Stock Market News For April 19, 2017

Benchmarks finished in the red on Tuesday following the release of disappointing first quarter corporate earnings results from Goldman Sachs and Johnson & Johnson. Both Johnson & Johnson and Goldman Sachs Group’s quarterly earnings fell short of analysts' expectations. Meanwhile, investors also remained concerned about the persistent tense relationship between U.S. and North Korea.

For a look at the issues currently facing the markets, make sure to read today’s Ahead of Wall Street article.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) declined 0.6% to close at 20,523.28. The S&P 500 fell 0.3% to close at 2,342.19. The tech-laden Nasdaq Composite Index closed at 5,849.47, declining 0.1%. The fear-gauge CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) declined 1.6% to 14.42. A total of around 3.2 billion shares were traded in NYSE on Tuesday. Decliners outpaced advancing stocks on the NYSE. For 50% stocks that declined, 46% advanced.

Earnings Season

Disappointing earnings reports from Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS) and Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) had an adverse impact on investor confidence which eventually dragged down the broader market. Goldman shares recorded its biggest daily percentage drop since June 24. Shares of Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) , Johnson & Johnson, and Goldman Sachs Group fell by 2.6%, 3.1%,and 4.7% respectively. The broader Financial Select Sector SPDR (XLF) declined 0.9%. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Johnson & Johnson posted mixed quarterly results. The company posted quarterly revenues of $17.8 billion, missing the Zacks consensus estimate of $18.0 billion. However, earnings of $1.83 per share, beat Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.77. Netflix reported first-quarter 2017 revenues of $2.637 billion, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.641 billion. However, the company posted earnings of $0.4 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.38 per share.Its membership numbers missed company guidance and fell short of the highly-anticipated 100 million subscriber threshold. On the other hand, Goldman reported earnings per share of $5.15, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.38. Revenues came in at $8 billion, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $8.4 billion.

Geopolitical Concerns

Tensions between the U.S. and North Korea continued to escalate as North Korea remained aggressive about its nuclear weapons program. On Monday, U.S. Vice President, Mike Pence visited Korean Peninsula’s demilitarized zone .Pence warned North Korea not to elevate tensions between the two countries. On the other hand, Vice Foreign Minister of North Korea, Han Song-Ryol again warned that any military provocation by the U.S. would be followed by the toughest counteraction by North Korea. North Korean ambassador to the United Nations Kim In Ryong iterated the same words in a press conference on Monday.

International Issues

Investors also remained focused on the outcome of the British parliamentary Election. The Presidential election in France scheduled to be held on April 23^rd was yet another cause for concern.

Economic Data

As per Federal Reserve, industrial production increased 0.5 % in March following an increase of 0.1% in February. The increase is primary due to a 8.6% surge in utility generation, the largest since 1939, caused by unseasonal weather. In March, capacity utilization for the industrial sector increased 0.4% to 76.1%. Moreover, manufacturing output decreased 0.4% in March due to fall in the production of motor vehicles and parts.

As per U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, privately-owned housing starts in March were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,215,000. Moreover, in March, privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,260,000.

Stocks that made Headlines

Rogers Communications Q1 Earnings Beat, Revenues Miss

Rogers Communications Inc. (NYSE:RCI) , the largest integrated telecom operator in Canada, reported mixed financial results for the first quarter of 2017, wherein the bottom line surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate and the top line missed the same. (Read More)

ADTRAN Beats Earnings & Revenue Estimates in Q1

Communication network solution provider ADTRAN Inc. (NASDAQ:ADTN) reported first-quarter 2017 results, wherein both the top line and the bottom line surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate. (Read More)

Chevron to Divest Downstream Assets to Parkland for $1.5B

California-based integrated energy company Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) is planning to divest its stake in downstream fuel business to Canada’s fast growing independent fuel distributor, Parkland Fuel Corporation. (Read More)

Petrobras' Asset Sale to Statoil (OL:STL) Halted by Brazilian Court

Brazilian energy major Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. or Petrobras (NYSE:PBR) recently announced that the country’s 2nd Federal District Court of Sergipe state has ordered it to suspend the $2.5 billion sale of its stake in the Carcara field to Norwegian oil and gas company, Statoil ASA (NYSE:STO) . (Read More)

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