yr (expected 1.6%; last 1.5%)


  • In news:

    • France's Finance Ministry reiterated its forecast for 4.0% growth in 2022.

    • Germany loosened its travel restrictions for the U.K. and South Africa.

    • Italy's parliament will begin the process of electing a new president on January 24.

    • Prime Minister Draghi and former Prime Minister Berlusconi are among the leading candidates.





U.S. equity futures:

  • S&P 500 Futures: +11 @ 4,807

  • DJIA Futures: +97 @ 36,509

  • Nasdaq 100 Futures: +9 @ 16,510

Overseas:

  • Europe: DAX +0.7%, FTSE +1.4%, CAC +1.3%

  • Asia: Nikkei +1.8%, Hang Seng +0.1%, Shanghai Composite -0.2%

Commodities:

  • Crude Oil +0.31 @ 76.39

  • Nat Gas +0.113 @ 3.928

  • Gold -0.25 @ 1799.85

  • Silver -0.098 @ 22.712

  • Copper -0.0340 @ 4.3875

U.S. Summary:

  • Earnings/Guidance (Full Earnings Calendar):

    • Blackbaud (BLKB) acquires global social impact technology leader EVERFI for $750 mln in cash and stock; reiterates full year outlook

    • NexTier Oilfield (NEX) guides Q4 revs and adjusted EBITDA above consensus

    • Niu Technologies (NIU): In Q4 of 2021, NIU sold 238,188 units, including e-motorcycles, e-mopeds, kick-scooters and e-bikes, representing a 58.3% year-over-year growth


  • General News:

    • White House aiming to select Philip Jefferson for Fed Board, according to Bloomberg

    • Democrats begin to blame inflation on corporations, according to the New York Times

    • Businesses, schools, and government agencies are being impacted by Omicron related staffing issues and some are closing, according to the New York Times

    • Florida urges residents without any symptoms to stop getting COVID-19 tests, according to Orlando Sentinel

    • Agrify (AGFY) has signed a definitive agreement for its largest Agrify Total Turn-Key Solution partnership to date with Gold Leaf Florida LLC

    • Airbnb (ABNB): U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control confirmed last night a settlement with Airbnb Payments

    • Alamo Group (ALG) increases quarterly dividend to $0.18/sh from $0.14/sh

    • ASGN Incorporated (ASGN) authorizes up to $350 mln for share repurchases through December 2023

    • AT&T (T) and Verizon (VZ) will delay 5G rollout for two weeks over airline concerns, according to the Wall Street Journal

    • Aurora Cannabis (ACB) announces the delivery of a cannabis shipment worth approximately C$10 million - the company's largest ever shipment to Israel, and what is believed to be the largest export of medical Cannabis into the Israeli market

    • Autohome (ATHM) entered into a limited partner interest subscription agreement, a limited partnership agreement and certain other auxiliary documents with Ping An Capital

    • AVROBIO (AVRO) is shifting its portfolio priorities to focus on other clinical-stage programs and extending its cash runway into the first quarter of 2024

    • Bank OZK (OZK) increases quarterly dividend by 3.45% to $0.30/share

    • Blackberry (BB) devices with original operating system will no longer be supported, according to NDTV

    • Cable ONE (CABO) enters into a joint venture with affiliates of GTCR, Stephens Capital Partners, The Pritzker Organization, and certain investors to support the growth of Clearwave Fiber LLC

    • Canaan (CAN) has entered into strategic collaboration agreements with multiple crypto mining firms for joint-mining business in Kazakhstan

    • Carrier Global (CARR) entered into an accelerated share repurchase agreement to repurchase $500 million of the Company's common stock

    • CME Group (CME) reports Q4 and December stats

    • COMPASS Pathways (CMPS) reported that COMP360 psilocybin study of 89 healthy participants published in Journal of Psychopharmacology

    • Cullinan Management (CGEM) granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation for CLN-081

    • EMX Royalty (EMX) identifies new gold and cobalt targets on Australian projects

    • Enzo Biochem (ENZ) entered into a cooperation agreement with Bradley L. Radoff and certain affiliated entities

