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S&P 500, Dow and Nasdaq end slightly lower as investors look ahead to retail sales, Walmart earnings

Stocks traded mixed on Monday as investors monitored upbeat economic data out of China and awaited key retail sales and earnings results out from major U.S. companies later this week. 

The S&P 500, Dow and Nasdaq struggled for direction after opening decidedly higher. Boeing (BA) shares rose after the aircraft-maker’s head of commercial airplanes told Bloomberg he was “hopeful” that China would resume orders of the 737 Max soon following more than two years of grounding. The company also said it booked a number of orders following the 2021 Dubai Airshow, including for two 777 Freighters with Emirates.

Stronger-than-expected economic data out of China also helped lift traders’ sentiment at the start of the week. The world’s second-largest economy saw both retail sales and industrial production unexpectedly accelerate in October over last year, suggesting the economic impact from multiple COVID-19 waves and stay-in-place restrictions was beginning to ease. However, new-home prices in China fell by about 0.25{21df340e03e388cc75c411746d1a214f72c176b221768b7ada42b4d751988996} in October versus September, marking the biggest drop in more than six years as the country’s real estate market came under continued pressure. 

Investors this week are also set to receive new data from the Commerce Department on U.S. retail sales. The report is likely to show a 1.3{21df340e03e388cc75c411746d1a214f72c176b221768b7ada42b4d751988996} month-on-month jump in sales for October after a more sanguine 0.7{21df340e03e388cc75c411746d1a214f72c176b221768b7ada42b4d751988996} rise in September. And retail earnings results from major names including Walmart (WMT), Target (TGT), Home Depot (HD) and Lowe’s (LOW) will offer additional details on the state of the consumer. 

For U.S. stocks, last week marked a brief pause after a record-setting run-up. The S&P 500 posted a weekly decline for the first time in six weeks, but remained within 0.8{21df340e03e388cc75c411746d1a214f72c176b221768b7ada42b4d751988996} of its all-time intraday high as of Friday’s close. The Dow and Nasdaq were also not far off from their own record levels. 

A hotter-than-expected Consumer Price Index (CPI) last week tempered some of investors’ ebullience for equities, and suggested heightened inflationary pressures were stickier than previously expected. The CPI jumped by a greater-than-expected 6.2{21df340e03e388cc75c411746d1a214f72c176b221768b7ada42b4d751988996} in October compared to the prior year, marking the fastest annual rise since 1990. Meanwhile, the latest print on U.S. job openings came in higher-than-expected to a near-record high of more than 10.4 million, and a separate report showed consumer sentiment deteriorated early this month as Americans nervously eyed rising prices. 

The jump in inflation carries implications both for consumers’ personal finances and for monetary policy. 

“The surge in core inflation in October marks the start of a run of big gains, thanks to surging used auto prices, rebounding airline fares, and faster increases in housing costs,” Ian Shepherdson, chief economist for Pantheon Macroeconomics, wrote in a note Monday. “We think core inflation will peak at almost 7{21df340e03e388cc75c411746d1a214f72c176b221768b7ada42b4d751988996} in March, which will pose a serious challenge to the Fed’s benign medium-term view. Chair [Jerome] Powell will have to convince markets that the combination of rocketing payrolls and soaring inflation does not threaten the transitory story, to which he appears still to be committed.” 

Though the Federal Reserve has maintained current inflationary pressures will be temporary, sustained increases of these elevated magnitudes could prompt a quicker-than-previously-expected hike to interest rates, which would in turn impact a variety of asset classes.

“We remain of the view that the Fed will start to hike in September, but a June hike can’t be ruled out. If labor participation shows no sign of life by the March FOMC meeting, we expect the Fed to accelerate the taper and then hike in June. This would play badly across all asset markets,” Shepherdson added. “Treasury yields still have to rise, but rising real yields due to strong non-inflationary growth are vastly preferable to rising inflation expectations. High-multiple stocks and loss-making tech would be vulnerable even in the benign scenario, but cyclicals would outperform.” 

