US Stocks Slip on Global Growth From China
New York (Mar 8) The S&P 500 was down 0.63%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.61%, and the Nasdaq slid 0.44%.
China showed further signs of weakening demand after trade data came in well below estimates. The world's second-largest economy on Tuesday reported a 25.4% drop in exports in February on weaker global demand and a week-long business shutdown during the Lunar New Year holiday. Exports were down more than double a month earlier.
Crude oil gave back some of the gains achieved over Monday's rally after analysts at Goldman Sachs warned the current push higher is unsustainable.
"Energy needs lower prices to maintain financial stress to finish the rebalancing process," analysts wrote in a note. "Otherwise, an oil price rally will prove self-defeating, as it did last spring."
Oil had closed at its highest level since January on Monday on signs of less supply in domestic markets. West Texas Intermediate crude oil was down 2.1% at $37.12 a barrel on Tuesday morning.
Wall Street closed out Monday mixed with the S&P 500 and Dow extending their gains into a fifth session, but only by a hair. The Dow rose thanks to a rally in the energy and basic materials sectors, and the S&P 500 gained just 0.09%. The Nasdaq snapped its streak, pulling 0.19% lower due to pressure from high-momentum tech names.
Shake Shack (SHAK) fell nearly 10% following a softer-than-expected outlook for same-store sales growth this year. The burger chain expects same-store sales to grow between 2.5% and 3% this year, below estimates of 3.1% growth. The company did manage to beat fourth-quarter estimates with same-store sales surging 11%, above forecasts of 7.3%.
Urban Outfitters (URBN - Get Report) climbed more than 9% after showing improved margins during its holiday quarter. The apparel retailer earned 61 cents a share in its holiday quarter, a penny higher than a year earlier. Comparable-sales declined 2% over the quarter, slightly more than a 1.9% decline.
Dick's Sporting Goods (DKS - Get Report) tumbled 5% after falling short of profit forecasts in its recent quarter. The sports goods retailer earned $1.13 a share, 3 cents higher than a year earlier, but below forecasts of $1.15. Sales climbed 3.7%, coming in above estimates.
SunEdison (SUNE - Get Report) rocketed 25% higher after Vivint (VSLR - Get Report) terminated its merger agreement. The solar company said its financial position prevented it from meeting the terms of its deal. The deal was worth $1.9 billion when announced in July 2015.
Chevron (CVX) shares were slightly higher after the oil company slashed its capital expenditure budget for 2017-2018 to $17 billion to $22 billion. The company had previously set a range of $20 billion to $24 billion. However, Chevron was able to maintain forecasts for production growth through the end of the decade.
JetBlue (JBLU) fell 5% after issuing disappointing guidance for its first quarter. The airline said its preliminary review of unit revenue in February slid 10%, which would likely drag overall first-quarter unit revenue into decline. JetBlue said capacity additions and worse February weather were mainly to blame.
United Continental (UAL) was down 2.6% after two major shareholders said they would nominate retired airline executive Gordon Bethune to lead new directors in a management shakeup. Hedge funds and shareholders Altimeter Capital Management and PAR Capital Management plan to push for six new board members.
Separately, United announced plans to buy 25 new 737-700 aircraft from Boeing (BA) . The airline already has an order for 40 Boeing 737 aircraft. United plans to retire its current 747 fleet of aircraft by the end of 2018.
Source: TheStreet
