{"id":24574,"date":"2025-02-18T05:54:26","date_gmt":"2025-02-18T11:54:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.eoption.com\/morning-preview-february-18-2025\/"},"modified":"2025-02-18T05:54:26","modified_gmt":"2025-02-18T11:54:26","slug":"morning-preview-february-18-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.eoption.com\/morning-preview-february-18-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Morning Preview: February 18, 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Early Look<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Tuesday, February 18, 2025<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Futures<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Up\/Down<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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%<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Last<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Dow<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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50.00<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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0.11%<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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44,685<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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S&P 500<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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19.00<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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0.31%<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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6,151<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Nasdaq<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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75.50<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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0.34%<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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22,271<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

U.S. futures are edging higher as investors return from the three-day President’s Day holiday weekend, with S<\/span>&P futures (Spuz) +0.2% above 6,151 eyeing a new all-time high. As for last week, the S&P 500 ended up 1.47%, the Nasdaq jumped 2.61%, and the Dow edged higher by 0.47%. Treasury prices drop after Fed Governor Waller said recent economic data support keeping interest rates on hold (US<\/span> 10-year yields rise almost 4 bps to 4.51%.) Fed officials over the long weekend signaled a firm belief that rates should stay at current levels to combat rising inflation. That has turned the spotlight on Wednesday’s release of minutes from the Fed’s January meeting. The other story over the weekend was US<\/span>-Russia talks on ending the Ukraine war gripping markets, as Trump and Putin’s teams meet in Saudi Arabia on Monday. In Asian markets, The Nikkei Index gained 95 points to 39,270, the Shanghai Index fell -31 points to 3,324, and the Hang Seng Index jumped 360 points to 22,976. In Europe, the German DAX<\/span> is down -27 points to 22,771, while the FTSE 100 is up 10 points to 8,778. Oil edged higher as OPEC<\/span>+ considers delaying output increases and Kazakhstan’s crude exports through Russia were slowed by a Ukrainian drone attack. Traders are also monitoring talks between top US<\/span> and Russian officials that could pave the way for a meeting of presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin on ending the war in Ukraine. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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Market Closing Prices Yesterday<\/p>\n

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  • The S&P 500 Index<\/span><\/b> <\/span>dipped -0.44 points<\/span>, or 0.01%, to 6,114.63.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
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    • The Dow Jones Industrial Average<\/span><\/b> <\/span>slid -165.35 points, <\/span>or 0.37%, to 44,546.08.<\/span><\/li>\n
    • The Nasdaq Composite <\/span><\/b>gained 81.13 points<\/span>, or 0.41%, to 20,026.77.<\/span><\/li>\n
    • The Russell 2000 Index<\/span><\/b> <\/span>declined -2.20 points<\/span>, or 0.10% to 2,279.87.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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      Economic Calendar for Today<\/p>\n

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      • 7:45 AM<\/span> ET<\/span> ICSC<\/span> Weekly Retail Sales<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
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        • 8:30 AM<\/span> ET<\/span>                  Empire Manufacturing for February<\/li>\n
        • 10:00 AM<\/span> ET<\/span> NAHB<\/span> Housing Market Index for February<\/li>\n
        • 10:20 AM<\/span> ET<\/span>                Fed’s Daly Speaks to American Bankers Association<\/li>\n
        • 4:00 PM<\/span> ET<\/span>                   Net Long Term TIC Flows for December<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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          Earnings Calendar: <\/p>\n

