On January 28, American stock markets closed in the green zone. The S&P 500 index rose 0.98% to 3787 points, the NASDAQ gained 0.50%, the Dow Jones rose 0.99%. The rebound after the sale on the eve was caused by technical factors, as well as the publication of mostly positive macro statistics. All 11 sectors finished the session in positive territory. The finance sector showed outstripping growth by 1.92% due to the increase in the quotations of shares of payment systems and banks.

Company news

Comcast (CMCSA: + 6.6%) posted strong quarterly results thanks to continued strong demand for home internet. Some amusement parks have reached break-even points.

MasterCard (MA: + 2.8%) quarterly EPS came in better than expected on a solid recovery in US earnings.

Tesla’s revenue (TSLA: -3.3%) beat consensus expectations, but gross margin declined. The company’s forecast for the supply of electric vehicles in 2021 was weaker than analysts had predicted.

Today world stock markets are showing negative dynamics. In the real economy, the news background remains calm, however, short squeezes in individual stocks continue to attract attention, causing concern among professional market participants.

Risk appetite is highly variable. On the one hand, quarterly corporate results are mostly stronger than expected. Many support factors, including fiscal and monetary policy, an improvement in the epidemiological situation in the world, the emergence of new vaccines, remain relevant. In particular, Novavax today published positive test results for its drug.

At the same time, hedge funds lock in positions to cover losses on short positions. In addition, market participants are avoiding risk by observing excess volatility and cautiously comparing the current situation to the stock market bubble before the dotcom crash. A significant risk is the spread of mutations in the coronavirus. The Novavax vaccine is only 49% effective against its South African strain. Thus, the market equilibrium appears to be fragile, so investors should be careful.

The Freedom Finance Sentiment Index dropped to 68 out of 100. The indicator reflects the hope of market participants for a recovery in the global economy in 2021. Concerns about the negative impact of the coronavirus pandemic are gradually diminishing thanks to the prospects for mass vaccinations.

Technical picture

Technically, the S&P 500 is prone to an upward movement in the medium term. Nevertheless, the short-term correction may continue, as the MACD indicator is in negative territory. Significant support is located at 3710 points, where the 50-day moving average lies. The medium-term outlook for the S&P 500 will worsen if it falls below 3630 points.

Today Top Movers‎

LM Funding America Inc (LMFA), a specialty finance company, soared about 86.67% ‎at $2.79 in pre-market ‎trading Friday.‎‎ The company declared the closing of a $103.5 million upsized initial public offering.

‎Genius Brands International Inc (GNUS) share price jumped 16.75% to $2.30 during early morning ‎trading session on ‎Friday.‎‎

‎Monopar Therapeutics Inc (MNPR) stock ascended 9.17% at $9.29 in the pre-‎market trading today.‎‎

‎Sundial Growers Inc (SNDL) gained over 14.34% at $0.94 in pre-market ‎trading on Friday.‎‎

Top Upgrades & Downgrades

Wells Fargo turned bullish on Alliance Data Systems Corporation (ADS), upgrading the stock to “Equal-Weight” and assigning a $75 price target, representing a potential upside of 5.94% from Thursday’s close.

SLM Corporation (SLM) has won the favor of RBC Capital’s equity research team. The firm upgraded the shares from Sector Perform to Outperform and moved their price target to $20, suggesting a 43.57% additional upside for the stock.

Capri Holdings Limited (CPRI) received an upgrade from analysts at Baird, who also set their one-year price target on the stock to $58. They changed their rating on CPRI to Outperform from Neutral in a recently issued research note.

Earlier Friday Jefferies reduced its rating on Golar LNG Partners LP (GMLP) stock to Hold from Buy and assigned the price target to $3.5. With shares trading at around $3.42, the Wall Street firm thinks Golar LNG Partners LP’s stock could add 2.34%.

Jefferies analysts reduced their investment ratings, saying in research reports covered by the media that it’s rating for Safe Bulkers Inc. (SB) has been changed to Hold from Buy and the new price target is set at $1.8.

Analysts at Morgan Stanley downgraded DXC Technology Co (DXC)’s stock to Equal Weight from Overweight Friday.

Latest Insider Activity

The Macerich Company (MAC) 10% Owner ONTARIO TEACHERS PENSION PLAN announced the sale of shares taking place on Jan 27 at $20.25 for some 24,562,964 shares. The total came to more than $497.37 million.

Houston American Energy Corp. (HUSA) Director SCHOONOVER JAMES A sold on Jan 26 a total of 142,976 shares at $2.63 on average. The insider’s sale generated proceeds of almost $43960.

Jefferies Financial Group Inc. (JEF) 10% Owner Jefferies Financial Group Inc. declared the purchase of shares taking place on Jan 12 at $10.00 for some 250,000 shares. The transaction amount was around $2.5 million.

Alcoa Corporation (AA) Director Nevels James E bought on Jan 27 a total of 32,336 shares at $17.50 on average. The purchase cost the insider an estimated $7,000.

Important Earnings

Top US earnings releases scheduled for today include Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ) (NASDAQ:ERIC). It will announce its Dec 2020 financial results. The company is expected to report earnings of $0.21 per share from revenues of $7.75B in the three-month period.

Analysts expect Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF) to report a net income (adjusted) of $0.91 per share, when the bank releases its quarterly results shortly. Revenue for the fiscal quarter ended Dec 2020 is predicted to come in at $3.55B.

Chevron Corporation (CVX), due to announce earnings before the market opens today, is expected to report earnings of $0.07 per share from revenues of $26.2B recently concluded three-month period.