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S&P 500 Slips to $5,051 Amid Earnings Reports, Fed Rates, and Middle East Tensions
Arslan Butt•Wednesday, April 17, 2024•3 min read
The S&P 500 has continued its downward trend, experiencing bearish performance due to factors like Middle East tensions, a stronger US dollar, and the Federal Reserve’s hawkish stance on rate cuts.
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Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s indication of potentially high-interest rates has worried investors about its impact on economic growth and corporate earnings, raising borrowing costs and lowering profitability, thus causing market downturns.
As a result, investors have adjusted their strategies, causing the S&P 500 to slip by 0.21% and close at 5,051.41.
Middle East Tensions: Impact of Israel and Iran Conflicts on S&P 500
On the geopolitical front, the S&P 500 faced pressure from tensions, especially conflicts in the Middle East involving Israel and Iran.
Israel’s military actions in Gaza, such as airstrikes and infrastructure destruction, raised global concerns about regional stability. This uncertainty affected investors’ sentiment, influencing the S&P 500’s performance.
Iran’s involvement and warnings to Israel heightened geopolitical complexities, sparking fears of escalation. The ongoing violence and humanitarian toll intensified these worries, leading investors to exercise caution and seek refuge in safe-haven assets.
Therefore, the geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, like conflicts between Israel and Iran, put pressure on the S&P 500 as uncertainty and fears of escalation led investors to seek safe-haven assets.
Bullish US Dollar, Upbeat US Data, and Hawkish Fed Stance on Rate Cut and Its Impact on S&P 500 IndexAnother factor impacting the S&P 500 was the strength of the US dollar, driven by positive economic data and the Federal Reserve’s hawkish stance on rate cuts.
The upbeat US economic indicators, including robust retail sales figures and stable industrial production, supported the dollar’s bullish trend. Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s remarks indicating reduced chances of rate cuts due to persistent inflation also contributed to a stronger dollar.
This bullish dollar trend, coupled with hawkish Fed expectations, had a mixed impact on the S&P 500. While a strong dollar can benefit certain sectors like technology and healthcare, it can also pose challenges for export-oriented companies.
Earning Reports Recap
Yesterday’s earnings reports showcased a mix of performances across major corporations, underscoring the diverse financial health of industries from healthcare to finance and beyond. Here’s a brief overview of the key earnings per share (EPS) and revenue results against expectations:
- UnitedHealth (UNH) reported an EPS of $6.91, surpassing the forecast of $6.62, with revenues of $99.8 billion slightly beating expectations.
- Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) posted an EPS of $2.71, just above the expected $2.64, although revenue slightly missed at $21.38 billion.
- Bank of America (BAC) and Morgan Stanley (MS) both exceeded EPS expectations at $0.83 and $2.02 respectively, indicating strong financial management.
- PNC Financial (PNC) and Bank of NY Mellon (BK) also beat their EPS forecasts, reinforcing robust performance in the banking sector.
However, not all reports were positive:
- JB Hunt (JBHT) missed both EPS and revenue expectations.
- United Airlines (UAL) reported a loss per share of $0.15, although this was an improvement over the expected loss.
Earning Reports Ahead
Looking ahead to today’s earnings reports, the market anticipates a fresh batch of results from a diverse set of industries. Notable companies on the schedule include:
- ASML ADR (ASML), a leader in the semiconductor industry, is projected to report earnings amidst global chip demand fluctuations.
- Abbott Labs (ABT), is expected to deliver its figures, giving insights into the healthcare sector’s performance.
- CSX (CSX) and U.S. Bancorp (USB), both key players in their respective sectors of transportation and banking, are also set to reveal their financial health.
- Travellers (TRV) and Crown Castle (CCI) are among other significant entities reporting today, with the market keenly watching their performance in the current economic climate.
S&P500 Technical Outlook
The S&P 500 Index closed at $5051.4, marking a decrease of 0.21%. The index currently faces immediate support at $5006, with further support levels at $4970 and $4924.
Should these levels hold, they might prevent further declines. However, the pivot point at $5047 serves as a critical juncture; maintaining above this could temporarily stall negative momentum.
On the upside, the index encounters significant resistance at $5103, with subsequent barriers at $5148 and $5206. A break above these could indicate a shift towards a bullish bias. The technical indicators reinforce the cautious stance: the Relative Strength Index (RSI) stands at 33, suggesting that the index is potentially oversold.
Additionally, the 50-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at $5184 sits well above the current price, indicating a bearish trend in the medium term.
Conclusion:
The S&P 500 remains bearish below $5100, but overcoming this resistance could pivot towards a bullish market sentiment.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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Arslan Butt
Index & Commodity Analyst
Arslan Butt serves as the Lead Commodities and Indices Analyst, bringing a wealth of expertise to the field. With an MBA in Behavioral Finance and active progress towards a Ph.D., Arslan possesses a deep understanding of market dynamics.His professional journey includes a significant role as a senior analyst at a leading brokerage firm, complementing his extensive experience as a market analyst and day trader. Adept in educating others, Arslan has a commendable track record as an instructor and public speaker.His incisive analyses, particularly within the realms of cryptocurrency and forex markets, are showcased across esteemed financial publications such as ForexCrunch, InsideBitcoins, and EconomyWatch, solidifying his reputation in the financial community.
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