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          • Earnings Before the Open: AXSM<\/span> BLKB<\/span> CC<\/span> DFIN<\/span> ETR<\/span> EXPE<\/span> FELE<\/span> FLR<\/span> GLDD<\/span> GPC<\/span> HLMN<\/span> NEO<\/span> TPH<\/span> VC<\/span> VMC<\/span> VMI<\/span> WAY<\/span> WGS<\/span> WSO<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
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            • Earnings After the Close: ADEA<\/span> ANDE<\/span> ANET<\/span> BELFA<\/span> BKD<\/span> BMBL<\/span> BRSP<\/span> BXC<\/span> CDNS<\/span> CE<\/span> CHCT<\/span> COMP<\/span> CRK<\/span> CSGP<\/span> CSR<\/span> CVI<\/span> CYH<\/span> DDVN<\/span> EQT<\/span> ESI<\/span> FLS<\/span> FOUR<\/span> GNW<\/span> GOOD<\/span> HALO<\/span> HCKT<\/span> IFF<\/span> IOSP<\/span> JBGS<\/span> LZB<\/span> MED<\/span> MGY<\/span> MTDR<\/span> NGVT<\/span> OXY<\/span> PEN<\/span> QUAD<\/span> RUSHA<\/span> SEVN<\/span> SMLR<\/span> SON<\/span> TCMD<\/span> TOL<\/span> TRUE<\/span> UAN<\/span> UIS<\/span> WTTR<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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              Other Key Events: <\/p>\n

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              • Goldman Sachs Capital Markets Forum 2025 – Powering Connections, 2\/18-2\/20 in Riyadh<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
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                • China House Prices for January<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                   <\/span><\/p>\n

                   <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
                  \n

                  Macro<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

                  		\n

                  Up\/Down<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

                  		\n

                  Last<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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                  Nymex<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

                  		\n

                  0.84<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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                  71.58<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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                  Brent<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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                  0.41<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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                  75.63<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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                  Gold<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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                  23.60<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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                  2,924.30<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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                  EUR\/USD<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

                  		\n

                  -0.0019<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

                  		\n

                  1.0463<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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                  JPY\/USD<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

                  		\n

                  0.26<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

                  		\n

                  151.77<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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                  10-Year Note<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

                  		\n

                  +0.037<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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                  4.513%<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

                   <\/span><\/p>\n

                  \n

                  World News<\/p>\n

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                  • Japan Q4 real GDP growth accelerated to 0.7% QoQ or 2.8% QoQ annualized, beating market consensus of 0.3% QoQ and 1.1% QoQ annualized. The previous quarter’s reading was also revised up to 0.4% QoQ and 1.7% QoQ annualized from 0.3% QoQ and 1.2% QoQ annualized previously. Private consumption was mostly unchanged at 0.1% QoQ, compared with its robust pace of +0.7% QoQ in Q3.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
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                    • @lisaabramowicz1 notes on “X”, Investors’ cash holdings are at 15-year lows in the latest Bank of America fund manager survey, which shows a huge overweight to US equities and the lowest levels of recession fears in 3 years.”<\/li>\n
                    • UK pay growth picked up to its highest level in eight months and employment unexpectedly rose.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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                      Sector News Breakdown<\/p>\n

                      Consumer<\/p>\n

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                      • Barron’s noted the alcohol industry is struggling as young consumers increasingly choose moderation or abstinence, leading to declining sales for major beer, wine and spirits companies. Shares of industry giants like Molson Coors Beverage Co. (TAP<\/span>),<\/b> Diageo Plc (DEO<\/span>),<\/b> Brown-Forman Corp. (BF<\/span>\/B)<\/b> and Anheuser-Busch InBev SA\/NV (BUD<\/span>) <\/b>have underperformed, reflecting weaker demand and shifting consumer preferences. Closely-held companies like Athletic Brewing and Ritual Zero Proof are capitalizing on the moderation trend, with nonalcoholic beer and spirits seeing rapid growth.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
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                        Energy, Industrials and Materials<\/p>\n

