Posted on 10/26/2012 4:21:30 AM PDT by John W
NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- U.S. stock futures were falling sharply Friday after a series of disappointing corporate earnings, including those from online retailer Amazon.com, and ahead of a domestic economic growth report.
Amazon.com came up short on both the top and bottom line in its latest quarter despite a year-over-year sales increase of nearly 30%.
The Bureau of Economic Analysis is forecast by economists to say Friday that the advanced estimate on U.S. gross domestic product showed growth of 1.9% in the third quarter versus 1.3% in the second quarter. The report is due at 8:30 a.m. EDT.
At 9:55 a.m., the final read on the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index for October is expected to come in at 83 compared with the previous estimate of 83.1.
(Excerpt) Read more at thestreet.com ...
AAPL missed badly as well. They also came in with weak next quarter guidance. Dow futures off -91, S&P off 10 (-0.71%) and NASDAQ off 12 (-0.43%)
Why are “expert” analysts shocked that the economy is not doing well?
Still waiting for the first straight news story that even hints at the soon to be outgoing US President’s polices as a possible contributor to the world and US economic situation.
Don’t blame me for Amazon, I’ve done more than my share to help that company out this year...
I also :)
My wife would say the same thing... ;-)
ha—just my thought as well!
Well, the story says in spite of a year-to-year sales increase of nearly 30% so all of you are accounted for. Other factors at work there.
Obama started the game of jiggering numbers to bring about a political goal, a press cycle of a trend in his favor.
What we have learned is that it is a great game and others can play as well. That would be boards of directors and captains of industry as players. They are vigorously playing the game and their numbers are earnings reports.
What we have seen are earnings reports of less than projected or expected and a resultant decrease in market averages. Like the unemployment numbers, earnings figures will be adjusted upwards in following periods to make it all right and truthful.
But for the short term, the Obama adjustments are tempered or even overcome by the markets decline on the poor earnings reports.
AAPL didn’t miss that badly. Revenues beat estimates. Profits fell slightly short. Their problem is getting supply to market. Futures are actually up slightly this morning from yesterday’s close. The drop after hours has been erased.
AAPL didn’t miss that badly. Revenues beat estimates. Profits fell slightly short. Their problem is getting supply to market. Futures are actually up slightly this morning from yesterday’s close. The drop after hours has been erased.
And yes, their guidance is down somewhat for the next quarter. They are known for lowering their guidance.
Miss and weak guidance built into their stock price which is down $100/sh in the last month. Full disclosure: I am an AAPL shareholder.
Yeah, I guess that means they must have been giving us too good a deal.
NYSE Morning Update:
Ahead of the Bell: Dow futures are trading down 94 points and S&P futures are trading down 10 points on disappointing economic data from the euro zone and weaker than expected quarterly results from tech giant, Apple and online retailer, Amazon. German consumer confidence was the lone bright spot, as it rose more than expectation. Apple reported a second straight quarter of lower than forecasted earnings as a result of falling iPad sales. Amazon also reported a quarterly loss due to higher expenses and a slowdown in the global economy.
• On the economic calendar today, the Commerce Department will release a first reading on 3rd quarter GDP before the market opens, a reading of 1.9% is expected compared with 1.3% for the previous quarter. The Reuter’s/University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index for October will be out after the market opens and it is forecasted to be 83.1 versus the same reading for September.
• The dollar is up against the major currencies. Gold is trading at $1,702. Crude oil is currently trading at $85 a barrel.
• Yesterday, stock finished positive, after a selloff earlier in the week on better than expected weekly jobless claims data and upbeat existing homes figures. Investors were encouraged that Japan will add to its stimulus policies.
• On CNBC today, Byron Wein of Blackstone Advisory Partners, talked about the market’s bumpy ride. Wein said the events of the last month are worrying him, as third quarter earnings have not been great, although he expects the 4th quarter to come in better. He said the fiscal cliff is weighing on growth, and he believes whoever wins the elections will ultimately defer parts of the fiscal cliff to 2013. Wein said we have to bring the political parties together and compromise with spending cuts and tax revenues and he believes firmly that we can’t tweak the tax code, we have to revise it.
They’re not. Anyone who reads the financial press knows that analysts have been predicting poor earnings for months. The stock market paid no attention to these predictions, but apparently actual poor earnings are going to far.
So I like that.
It always amazes me that the stock market stays stable and in fact has been going up steadily while at the same time regular citizens are losing homes, jobs and just generally things are getting worse and worse for regular ordinary people.
So I am always pleased to see the stock market loose value as it makes it easier for the masses to survive
The GDP came in at 2%.
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