    • Evelo Biosciences (EVLO) announces its strategic priorities and upcoming catalysts for 2022

    • Ford Motor (F) planning to nearly double production capacity of the all-electric F-150 Lightning pickup to 150,000 vehicles per year at the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn, Michigan, to meet soaring customer demand

    • Foxconn (FXCNY) India plant will likely not open before Friday, according to Reuters

    • Grab (GRAB) announced that Alex Hungate has joined the company as Chief Operating Officer

    • Gritstone bio (GRTS) reports positive clinical results from first cohort of a phase 1 study evaluating a t cell-enhanced self-amplifying mRNA (samRNA) vaccine against COVID-19

    • Heritage Insurance (HRTG) announces $25 mln common stock repurchase authorization

    • Humacyte (HUMA) announces presentation of first preclinical results of the HAV in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting at Advanced Therapies Week Conference

    • Ionis Pharma (IONS) announces that Biogen (BIIB) exercised its option to obtain from Ionis a worldwide, exclusive, royalty-bearing license to develop and commercialize BIIB115/ION306

    • Jazz Pharma (JAZZ) announces that FDA has granted Orphan Drug Exclusivity for Xywav oral solution

    • Life Storage (LSI) raises quarterly dividend by 16% to $1.00/share

    • Liquidia Technologies (LQDA) appoints Dr. Roger Jeffs as CEO, effective January 3, 2022

    • MagnaChip Semi (MX) appoints Shinyoung Park as CFO, effective January 1

    • Marathon Digital Holdings (MARA) reports bitcoin production and miner installation updates for December; produced approximately 3,197 self-mined bitcoin during 2021, up 846%

    • Nokia (NOK) and Tele2 expand 5G partnership in the Baltics

    • Novartis AG (NVS) announces U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit upholds validity of Gilenya dosage regimen patent

    • Repligen (RGEN) promoted James Bylund, the current Senior Vice President, Operations and Information Technologies, to the role of Chief Operating Officer of the Company, effective January 1

    • Restaurant Brands (QSR) to develop and open hundreds of Popeyes restaurants across South Korea in the coming years

    • TCR2 Therapeutics (TCRR) and Arbor Biotechnologies announce that the two companies have entered into a strategic research collaboration and non-exclusive license agreement focused on the further development of a defined set of allogeneic TRuC-T cell therapies

    • Tesla (TSLA) opens showroom in Xinjiang, according to the Wall Street Journal

    • Valaris (VAL) awarded new bareboat charter agreements with ARO Drilling for several jackups

    • Viridian Therapeutics (VRDN) submits investigational new drug application for VRDN-002 to the FDA

    • Wal Mart (WMT) temporarily closes 60 stores to sanitize them, according to Reuters

    • WISeKey (WKEY) to invest up to $10 mln over the next two years to perform Bitcoin mining from its Geneva datacenter

    • XPO Logistics' (XPO) President has decided to step down, effective December 27, 2021


  • M&A:

    • Acadia Healthcare (ACHC) announces acquisition of CenterPointe Behavioral Health System; terms not disclosed

    • Ambac (AMBC) subsidiary acquires three admitted insurance carriers

    • AZEK (AZEK) announced its acquisition of StruXure Outdoor

    • Benson Hill (BHIL) announced the acquisition of ZFS Creston for approximately $102 million primarily financed through a new debt facility

    • Digital Realty Trust (DLR) to acquire Teraco for approx. $3.5 bln

    • Emerald Holding (EEX) acquires MJBiz, a B2B event and content platform for the cannabis industry

    • Greif (GEF) enters into a definitive agreement to divest its 50% share in the Flexible Packaging join venture to Gulf Refined Packaging for a total cash consideration of $123 mln

    • Inspired Entertainment (INSE) acquired Sportech Lotteries for $12.5 mln

    • Mudrick Capital Acquisition Corporation II (MUDS): Fanatics aiming to acquire Topps (MUDS) trading card unit, according to the Wall Street Journal