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4:06 p.m. ET: S&P 500, Dow and Nasdaq end slightly lower as investors look ahead to retail sales, Walmart earnings

Here were the main moves in markets as of 4:06 p.m. ET:

  • S&P 500 (^GSPC): -0.05 (-0.00{21df340e03e388cc75c411746d1a214f72c176b221768b7ada42b4d751988996}) to 4,682.80

  • Dow (^DJI): -12.86 (-0.04{21df340e03e388cc75c411746d1a214f72c176b221768b7ada42b4d751988996}) to 36,087.45

  • Nasdaq (^IXIC): -7.11 (-0.04{21df340e03e388cc75c411746d1a214f72c176b221768b7ada42b4d751988996}) to 15,853.85

  • Crude (CL=F): +$0.10 (+0.12{21df340e03e388cc75c411746d1a214f72c176b221768b7ada42b4d751988996}) to $80.89 a barrel

  • Gold (GC=F): -$3.00 (-0.16{21df340e03e388cc75c411746d1a214f72c176b221768b7ada42b4d751988996}) to $1,865.50 per ounce

  • 10-year Treasury (^TNX): +4.1 bps to yield 1.6230{21df340e03e388cc75c411746d1a214f72c176b221768b7ada42b4d751988996}

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3:02 p.m. ET: U.S. sees oil output in Permian Basin reaching record next month

U.S. crude oil output from the Permian Basin of West Texas and New Mexico is set to jump to a record 4.95 million barrels per day in December, a new government forecast showed on Monday. This would bring production in the key U.S. shale patch well above its pre-pandemic average from March 2020.

Crude oil prices have so far been on a tear for the year-to-date, with a rapid surge in energy demand taking place as vaccinations occurred and mobility picked up. The government report Monday reaffirms that more supply may be taking place domestically in the near-term, helping to put a ceiling on prices after a 66{21df340e03e388cc75c411746d1a214f72c176b221768b7ada42b4d751988996} run-up in WTI crude so far this year.  

“Supply has to come back to the marketplace here,” Scott Bauer, CEO of Prosper Trading Academy, told Yahoo Finance Live earlier on Monday. “The good sign is for right now, is, oil rigs, the amount of rigs that get counted out there, that is rising. It actually rose by 6 last week. It’s the highest level that we’ve seen in about a year-and-a-half, so that means that maybe there will be some more drilling out there.”

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9:52 a.m. ET: Empire Manufacturing index rebounds in November to top expectations

The regional Empire Manufacturing index for New York state jumped far more than expected in November after sliding in October, with a pick-up in employment at goods-producing firms helping buoy results.

The broadest business activity index for the region rose to 30.9 in November from 19.8 in October, exceeding estimates for 22.0, according to Bloomberg data. 

Beneath the headline index, employment grew at its fastest pace on record and the average workweek rose, according to the survey. However, in a sign of persistent supply-related disruptions and inflationary pressures, unfilled orders increased, and an index tracking prices paid held near a record high.

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9:37 a.m. ET: Oatly shares slide by 20{21df340e03e388cc75c411746d1a214f72c176b221768b7ada42b4d751988996} after missing Q3 sales, cutting forecast

Oatly (OTLY) slumped by 20{21df340e03e388cc75c411746d1a214f72c176b221768b7ada42b4d751988996} Monday morning after posting third-quarter sales that sharply missed estimates and cutting its guidance for the year, as supply-chain and virus-related disruptions weighed on the oat milk-maker’s results. 

Revenue came in at $171.1 million in the third quarter, falling short of expectations for $185.7 million, based on Bloomberg data. The company now also sees revenue coming in at more than $635 million for the year, or down from its previous forecast for more than $690 million. 

“In EMEA, we are starting to build supply to meet consumer demand, but the pace at which we expected to increase revenue in new and existing retailers and to open new markets is slower than we anticipated as we navigate a dynamic COVID operating environment,” Oatly said in its earnings report. “We believe this is primarily a timing issue and in the first half of 2022, we expect to have an increased share of shelf space at retail given our strong velocities and current supply levels.” 

“In the Americas, we are pleased with the weekly production output improvements at our Ogden, Utah facility to-date in the fourth quarter, as we navigate a challenging supply chain environment,” the company added. “Finally, in Asia strict public health measures remain in effect due to an increase in cases of the COVID-19 Delta-variant. We are closely monitoring the situation and remain focused on the health and safety of our team.” 

