Thursday, August 18, 2016Market futures are down slightly again this morning, though they started this way Wednesday morning, only to turn around on firmer language from Fed minutes released from the FOMC’s most recent meeting. Also, Q2 earnings season winds down with a big beat from Walmart (WMT - Free Report) ahead of the bell today.
Walmart beat analyst estimates of $1.02 per share by 5 cents, and also posted a better-than-expected $120.85 billion in revenues for the quarter ($120.16 billion was estimated). Comps were Walmart’s strongest in the last 8 quarters, and the world’s biggest retailer raised full-year guidance to a range of $4.15 to $4.35 per share. WMT shares are up 2.75%, looking to open today at a 52-week high.
Walmart’s stellar Q2 stands out compared to the relatively negative earnings report from Target (TGT - Free Report) yesterday. Target beat estimates in Q2 but lowered its outlook for Q3 and Q4. Some analysts point to the grocery business, which Walmart has more aggressively expanded into than Target has, that accounts for the discrepancy between quarterly returns for the superstores.
Jobless claims kept its positive trends alight this morning by falling 4K from an unchanged read a week ago to 262K. Continuing claims rose a bit from 2.16 million to 2.175 million, but are still within the desirable range.
The Philly Fed report signaled a rise in August this morning to +2.0%, following a -2.9% post in July. This is only the third time the index has reported a positive number this year, and it credits strength in manufacturing for the boost. The number was exactly in-line with expectations.
Mark Vickery
Senior Editor
Zacks Names "Single Best Pick to Double"
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It’s a little-known chemical company that’s up 65% over last year, yet still dirt cheap. With unrelenting demand, soaring 2022 earnings estimates, and $1.5 billion for repurchasing shares, retail investors could jump in at any time.
This company could rival or surpass other recent Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Boston Beer Company which shot up +143.0% in little more than 9 months and NVIDIA which boomed +175.9% in one year.
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Thursday, August 18, 2016
Market futures are down slightly again this morning, though they started this way Wednesday morning, only to turn around on firmer language from Fed minutes released from the FOMC’s most recent meeting. Also, Q2 earnings season winds down with a big beat from Walmart (WMT - Free Report) ahead of the bell today.
Walmart beat analyst estimates of $1.02 per share by 5 cents, and also posted a better-than-expected $120.85 billion in revenues for the quarter ($120.16 billion was estimated). Comps were Walmart’s strongest in the last 8 quarters, and the world’s biggest retailer raised full-year guidance to a range of $4.15 to $4.35 per share. WMT shares are up 2.75%, looking to open today at a 52-week high.
Walmart’s stellar Q2 stands out compared to the relatively negative earnings report from Target (TGT - Free Report) yesterday. Target beat estimates in Q2 but lowered its outlook for Q3 and Q4. Some analysts point to the grocery business, which Walmart has more aggressively expanded into than Target has, that accounts for the discrepancy between quarterly returns for the superstores.
Jobless claims kept its positive trends alight this morning by falling 4K from an unchanged read a week ago to 262K. Continuing claims rose a bit from 2.16 million to 2.175 million, but are still within the desirable range.
The Philly Fed report signaled a rise in August this morning to +2.0%, following a -2.9% post in July. This is only the third time the index has reported a positive number this year, and it credits strength in manufacturing for the boost. The number was exactly in-line with expectations.
Mark Vickery
Senior Editor
Zacks Names "Single Best Pick to Double"
From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.
It’s a little-known chemical company that’s up 65% over last year, yet still dirt cheap. With unrelenting demand, soaring 2022 earnings estimates, and $1.5 billion for repurchasing shares, retail investors could jump in at any time.
This company could rival or surpass other recent Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Boston Beer Company which shot up +143.0% in little more than 9 months and NVIDIA which boomed +175.9% in one year.
Free: See Our Top Stock and 4 Runners Up >>
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