Stock Indexes Supported by Strong Demand for Technology Stocks

Stock Indexes Supported by Strong Demand for Technology Stocks

The S&P 500 Index SPY today is up +0.08%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average DIA is up +0.10%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index QQQ is up +0.50%. September E-mini S&P futures (ESU26) are up +0.09%, and September E-mini Nasdaq futures (NQU26) are up +0.59%.

Stock indexes are stronger today, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 posting 1-week highs as they extend Monday’s sharp rally on the last trading day of Q2. Demand for technology stocks is leading the overall market higher as investors anticipate another strong earnings season beginning next month, driven by the investment boom in artificial intelligence.

Also, today’s US economic news is better than expected and supportive of stocks. The Apr S&P Cotality composite-20 home price index rose +1.14% y/y, stronger than expectations of +0.90% y/y. Also, the Jun MNI Chicago PMI fell -6.0 to 56.7, a smaller decline than expectations of 55.1.

Signs of strength in China's economy are supportive of global growth prospects after China's June manufacturing PMI rose by 0.3 to 50.3, stronger than expectations of 50.1. Also, the Jun non-manufacturing PMI unexpectedly rose by 0.1 to 50.2, stronger than expectations of a decline to 49.9.

The outlook for strong Q2 earnings is a bullish factor for stocks. Forecasts compiled by Bloomberg Intelligence suggest Q2 earnings may increase by 23%, close to Q1’s blowout earnings of 30%, which was more than double the 12% analysts had expected. AI spending is expected to account for most of earnings, with AI infrastructure stocks set to contribute nearly 60% of the S&P 500's earnings-per-share growth in Q2.

WTI crude oil (CLQ26) is moving higher today, adding to Monday’s +2% surge. Tensions remain high in the Middle East, with Iran insisting it has control over traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a move opposed by the US, Europe, and Gulf Arab nations. The markets are awaiting the outcome of expected negotiations today in Doha between the US and Iran. Energy supplies are picking up as Morgan Stanley said 35 oil and gas tankers exited the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz last Thursday, the first time the level returned to the 30-to-40 range typical before the US-Iran war started in February.

The markets are discounting a 32% chance of a +25 bp rate hike at the next FOMC meeting on July 28-29.

Overseas stock markets are higher today. The Euro Stoxx 50 climbed to a 1-week high and is up +0.88%. China's Shanghai Composite closed up +0.50%. Japan's Nikkei-225 Stock Average closed up +0.86%.

September 10-year T-notes (ZNU6) today are down -3 ticks, and the 10-year T-note yield is up +1.2 bp to 4.386%. T-notes gave up a slight advance and turned lower today, and the 10-year T-note yield rebounded from a 7-week low of 4.359%. The strength in stocks today is curbing safe-haven demand for government debt securities and is weighing on T-notes. Losses are limited amid some carryover support from the weaker-than-expected German Jun CPI report, which knocked the 10-year German bund yield to a 3.5-month low.

European government bond yields are mixed today. The 10-year German bund yield fell to a 3.5-month low of 2.831% and is down -0.1 bp to 2.857%. The 10-year UK gilt yield is up +1.9 bp to 4.735%.

German May retail sales rose +1.1% m/m, stronger than expectations of no change and the biggest increase in eleven months.

The German Jun unemployment change unexpectedly fell -1,000, showing a stronger labor market than expectations of a +5,000 increase.

German Jun CPI (EU harmonized) fell -0.2% m/m and rose +2.4% y/y, weaker than expectations of no change m/m and +2.5% y/y.

Swaps are discounting a 5% chance of a +25 bp ECB rate hike at its next policy meeting on July 23.

The strength in chipmakers and AI infrastructure stocks is a supportive factor for the overall market today. SanDisk SNDK is up more than +4%, and Lam Research LRCX, ASML Holdings NV ASML, and KLA Corp KLAC are up more than +3%. Also, Advanced Micro Devices AMD, Marvell Technology MRVL, and Texas Instruments TXN are up more than +2%. In addition, Applied Materials AMAT, ARM Holdings Plc ARM, and Intel INTC are up more than +1%.

Cryptocurrency-exposed stocks are under pressure today with Bitcoin MSTR is down more than -7% to lead losers in the Nasdaq 100, and Coinbase Global COIN, MARA Holdings MARA, Riot Platforms RIOT, and Galaxy Digital Holdings GLXY are down more than -3%.

AeroVironment AVAV is up more than +18% after reporting Q4 revenue of $641.6 million, well above the consensus of $556.4 million, and forecasting 2027 revenue of $2.13 billion to $2.23 billion, the midpoint above the consensus of $2.16 billion.

Air Products and Chemicals APD is up more than +9% to lead gainers in the S&P 500 after the company scrapped plans to develop a multibillion-dollar clean energy project in Louisiana.

Avex Corp AVEX is up more than +9% after being awarded a $50 million contract from the US Air Force to continue expanding unmanned mission support capabilities for current operations.

Replimune Group REPL is up more than +8% after BMO Capital Markets double-upgraded the stock to outperform from underperform with a price target of $16.

Tradeweb Markets TW is up more than +4% after Goldman Sachs upgraded the stock to buy from neutral with a price target of $146.

MKS Inc MKSI is up more than +3% after BMO Capital Markets initiated coverage on the stock with a buy recommendation and a price target of $453.

Concentrix CNXC is down more than -23% after reporting Q2 revenue of $2.46 billion, weaker than the consensus of $2.47 billion, and cutting its full-year revenue forecast to $9.93 billion-$10.03 billion from a previous forecast of $10.04 billion-$10.18 billion, below the consensus of $10.11 billion.

Digital Realty DLR is down more than -5% after Blackstone affiliates priced an underwritten public offering of 12.3 million shares of DLR’s common stock at $185 per share, below Monday’s close of $190.58.

Trade Desk TTD is down more than -4% after Arete Research Services LLP downgraded the stock to sell from neutral with a price target of $11.60.

Fortinet FTNT is down more than -1% after HSBC downgraded the stock to reduce from hold with a price target of $102.

Morgan Stanley MS is down more than -1%, and Goldman Sachs GS is down -0.47% after Oppenheimer downgraded the stocks to underperform from market perform.

Constellation Brands Inc (STZ), NIKE Inc (NKE), Progress Software Corp (PRGS).

On the date of publication, Rich Asplund did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes.For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.