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9:30 a.m. ET: Stocks kick off the week in trading on a high note

Here’s where markets were trading after the opening bell on Monday:

  • S&P 500 (^GSPC): 4,692.44, +9.59 (+0.2{21df340e03e388cc75c411746d1a214f72c176b221768b7ada42b4d751988996})

  • Dow (^DJI): 36,128.83, +28.52 (+0.08{21df340e03e388cc75c411746d1a214f72c176b221768b7ada42b4d751988996})

  • Nasdaq (^IXIC): 15,891.14, +32.35 (+0.2{21df340e03e388cc75c411746d1a214f72c176b221768b7ada42b4d751988996})

  • Crude (CL=F): -$1.04 (-1.29{21df340e03e388cc75c411746d1a214f72c176b221768b7ada42b4d751988996}) to $79.75 a barrel

  • Gold (GC=F): -$3.00 (-0.16{21df340e03e388cc75c411746d1a214f72c176b221768b7ada42b4d751988996}) to $1,865.50 per ounce

  • 10-year Treasury (^TNX): -0.9 bps to yield 1.582{21df340e03e388cc75c411746d1a214f72c176b221768b7ada42b4d751988996}

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7:20 a.m. ET Monday: Stock futures point to a higher open

Here’s where markets were trading Monday morning: 

  • S&P 500 futures (ES=F): +10.5 points (+0.22{21df340e03e388cc75c411746d1a214f72c176b221768b7ada42b4d751988996}), to 4,688.75

  • Dow futures (YM=F): +102 points (+0.28{21df340e03e388cc75c411746d1a214f72c176b221768b7ada42b4d751988996}), to 36,115.00

  • Nasdaq futures (NQ=F): +40.75 points (+0.25{21df340e03e388cc75c411746d1a214f72c176b221768b7ada42b4d751988996}) to 16,233.50

  • Crude (CL=F): -$1.13 (-1.4{21df340e03e388cc75c411746d1a214f72c176b221768b7ada42b4d751988996}) to $79.66 a barrel

  • Gold (GC=F): -$2.30 (-0.12{21df340e03e388cc75c411746d1a214f72c176b221768b7ada42b4d751988996}) to $1,866.20 per ounce

  • 10-year Treasury (^TNX): -2.9 bps to yield 1.555{21df340e03e388cc75c411746d1a214f72c176b221768b7ada42b4d751988996}

Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., October 20, 2021. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., October 20, 2021. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

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Emily McCormick is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter

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Dow posts all-time closing high, Nasdaq dips as Snap shares drop by record

Stocks were mixed on Friday as investors digested new commentary on asset-purchase tapering and inflation from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, amid a slew of fresh earnings reports from major companies. 

The Dow set a record closing high, taking out a previous record close from August 16. The S&P 500 retreated after setting a fresh intraday record high. The reversal to the downside came as Powell said the central bank was “on track to begin a taper of our asset purchases that, if the economy evolves broadly as expected, will be completed by the middle of next year” during a virtual event hosted by the South African Reserve Bank Friday. The central bank had previously telegraphed it believed the economy was nearing the recovery threshold that would warrant the start to tapering of the Fed’s crisis-era asset purchase program. 

Powell also noted he expected elevated inflationary pressures spurred by global supply constraints “are likely to last longer than previously expected, likely well into next year.”

The Nasdaq underperformed following a couple of weaker-than-expected technology earnings. 

Snap (SNAP) shares sank by a record 27{21df340e03e388cc75c411746d1a214f72c176b221768b7ada42b4d751988996} after missing third-quarter revenues and offering weak current-quarter guidance, with Apple’s iOS privacy updates denting the social media platform’s advertising business. The miss also catalyzed a drop in shares of peer social media companies including Facebook (FB) and Alphabet (GOOGL). 

Shares of Intel (INTC) also dropped after the company said margins would be under pressure for the next up to three years, in part reflecting challenges from global materials shortages. And Chipotle (CMG) shares fluctuated between small gains and losses despite posting better-than-expected quarterly same-store sales, though the company flagged widespread staffing shortages. 

Despite some of the more recent, mixed earnings results, the S&P 500 and Dow have hovered within striking distance of their all-time highs, boosted by a string of earlier estimates-topping quarterly corporate profits and economic data. Both have served to stave off concerns over a decelerating growth environment after a surge in reopening activity earlier this year. 

