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Writer's pictureSimon Charles Hooper

04/04/23 Briefing

Updated: Apr 5, 2023

The S&P 500 futures are up 12 point and are trading 0.3% above fair value. The Nasdaq 100 futures are up 54 points and are trading 0.5% above fair value. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures are up 33 points and are trading 0.1% above fair value.

The stock market is poised for a higher open with Nasdaq 100 futures outperforming somewhat. The continued resilience to selling efforts has fostered carryover buying interest this morning. 

JPMorgan Chase (JPM) CEO Jamie Dimon said in his annual letter to shareholders that the fallout from the regional banking crisis will have repercussions for years to come, but that it is nothing like the 2008 financial crisis.

The Reserve Bank of Australia left its cash rate rate unchanged at 3.60%, as expected.

Separately, Finland joins NATO today, becoming its 31st member state.

Treasury yields are moving higher this morning. The 2-yr note yield is up three basis points to 4.02% and the 10-yr note yield is up four basis points to 3.46%.

In corporate news:

  • Apple (AAPL 166.89, +0.72, +0.4%): will eliminate small amount of jobs, according to Bloomberg

  • Wal Mart (WMT 148.73, +0.04, +0.03%): to eliminate 2000 jobs in e-commerce warehouses, according to Bloomberg

  • Etsy (ETSY 112.09, +3.84, +3.6%): upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at Piper Sandler 

  • AMC Entertainment (AMC 3.70, -1.41, -27.6%) and AMC Preferred Equity units (APE 1.8200, +0.34, +23.0%): AMC Entertainment enters into a binding settlement term sheet with the named plaintiffs in the case In re AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. Stockholder Litigation to settle the Shareholder Litigation

  • Sarepta Therapeutics (SRPT 142.00, +4.45, +3.2%): Citigroup initiated coverage with a Buy

Reviewing overnight developments:

  • Equity indices in the Asia-Pacific region ended Tuesday on a mostly higher note while markets in India were closed for Mahavir Jayanti. Japan's Nikkei: +0.4%, Hong Kong's Hang Seng: -0.7%, China's Shanghai Composite: +0.5%, India's Sensex: CLOSED, South Korea's Kospi: +0.3%, Australia's ASX All Ordinaries: +0.2%.

    • In economic data:

      • South Korea's March CPI 0.2% m/m, as expected (last 0.3%); 4.2% yr/yr (expected 4.3%; last 4.8%)

      • New Zealand's Q1 NZIER Business Confidence -66% (expected -40%; last -70%) and Q1 Capacity Utilization 94.0% (expected 93.5%; last 93.7%)

    • In news:

      • Asian Development Bank increased its 2023 growth forecast for developing Asia to 4.8% from 4.6% while China's growth forecast was increased to 5.0% from 4.3%.

      • The Reserve Bank of Australia left its cash rate at 3.60%, as expected. The central bank expects that some additional tightening will be needed.

  • Major European indices trade in positive territory. STOXX Europe 600: +0.7%, Germany's DAX: +1.0%, U.K.'s FTSE 100: +0.1%, France's CAC 40: +0.6%, Italy's FTSE MIB: +0.5%, Spain's IBEX 35: +1.1%.

    • In economic data:

      • Eurozone's February PPI -0.5% m/m (expected -0.3%; last -2.8%); 13.2% yr/yr (expected 13.3%; last 15.1%)

      • Germany's February trade surplus EUR16.00 bln (expected surplus of EUR17.00 bln; last surplus of EUR16.80 bln). February Imports 4.6% m/m (expected 1.0%; last -1.4%) and Exports 4.0% m/m (expected 1.6%; last 2.5%)

      • Spain's March unemployment -48,800 (expected 8,500; last 2,600)

    • In news:

      • The European Central Bank's Consumer Expectations Survey showed that inflation expectations for the year ahead slowed to 5.8% from 6.2%.

      • Germany's Leading Economic Institutes raised the 2023 domestic growth forecast to 0.3% from -0.4% and lowered the 2024 outlook to 1.5% from 1.7%. The 2023 CPI forecast was cut to 6.0% from 8.8% while the 2024 forecast was started at 2.4%.