    • PNM Resources (PNM) and Avangrid (AGR) announce extension of merger agreement

    • Wabtec (WAB) announced it recently acquired the railway friction business from MASU


  • Syndicate:

    • AFC Gamma (AFCG) launches 3 mln share public offering

    • APi Group (APG) files for 45 mln share common stock offering by selling shareholders

    • Core & Main (CNM) announces secondary public offering of 20.0 mln Class A common shares by selling stockholders

    • Silverback Therapeutics (SBTX) files for $250 mln mixed securities shelf offering

    • Warner Music Group (WMG) announces sale of 8,562,500 shares of common stock by affiliates of Access Industries


  • IPOs:

    • Expected to Price:

      • Amylyx Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: AMLX): The developer of therapies for the treatment of ALS and neurodegenerative diseases is expected to price its 8.8 M share IPO between $18-$20.

      • CinCor (Nasdaq: CINC): The clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing its lead clinical candidate, CIN-107, for treatment of hypertension and other cardio-renal diseases is expected to price its 11.0 M share IPO between $15-$17.



Gapping Up/Down

  • Gapping up:

    • LQDA +10.3%, MRSN +7.3%, MARA +2.3%, CAN +2.3%, ENZ +2.2%, NEX +2.1%, F +1.6%, HRTG +1.5%, WKEY +1.5%, GRAB +1.1%, CARR +1%


  • Gapping down:

    • CNM -8.4%, SE -6.6%, AFCG -5.4%, WMG -4%, SBTX -2.1%


Analyst Research (see Upgrades/Downgrades calendar for full list):

  • Upgrades

    • AXIS Capital (AXS) upgraded to Equal Weight from Underweight at Wells Fargo; tgt raised to $57

    • BP (BP) upgraded to Outperform from In-line at Evercore ISI; tgt $36

    • Clean Energy Fuels (CLNE) upgraded to Mkt Perform from Underperform at Raymond James

    • Coca-Cola (KO) upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Guggenheim; tgt raised to $66

    • Eni S.p.A. (E) upgraded to Mkt Perform from Underperform at Bernstein

    • First Solar (FSLR) upgraded to Mkt Perform from Underperform at Raymond James

    • Forward Air (FWRD) upgraded to Overweight from Equal-Weight at Stephens; tgt raised to $165

    • General Electric (GE) upgraded to Outperform from Neutral at Credit Suisse; tgt $122

    • Globus Medical (GMED) upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at Piper Sandler; tgt raised to $88

    • Halliburton (HAL) upgraded to Overweight from Equal-Weight at Morgan Stanley; tgt raised to $30

    • Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight at Barclays; tgt raised to $20

    • Houlihan Lokey (HLI) upgraded to Buy from Neutral at UBS; tgt lowered to $116

    • Lions Gate Entertainment (LGF.A) upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight at Wells Fargo; tgt raised to $25

    • Northern Trust (NTRS) upgraded to Neutral from Sell at Goldman; tgt raised to $125

    • Stryker (SYK) upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at Piper Sandler; tgt raised to $315

    • SunPower (SPWR) upgraded to Outperform from Mkt Perform at Raymond James; tgt $26

    • Trip.com Group (TCOM) upgraded to Buy from Neutral at New Street; tgt $30

    • Under Armour (UAA) upgraded to Outperform from Neutral at Robert W. Baird; tgt $32

    • Warner Music Group (WMG) upgraded to Buy from Hold at Jefferies; tgt raised to $50


  • Downgrades:

    • Artisan Partners Asset Mgmt (APAM) downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Goldman; tgt lowered to $48

    • Audacy (AUD) downgraded to Equal Weight from Overweight at Wells Fargo; tgt lowered to $3

    • Ball Corp (BLL) downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Citigroup; tgt $105

    • Columbia Sportswear (COLM) downgraded to Neutral from Outperform at Robert W. Baird; tgt lowered to $107

