Tech costs hurting
Following on from Alphabet’s better-than-expected earnings report on Tuesday evening, Microsoft and Meta Platforms were the next two ‘Magnificent Seven’ constituents to update the market. Both companies reported after last night’s close, and both managed to disappoint investors in slightly different ways. Microsoft beat expectations for both earnings and revenues. But it issued a downbeat outlook for future growth which saw the stock drop 4% in early trade. Meta also posted revenues and earnings above those forecast. But user numbers came in light and the company warned that infrastructure expenses were set to soar due to spending related to generative AI. The stock fell 5.5% on the news, but has pared some of those losses this morning. The news has put investors on edge as they await results from Apple and Amazon after tonight’s close. Other significant earnings reports are due today from Uber and Intel. Meanwhile, Merck was up over 1% after announcing solid third quarter earnings and revenues, helped by sales of its cancer drug Keytruda. Sentiment towards tech hasn’t been helped by the sell-off in Advanced Micro Computers which dropped 8% earlier this week on an earnings miss, and following a slump of 37% in Super Micro Computers after the resignation of its auditors. US stock index futures are on the backfoot this morning, led by the NASDAQ which is down 1%. This follows a negative session yesterday which saw modest losses for all the majors. On the economic data front, today sees the release of weekly Unemployment Claims together with Core PCE, the Fed’s preferred inflation measure. Back in the summer, this hit its lowest level in over three years at 2.6% year-on-year. But it has ticked up since then, which, should it do so again today, may persuade the Fed to hold off from cutting rates in December. The probability of a 25 basis point cut at next week’s meeting is unlikely to be affected, as it stands at 96%, according to the CME’s FedWatch Tool. Yesterday, the first look at Q3 GDP came in at 2.8% annualised, and below the 3.0% expected. But there was an unexpected jump in ADP Payrolls, although it is tomorrow’s official Non-Farm Payrolls which are of greater importance as far as investors are concerned. But investors look slightly rattled for now. Further bad news on tech earnings could see more shredded nerves and a tendency to sell first and ask questions later.
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