SPDR® S&P 500 ETF
Latest SPDR® S&P 500 ETF News and Updates
Bernstein: Income-Oriented Investors Should Worry about Inflation
In the late-cycle phase, production activity shows blockages, inflation shoots up, and the central bank tightens credit availability.
Is the Leading Credit Index Signaling Any Business Cycle Changes?
This constituent of the LEI is an economic model, constructed by modeling changes in six financial market instruments.
Factors that Help Etsy Stand Out in the e-Commerce Space
Etsy (ETSY) reported strong 3Q17 results and ended fiscal 2017 with its stock price rising 73.6%. This increase beat the S&P 500 Index’s (SPY) gain of 19.4%.
What Drove Industrial Production Higher in December 2017
The Fed’s December industrial production report was released on January 17. The report indicated that industrial production continued to improve throughout 2017.
How Fifth Third Bancorp Has Performed Recently
Fifth Third Bancorp has an impressive free cash flow position.
A Look at Bank of America’s Key Growth Drivers
Bank of America’s dividend yield of 1.5% and PE of 20.6x compares to a sector average dividend yield of 2% and PE of 20.7x.
What Is Ericsson’s View on 5G Subscriptions?
Telecom gear maker Ericsson (ERIC) predicts that ~1.0 billion subscribers could have access to 5G mobile networks by 2023.
Why Bill Miller Thinks Bond Bull Market May Be Coming to an End
Bill Miller said, “Bonds, in my opinion, have entered a bear market, but one that is likely to be benign for the next year or so.”
How AT&T Is Preparing for the Price War
AT&T’s cost of revenue rose 15% in 2016 before decreasing 1% in 9M17. That led to a 9% growth in gross profit for 2016 before falling 4% in 9M17.
A Look at Comcast’s Strategy
Comcast’s (CMCSA) revenue grew 8% and 5% in 2016 and 9M17, respectively. The broadcast of the Rio Olympics in 3Q16 drove the 2016 numbers.
Which Stocks Have Announced $1,000 Bonuses?
In this series, we’ll be taking a look at the companies that have announced $1,000 dollar bonuses, pay raises, increased dividends, and buybacks in the last two months.
US Crude Oil Inventories Hit February 2015 Low
US crude oil inventories fell by 1.1 MMbbls (million barrels) to 411.6 MMbbls on January 12–19, 2018. Inventories decreased 0.3% week-over-week.
What the New Amazon Prime Charges Look Like
Amazon (AMZN) is raising its Amazon Prime membership fees for some subscribers.
Restarting the Wintershall Oilfields in Libya Could Impact Oil Prices
On January 21, the NOC (National Oil Corporation) of Libya said that it would restart the Wintershall AG’s Sara oilfield. NOC is a state-owned oil company.
How Has Honeywell Stock Performed since 3Q17 Earnings?
Since Honeywell (HON) declared its 3Q17 earnings on October 20, 2017, HON stock has risen ~9.0% as of January 22, 2018.
Could the US Government Shutdown Impact Market Volatility?
During the week ended January 19, 2018, global markets trended higher despite the possibility of a US government shutdown. The potential shutdown pushed volatility up.
Williams Partners’ Distribution Growth Plans
Williams Partners (WPZ) expects its 2017 distributable cash flow to lie between $2.6 and $2.8 billion. At the midpoint, this range represents a ~9.0% YoY (year-over-year) decline.
Analyzing the Producer Price Index in December
The December PPI fell 0.1% month-over-month—compared to a 0.4% increase in November and October. The final demand index rose 2.6% in 2017.
These Energy Commodities Rose This Week
With the mixed performance from energy commodities, energy stocks are down this week. As of January 17, the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) has fallen ~0.4% this week.
What Could Happen if the US Debt Ceiling Isn’t Raised
The failure of US Congress to raise the debt ceiling would result in a partial government shutdown. The US Treasury wouldn’t be able to issue any government debt, and it could end up borrowing from its retirement savings fund.
Your Guide to the US Debt Ceiling
The current debt ceiling is likely to be breached on January 19, and once that happens, the US Treasury must stop issuing any new debt (SHY).
Fiat Chrysler Stock Began 2018 with a Bang after a Solid 2017
Last week, Fiat Chrysler stock (FCAU) continued to soar and posted solid weekly gains of 7.4%.
Could the Threat of a US Government Shutdown Spike Volatility?
The Dow Jones Industrial Average appreciated ~1.6% for the week ended January 12, 2018, while the S&P 500 (SPY) returned ~1.3%. The tech-heavy NASDAQ (QQQ) posted a weekly gain of ~1.4%.
What’s the Outlook for Extra Space Storage?
Extra Space Storage’s (EXR) revenue grew 27% and 13% in 2016 and 9M17, respectively.
Here’s What Influenced the Outlook for Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines’ (LUV) operating revenue grew 3% and 4% in 2016 and 9M17, respectively.
