Daily Analysis – Retail Sales Disappoint Sending US Markets Lower

SamTrader1

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Consistent with Monday’s rumors, China’s inflation data was reported at 4.9%, below the 5.3% expected. The news was apparently priced in already, as the Shanghai Composite closed flat, surrendering earlier gains. The Nikkei ticked up 21 points to 10747, while the ASX 200 and Kospi closed little changed.

In Europe, sectors reversed their action from Monday, as miners fell while banks rose. Barclays rallied 5.8% after beating analyst estimates. The FTSE slipped .4%, whole the CAC 40 rose .3%.

US markets closed moderately lower, with the Dow dropping 42 points to 12229, and the Nasdaq falling .5%.

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Dow Closes Down 42 Points

Sanofi-Aventis agreed t buy Genzyme, for $19 billion, sending shares of both companies higher. Sirius XM radio tumbled 8% after reporting a loss.

After the close, Dell announced earnings that handily beat analyst expectations, sending shares up nearly 6% after hours.

Treasuries and Commodities


Bonds rose modestly, with the 10-year note up 4/32 to yield 3.6%, and 30-year notes up 7/32 to yield 4.66%.

Energy commodities closed mostly lower, with crude closing down .44 to 84.37, and gasoline down 1.2%. Natural gas rose 1.8%.

Precious metals rallied, with gold up .8% to 1373.60 and silver up .5% to 30.69. Copper sank 2.1% to 4.52, a day after a record close.

Currencies

The dollar was mixed against global currencies. On the wining side, the greenback rose .6% against the yen to 83.77, and .7% against the Australian dollar.

The Pound rose .5% to 1.6124 and the Swiss Franc gained .3% to .9670. The euro and Candian Dollar closed little changed.

Economic Outlook


Retail sales rose less than expected in January, up only .3% (vs. .6% expected), and business inventories rose more than expected (vs. expected .7%). The Housing Market Index continues to hover at very low levels, coming in at 16.

On a brighter note, the Empire State Manufacturing Index was higher than expected.

Wednesday’s reports will include PPI, Industrial Production, Housing Starts, weekly mortgage applications and weekly oil inventories. The FOMC minutes from their last meeting will be released in the afternoon.

Earnings are due from Nvidia, CBS, and Comcast.
 
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