On December 7, the American stock exchanges closed in different directions. The S&P 500 index fell 0.19% to 3692 points, the Dow Jones fell 0.49%, the NASDAQ added 0.45%. The correction was driven by partial profit taking after hitting new all-time highs at the end of last week. Communications and IT outperformed the market, adding 0.26% and 0.61%, respectively, on the back of Apple, Facebook and Netflix. The most pronounced was the profit-taking in cyclical sectors, with energy companies losing 2.44%.
Company news
Software developer Palantir Technologies (PLTR: + 21%) has received a contract from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for $44.4 million.
Cisco (CSCO: + 0.1%) acquires UK communications software developer IMImobile for $730 million, complementing the Webex Contact Center platform.
Today, global stock markets show mostly sideways dynamics, as there are no new drivers of movement. On the one hand, the investment community is still worried about the continued difficult epidemiological situation in the United States and the threat of renewed quarantine restrictions. After their introduction in California, the mayor of New York announced that restaurants in the city could completely suspend operations if the hospitalization situation did not improve within five days.
On the other hand, the expected approval of the first covid-19 vaccine in the States this Thursday, as well as the prospects for a new economic aid program in the next two months, remain supportive factors. In general, negative and positive balance each other, but their balance cannot be called stable. The Brexit factor is relatively neutral for the American stock market, as well as the instability of relations between the US and China. Despite the introduction of new personal sanctions by the Trump administration, Chinese officials expressed optimism about the prospects for discussing a second phase of the trade deal with Joe Biden next year.
Today Top Movers
Eastman Kodak Co (KODK) share price reporting an increase of 9.22% in premarket today following the clearance from the U.S. government.
Xpeng Inc (XPEV) adding 3.95% in Tuesday’s premarket session after reporting proposed follow-on public offering of American depositary shares.
Stitch Fix (SFIX) is up 33.63% in early morning today after releasing its financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2021 ended October 31, 2020.
Foley Trasimene Acquisition II Corp (BFT) share price soaring 18.58% in premarket session on Tuesday following the announcement of its merger agreement with Paysafe Group Holdings Limited.
Top Upgrades & Downgrades
JP Morgan turned bullish on QEP Resources Inc. (QEP), upgrading the stock to “Overweight”.
ON Semiconductor Corporation (ON) has won the favor of KeyBanc’s equity research team. The firm upgraded the shares from Sector Weight to Overweight and moved their price target to $37.0.
Equifax Inc. (EFX) received an upgrade from analysts at Barclays, who also set their one-year price target on the stock to $210.0. They changed their rating on EFX to Overweight from Equal-Weight.
Earlier Tuesday JP Morgan reduced its rating on EQT Corporation (EQT) stock to Neutral from Overweight.
Latest Insider Activity
Zynga Inc. (ZNGA) President of Publishing Kim Bernard Jin announced the sale of shares taking place on Dec 04 at $8.50 for some 11,985 shares. The total came to more than $0.1 million.
Lemonade Inc. (LMND) Director Eisenberg Michael A sold on Dec 04 a total 53,313 shares at $81.58 on average. The insider’s sale generated proceeds of almost $0.53 million.
MultiPlan Corporation (MPLN) Director AUGUST GLENN R declared the purchase of shares taking place on Dec 04 at $7.00 for some 100,000 shares. The transaction amount was around $0.7 million.
Gogo Inc. (GOGO) Director CRANDALL ROBERT L bought on Dec 02 a total 20,000 shares at $10.32 on average. The purchase cost the insider an estimated $206,360.
Earnings To Watch Today
Top US earnings releases scheduled for today include GameStop Corp. (NYSE:GME). It will announce its Oct 2020 financial results. The company is expected to report earnings of -$0.85 per share from revenues of $1.09B in the three-month period.
Analysts expect Phreesia Inc. (NYSE:PHR) to report a net income (adjusted) of -$0.09 per share, when the bank releases its quarterly results shortly. Revenue for the fiscal quarter ended Oct 2020 is predicted to come in at $35.56M.
Guidewire Software Inc. (GWRE), due to announce earnings after the market closes today, is expected to report earnings of -$0.05 per share from revenues of $164.62M recently concluded three-month period.
Chewy (CHWY), a major online pet products retailer, will be released today. The company’s revenue is expected to grow 40% to $ 1.72 billion, and negative EPS will decrease to $ 0.14 from $ 0.20 a year earlier. During self-isolation, Americans began to actively have pets and spend money on products for caring for them. Over the past three quarters, Chewy shares have reacted negatively to the release of the financials, although the company’s results exceeded expectations. Then the quotes resumed a steady upward trend. A similar pattern could repeat itself.
