Stocks Tumble Most Since August Selloff, Oil Slips: Markets Wrap
(Bloomberg) — US stock futures indicated a weaker open on Wall Street as traders awaited data on job openings to guide their outlook on the economy. Nvidia Corp. dropped 1.6% in pre-market trading.
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Contracts on the S&P 500 dipped 0.3%, a sign that the decline may moderate after yesterday’s 2.1% selloff. Losses in Europe and Asia were deeper, with traders still rattled by the speed and severity of the US retreat. The Cboe Volatilty Index climbed above 23, while a gauge of the dollar weakened for the first time in six days.
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A US job openings report due on Wednesday is expected to show further cooling in the labor market, following yesterday’s data showing a fifth consecutive month of contraction in manufacturing activity. As the market’s focus shifts from inflation to concerns over economic growth, negative macro data is increasingly translating into pain for stocks and other risk assets.
For now, traders are anticipating the Federal Reserve will start easing policy in September and reduce rates by more than two full percentage points over the next 12 months — the steepest drop outside of a downturn since the 1980s. Payrolls data due on Friday is considered crucial in shaping the magnitude of the initial rate cut.
“A disappointing number will spook markets a little bit,” said Neil Birrell, chief investment officer at Premier Miton Investors. “There’s just a lack of certainty around. I’m not brave enough to say buy the dip on Wednesday when the numbers are out on Friday.”
Treasuries gained for a second day as traders added to bets on a jumbo cut from the Fed, with the yield on two-year notes down to 3.86%. The chance of a half-point reduction later this month has increased to about 30% from 20% last week, according to swaps.
Oil rose slightly after crashing to a nine-month low as OPEC+ discussed delaying its plans to increase supplies. Brent futures, the international benchmark, were trading near $74 a barrel following a near 5% meltdown on Tuesday. West Texas Intermediate rose 0.5%, after dropping under $70 for the first time since early January.
Corporate Highlights:
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The Nordstrom family has offered to buy the Nordstrom department store chain for $23 per share in cash, according to a statement on Wednesday.
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Volvo Car AB abandoned a target to sell only fully electric cars by the end of this decade, the latest manufacturer to walk back its EV ambitions due to waning demand.
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US Steel would close mills and likely move its headquarters out of Pittsburgh if its planned sale to Nippon Steel falls apart, CEO David Burritt told the Wall Street Journal.
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Volkswagen AG defended plans to consider unprecedented factory closures in Germany, saying flagging car sales have left the company with about two plants too many.
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The US Justice Department sent subpoenas to Nvidia Corp. and other companies as it seeks evidence that the chipmaker violated antitrust laws.
Key events this week:
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Eurozone HCOB services PMI, PPI, Wednesday
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Canada rate decision, Wednesday
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US job openings, factory orders, Beige Book, Wednesday
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Eurozone retail sales, Thursday
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US initial jobless claims, ADP employment, ISM services index, Thursday
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Eurozone GDP, Friday
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US nonfarm payrolls, Friday
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Fed’s John Williams speaks, Friday
Some of the main moves in markets:
Stocks
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S&P 500 futures fell 0.3% as of 8:20 a.m. New York time
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Nasdaq 100 futures fell 0.6%
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Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.1%
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The Stoxx Europe 600 fell 1%
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The MSCI World Index fell 0.4%
Currencies
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The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index was little changed
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The euro was little changed at $1.1046
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The British pound was unchanged at $1.3114
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The Japanese yen rose 0.3% to 145.09 per dollar
Cryptocurrencies
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Bitcoin fell 2.8% to $56,575.39
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Ether fell 2.6% to $2,399.7
Bonds
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The yield on 10-year Treasuries was little changed at 3.83%
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Germany’s 10-year yield declined four basis points to 2.24%
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Britain’s 10-year yield declined four basis points to 3.95%
Commodities
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West Texas Intermediate crude rose 0.5% to $70.66 a barrel
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Spot gold fell 0.1% to $2,489.57 an ounce
This story was produced with the assistance of Bloomberg Automation.
–With assistance from Aline Oyamada and Joel Leon.
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