Analytics, News, and Forecasts for CFD Markets: stock news — 15-07-2020.

U.S. stock-index futures climbed on Wednesday, supported by positive COVID-19 vaccine news from Moderna (MRNA; +13.5%) and a much-better-than-expected quarterly results from Goldman Sachs (GS; +5.3%). 

Global Stocks:

(company / ticker / price / change ($/%) / volume)

Apple (AAPL) target raised to $450 from $350 at Needham

Microsoft (MSFT) target raised to $235 from $212 at BMO Capital Markets

American Express (AXP) downgraded to Underweight from Neutral at JP Morgan; target $97

Goldman Sachs (GS) reported Q2 FY 2020 earnings of $6.26. per share (versus $5.81 per share in Q2 FY 2019), beating analysts’ consensus estimate of $3.91 per share.

The company’s quarterly revenues amounted to $13.295 bln (+40.5% y/y), beating analysts’ consensus estimate of $9.760 bln.

GS rose to $223.29 (+4.34%) in pre-market trading.

FXStreet notes that S&P 500 has held key price and 13-day average support, starting at 3144 and stretching down to 3116 to keep the immediate risk higher. Only below 3116/13 would warn a further correction lower, according to analysts at Credit Suisse.

“The S&P 500 yesterday tested and is so far holding what we have flagged as key support, seen starting now at its 13-day exponential average at 3144 and stretching down to last week’s low at 3116 and the subsequent rebound has recovered much of the losses from Monday. With the market also back above its downtrend from February this sees a mild upside bias again in what remains seen as a broader sideways range.”

“Resistance is seen next at 3214, above which can see a move back to 3224, then the 3233/35 highs, with fresh sellers expected here. Above can see a challenge on the bottom of the February ‘pandemic’ gap at 3260.” 

“Support is seen at 3166, then the 13-day average and price support at 3154/44, which we look to try and hold. Only below 3116/13 would mark a top to warn of a more concerted correction lower within the broader range.”

UnitedHealth (UNH) reported Q2 FY 2020 earnings of $7.12 per share (versus $3.60 per share in Q2 FY 2019), beating analysts’ consensus estimate of $4.04 per share.

The company’s quarterly revenues amounted to $62.100 bln (+2.5% y/y), missing analysts’ consensus estimate of $63.545 bln.

The company also reaffirmed guidance for FY2020, projecting EPS of $16.25-16.55 versus analysts’ consensus estimate of $16.38.

UNH rose to $310.69 (+0.70%) in pre-market trading.