What’s behind the Outlook for Nasdaq?
Nasdaq (NDAQ) revenue rose 9% and 8% in 2016 and 9M17, respectively.
These Factors Are Contributing to Gilead Sciences’ Weak Outlook
Gilead Sciences’ (GILD) revenue fell 7% and 13% in 2016 and 9M17, respectively. The fall was due to lower product sales. Both antiviral products and other products recorded declines in both the periods.
What’s Contributing to Promising Outlook for Lam Research?
Lam Research’s (LRCX) revenue rose 12% and 36% in 2016 and 2017, respectively. It rose 52% in 1Q18.
What’s the Outlook for Alaska Air Group?
Alaska Air Group’s (ALK) operating revenue rose 6% and 35% in 2016 and 9M17, respectively.
What Has Influenced the Outlook for Valero Energy?
Valero Energy’s operating revenue fell 14% in 2016 before rising 23% in 9M17. Refining revenues drove the decline in 2016, offset by ethanol revenues.
Why Assurant Has a Positive Outlook despite a Weak 2017
Assurant’s (AIZ) revenue fell 27% and 18% in 2016 and 9M17, respectively.
What’s the Outlook for Tyson?
Tyson Foods’ (TSN) sales dropped 11% in 2016 before gaining 4% in 2017.
What Are Corning’s Key Growth Drivers?
Corning’s gross margin grew 3% and 9% in 2016 and 9M17, respectively.
What to Expect from Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines’ (DAL) operating revenue fell 3% in 2016 before gaining 3% in 9M17 (or the first nine months of 2017).
What’s the Outlook for American International Group?
American International Group’s dividend per share rose 58% in 2016 and was flat in 2017.
What Key Economic Indicators Say about the Economy
In this series, we’ll take a look at December 2017 manufacturing PMI reports for major developed regions, namely the United States (SPX-INDEX), Germany (DAX-INDEX), France, Spain, Europe, Japan, and the United Kingdom (UKX-INDEX).
Massive Fall in Crude Oil Inventories Pushed Oil Prices Higher
US crude oil inventories fell by 4.9 MMbbls (million barrels) to 419.5 MMbbls between December 29, 2017, and January 5, 2018.
How FedEx’s Performance Influenced Its Outlook
FedEx’s (FDX) revenue grew 6% and 20% in 2016 and 2017, respectively. The FedEx Ground, FedEx Freight, and FedEx Services segments drove the 2016 growth, offset by the FedEx Express segment.
The Outlook for the Vulcan Materials Company
The Vulcan Materials Company’s (VMC) revenue grew 5% and 7% in 2016 and 9M17, respectively. Aggregates, concrete, and calcium drove the growth in 2016, offset by asphalt mix.
Hilton Worldwide Holdings Looks Promising despite a Tough 2017
Hilton Worldwide Holdings’ (HLT) revenue grew 3% in 2016. Management and franchise fees, timeshare, and other revenues from managed and franchised properties drove the growth in 2016, offset by owned and leased hotels.
Why The Kraft Heinz Company’s Outlook Still Seems Promising
The Kraft Heinz Company’s (KHC) net sales grew 44% in 2016 before falling 1% in 9M17. Every product category drove the growth in 2016, offset by a decline in the infant and nutrition segments.
How Coty’s Performance Affected Its Outlook
Coty (COTY) net revenue fell 1% in 2016 before climbing 76% in 2017. The Consumer Beauty segment drove the growth in both years.
Why Citigroup’s Outlook Seems Promising
Citigroup is projected to grow its revenue 2% and 4% in 2017 and 2018, respectively. The 2017 and 2018 diluted EPS are projected to grow 12% and 14%, respectively.
Why Volatility Fell 16% in Week 1 of 2018
Every segment of the global financial markets began 2018 on a positive note. The global equity rally extended in the first week of the year.
Consumer Sector Insights for the First Week of 2018
The consumer staples sector had a slight gain of 0.10% led by a stock increase in the stock price of CVS Health, Coty, Estee Lauder, and Walmart.
Will US Crude Oil Prices Make a New 3-Year High?
On January 8, 2018, US crude oil (USO) (USL) February 2018 futures rose 0.5% and closed at $61.73 per barrel—0.5% below the three-year high.
Why Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square Had a Rough 2017
Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square Capital Management saw negative returns in 2017 for the third consecutive year.
Mattel’s Year-to-Date Sales by Brand
As you can see in the graph below, Mattel’s (MAT) sales declined across all its brands for the nine-month period that ended on September 30, 2017.
Why Mattel’s Sales Could Keep Falling in the Near Term
Toy makers in the United States (SPY) are facing near-term disruptions affecting their top-line performance. Toys “R” US, one of the leading distribution partners for US toy companies, filed for bankruptcy.
A Look at Pfizer’s Valuation
Pfizer (PFE) reported revenue of $13.2 billion in 3Q17, ~1% growth from its 3Q16 revenue of $13.0 billion.
