Analytics, News, and Forecasts for CFD Markets: stock news — 16-01-2018.

The main US stock indexes fell slightly, departing from the next record highs, which was due to the fall in shares of the commodity sector against the backdrop of lower oil prices. Investors also focused on reports from UnitedHealth (UNH) and Citigroup (C).

In addition, the results of research published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York showed that the region's production index fell in January, while the average forecasts of economists assumed that the index will remain at the same level. According to the data, the production index in the current month fell to +17.7 points compared to +18 points in December. Previous value was not revised. Recall, the index is built on the basis of survey results of top managers. The indicator reflects the situation in the production orders segment and business optimism in the business environment.

Most components of the DOW index recorded a decline (16 out of 30). Outsider were shares of General Electric Company (GE, -3.44%). Leader of the growth were shares of Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK, + 6.12%).

Most S & P sectors ended the session in negative territory. The largest decrease was in the commodity sector (-1.2%). The conglomerate sector grew most (+ 0.4%).

At closing:

DJIA -0.04% 25.792.86 -10.33

Nasdaq -0.51% 7,224.00 -37.00

S & P -0.35% 2,776.44 -9.80

U.S. stock-index futures rose on Tuesday, as investors digested fourth-quarter earnings from UnitedHealth (UNH) and Citigroup (C).

Global Stocks:

Nikkei 23,951.81 +236.93 +1.00%

Hang Seng 31,904.75 +565.88 +1.81%

Shanghai 3,437.48 +27.00 +0.79%

S&P/ASX 6,048.60 -28.50 -0.47%

FTSE 7,755.17 -13.97 -0.18%

CAC 5,522.62 +12.93 +0.23%

DAX 13,316.85 +116.34 +0.88%

Crude $64.02 (-0.44%)

Gold $1,334.20 (-0.05%)

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

Boeing (BA) target raised to $415 from $320 at Cowen

Verizon (VZ) downgraded to Neutral from Buy at MoffettNathanson

Procter & Gamble (PG) upgraded to Neutral from Sell at Goldman

Citigroup (C) reported Q4 FY 2017 earnings of $1.28 per share (versus $1.14 in Q4 FY 2016), beating analysts' consensus estimate of $1.19.

The company's quarterly revenues amounted to $17.255 bln (+1.4% y/y), generally in-line with analysts' consensus estimate of $17.230 bln.

C rose to $78.35 (+1.97%) in pre-market trading.

UnitedHealth (UNH) reported Q4 FY 2017 earnings of $2.44 per share (versus $2.11 in Q4 FY 2016), missing analysts' consensus estimate of $2.52.

The company's quarterly revenues amounted to $52.061 bln (+9.5% y/y), generally in-line with analysts' consensus estimate of $51.570 bln.

The company also issued guidance for FY 2018, projecting EPS of $12.30-12.60, including tax benefits, compared to its previous EPS forecast of $10.55-10.85 and versus analysts' consensus estimate of $11.20.

UNH rose to $234.78 (+2.69%) in pre-market trading.

January 16

Before the Open:

Citigroup (C). Consensus EPS $1.19, Consensus Revenues $17229.88 mln.

UnitedHealth (UNH). Consensus EPS $2.52, Consensus Revenues $51570.43 mln.

January 17

Before the Open:

Bank of America (BAC). Consensus EPS $0.45, Consensus Revenues $21605.10 mln.

Goldman Sachs (GS). Consensus EPS $4.95, Consensus Revenues $7638.28 mln.

After the Close:

Alcoa (AA). Consensus EPS $1.25, Consensus Revenues $3318.11 mln.

January 18

Before the Open:

Morgan Stanley (MS). Consensus EPS $0.78, Consensus Revenues $9248.93 mln.

After the Close:

American Express (AXP). Consensus EPS $1.54, Consensus Revenues $8729.79 mln.

IBM (IBM). Consensus EPS $5.14, Consensus Revenues $22048.59 mln.

European stocks finished lower Monday, weighed as the euro continued to march up further into three-year highs, giving a key regional benchmark its third drop in four sessions. Investors were also watching for developments from the U.K., where construction and outsourcing heavyweight Carillion PLC has collapsed.

U.S. equities and bond markets are closed Monday for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday.

Asian equities' best start to a year since 2006 continued Tuesday as most bourses in the region pushed higher. The yen declined amid concern Japanese authorities may want to limit gains that pushed the currency to a four-month high.