    • Equinor (EQNR) downgraded to Mkt Perform from Outperform at Bernstein

    • Evoqua Water (AQUA) downgraded to Mkt Perform from Outperform at Raymond James

    • Foot Locker (FL) downgraded to Underweight from Neutral at JP Morgan; tgt lowered to $42

    • H.B. Fuller (FUL) downgraded to Neutral from Outperform at Robert W. Baird; tgt raised to $85

    • Honeywell (HON) downgraded to Neutral from Outperform at Credit Suisse; tgt lowered to $226

    • JPMorgan Chase (JPM) downgraded to Peer Perform from Outperform at Wolfe Research; tgt $185

    • Medtronic (MDT) downgraded to Neutral from Overweight at Piper Sandler; tgt lowered to $110

    • NASDAQ (NDAQ) downgraded to Sell from Neutral at Goldman; tgt $190

    • NextEra Energy Partners (NEP) downgraded to Mkt Perform from Outperform at Raymond James

    • PagSeguro Digital (PAGS) downgraded to Neutral from Buy at UBS; tgt lowered to $30

    • PetroChina (PTR) downgraded to Sell from Neutral at Citigroup

    • Pinterest (PINS) downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Guggenheim

    • Sealed Air (SEE) downgraded to Neutral from Outperform at Robert W. Baird; tgt $72

    • SelectQuote (SLQT) downgraded to In-line from Outperform at Evercore ISI; tgt $11

    • Sherwin-Williams (SHW) downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Northcoast

    • Sherwin-Williams (SHW) downgraded to Market Perform from Outperform at BMO Capital Markets; tgt raised to $376

    • Sirius XM (SIRI) downgraded to Equal Weight from Overweight at Wells Fargo; tgt lowered to $7

    • StoneCo (STNE) downgraded to Neutral from Buy at UBS; tgt lowered to $21

    • Tata Motors (TTM) downgraded to Sell from Buy at CLSA

    • Teleflex (TFX) downgraded to Neutral from Overweight at Piper Sandler; tgt lowered to $325

    • T. Rowe Price (TROW) downgraded to Sell from Neutral at Goldman; tgt lowered to $175

    • UMB Financial Corporation (UMBF) downgraded to Equal Weight from Overweight at Wells Fargo; tgt lowered to $110

    • Umpqua Holdings (UMPQ) downgraded to Equal Weight from Overweight at Wells Fargo; tgt lowered to $20

    • Wolverine (WWW) downgraded to Neutral from Outperform at Robert W. Baird; tgt lowered to $33

    • Xylem (XYL) downgraded to Underperform from Mkt Perform at Raymond James

    • Zimmer Biomet (ZBH) downgraded to Neutral from Overweight at Piper Sandler; tgt lowered to $135


  • Others:

    • 4D Molecular Therapeutics (FDMT) initiated with an Outperform at SVB Leerink; tgt $30

    • Altus Power (AMPS) initiated with a Buy at Citigroup; tgt $13

    • Applied Therapeutics (APLT) downgraded to Equal Weight from Overweight at Barclays; tgt lowered to $7

    • Blue Owl Capital (OWL) added to Conviction Buy List at Goldman

    • Boxed (BOXD) initiated with a Neutral at BTIG Research

    • Enovix (ENVX) initiated with an Outperform at Cowen; tgt $32

    • Global Payments (GPN) initiated with a Buy at Loop Capital; tgt $180

    • HashiCorp (HCP) initiated with a Neutral at Citigroup; tgt $100

    • Local Bounti (LOCL) initiated with a Buy at Deutsche Bank; tgt $9

    • Match Group (MTCH) initiated with an Outperform at Wolfe Research; tgt $163

    • Nu Holdings (NU) initiated with a Neutral at JP Morgan; tgt $10

    • P3 Health Partners (PIII) initiated with an Outperform at William Blair

    • Pinterest (PINS) initiated with a Peer Perform at Wolfe Research; tgt $45

    • Renalytix (RNLX) initiated with a Buy at BTIG Research; tgt $24

    • Riot Blockchain (RIOT) initiated with an Overweight at Cantor Fitzgerald; tgt $45

