On February 18, American stock indices ended in the red. The S&P 500 index fell 0.44% to 3914 points, the Dow Jones fell 0.38%, the NASDAQ fell 0.72%, losing more than 1.5% during the session. The reason for the correction was the data on the growth in the number of applications for unemployment benefits, as well as the flow of capital into cyclical sectors. Thus, the consumer goods segment traded better than the market, ending the day with a result of + 0.14%. The energy sector corrected by 2.27%.

Company news

Software developer Twilio (TWLO: + 7.7%) posted strong quarterly results, with revenue growth exceeding expectations.

Walmart’s comparable sales (WMT: -6.5%) were better than the consensus, but investors were disappointed by the weak EPS performance and the forecast that the retailer’s capex will increase from $ 10 billion to $ 14 billion this year.

Revenue and EBITDA of lithium supplier Albemarle (ALB: -10.2%) exceeded investor expectations, but the company’s forecasts were not strong enough.

Today, global stock markets are showing mixed dynamics. Investors continue to assess the potential impact of rising bond yields on the stock market. The 10-year Treasury yield climbed to the February 2020 level. From the point of view of corporate finance, in this situation, the discount rate increases, which ultimately reduces the fair value of the shares. At the same time, an increase in the yield of government bonds reflects an improvement in economic prospects, so there is no consensus among the investment community regarding the impact of this factor on the market.

The current consensus on the fiscal stimulus package suggests that it will be approved in mid-March in the amount of about $ 1.5 trillion. Moreover, after the adoption of this package, all attention will be focused on infrastructure government spending, the project of which will be presented next month. Their estimated volume is $ 2 trillion. Rumors regarding this bill are already beginning to influence the market.

The Freedom Finance Sentiment Index climbed to 80 out of 100. The indicator reflects market participants’ hope for a global economic recovery in 2021. Concerns about the negative impact of the coronavirus pandemic are gradually diminishing thanks to the prospect of mass vaccinations.

Technically, the S&P 500 is still in an uptrend, the upper bound of which limits the upside potential of the broad market index. The previous trading session did not change the overall picture too much. In the short term, correction or consolidation is likely, as a bearish divergence is being formed on the RSI indicator.

Today Top Movers

Zynga Inc. (ZNGA) stock soared 1.16% to $12.24 in pre-market trading.‎ ZNGA is a global leader in interactive entertainment Games recently announced Star Wars: Hunters, a competitive arena combat game.

Cuentas Inc. (NASDAQ: CUEN) shares are trading up 46.01% at $5.49 at the time of writing. ‎CUEN is a leading FinTech provider of mobile banking and payment solutions focused on Hispanic and Latino communities. ‎

‎Mmtec Inc. (MTC) grew over 80.31% at $7.05 in pre-market trading today. MTC is a company that develops and deploys platforms that enable financial institutions to engage in securities market transactions and settlements.

‎Citius Pharmaceuticals Inc. (CTXR), a Biotechnology company, rose about 26.92% at $1.98 in pre-market trading Friday after declaring a $76.5 million registered direct offering priced at-the-market under Nasdaq Rules.‎

Top Upgrades & Downgrades

Roth Capital turned bullish on Coeur Mining Inc. (CDE), upgrading the stock to “Buy” and assigning a $10.0 price target, representing a potential upside of 19.19% from Thursday’s close. 

Sabre Corporation (SABR) has won the favor of Deutsche Bank’s equity research team. The firm upgraded the shares from Hold to Buy and moved their price target to $17.0, suggesting 33.65% additional upside for the stock. 

Everbridge Inc. (EVBG) received an upgrade from analysts at JP Morgan, who also set their one-year price target on the stock to $200.0. They changed their rating on EVBG to Overweight from Neutral in a recently issued research note. 

Earlier Friday Mizuho reduced its rating on Sunoco LP (SUN) stock to Neutral from Buy and assigned the price target to $33.0. With shares trading at around $30.58, the Wall Street firm thinks Sunoco LP’s stock could add than 7.63%. 

Deutsche Bank analysts reduced their investment ratings, saying in research reports covered by the media that it’s rating for eHealth Inc. (EHTH) has been changed to Hold from Buy and the new price target is set at $63.0. 

Analysts at JP Morgan downgraded The Kraft Heinz Company (KHC)’s stock to Neutral from Overweight Friday.

Latest Insider Activity

Twitter Inc. (TWTR) Chief Legal Officer Gadde Vijaya announced the sale of shares taking place on Feb 16 at $72.03 for some 14,940 shares. The total came to more than $1.08 million. 

Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc. (INO) Director BENITO SIMON X sold on Feb 16 a total of 51,650 shares at $14.68 on average. The insider’s sale generated proceeds of almost $29360. 

Hepion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (HEPA) Chief Financial Officer Cavan John T declared the purchase of shares taking place on Feb 18 at $2.00 for some 10,000 shares. The transaction amount was around $20000. 

United States Steel Corporation (X) Director Atkinson Tracy A bought on Feb 16 a total 17,177 shares at $17.07 on average. The purchase cost the insider an estimated $25,059.

Important Earnings

Top US earnings releases scheduled for today include MoneyGram International Inc. (NASDAQ: MGI). It will announce its Dec 2020 financial results. The company is expected to report earnings of $0.08 per share from revenues of $326.62M in the three-month period. 

Analysts expect Deere & Company (NYSE: DE) to report a net income (adjusted) of $2.16 per share when the company releases its quarterly results shortly. Revenue for the fiscal quarter ended Jan 2021 is predicted to come in at $7.21B. 

Enerplus Corporation (ERF), due to announce earnings before the market opens today, is expected to report earnings of $0.22 per share from revenues of $241.79M recently concluded three-month period.