New data on Thursday showed weekly jobless claims improved to their lowest level since March 2020 last week, falling more-than-expected as firings, layoffs and other involuntary separations slowed further in the labor market. And existing home sales posted their biggest jump since September 2020 last month, showing still-robust demand for homes even as inventory remained tight and prices crept higher.

And based on quarterly results so far, many companies have shown they managed to grow profits even in the face of rising input and labor costs and supply chain challenges.

“Let’s not forget, we’re coming off of very high margins, so there is room for a little compression there. What we’re seeing in the early earnings releases, which is maybe the reason for equity markets hitting new highs, is that the operating leverage inside of companies right now is so significant,” Gibson Smith, Smith Capital Investors founder, told Yahoo Finance Live on Thursday. “Think of top-line growth in the 18{21df340e03e388cc75c411746d1a214f72c176b221768b7ada42b4d751988996} arena, or you see bottom-line growth in the 50, 60, 70{21df340e03e388cc75c411746d1a214f72c176b221768b7ada42b4d751988996}. These are all positives for corporate America, and I think will actually be the fuel to launch equity prices to higher levels.”

Investors are hoping for more affirmation on the solid trends seen so far in corporate profits next week, with a more robust set of third-quarter earnings results due for release. The heavily weighted stock index components, from Apple to Amazon and Facebook, are set to report quarterly results throughout next week.

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4:13 p.m. ET: Stocks end mixed, Dow logs record close

Here’s where markets closed out Friday’s session: 

  • S&P 500 (^GSPC): -4.88 (-0.11{21df340e03e388cc75c411746d1a214f72c176b221768b7ada42b4d751988996}) to 4,544.90

  • Dow (^DJI): +73.94 (+0.21{21df340e03e388cc75c411746d1a214f72c176b221768b7ada42b4d751988996}) to 35,677.02

  • Nasdaq (^IXIC): -125.5 (-0.82{21df340e03e388cc75c411746d1a214f72c176b221768b7ada42b4d751988996}) to 15,090.20

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11:37 a.m. ET: American Express shares jump to a record after strong Q3 results, while VF Corp. slides on lingering manufacturing constraints

American Express (AXP) shares hit an intraday all-time high Friday morning after posting third-quarter results that easily topped estimates. 

Revenue of $10.93 billion was up 25{21df340e03e388cc75c411746d1a214f72c176b221768b7ada42b4d751988996} over last year, and exceeded the $10.54 billion expected, according to Bloomberg consensus data. Earnings per share of $2.27 were also better than the $1.77 estimate. 

American Express also issued upbeat commentary on the state of the U.S. consumer, suggesting spending among individuals and small businesses was rebounding to pre-virus levels. 

The card company said it saw a “continued rebound in travel and entertainment spending, with restaurant spending notably resilient, growing above pre-pandemic levels.” It also noted consumer and small business spending on goods and services grew 19{21df340e03e388cc75c411746d1a214f72c176b221768b7ada42b4d751988996} over the third quarter of 2019, on a currency adjusted basis. New users to premium Platinum and Gold Cards also reached all-time highs

Meanwhile, VF Corp.’s (VFC) posted disappointing quarterly results in a report also issued Friday morning, reflecting the negative impacts from ongoing supply-chain challenges for apparel-makers.

The parent company of brands including The North Face and Vans posted adjusted earnings from continuing operations of $1.11, or four pennies below estimates, for its fiscal second quarter. Revenue came in $3.2 billion, or a 23{21df340e03e388cc75c411746d1a214f72c176b221768b7ada42b4d751988996} jump over last year but still a miss compared to the $3.5 billion consensus estimate. 

VF Corp attributed the miss to a resurgence of Covid-19 lockdowns in its key sourcing companies, which generated manufacturing capacity constraints during the quarter.

“Additionally, continued port congestion, equipment availability and other logistics challenges have contributed to increasing product delays,” the company added. “VF is working with its suppliers to minimize disruption and is employing expedited freight as needed.”

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11:13 a.m. ET: U.S. service sector activity expands at a faster-than-expected clip in October, while manufacturing activity decelerates slightly

U.S. service sector activity picked up by a greater-than-expected margin in early October, while ongoing supply chain constraints weighed on goods-producing industries, according to new data from IHS Markit on Friday.

