US OPEN: Wall Street opens lower as geopolitical tensions flare

15:57 17 February 2022
  • US stocks opened lower
  • Russia has decided to expel the Deputy US Ambassador.
  • Walmart (WMT.US) stock price rises following upbeat quarterly results

US indices launched today's session lower as tensions on Ukrainian border escalates. US, EU and NATO officials stated there is no evidence that Russia is pulling back troops. Moreover, the US envoy to the UN said that there is evidence that Russia is moving towards an imminent invasion. Moscow of course denies these news and reasures that there will be no Ukraine invasion and none is planned. Nevertheless, according to the most recent media reports, Russia has decided to expel the Deputy US Ambassador and insists on withdrawal of all US forces from central and eastern Europe. The Kremlin also expects specific proposals from US and NATO regarding no further eastward enlargement. On the data front, the US labour department said that the number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits jumped to 248k from last week's 225k, compared with market expectations of 219k. 

US2000 pulled back after a failed attempt to break above upper limit of the 1:1 structure and is currently heading towards local support at 2035 pts which is marked with 23.6% Fibonacci retracement of the last downward wave. Should a break lower occur, downward move may accelerate towards the lower limit of the aforementioned structure around 1900 pts. Source: xStation5

Company news:

Walmart (WMT.US) stock jumped nearly 3.0% in the premarket after the retail giant posted upbeat quarterly figures. Company earned an adjusted $1.53 per share, slightly above analysts’ estimates of $1.50 per share, revealed optimistic guidance and announced a dividend hike.

Walmart (WMT.US) stock has been moving sideways in recent months. Currently the price is testing the lower limit of the consolidation zone around $133.80 which coincides with 38.2% Fibonacci retracement of the upward wave launched in March 2020 and lower limit of the triangle formation. If buyers manage to regain control, then another upward impulse towards resistance at $141.25 may be launched. Source: xStation5

DoorDash (DASH.US) shares jumped more than 24% in premarket after the food delivery company posted a quarterly loss, however revenue for 2021 increased 69% despite the end of pandemic restrictions on brick-and-mortar restaurants. DoorDash also issued an upbeat outlook for the current quarter.

Fastly (FSLY.US) stock plunged 30% in premarket after the cloud-software company announced that it expects loss in the first quarter and more severe slowdown in growth in 2022, than had been previously anticipated. 

Nvidia (NVDA.US) stock dropped more than 2.5% before the start of the US session despite solid quarterly results. However flat profit margins and companies exposure to cryptocurrency mining weighed on sentiment.

Cisco (CSCO.US) stock rose more than 3% before the opening bell after the networking equipment and software maker earned 84 cents per share, topping analysts’ expectations by 3 cents. Revenue also beat market projections. Company issued an upbeat full-year forecast due strong demand from cloud computing companies.

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