The main US stock indexes rose moderately, as the possibility of concluding a trade transaction between the US and China and the strong reporting of the corporate segment strengthened investor optimism.

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he expects to sign a “very large part” of the trade deal with China earlier than expected, but has not specified a time frame. It was previously planned that the so-called “Phase 1” agreement with China would be signed at a summit in Chile on November 16-17. This strengthened the optimism of market participants, triggered on Friday by Washington's statements that they were “close to completion” of a number of provisions in the trade agreement with Beijing. Xinhua China State News Agency also announced progress in the text of the "first phase" of the trade agreement. Recent news has brought relief to investors who are worried about the negative impact of the trade war on the global economy.

Meanwhile, AT&T and WBA statements supported the corporate segment's trend to show exceeded earnings for the third quarter. According to FactSet, of the 202 companies in the S&P 500 index that have already released their last quarter results, 78% showed higher than expected earnings.

Additional support to the market was provided by increased expectations of an increase in interest rates at the October meeting later this week. Disappointing economic data released earlier this month increased the likelihood that the Fed would lower its base interest rate by 0.25 percentage points. up to 95.1% from 49.2% last month (according to the CME FedWatch Tool). The Fed will announce its decision on Wednesday.

Most DOW components completed trading in positive territory (21 out of 30). The biggest gainers were Microsoft Corp. (MSFT; + 2.41%). Outsiders were shares of McDonald's Corporation (MCD; -1.60%).

Almost all S&P sectors recorded an increase. Only the utilities sector decreased (-1.1%). The technological sector has grown the most (+ 1.2%).

At the time of closing:

Dow 27,090.72 +132.66 +0.49%

S&P 500 3,039.42 +16.87 +0.56%

Nasdaq 100 8,325.99 +82.87 +1.01%

U.S. stock-index futures rose on Monday, supported by solid Q3 earnings reports and progress on U.S.-China trade.

Global Stocks:

(company / ticker / price / change ($/%) / volume)

Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) reported Q4 FY 2019 earnings of $1.43 per share (versus $1.48 in Q4 FY 2018), beating analysts’ consensus estimate of $1.41.

The company’s quarterly revenues amounted to $33.954 bln (+1.5% y/y), generally in line with analysts’ consensus estimate of $33.884 bln.

WBA rose to $56.50 (+1.95%) in pre-market trading.

AT&T (T) reported Q3 FY 2019 earnings of $0.94 per share (versus $0.90 in Q3 FY 2018), being in line with analysts’ consensus estimate.

The company’s quarterly revenues amounted to $44.588 bln (-2.5% y/y), missing analysts’ consensus estimate of $45.449 bln.

The company also issued upside guidance for FY 2019, projecting EPS of $3.60-3.70 versus analysts’ consensus estimate of $3.58 and revenue of ~$184-186 bln (+1-2% y/y) versus analysts’ consensus estimate of $182.45 bln.

T rose to $37.15 (+0.65%) in pre-market trading.

October 28

Before the Open:

T&T (T). Consensus EPS $0.94, Consensus Revenues $45449.24 mln

Walgreens Boots Allianc (WBA). Consensus EPS $1.41, Consensus Revenues $33884.45 mln

After the Close:

Alphabet (GOOG). Consensus EPS $12.71, Consensus Revenues $40167.03 mln

October 29

Before the Open:

General Motors (GM). Consensus EPS $1.38, Consensus Revenues $35213.97 mln

MasterCard (MA). Consensus EPS $2.01, Consensus Revenues $4413.88 mln

Pfizer (PFE). Consensus EPS $0.61, Consensus Revenues $12365.25 mln

After the Close:

Advanced Micro (AMD). Consensus EPS $0.18, Consensus Revenues $1806.53 mln

October 30

Before the Open:

General Electric (GE). Consensus EPS $0.12, Consensus Revenues $29023.43 mln

United Micro (UMC). Consensus EPS $0.22, Consensus Revenues $37551.18 mln

After the Close:

Apple (AAPL). Consensus EPS $2.83, Consensus Revenues $62862.02 mln

Facebook (FB). Consensus EPS $1.86, Consensus Revenues $17353.45 mln

Lyft (LYFT). Consensus EPS -$0.74, Consensus Revenues $915.15 mln

Starbucks (SBUX). Consensus EPS $0.70, Consensus Revenues $6681.17 mln

October 31

Before the Open:

Altria (MO). Consensus EPS $1.15, Consensus Revenues $5355.19 mln

DuPont (DD). Consensus EPS $0.95, Consensus Revenues $5433.36 mln

Int'l Paper (IP). Consensus EPS $1.00, Consensus Revenues $5633.34 mln

November 1

Before the Open:

Alibaba (BABA). Consensus EPS $10.68, Consensus Revenues $116512.09 mln

American Intl (AIG). Consensus EPS $1.02, Consensus Revenues $12135.02 mln

Chevron (CVX). Consensus EPS $1.51, Consensus Revenues $37690.26 mln

Exxon Mobil (XOM). Consensus EPS $0.66, Consensus Revenues $65864.29 mln