From Nasdaq, Inc.:

Asia-Pacific equity markets finished lower with Australia’s ASX All Ordinaries and Japan’s Nikkei seeing relative strength. European markets are also down, and U.S. equity futures are pointing to a lower open. Today’s economic data includes the December Retail Sales report, which is expected to reveal consumer spending over the holiday season and set the bar for companies reporting their December quarter results.

In international news, China’s economy grew by 1.0% in 4Q 2023, slightly below market forecasts, and the nation’s total population fell by over 2M in 2023 to 1.41B. The Euro Area’s inflation rate was confirmed at 2.9% in December, and the European Central Bank President hinted at potential interest rate cuts in the summer.

Yemeni Houthi militants are expected to be designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S., adding to geopolitical tensions. Today’s market headlines include bank earnings, technology sector gains, and Spirit Airlines’ plunge following a federal judge blocking its sale to Jet Blue. U.S. stock indicators are mostly in negative territory year-to-date.

Stocks to watch include Charles Schwab, US Bancorp, Enphase Energy, and Boeing. Interactive Broker reported a bottom line miss, Plexus Corp. revised revenue and EPS guidance, and Calavo Growers filed for an extension to submit its 2023 10-K. Google is expected to announce layoffs in its advertising sales division, and GoPro agreed to acquire Forcite Helmet Systems. BP also agreed to acquire GETEC ENERGIE GmbH.

After today’s market close, Alcoa, Discover Financial Services, Kinder Morgan, Synovus, and Wintrust Financial are expected to report quarterly results. On the horizon, Thursday’s economic calendar includes machinery orders from Japan, foreign direct investment from China, and weekly initial & continuing jobless claims and housing starts & building permits from the U.S.



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