      • Swiss National Bank Vice Chair Schlegel repeated that everything will be done to bring inflation down, including additional rate hikes.

      • Finland became NATO's 31st member state today.

 

U.S. equity futures:

  • S&P 500 Futures: +10 @ 4,135

  • DJIA Futures: +24 @ 33,625

  • Nasdaq 100 Futures: +49 @ 13,197

Overseas:

  • Europe: DAX +1.0%, FTSE +0.1%, CAC +0.6%

  • Asia: Nikkei +0.4%, Hang Seng -0.7%, Shanghai Composite +0.5%

Commodities:

  • Crude Oil +0.75 @ 81.17

  • Nat Gas +0.036 @ 2.133

  • Gold -1.20 @ 1999.20

  • Silver +0.052 @ 24.073

  • Copper -0.0015 @ 4.049


 

Earnings/Guidance:

  • Acuity Brands (AYI) beats by $0.33, misses on revs

  • Cardlytics (CDLX) sees Q1 revs above consensus

  • Enviva (EVA) provided additional guidance at its investor day

  • Garrett Motion (GTX) sees FY23 revenues at high end of prior guidance range

  • Lindsay Corp (LNN) beats by $0.10, misses on revs

  • MSC Industrial (MSM) beats by $0.09, beats on revs

  • Seritage Growth Properties (SRG) provides Q1 update; $525.0 mln of pipeline from sales under contract or with accepted offers

  • Zuora's (ZUO) FY24 free cash flow outlook to be impacted by settlement and related shareholder litigation expenses; reiterates FY24 EPS and revenue guidance

News:

  • Finland will become a NATO member today

  • Reserve Bank of Australia decided to leave the cash rate target unchanged at 3.60% and the interest rate on Exchange Settlement balances unchanged at 3.50%

  • Advantage Solutions (ADV) board of directors unanimously votes to appoint Jim Kilts to the role of chairman, effective March 31, 2023

  • AMC Entertainment (AMC) enters into a binding settlement term sheet with the named plaintiffs in the case In re AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. Stockholder Litigation to settle the Shareholder Litigation

  • American Airlines (AAL) will temporarily cut some flights at New York City airports this summer - Reuters

  • ANI Pharma (ANIP) received FDA approval for the Abbreviated New Drug Application for Colestipol Hydrochloride Tablets USP, 1 g

  • Apple (AAPL) will eliminate small amount of jobs, according to Bloomberg

  • BAE Systems (BAESY): UK government announces GBP 161 million contract for F-35 jet maintenance supports 140 UK jobs

  • Biogen (BIIB) announced the appointment of Adam Keeney, Ph.D., as Executive Vice President, Head of Corporate Development effective 17 April 2023

  • Blackstone (BX) clients requested to remove $4.5 bln from Breit fund last month, according to Financial Times

  • Brookfield (BAM) will start efforts to sell a 50% stake in wind farm, according to Bloomberg

  • Butterfly Network (BFLY) receives 510(k) clearance for AI-enabled lung tool

  • Cardiovascular Systems (CSII) completes enrollment of its 2,000 patient ECLIPSE coronary trial; results expected in fall of 2024

  • Civitas Resources (CIVI) appoints Hodge Walker as COO, effective April 5, 2023

  • CME Group (CME) reports March ADV +24% to 30.3 mln contracts, Q1 ADV up +4% yr/yr

  • ConocoPhillips (COP) secured court victory to continue with $8 bln Alaska oil project, according to Bloomberg

  • Crane (CR) and Crane NXT (CXT) complete separation from Crane Holdings; Crane to trade on NYSE under ticker "CR" on April 4; Crane NXT to begin trading on NYSE on April 4 under ticker "CXT"

  • Gossamer Bio (GOSS): FDA places partial clinical hold on all trials of GB5121 in response to adverse events observed in the Phase 1b/2 STAR-CNS study; GOSS to terminate all ongoing studies and discontinue development of GB5121

  • Gulfport Energy (GPOR) names Michael Hodges CFO and announces that William Buese will be transitioning from the CFO role effective April 3, 2023

  • HUTCHMED (HCM) Initiates Registration Phase Enrollments of HMPL-453 for IHCC and Savolitinib for Gastric Cancer following NMPA Consultations

  • JPMorgan Chase (JPM) CEO Jamie Dimon in annual letter says the banking crisis is "not over"

  • KBR's (KBR) K-GreeN technology has been selected by Avina Clean Hydrogen for its green ammonia project in the U.S.

  • L3Harris (LHX) awarded $584 mln U.S. Air Force contract

  • Legend Biotech (LEGN) announces formation of strategic advisory board to advise on strategic initiatives to advance cell therapy platforms

  • Loop Industries (LOOP) announced that Mr. Fady Mansour has been appointed as the Chief Financial Officer, effective April 17, 2023

  • Marathon Digital Holdings (MARA) publishes bitcoin production and mining operations update for March; BTC produced increased 74% yr/yr

  • Merck (MRK): FDA Approves Merk's KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) in Combination With Padcev (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) for First-Line Treatment of Certain Patients With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Urothelial Cancer

  • Mueller Industries (MLI) announces that its manufacturing plant located Covington, Tennessee, was damaged by a tornado on Friday evening; expects to provide ongoing and reliable supply to its customers

  • Myers Industries (MYE) announces appointment of Grant Fitz to position of CFO and Executive Vice President, effective May 8, 2023

  • NETSTREIT (NTST) appoints Daniel Donlan as CFO, effective April 10

  • New Found Gold Corp. (NFGC) intercepts 35.6 G/T AU Over 10.65M, 13.1 G/T AU over 13.9m, 6.9 g/t au over 20.4m, 12.6 g/t au over 7.6m, & 10.5 g/t au over 6.65m at iceberg

  • NorthWestern Energy (NWE) reaches multiparty settlement agreement in Montana Electric and Natural Gas Regulatory Rate Review

  • Pfizer (PFE): FDA accepts Pfizer's Supplemental New Drug Applications for BRAFTOVI + MEKTOVI

  • Pinduoduo (PDD) appointed Mr. Jiazhen Zhao as Co-Chief Executive Officer, and also has elected Mr. Zhao as an executive director of the Company, effective immediately

  • Plug Power (PLUG) reports record production of PEM Electrolyzer stacks in Q1 2023; On track to meet 100MW per month target in Q2

  • Precigen (PGEN) Regains Exclusive Rights to Proven CAR-T Targets, CD19 and BCMA, to Enable Unencumbered Development and Commercialization of UltraCAR-T

  • Rithm Capital (RITM) expanding into Europe; will seek equity and debt investments across the real estate and consumer finance sectors in the region

  • Sanofi (SNY) reports two fitusiran Phase 3 studies published in The Lancet and The Lancet Haematology highlight potential to address unmet needs across all types of hemophilia

  • Seagen (SGEN): FDA Grants Accelerated Approval for PADCEV (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) with KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) for First-Line Treatment of Locally Advanced or Metastatic Urothelial Cancer

  • Sight Sciences (SGHT) appoints Alison Bauerlein as CFO, effective April 3

  • Signature Bank (SBNY): FDIC announces upcoming sale of the loan portfolio from the former SBNY

  • Teck Resources (TECK) announces filing of meeting materials and receipt of interim court orders in respect of proposed spin off of steelmaking coal business and sunset for dual class share structure

  • Thomson Reuters (TRI) launches return of $2.2 billion to shareholders; expects to effect the proposed transaction by the end of June

  • Tilray (TLRY): Manitoba Harvest expands Whole Foods Market distribution

  • Tiziana (TLSA) Announces Positive Data on Intranasal Anti-CD3 Monoclonal Antibody in Intracerebral Hemorrhage

  • Turtle Beach (HEAR) discloses it delivered a counter-proposal to Immersion Corporation (IMMR)

  • Vista Outdoor (VSTO) announces an over $50 mln cost reduction and earnings improvement program, including office closures, spending cuts, EBIT improvements, and headcount reductions

  • Wal Mart (WMT) to eliminate 2000 jobs in e-commerce warehouses, according to Bloomberg

  • Warner Brothers (WBD) close to deal for Harry Potter TV show, according to Bloomberg

  • W.P. Carey (WPC) announces $468 mln sale-leaseback of a critical portfolio of four pharmaceutical R&D and manufacturing campuses with Apotex Pharmaceutical Holdings

  • Zevra Therapeutics (ZVRA) announces the submission of an Investigational New Drug application seeking authorization from the U.S. FDA to begin a Phase 1 clinical trial of KP1077 in narcolepsy

M&A:

  • Aegon (AEG) UK divests its individual protection book

  • Greif (GEF) completes acquisition increasing its ownership in Centurion Container LLC from 9% to 80% in all-cash transaction for $145 mln

  • Natura &Co (NTCO) divests Aesop to L'Oral (LRLCY)

  • NuVasive (NUVA) and Globus Medical (GMED) disclosed that they continue to expect that the proposed transaction will close in the middle of 2023

  • SPX Corp (SPXC) announces acquisition of TAMCO for approximately $125 mln in cash

  • Stratasys (SSYS) receives revised proposal from Nano Dimension (NNDM) for $20.05 in cash

Syndicate:

  • Ares Management (ARES) files stock offering by selling shareholders

  • DigitalBridge (DBRG) files mixed shelf securities offering

  • Terran Orbital (LLAP) files $500 mln mixed shelf securities offering

  • Vital Energy (VTLE) files 1,578,948 common stock offering by selling shareholder

  • Wallbox (WBX) files at-the market equity offering program in which it may sell up to $100 mln of Class A ordinary shares

IPOs:

  • Expected to Price:

    • No IPOs expected.

Gapping Up/Down

  • Gapping up:

    • BFLY +26.2%, APE +19.6%, NTCO +3.9%, AEG +3.5%, OZK +2.9%, MARA +2.4%, SSYS +2%, WBX +1.9%, RIOT +1.8%, CIVI +1.5%, COIN +1.3%, MSTR +1.2%, SPXC +0.7%, AAL +0.6%, CNC +0.5%, GMED +0.5%, AYI +0.5%

  • Gapping down:

    • AMC -27.6%, LLAP -6.5%, ZUO -4.2%, NAPA -3.8%, HEAR -2.8%, MLI -1.1%, TECK -0.8%, ARES -0.5%, DWAC -0.5%

 

Analyst Research (see Upgrades/Downgradescalendarfor full list:

  • Upgrades

    • Burlington Stores (BURL) upgraded to Buy from Hold at Loop Capital; tgt raised to $225

    • CSX (CSX) upgraded to Equal-Weight from Underweight at Morgan Stanley; tgt $24

    • Etsy (ETSY) upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at Piper Sandler; tgt raised to $140

    • Evotec SE (EVO) upgraded to Equal-Weight from Underweight at Morgan Stanley; tgt raised to $12

    • Health Catalyst (HCAT) upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight at Wells Fargo; tgt raised to $16

    • Norfolk Southern (NSC) upgraded to Equal-Weight from Underweight at Morgan Stanley; tgt $177

  • Downgrades:

    • Ascendis Pharma (ASND) downgraded to Equal-Weight from Overweight at Morgan Stanley; tgt lowered to $108

    • Boeing (BA) downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Northcoast; tgt $180

    • nCino (NCNO) downgraded to Equal-Weight from Overweight at Morgan Stanley; tgt lowered to $25

  • Others:

    • A10 Networks (ATEN) initiated with a Neutral at BTIG Research

    • Atlas Energy Solutions (AESI) initiated with an Overweight at CapitalOne; tgt $25

    • Corcept Therapeutics (CORT) initiated with an Overweight at Piper Sandler; tgt $27

    • Crane (CR) initiated with a Buy at DA Davidson; tgt $90

    • Crane NXT (CXT) initiated with a Buy at DA Davidson; tgt $70

    • Fastenal (FAST) initiated with a Buy at Stifel; tgt $61

    • Franklin BSP Realty Trust (FBRT) initiated with an Outperform at Raymond James; tgt $13.50

    • Haleon plc (HLN) initiated with an Outperform at Bernstein

  • Econ Data:

    • 10:00 ET: Factory Orders for Feb (Briefing.comConsensus -0.5%; Prior -1.6%)

    • 10:00 ET: JOLTS - Job Openings for Feb (Briefing.comConsensus NA; Prior 10.824M)

  • Earnings:

    • Monday (Apr 3)

      • Morning:  SAIC

    • Tuesday (Apr 4)

      • Morning: AYI LNN MSM

      • Afternoon:  DLO RGP SGH

    • Wednesday (Apr 5)

      • Morning:  CAG SCHN SMPL

      • Afternoon:  SLP

    • Thursday (Apr 6)

      • Morning: STZ LW RPM

      • Afternoon:  LEVI WDFC

Asia & Europe detail:

Asia: Nikkei +0.4%, Hang Seng -0.7%, Shanghai Composite +0.5%

Equity indices in the Asia-Pacific region ended Tuesday on a mostly higher note while markets in India were closed for Mahavir Jayanti. Asian Development Bank increased its 2023 growth forecast for developing Asia to 4.8% from 4.6% while China's growth forecast was increased to 5.0% from 4.3%. The Reserve Bank of Australia left its cash rate at 3.60%, as expected. The central bank expects that some additional tightening will be needed.

  • In economic data:

    • South Korea's March CPI 0.2% m/m, as expected (last 0.3%); 4.2% yr/yr (expected 4.3%; last 4.8%)

    • New Zealand's Q1 NZIER Business Confidence -66% (expected -40%; last -70%) and Q1 Capacity Utilization 94.0% (expected 93.5%; last 93.7%)

---Equity Markets---

  • Japan's Nikkei: +0.4%

  • Hong Kong's Hang Seng: -0.7%

  • China's Shanghai Composite: +0.5% 

  • India's Sensex: CLOSED

  • South Korea's Kospi: +0.3%

  • Australia's ASX All Ordinaries: +0.2%

---FX---

  • USD/JPY: +0.4% to 133.97

  • USD/CNH: +0.2% to 6.8870

  • USD/INR: UNCH at 82.13

 

Europe: DAX +1.0%, FTSE +0.1%, CAC +0.6%

Major European indices trade in positive territory. The European Central Bank's Consumer Expectations Survey showed that inflation expectations for the year ahead slowed to 5.8% from 6.2%. Germany's Leading Economic Institutes raised the 2023 domestic growth forecast to 0.3% from -0.4% and lowered the 2024 outlook to 1.5% from 1.7%. The 2023 CPI forecast was cut to 6.0% from 8.8% while the 2024 forecast was started at 2.4%. Swiss National Bank Vice Chair Schlegel repeated that everything will be done to bring inflation down, including additional rate hikes. Finland became NATO's 31st member state today.

  • In economic data:

    • Eurozone's February PPI -0.5% m/m (expected -0.3%; last -2.8%); 13.2% yr/yr (expected 13.3%; last 15.1%)

    • Germany's February trade surplus EUR16.00 bln (expected surplus of EUR17.00 bln; last surplus of EUR16.80 bln). February Imports 4.6% m/m (expected 1.0%; last -1.4%) and Exports 4.0% m/m (expected 1.6%; last 2.5%)

    • Spain's March unemployment -48,800 (expected 8,500; last 2,600)

---Equity Markets---

  • STOXX Europe 600: +0.7%

  • Germany's DAX: +1.0%

  • U.K.'s FTSE 100: +0.1%

  • France's CAC 40: +0.6%

  • Italy's FTSE MIB: +0.5% 

  • Spain's IBEX 35: +1.1%

---FX---

  • EUR/USD: +0.1% to 1.0910

  • GBP/USD: +0.6% to 1.2493

  • USD/CHF: +0.1% to 0.9133


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