Index & Mutual Funds

According to data provided by Markit Economics, the final Markit Brazil Manufacturing PMI (purchasing managers’ index) stood at 51.2 in October 2017 as compared to 50.9 in September 2017.

According to a report by Markit Economics, Indonesia’s (IDX) (ASEA) manufacturing activity stood at 50.1 in October as compared to 50.4 in September.

Broadcom climbed the ladder through acquisitions, while Qualcomm climbed the ladder through its technology advantage in the smartphone industry.

Devon Energy Corporation’s 56.0% dividend cut in 2016 was followed by a 43.0% cut in 2017.

In this series, we’ll look at the key developments that impacted mining companies last week. We’ll also look at some of the company-specific developments that impacted mining stocks.

The final Markit Germany’s services PMI (purchasing managers’ index) stood at 54.70 in October 2017 compared to 55.60 in September 2017.

In 3Q17, Novartis’s COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder) portfolio reported revenues of $165 million, which with ~2% higher YoY and 1% higher QoQ.

Amid rising competition in the wireless space, AT&T (T) has its hopes in the proposed acquisition of leading content provider Time Warner (TWX).

The University of Michigan Preliminary Consumer Sentiment for November was reported at 97.8, which was 2.9 lower than the final October reading of 100.7.

During the last reported quarter, the Walmart U.S. segment’s sales rose 3.3% year-over-year to $78.7 billion, reflecting a 1.8% increase in comps.

The latest report was released on November 3 and indicated that the goods and services deficit was $43.5 billion in September, or $0.7 billion higher than in August.

While Samsung (SSNLF) has been the leader in smartphones in terms of units sold, Apple (AAPL) may be catching up.

These economic indicators are important for global investors because they reflect the condition of the global economy.

In August 2017, Intel completed the acquisition of Mobileye for a very high premium, and it’s wasting no time to put Mobileye’s technology to work.

According to a report provided by the National Bureau of Statistics of China, the consumer confidence index for China stood at 114.7 in August 2017 compared to 114.6 in July.

According to a report provided by the National Bureau of Statistics of China, China’s inflation index improved 0.50% in September 2017 compared to a 0.40% rise in August 2017.

Kellogg (K) posted improved profit margins despite lower sales, thanks to the company’s focus on efficiency and initiatives to reduce costs.

China’s GDP grew at an annualized rate of 6.8% in 3Q17 and met the market expectation. The economy expanded at an annualized rate of 6.9% in the first two quarters of 2017.

On October 16, 2017, all analysts tracking Flotek Industries rated it as a “buy” or some equivalent.

The final Russia Services PMI (Purchasing Managers’ Index) was 55.2 in September 2017 compared to 54.2 in August 2017.

The final Brazil Services PMI (Purchasing Managers’ Index) stood at 50.7 in September 2017 compared to 49.0 in August.

The final Russia Manufacturing PMI (Purchasing Managers’ Index) rose marginally in September 2017. It was 51.9 in September compared to 51.6 in August.

Indonesia’s (IDX) (ASEA) manufacturing activity stood at 50.4 in September 2017 compared to 50.7 in August 2017.

In 2Q17, Sanofi’s (SNY) vaccine business reported revenues of 1.0 billion euros, which is a YoY rise of 26.2% on a CER basis and 19.2% on a CER and CS basis.

According to the IMF (International Monetary Fund), a moderate progressive tax system may not negatively impact economic growth in developed economies (SPY) (EZU).

According to data compiled by Reuters as of October 11, 25% of analysts covering Ford (F) stock have given it a “buy” recommendation.

Brand credibility has no doubt contributed to Amazon’s success in cloud computing, and anything that affects that credibility could have an impact on the company.

A REIT (or real estate investment trust) is a company that owns and manages income-producing real estate.

The small-cap stock universe started rallying after Trump’s victory in November.

Tyson Foods (TSN) stock jumped about 8% on September 29, 2017, after the company raised its fiscal 2017 EPS (earnings per share) guidance.

Constellation Brands (STZ) is expanding its beer, wine, and spirits portfolio in the high-end or premium space.

The majority of analysts providing recommendations on Colgate-Palmolive (CL) stock maintain a neutral outlook.

On a yearly basis, economic growth in India (INDA) showed a strong improvement of 9.2% in the first quarter of 2016.

China (FXI) (YINN) is an important emerging nation. The gradual improvement in its economic growth is a positive sign both for emerging nations (EEM) and developed nations (EFA).

According to the report provided by the World Bank in June 2017, global (ACWI) growth is expected to strengthen to 2.7% in 2017.

November WTI (West Texas Intermediate) crude oil (UWT)(DWT)(DBO) futures contracts fell 0.2% and were trading at $52.12 per barrel in electronic trading at 2:20 AM EST on September 26.

According to data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau, US retail sales fell 0.2% in August 2017.

Investments in renewable energy bode well for global copper demand, as the copper intensity in renewable energy is higher than in non-renewable energy.

In 1H17, Novartis’s (NVS) Promacta/Revolade reported revenues of around $385 million, which reflected ~33% growth on a year-over-year (or YoY) basis.

China was the largest steel consumer last year, with the mainland’s ASC at 681.0 million metric tons.