Market News & Analysis: November 15th, 2024

Global Markets

Canadian Markets

The Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX), dropped significantly as both oil and gold prices declined. The slide in commodities was largely driven by concerns over waning demand from China, the world’s largest consumer of commodities, and a market shift due to expectations that U.S. interest rate cuts might be fewer than previously anticipated. Chinese demand has been under pressure as the country’s post-pandemic recovery has shown signs of slowing down, particularly in manufacturing and infrastructure sectors. This has dampened the global outlook for commodities such as oil, copper, and other raw materials.

American Markets

U.S. stocks were deep in the red following remarks from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. In a speech, Powell stated that there was “no need to rush” into rate cuts, particularly as the U.S. economy remains resilient, with unemployment low and economic growth still intact. Powell’s comments signaled that the central bank would be cautious about easing monetary policy too quickly. This hawkish stance sent U.S. Treasury yields higher, particularly on the short end of the curve. As a result, U.S. stock index futures, which had been pointing to a higher open earlier in the day, reversed course and stocks traded the afternoon deeply in the red. Investors had hoped that a pause or cut in interest rates would support higher stock prices, but Powell’s comments dashed those hopes.

European Markets

European stock markets also saw losses, largely driven by a sharp decline in healthcare stocks, particularly in the vaccine sector. The sell-off in pharmaceutical shares was exacerbated by political news from the U.S. Donald Trump, the former U.S. president, nominated Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Kennedy, who has been a vocal critic of vaccines, has stirred concern among investors in vaccine and pharmaceutical companies. His nomination raised fears that the Biden administration’s pro-vaccine stance could shift, potentially resulting in regulatory changes or a slowdown in vaccine-related business. Stocks of companies like Pfizer, Moderna, and other vaccine manufacturers were hit hard.

The overall European market was affected as healthcare stocks make up a significant portion of major indices such as the Euro Stoxx 50. The negative sentiment in this sector weighed heavily on broader European indexes, leading them to close lower.

Japanese Markets

Japan’s Nikkei index closed higher, driven by a pullback in the Japanese yen. The yen weakened against the U.S. dollar, which helped improve the outlook for Japanese exporters.  The pullback in the yen was partly driven by the strength of the U.S. dollar, which has been supported by the Fed’s hawkish tone on interest rates.

U.S. Dollar Strengths Pressures Commodities, Gold Suffers

The U.S. dollar was poised for its biggest weekly gain in over a month against its major peers, bolstered by higher U.S. Treasury yields following Powell’s comments. A stronger dollar tends to make commodities priced in dollars more expensive for foreign buyers, which puts downward pressure on prices for assets like gold. As a result, gold prices were on track for their worst weekly performance in over three years, with many investors moving away from the precious metal as they sought out the higher returns offered by the stronger U.S. dollar and rising interest rates.

Corporate Stock News

Aegon Ltd The Dutch insurer announced it had completed the sale of non-core assets and is now focused on expanding its remaining businesses, particularly in the U.S. It raised its annual capital generation target to €1.2 billion for the year, up from an earlier forecast of €1.1 billion, though the third-quarter figure fell short of expectations. Aegon also revealed plans for a €150 million share buyback program starting in 2025.

Alibaba Group Holdings Ltd Alibaba reported quarterly sales below analysts’ expectations due to a slowdown in consumer spending in China. The company posted a revenue of ¥236.5 billion for the second quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ¥240.17 billion. The decline was attributed to reduced discretionary spending amid economic uncertainty in China.

Applied Materials Inc Applied Materials lowered its first-quarter revenue forecast, citing weaker demand for chipmaking equipment outside of AI-driven products. Despite a 5% rise in fourth-quarter revenue, the company projected lower-than-expected sales for the first quarter.

AST SpaceMobile Inc Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin has signed a multi-launch deal with AST SpaceMobile to deploy next-generation Block 2 BlueBird satellites using Blue’s New Glenn rocket, scheduled for launches in 2025 and 2026. This deal aims to expand cellular broadband coverage in high-demand global markets.

Atkinsrealis Group Inc ATB Capital Markets raised its target price for Atkinsrealis to C$80 from C$73 after strong third-quarter results and an optimistic outlook for the nuclear segment.

