(AOF) – American stock markets should open on a bearish note at the opening of the first session of the week. On Friday, the December employment report came out well above expectations. On the value side, Moderna lowered its sales forecasts for 2025 with the weak demand for vaccines. Oil prices rose for the third consecutive session this Monday after the imposition of new sanctions on Russian oil. Before the first exchanges, futures on the S&P and those of the Nasdaq lost 0.58% and 0.88% respectively.
Friday on Wall Street
American markets closed the last session of the week on a negative note. The employment report came out better than expected in December. While this is good news for the economy, it was received unfavorably by investors. Its publication caused a further rise in long-term rates. The University of Michigan’s consumer confidence index stood at 73.2 in January compared to 74 in December. The Dow Jones fell 1.63% to 41,938 points and the Nasdaq lost 1.63% to 19,161 points.
Macroeconomic figures
No major publications are expected today.
Values to follow
Abercrombie & Fitch
Abercrombie & Fitch said it has raised its annual net sales growth target for its current fourth quarter which ends in early February. Helped by strong demand for its clothing collections during the holiday season, the American firm forecasts fourth-quarter net sales of between 7% and 8%, compared to previous forecasts of 5%-7%, in line with growth estimates of 7.5%
Macy’s
In a business update, Macy’s said it expects fourth-quarter sales to be slightly below the lower end of the previously reported range of $7.8 billion to $8 billion. Analysts expected quarterly revenue to be $7.89 billion. Adjusted earnings per share over the period should, however, be in line with the previous range of $1.40 to $1.65.
Modern
Moderna is expected to fall sharply in pre-market on Wall Street after lowering its 2025 outlook. The American pharmaceutical company reduced its revenue target for the current year by $1 billion, delivering a range from 1.5 to 3.5 billion dollars instead of 2.5 to 3.5 billion dollars previously. CEO Stéphane Bancel announces that the expected cost reduction in 2025 reaches $1 billion with a plan to save an additional $500 million.
Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson announces that it has entered into a definitive agreement for the acquisition of the company Intra-Cellular Therapies: the pharmaceutical group will acquire all the outstanding shares of this biotech focused on the development and marketing of drugs against nervous system disorders central (SNC), for $132 per share in cash, for a total equity value of approximately $14.6 billion. With this agreement, Johnson & Johnson adds the drug Caplyta (lumateperone) from Intra-Cellular Therapies to its portfolio.
Oil sector
The governments of the United States and the United Kingdom announced new coordinated sanctions against the Russian energy sector on Friday. Consequently, oil prices are rising this Monday. Before the stock market, in the United States, sector values are on the rise, including Chevron and Occidental Petroleum
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Chips Sector
The government has unveiled new measures to restrict exports of chips used for artificial intelligence applications, indicates the American press. In particular, it requires companies to obtain its authorization to export certain information about their AI models and to set up large IT installations dedicated to AI abroad. These new rules will apply 120 days after their publication, i.e. after the inauguration of Donald Trump.
US Steel
On Sunday, the Nippon Steel and US Steel groups announced that they had obtained a reprieve from the United States until June to formally abandon their plan to buy the American steelmaker by its Japanese competitor. Nippon Steel and US Steel are “satisfied” with this reprieve. But they reiterate that they have the firm intention of “carrying out the transaction, which offers the best guarantees for the future for the American steel industry and for all shareholders”.
