#PreMarket Primer: Monday, November 17: Japan's Economy Unexpectedly Slips

Data out on Monday showed that the Japanese economy fell into a recession in the third quarter, an unexpected report as most analysts were expecting to see 2.1 percent growth. Instead, the figures showed that Japanese GDP declined by an annualized 1.6 percent from July to September, a worrying sign that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s policies were flawed.

Abe said he would use the data in order to decide whether or not to move forward with another sales tax increase, planned for October of next year. The nation already suffered earlier this year when Tokyo hiked sales taxes in April; and many believe the already shaky economy cannot withstand another increase. Many are expecting Abe to announce plans to dealay the tax increase as early as Tuesday.

Top News

In other news around the markets:

  • According to the Wall Street Journal, Actavis PLC ACT and Allergan Inc. AGN are near a deal that would help Allergen escape the hostile takeover bid from Valeant Pharmaceuticals VRX. Over the next week, the boards from both Actavis and Allergan are set to meet to review the terms of the deal, which is likely result in Actavis paying a premium to Allergan’s $95 billion market capitalization in order to overtake the Botox maker.
  • General Motors Co GM has extended the deadline for families of those injured or killed due to the company’s faulty ignition switches to make claims. The company bowed to public pressure and pushed the deadline back one month to January 31. The company has been under scrutiny recently as it tries to deal with the aftermath of a company-wide cover up that allowed the public to continue using cars that had been deemed unsafe.
  • A new Islamic State video shows the aftermath of the decapitation of a fifth western hostage on Sunday, reigniting calls for the US to send ground troops to the Middle East to stop ISIS advances. The radical group’s victim was Peter Kassig, an American aid worker who was captured in Syria last year while delivering supplies to victims of the country’s civil war. Kassig is the group’s third American victim, and while Obama expressed his sympathy for his family, he did not mention any willingness to send in troops.
  • The recent slide in oil prices has exposed several cracks in OPEC’s unity as member countries within the cartel disagree on whether or not to cut supplies in order to boost prices. Saudi Arabian officials have been clear about their intentions to maintain the nation’s current output and cope with low prices, but other nations like Venezuela are calling for a cut to boost prices. The group is set to meet on November 27, and many worry that its members will not be able to agree on a course of action, something that would diminish the cartel’s effectiveness.

Asian Markets

Asian markets were mostly lower with the exception of the Shenzhen composite, which gained 0.67 percent. The NIKKEI was down 2.96 percent, the Shanghai composite fell 0.15 percent the KOSPI lost 0.08 percent and the Hang Seng index was down 1.21 percent.

European Markets

European Markets were down across the board; the FTSE lost 0.47 percent, the STOXX 600 was down 0.66 percent, the DAX lost 0.69 percent and the CAC 40 was down 0.73 percent.

Commodities

Energy futures were lower; Brent futures were down 1.50 percent and WTI futures fell 1.15 percent. Gold gained 0.06 percent and silver was down 1.22 percent, while industrial metals were mostly lower with the exception of zinc, which gained 0.36 percent. Copper fell 0.58 percent, aluminum was down 0.93 percent and tin fell 0.55 percent.

Currencies

The euro was steady at $1.249 and fell just 0.01 percent against the pound, but lost 0.41 percent against the yen. The dollar was also lower against the yen, down 0.15 percent, but gained 0.26 percent against the pound and 0.32 percent against the franc. 

Earnings

Notable reports released on Friday included:

  • National Steel Company SID reported third quarter EPS of $0.15 on revenue of $1.51 billion, compared to last year’s EPS of $0.34 on revenue of $4.66 billion.
  • Metalico Inc. MEA reported a third quarter loss of $0.14 on revenue of $128.59 million, compared to last year’s loss of $0.58 per share on revenue of $135.78 million

Pre-Market Movers

Stocks moving in the Premarket included:

  • Nabors Industries Ltd NBR was up 1.63 percent in premarket trade after losing 6.27 percent last week.
  • Pfizer Inc. PFE was down 3.00 percent in premarket trade after gaining 1.40 percent last week.
  • First Solar Inc. FSLR was down 1.11 percent in premarket trade after rising 1.96 percent on Friday.
  • Transocean Ltd RIG was down 0.69 percent in premarket trade after losing 12.32 percent last week.

Earnings

Notable releases expected on Monday include:

  • Tyson Foods, Inc. TSN is expected to report fourth quarter EPS of $0.76 on revenue of $10.15 billion, compared to last year’s EPS of $0.70 on revenue of $8.89 billion.
  • Jacobs Engineering Group JEC is expected to report fourth quarter EPS of $0.86 on revenue of $3.33 billion, compared to last year’s EPS of $0.84 on revenue of $3.14 billion.
  • Agilent Technologies, Inc. A is expected to report fourth quarter EPS of $0.89 on revenue of $1.82 billion, compared to last year’s EPS of $0.81 on revenue of $1.72 billion.
  • Urban Outfitters, Inc. URBN is expected to report third quarter EPS of $0.41 on revenue of $812.71 million, compared to last year’s EPS of $0.47 on revenue of $774.05 million.

Economics

Monday’s notable economic releases will include the Eurozone’s trade balance, US industrial and manufacturing production, Spain’s trade balance, and Italy’s trade balance.

For a recap of last week’s market action, click here.

<p>Tune into Benzinga’s pre-market info show with Dennis Dick and Joel Elconin <a> http://optionshouse.benzinga.com/pre-market-show/ />here</a>.</p>

Date
ticker
name
Actual EPS
EPS Surprise
Actual Rev
Rev Surprise
Posted In: EarningsNewsEmerging MarketsEurozoneFuturesCommoditiesPreviewsOptionsForexGlobalEcon #sTop StoriesEconomicsPre-Market OutlookMarketsMoversTrading IdeasActavis PLCAllergan Inc.EnergyGeneral Motors Co.Oil & Gas DrillingPreMarket PrimerValeant Pharmaceutical
We simplify the market for smarter investing

Trade confidently with insights and alerts from analyst ratings, free reports and breaking news that affects the stocks you care about.

Join Now: Free!

Loading...