Berkshire Hathaway Inc Berkshire Hathaway disclosed new investments in Domino’s Pizza and Pool Corp during Q3, while trimming stakes in stocks like Apple, Bank of America, and Floor & Decor.

Biogen Inc Baird raised its target price for Biogen to $300 from $294, citing better prospects for European Union approval of the Lecanemab drug.

BlackLine Inc, Frontier Communications Parent Inc & QuidelOrtho Corp Activist investor Jana Partners reduced stakes in BlackLine and QuidelOrtho, while exiting its position in Frontier Communications after pushing for a sale.

BP Plc, Equinor ASA, Shell Plc & TotalEnergies SE The major oil and gas companies pledged $500 million in investments to improve energy access in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia, representing 0.7% of their combined $70 billion 2023 profits.

Bristol Myers Squibb Co The company faces a $6.7 billion lawsuit accusing it of delaying drug approvals to avoid paying out a large sum to Celgene shareholders. The suit targets the cancer drug Breyanzi.

Burberry Burberry plans to revitalize its brand by introducing “scarf bars,” new puffer jackets, and focusing more on classic products, as part of a strategy to reverse recent sales challenges.

Canada Post Around 55,000 Canada Post workers went on strike, citing unresolved pay disputes, ahead of the busy holiday season.

Canada’s Labour Board The Canadian Industrial Relations Board ordered the Port of Montreal to resume operations after the federal government intervened in ongoing labor disputes.

Citigroup Inc Citigroup is under investigation by U.S. agencies regarding its connections to Russian billionaire Suleiman Kerimov and its anti-money laundering practices.

CVS Health Corp CVS Health saw a downgrade from RBC, which lowered its target price from $68 to $58, as the company withdrew its 2024 guidance amid persistent challenges.

DESRI Inc Meyer Burger faces uncertainty after its biggest customer, DESRI, canceled their agreement, impacting its future sales forecasts.

Eli Lilly and Co Eli Lilly is suing the federal HRSA after the agency blocked its proposed changes to the 340B drug discount program, arguing the model would better support hospitals.

General Motors Co GM’s self-driving unit, Cruise, admitted to submitting a false report to federal authorities following a crash in 2023. Cruise will pay a $500,000 fine as part of a deferred prosecution agreement.

Halozyme Therapeutics Inc Halozyme proposed a $2 billion acquisition of Evotec, a German drug developer, to expand its drug discovery and development portfolio.

Kraft Heinz Co Kraft Heinz faces a proposed class action over its Kraft Mac & Cheese, accused of misleading consumers by claiming the product contains no artificial preservatives despite containing synthetic citric acid.

Kroger Co Kroger announced plans to acquire Albertsons in a $25 billion deal, which could reshape the U.S. grocery retail landscape.

KKR & Co Inc KKR raised its tender offer price for Fuji Soft to ¥9,451 per share, surpassing a rival bid from Bain Capital.

Meyer Burger Meyer Burger’s future is uncertain after its major client, DESRI, ended their partnership, significantly affecting the company’s outlook.

Novo Nordisk Novo Nordisk is gradually phasing out production of human insulin pens as it shifts focus to its more profitable obesity and diabetes medications.

Onewater Marine Inc KeyBanc lowered its target price for Onewater Marine to $27 from $29 after the company issued softer-than-expected guidance for the next year.

Suzano SA Brazil’s Suzano, the world’s largest pulp producer, issued 1.2 billion yuan in “green panda bonds” to finance eucalyptus plantations in Brazil.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co TSMC secured a $6.6 billion U.S. government subsidy to produce advanced semiconductors in Arizona, marking a major milestone in U.S.-China technology rivalry.

Tesla Inc RBC raised its target price for Tesla to $313 from $249, citing increased confidence in the company’s progress toward autonomy and its competitive advantage in the electric vehicle market.

TotalEnergies SE TotalEnergies, along with other oil majors, pledged $500 million to increase access to affordable energy in developing regions, with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia.

Unilever Plc Unilever reduced its planned job cuts in Europe by 1,500, offering 1,000 new positions in its ice cream business, which is being spun off.

Walt Disney Co JPMorgan raised its target price for Disney to $128 from $125 after the company released a new multi-year guidance.

Xerox Holdings Corp Xerox unveiled a new restructuring plan to streamline operations and improve profitability, including cutting underperforming units.