                          \n
                        • Anglo American (NGLOY<\/span>)<\/b> said it will sell its nickel business to a unit of Hong Kong-listed MMG Ltd for up to $500M, as a broader restructuring aimed at refocusing its operations on copper and iron ore mining is well underway<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
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                          • A Delta Air Lines (DAL<\/span>)<\/b> regional jet flipped upside down upon landing at Canada’s Toronto Pearson Airport on Monday amid windy weather following a snowstorm, injuring 18 of the 80 people on board, officials said.<\/li>\n
                          • Diamondback Energy (FANG<\/span>)<\/b> agreed to acquire certain subsidiaries of Double Eagle and accelerate development of the Midland Basin, confirming a prior report in The Wall Street Journal. FANG reached an agreement with Double Eagle in exchange for 6.9 million shares of its common stock and $3 billion in cash. <\/li>\n
                          • Entergy (ETR<\/span>)<\/b> Q4 adjusted EPS $0.66 vs. est. $0.63; sees FY25 adjusted EPS $3.75-$3.95 vs. est. $3.92.<\/li>\n
                          • H&E Equipment Services (HEES<\/span>)<\/b> has accepted a bid from Herc Rentals (HRC<\/span><\/b>) of nearly $5.3B, rebuffing an earlier takeover offer from equipment rental rival United Rentals (URI<\/span>),<\/b> according to people briefed on the matter. per Financial Times reporting.<\/li>\n
                          • Sealed Air (SEE<\/span>)<\/b> announces leadership changes and re-affirms full year 2024 outlook; says appoints Dustin Semach as President and CEO as Patrick Kivits steps down as Sealed Air CEO and board member.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                            \n

                            Financials<\/p>\n

                              \n
                            • Capital One Financial (COF<\/span>)<\/b> January net charge-offs 6.12% vs. 5.71% y\/y and said delinquencies 4.61% vs. 4.78% y\/y.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
                                \n
                              • Discover Financial Services (DFS<\/span>)<\/b> January credit card delinquency rate 1.80% and credit card charge-off rate 2.63% at Jan end – SEC filing<\/li>\n
                              • Janus Henderson Group Plc (JHG<\/span>)<\/b> is pursuing opportunities in Saudi Arabia as it looks to grow its footprint in the Middle East and boost regional investment, Bloomberg reported.<\/li>\n
                              • JPMorgan Chase & Co (JPM<\/span>)<\/b> credit card delinquency rate 0.88% at January and credit card charge-off rate 1.64% in January – SEC filing.<\/li>\n
                              • KKR (KKR<\/span>)<\/b> has signed an agreement with Italy’s Eni (E<\/span>) <\/b>to buy an additional 5% stake in Eni’s biofuel business Enilive for 587.5 million euros ($614.17 million), bringing its total stake to 30%, the energy group said.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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                                Healthcare<\/p>\n

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                                • Johnson & Johnson (JNJ<\/span>)<\/b> faces a critical test today over its $10 billion proposal to end litigation alleging that its baby powder caused ovarian cancer. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez in Houston will decide the fate of the company’s latest Chapter 11 during a weeks-long court hearing weighing competing demands to approve the settlement or end the bankruptcy altogether.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
                                    \n
                                  • Medtronic (MDT<\/span>)<\/b> Q3 adj EPS $1.39, vs. est. $1.36; Q3 revs rose 2.5% y\/y to $8.29B vs. est. $8.33B; Q3 adj gross margin 66.6% vs. 66.1% y\/y and reiterates full year revenue and EPS guidance.<\/li>\n
                                  • Oculis (OCS<\/span>)<\/b> 5M share Secondary priced at $20.00 per share.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                                    \n

                                    Technology, Media & Telecom<\/p>\n

                                      \n
                                    • Baidu (BIDU<\/span>)<\/b> Q4 revenue fell -2% y\/y to 34.12B yuan vs. ests. 33.32B yuan, dragged down by a slowdown in the advertising business, though offset by gains from cloud AI; Baidu’s online marketing business, excluding its streaming service iQIYI, which contributes the majority of its revenue, was down 7% to 17.9B yuan and offset these losses through the growth of its AI Cloud segment, which grew by 26% year over year.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
                                        \n
                                      • Broadcom Inc. (AVGO<\/span>)<\/b> has had informal talks with its advisers about making a bid for Intel Corp.’s (INTC<\/span>)<\/b> chip-design and marketing business, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter. Nothing has been submitted to Intel and Broadcom could decide not to pursue a deal, according to the Journal<\/li>\n
                                      • Roku (ROKU<\/span>)<\/b> files mixed securities shelf.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

                                        <\/p>\n