标题: [转贴] 4/1/2014 Market Blog [打印本页] 作者: 沁颍 时间: 2014-4-1 08:41 标题: 4/1/2014 Market Blog
Stock futures are slightly higher as the second quarter of trading gets set to begin. The first quarter ended with a flurry, as comforting statements from Fed Chief Janet Yellen reassured investors that the central bank would continue to support the economy. Today investors will be watching monthly auto sales, the ISM Manufacturing Index, and construction spending data for clues about the state of the economy. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) fell almost 4% yesterday as stocks were bid up throughout the session. Despite the rise in the overall market, many sectors including tech and small cap stocks are off of their recent highs. The S&P 500 Index (SPX) finished the quarter up about 1.5% but the other major indices have under-performed.
Treasuries are lower and are underperforming global bond markets. The 10-year yield tested 2.75% but the dovish comments from Yellen yesterday bounced Treasuries from lows. A better than expected official Chinese PMI print at 50.3 lifted stocks in Asia (minus Japan). European data has been mostly positive too but did see the factory sector soften. Meanwhile, some Russian army units have been pulling back from the Ukraine border to add to the improved risk appetite. Traders continue to look ahead to the ECB decision (Thursday) amid split views on further stimulus. That will be followed by the employment report on Friday.
Stock Stories:
Coca-Cola, Pepsico (KO, PEP) –Flat soda – U.S. retail sales of carbonated soft drinks shrank 1% to $76.3B in 2013, representing the first downturn in dollar terms in at least 15 years, with soda volumes shrinking an estimated 3% last year to mark a ninth straight year of contraction. Among the few areas of growth, U.S. volumes of caffeinated energy drinks and ready-to-drink coffee rose 5.5% and 6.2% last year.