IHS Markit’s U.S. services purchasing managers’ index rose to 58.2 in the preliminary October print, exceeding consensus estimates for a reading of 55.2, according to Bloomberg data. The PMI had come in at 54.9 in September, and the latest October print reflected the strongest growth in three months. Readings above the neutral level of 50.0 indicate expansion in a sector. 

“Driving growth in October was the quickest rise in inflows of new work since July, that was commonly attributed to stronger demand conditions as COVID-19 worries eased during the month,” IHS Markit said in its release. “Concurrently, service providers recorded more intense capacity pressures amid reports that firms were struggling to cope with growing sales due to labour issues and supplier delays.”

The manufacturing sector, however, posted a larger-than-expected dip in its PMI compared to September, largely reflecting the impact of rising input costs and materials and labor shortages. The U.S. manufacturing PMI slipped to 59.2 in early October from 60.7 in September, marking a third straight monthly decline. Consensus economists were looking for a reading of 60.5 in October.

“The slower improvement in conditions reflected a weaker expansion in output and a moderation in order book growth during October,” IHS Markit said in its release. “Factory production rose only modestly, with the pace of increase the slowest since July 2020 as output continued to be hampered by supply chain issues and shortages. October saw a record lengthening of suppliers’ delivery times. Supply issues and sustained sales growth prompted firms to further increase their buying activity and inventories.” 

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9:32 a.m. ET: Stocks open mostly lower amid mixed earnings

Stocks were mixed as markets opened for trading on Friday, but still paced toward weekly gains following a record-setting march higher earlier this week.

The Dow traded higher by just 22 points, or less than 0.1{21df340e03e388cc75c411746d1a214f72c176b221768b7ada42b4d751988996}, shortly after the opening bell. Both the Nasdaq and S&P 500 dropped as technology stocks sank following earnings misses from Snap and Intel. U.S. crude oil prices rose more than 1{21df340e03e388cc75c411746d1a214f72c176b221768b7ada42b4d751988996} to break back above $83 per barrel, while the 10-year Treasury yield hovered around 1.67{21df340e03e388cc75c411746d1a214f72c176b221768b7ada42b4d751988996}. 

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7:21 a.m. ET Friday: Stock futures trade mixed, with Nasdaq under pressure

Here’s where markets were trading ahead of the opening bell: 

  • S&P 500 futures (ES=F): +4.75 points (+0.1{21df340e03e388cc75c411746d1a214f72c176b221768b7ada42b4d751988996}), to 4,546.5

  • Dow futures (YM=F): +59 points (+0.17{21df340e03e388cc75c411746d1a214f72c176b221768b7ada42b4d751988996}), to 35,539.00

  • Nasdaq futures (NQ=F): -25.75 points (-0.17{21df340e03e388cc75c411746d1a214f72c176b221768b7ada42b4d751988996}) to 15,453.00

  • Crude (CL=F): +$0.54 (+0.65{21df340e03e388cc75c411746d1a214f72c176b221768b7ada42b4d751988996}) to $83.04 a barrel

  • Gold (GC=F): +$11.50 (+0.65{21df340e03e388cc75c411746d1a214f72c176b221768b7ada42b4d751988996}) to $1,793.40 per ounce

  • 10-year Treasury (^TNX): unchanged, yielding 1.674{21df340e03e388cc75c411746d1a214f72c176b221768b7ada42b4d751988996}

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6:07 p.m. ET Thursday: Stock futures edge lower

Here’s where markets were trading Thursday evening: 

  • S&P 500 futures (ES=F): -13.25 points (-0.29{21df340e03e388cc75c411746d1a214f72c176b221768b7ada42b4d751988996}), to 4,528.50

  • Dow futures (YM=F): -31 points (-0.09{21df340e03e388cc75c411746d1a214f72c176b221768b7ada42b4d751988996}), to 35,449.00

  • Nasdaq futures (NQ=F): -93.75 points (-0.61{21df340e03e388cc75c411746d1a214f72c176b221768b7ada42b4d751988996}) to 15,385.00

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 30: Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on September 30, 2021 in New York City. In afternoon trading the Dow was down over 250 points as investors continue to worry about inflation, wages and supply chain issues. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 30: Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on September 30, 2021 in New York City. In afternoon trading the Dow was down over 250 points as investors continue to worry about inflation, wages and supply chain issues. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

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Emily McCormick is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter