US stocks remain not far from record peak

5:13 pm 29 October 2019

Summary:

  • US benchmarks still near record highs; confidence remains strong

  • PTJ warns of stock crash on Warren victory

  • Google shares start lower after results

 

The week started with a bang for US indices with the US500 and US100 both chalking up new all-time highs as the markets extended their recent run higher. Since then the trade has been fairly mixed on the whole but there’s still very little for bears to go on with the markets holding not far from their recent peaks. 

 

On the data front the latest CB consumer confidence has come in a little lower than expected, but when a sizable upwards revision to the prior is taken into account the overall feeling is still one of strength. For the current month the reading of 125.9 missed the 128.2 consensus forecast, with the prior now standing at 126.3 after 125.1 originally.  

The consumer in the US remains fairly upbeat according to the latest conference board data, and both this metric and the Uni Mich equivalent are not far from their highest levels since 2000. Source: XTB Macrobond 

 

It’s still early to get too drawn into next year’s US elections but given the wild swing seen back in 2016 there will no doubt be heightened expectations going into the vote. Incumbent Donald Trump is expected to face a vote on impeachment in the House of Representatives this week and throughout his tenure politics have never strayed far from investors’ minds. Looking ahead to next year billionaire Paul Tudor Jones has joined hedge fund managers Rob Citrone and Jeff Vinik in warning of the adverse impact an Elizabeth Warren presidency could have for stocks. The hedge fund legend warned that the S&P500 will drop 25% if the Democratic senator wins the 2020 election, due to concerns over the proposed wealth tax. 

 

Warren, who advocates for a 2% tax on America’s richest families, “Medicare for all” and new regulations on private equity, is stoking fear on Wall Street as she’s gained momentum in a huge field of candidates for the Democratic nomination. Macro hedge fund manager Citrone, who runs the $2.5 billion Discovery Capital Management, said last week that she could send the market down 10% and 20% if she’s leading the way into the February primaries.

 

On the earnings front, Google parent company Alphabet are the most noteworthy today with the quarterly results coming in a little worse than expected. A steady rise in online advertising sales was overshadowed by increased costs and poor performance in some of their long-held company investments:

 
  • Revenue: $40.5B vs $40.3B exp 

  • EPS: $10.12 vs $12.28 exp   

 

Shares have begun lower by around 2% this afternoon but have still gained approximately 25% this year - comparable to the broader technology market.

The US100 has dipped a little today, with shares in Google weighing on the market. However, price is still not far from Monday’s all-time high of 8126. Source: xStation 

 

 

The content of this report has been created by XTB S.A., with its registered office in Warsaw, at Prosta 67, 00-838 Warsaw, Poland, (KRS number 0000217580) and supervised by Polish Supervision Authority ( No. DDM-M-4021-57-1/2005). This material is a marketing communication within the meaning of Art. 24 (3) of Directive 2014/65/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 on markets in financial instruments and amending Directive 2002/92/EC and Directive 2011/61/EU (MiFID II). Marketing communication is not an investment recommendation or information recommending or suggesting an investment strategy within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 on market abuse (market abuse regulation) and repealing Directive 2003/6/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and Commission Directives 2003/124/EC, 2003/125/EC and 2004/72/EC and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/958 of 9 March 2016 supplementing Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to regulatory technical standards for the technical arrangements for objective presentation of investment recommendations or other information recommending or suggesting an investment strategy and for disclosure of particular interests or indications of conflicts of interest or any other advice, including in the area of investment advisory, within the meaning of the Trading in Financial Instruments Act of 29 July 2005 (i.e. Journal of Laws 2019, item 875, as amended). The marketing communication is prepared with the highest diligence, objectivity, presents the facts known to the author on the date of preparation and is devoid of any evaluation elements. The marketing communication is prepared without considering the client’s needs, his individual financial situation and does not present any investment strategy in any way. The marketing communication does not constitute an offer of sale, offering, subscription, invitation to purchase, advertisement or promotion of any financial instruments. XTB S.A. is not liable for any client’s actions or omissions, in particular for the acquisition or disposal of financial instruments, undertaken on the basis of the information contained in this marketing communication. In the event that the marketing communication contains any information about any results regarding the financial instruments indicated therein, these do not constitute any guarantee or forecast regarding the future results.

Share:
Back

Join over 1 600 000 XTB Group Clients from around the world.