    • Sysco (SYY) initiated with a Hold at Deutsche Bank; tgt $82

    • Two Harbors Investment (TWO) initiated with a Neutral at Citigroup; tgt $5.50

    • Zillow (ZG) initiated with a Peer Perform at Wolfe Research; tgt $75


Upcoming Events:

  • Econ Data:

    • 10:00 ET: ISM Manufacturing Index for Dec (Briefing.com Consensus 60.3%; Prior 61.1%)

    • 10:00 ET: JOLTS - Job Openings for Nov (Briefing.com Consensus NA; Prior 11.033M)


  • Earnings:

    • Tuesday (Jan 4)

      • Afternoon: MLKN SGH


  • Wednesday (Jan 5)

    • Morning: RPM SMPL

    • Afternoon: RGP


  • Thursday (Jan 6)

    • Morning: ANGO BBBY CAG STZ HELE LW LNN SCHN WBA

    • Afternoon: DCT PSMT WDFC


  • Friday (Jan 7)

    • Morning: AYI GBX




Asia & Europe detail:

Asia: Nikkei +1.8%, Hang Seng +0.1%, Shanghai Composite -0.2%

Equity indices in the Asia-Pacific region ended Tuesday on a mixed note. Japan's Manufacturing PMI expanded for the 11th consecutive month in December while Australia's Manufacturing PMI expanded for the 19th month in a row. Yonhap reported that South Korea's home transactions in November were down 43% yr/yr due to new lending restrictions. Evergrande has been ordered to demolish 39 apartment buildings. Bank of Korea Governor Lee said that issuing consumption vouchers for all citizens "would be helpful."

  • In economic data:

    • China's December Caixin Manufacturing PMI 50.9 (expected 50.0; last 49.9)

    • Japan's December Manufacturing PMI 54.3 (expected 54.2; last 54.5)

    • Australia's December Manufacturing PMI 57.7 (last 59.2)


---Equity Markets---

  • Japan's Nikkei: +1.8%

  • Hong Kong's Hang Seng: +0.1%

  • China's Shanghai Composite: -0.2%

  • India's Sensex: +1.1%

  • South Korea's Kospi: UNCH

  • Australia's ASX All Ordinaries: +1.9%

---FX---

  • USD/JPY: +0.7% to 116.13

  • USD/CNH: +0.1% to 6.3775

  • USD/INR: +0.3% to 74.61

Europe: DAX +0.7%, FTSE +1.4%, CAC +1.3%

Major European indices trade in the green. France's Finance Ministry reiterated its forecast for 4.0% growth in 2022. Germany loosened its travel restrictions for the U.K. and South Africa. Italy's parliament will begin the process of electing a new president on January 24. Prime Minister Draghi and former Prime Minister Berlusconi are among the leading candidates.

  • In economic data:

    • Germany's December unemployment -23,000 (expected -15,000; last -34,000) and December Unemployment Rate 5.2% (expected 5.3%; last 5.3%). November Retail Sales 0.6% m/m (expected -0.5%; last 0.5%); -2.9% yr/yr (expected -4.9%; last -2.0%)

    • U.K.'s December Manufacturing PMI 57.9 (expected 57.6; last 58.1). November Mortgage Lending GBP3.69 bln (expected GBP3.55 bln; last GBP1.15 bln)

    • France's December CPI 0.2% m/m (last 0.4%); 2.8% yr/yr, as expected (last 2.8%)

    • Spain's December unemployment -76,800 (last -74,400)

    • Swiss December CPI -0.1% m/m, as expected (last 0.3%); 1.5% yr/yr (expected 1.6%; last 1.5%)


---Equity Markets---

  • STOXX Europe 600: +0.9%

  • Germany's DAX: +0.7%

  • U.K.'s FTSE 100: +1.4%

  • France's CAC 40: +1.3%

  • Italy's FTSE MIB: +0.8%

  • Spain's IBEX 35: +0.6%

---FX---

  • EUR/USD: -0.2% to 1.1275

  • GBP/USD: UNCH at 1.3479

  • USD/CHF: UNCH at 0.9187


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