The Dow Jones Industrial Average, Nasdaq composite and S&P 500 opened lower on Monday morning but pared losses in early trading and turned positive. Oil prices sank after Chinese economic data revealed slowing growth across the board. Meanwhile, investors are gearing up for a heavy week of retail data, including earnings from Walmart, Home Depot and Target.
Dow Jones Pares Losses, Nasdaq Leads Upside
The Dow Jones was trading 0.3% higher while the S&P 500 pared losses and traded up 0.2%. Small caps underperformed, with the Russell 2000 dropping 0.3%. The Nasdaq composite pared early losses and was up 0.3%.
Volume was higher on the Nasdaq and on the NYSE vs. the same time Friday.
Blue chips opened lower while the Nasdaq opened at break-even, trying to extend the longest winning streak in 10 months. However, major indexes now face strong resistance at their 200-day moving averages.
U.S. Stock Market Today Overview |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Index | Symbol | Price | Gain/Loss | % Change |
| Dow Jones | (0DJIA) | 33858.67 | +97.62 | +0.29 |
| S&P 500 | (0S&P5) | 4287.94 | +7.79 | +0.18 |
| Nasdaq | (0NDQC ) | 13095.15 | +47.96 | +0.37 |
| Russell 2000 | 200.34 | -0.02 | -0.01 | |
| IBD 50 | 29.91 | -0.04 | -0.13 | |
Last Update: 12:10 PM ET 8/15/2022 |
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The Federal Reserve Bank of New York's August general business conditions index slumped more than 42 points to -31.3, its second largest drop since 2001.
The metrics reflect a dramatic slowdown in demand, with declines in orders and shipments.
The negative number was also weaker than economist expectations. A reading below zero indicates contraction.
Elsewhere, oil prices fell 3.7% to 88.65 per barrel after China, the world's second-largest economy, reported a July economic slowdown. Retail sales, industrial output and investment all came in lower than economists expected. China's central bank unexpectedly cut interest rates after the release, in an effort to stimulate the economy.
Wednesday at 2 p.m. ET, the Federal Reserve will release the minutes from its recent interest-rate policy meeting. At the July meeting, the central bank raised the benchmark interest rate three-quarters of a point for the second time. This has been the most aggressive rate-hike series in more than three decades, in a bid to counteract record inflation.
Dow Jones Stock Walmart Rises Ahead Of Earnings
Walmart will report earnings in Tuesday's premarket. Analysts expect America's largest retailer to report Q2 earnings of $1.60 per share on sales of $149.96 billion. In July, the Dow Jones component lowered its profit outlook for the second straight quarter and for 2022, saying shoppers have been cutting back on clothing and other discretionary items that carry higher profit margins.
Walmart rose 0.4% on Monday morning as shares continue higher for their seventh straight day on strong volume. While the stock has retaken support at its 50-day line, it remains below support at the 200-day moving average.
Dow Jones leader Home Depot will report earnings on Tuesday as well. Analysts expect EPS of $4.93 on revenue of $43.3 billion. The stock has fallen 0.3% in today's stock market.
Among other Dow Jones leaders, Disney led the upside for the third straight day as shares rose nearly 3%, adding to last week's gain of over 14%. DIS stock remains well off prior highs but is nearing a test of resistance at its 200-day moving average.
Visa and Proctor & Gamble were also among stocks leading the upside, with gains of over 1%. On the downside, Chevron posted losses of 1.8%, off morning lows, amid falling oil prices.
Follow Rachel Fox on Twitter at @IBD_RFox for more Dow Jones and stock market commentary.
