|

Wake Up Wall Street (SPY): Can Monday madness for more records become turnaround Tuesday after sales data?

Here is what you need to know on Tuesday, August 17:

More records yet again for some of our favourite equity indices on Tuesday as a strong intraday turnaround saw the S&P 500 set a new all-time closing high yet again. The Dow also got in on the party, but the Nasdaq is just below its own all-time highs. As for the poor Russell 2000 (IWM), it remains rangebound for most of 2021 and slipped again yesterday.

Monday also saw another notable notch in the S&P 500. It has now more than doubled from the March 2020 pandemic lows, making that the fastest doubling since World War 2, according to CNBC. Heady days indeed. Delta is coming – though is the third or fourth wave (have we lost count?) – but with the developed world at least having high vaccination rates, investors are betting that it will not cause a slowdown. That is unless you are in Australia or Japan where lower vaccination rates are leading to lockdowns and reduced economic activity. Adjust your exposure accordingly. Europe and the US appear to be best able to withstand Delta in terms of economic impact at least. 

The trend to getting back to normal has seen Home Depot (HD) shares drop on the back of sales missing estimates. The comparisons were always going to be tough for Home Depot as most of those stuck at home all went a bit mad shopping during the height of the pandemic. The shares are currently down over 3% in the premarket.

All the metrics we were concerned over recently have calmed down, opening the way for this fresh series of all-time highs. Yields have dropped, the put/call ratio has dropped and the dollar has also dropped, now down to 1.1770 versus the euro. Unfortunately for bulls, the latest US retail sales have also dropped, with a pretty decent miss. Oil continues to fall $66.50 now as Delta is hitting, and China data was poor yesterday. Bitcoin is at $47,000, and Gold is at $1,792.

See forex today

European markets are lower: Eurostoxx -0.6%, FTSE -0.1% and Dax -0.2%.

US futures are also lower: S&P -0.5%, Dow -0.6% and Nasdaq -0.5%.

SPY stock news and forecast

US Retail sales -1.1% monthly, estimate -0.3%. 

S&P 500 doubles from March 2020 lows.

New Zealand goes into lockdown after one covid case, Australia increases its restrictions, and Florida, Oregon and Hawaii see a sharp rise in cases and hospitalizations.

China says it will safeguard legal income and rationally adjust excessively high incomes.

EU GDP +13.6% yearly versus 13.7% estimate, monthly, inline.

Home Depot (HD) down 3% premarket on earnings.

Walmart (WMT) beats estimates and raised guidance, but shares fall 1%.

Roblox (RBLX) loss of $0.25 was slightly worse than expected. Shares down 5%.

BHP reports the best profit in nearly 10 years as the company tries to merge petroleum business with Woodside. Also plans to delist from London Stock Exchange. BHP is the biggest company in the FTSE 100. 

Tencent Music (TME) down 6% premarket as revenue misses estimates.

SEA Ltd (SE) up 2% premarket on strong earnings.

Moderna (MRNA) covid vaccine is authorized in the UK for adolescents.

Chipotle (CMG) Raymond James downgraded it yesterday, but Cowen & Co add to conviction list.

Upgrades, downgrades and premarket movers

Source: Benzinga Pro

Economic releases

Like this article? Help us with some feedback by answering this survey:

Author

Ivan Brian

Ivan Brian

FXStreet

Ivan Brian started his career with AIB Bank in corporate finance and then worked for seven years at Baxter. He started as a macro analyst before becoming Head of Research and then CFO.

More from Ivan Brian
Share:

Editor's Picks

GBP/USD holds recovery gains near 1.3400 despite soft UK CPI data

GBP/USD clings to recovery gains near 1.3400 in European trading on Wednesday. The UK annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation cooled to 2.6% in June against the market forecast of 2.7%, failing to deter the British Pound's rebound from weekly troughs. However, the pair's further upside could be limited by ongoing Mideast tensions and sustained US Dollar demand as a haven.

EUR/USD gains ground above 1.1400 on hawkish ECB tone

The EUR/USD pair holds positive ground near 1.1410 during the early European trading hours, bolstered by a hawkish tone from the European Central Bank. However, the potential upside for the major pair might be limited amid escalating military tensions and recent retaliatory airstrikes between the US and Iran.

Gold: Strong recovery might face roadblock as oil price extends gains

Gold price extends its winning streak for the third trading day on Wednesday, trading 1.5% higher to near $4,140 during the Asian session. The precious metal recovered strongly in the past few trading days from its three-week low of $3,959.80 as traders scaled back Federal Reserve’s interest rate hike expectations for the monetary policy meeting next week.

Bitcoin holds firm as ONDO and GRAM lead rally

The broader cryptocurrency market is witnessing an easing of bearish momentum, with Bitcoin holding above $66,000 on Wednesday. Altcoins including Ondo and Gram, formerly known as Toncoin, are leading gains over the last 24 hours, driven by new features. Bitcoin holds above $66,000 on Wednesday, following a 2% surge the previous day.

Hyperliquid hits a make-or-break zone amid easing demand

Hyperliquid (HYPE) hovers around $60 capped below its 50-day Exponential Moving Average at $62.70. The everything exchange token is losing its retail demand as funding rates fluctuate near zero amid elevated long liquidations.

US Dollar mid-year outlook: Exceptional currency, exceptional risks?
The US Dollar enters the second half of 2026 in a markedly different position from a year ago. The King currency has recovered, reflecting persistent US inflation, changing expectations for Fed policy, geopolitical tensions and renewed demand for defensive assets.