• Major US stock indexes finished session on negative territory

Market news

20 February 2018

Major US stock indexes finished session on negative territory

Major US stock indexes finished trading in negative territory, suffering from the collapse of Walmart shares (WMT) and a noticeable decline in quotations of the health sector.

So, Wal-Mart reported receiving in the last reporting period a profit of $ 1.33 per share, which was $ 0.04 below the average forecast of analysts, and revenues of $ 135.15 billion (+4.2 % y / y), which slightly surpassed the average market forecast. At the same time, the forecast announced by it showed that in the fiscal year 2019 (FY) the company expects to earn profits at the level of $ 4.75-5.00 per share, which is below the average forecast of analysts $ 5.08. Wal-Mart also decided to increase the annual dividend payout for 2019 FY in the amount of $ 2.08 / share, which is 2% more than $ 2.04 / share paid for the last financial year. WMT shares in the premarket fell by 7.2%.

Brent crude oil prices declined on Tuesday amid a stronger US dollar and partial profit-taking, while WTI rose slightly, resulting in a discount between two key futures contracts reaching a six-month low.

Most components of the DOW index recorded a decline (25 out of 30). Outsider were shares Walmart Inc. (WMT, -10.11%). The leader of growth was shares of Intel Corporation (INTC, + 1.70%).

Almost all sectors of S & P finished trading in the red. The health sector showed the greatest decline (-1.1%). Only the technological sector grew (+ 0.2%).

At closing:

Dow -1.01% 24,964.75 -254.63

Nasdaq -0.07% 7,234.31 -5.16

S & P -0.58% 2,716.26 -15.96

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