Connect with us
  • tg

Stock Markets

Markets in 2023: Soaring stocks and roaring bonds defy the doubters

letizo News

Published

on

Markets in 2023: Soaring stocks and roaring bonds defy the doubters
© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: A screen displays the Dow Jones Industrial Average after the closing bell on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., December 15, 2023. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo

By Marc Jones

LONDON (Reuters) -This year might go down as one of the most unusual ever in financial markets – mainly because everything seems to have come good despite a lot of turbulence and many predictions turning out to be wrong.

Take equity markets. World stocks are nearly 20% higher despite the highest interest rates in decades and a mini crisis that wiped out one of Europe’s best known banks – Credit Suisse – along with a few smaller ones in the U.S.

In the bond markets, just a few months ago investors were expecting the Fed & Co to raise rates and leave them there while recessions rolled in. Now bond markets are looking to central banks to embark on a rate-cutting spree with inflation apparently beaten.

Other areas of the markets have experienced wild gyrations that are hard to explain. is up 150% on the year. Some of the most beaten up emerging market bonds have achieved triple-digit gains. The “magnificent seven” tech giants have seen a 99% surge in their shares over the year.

“If you’d told me at the start of year that we would have a U.S. regional banking crisis and Credit Suisse would cease to exist, then I’m not sure we would have guessed that we would see the year we’ve had for risk assets,” PIMCO’s CIO for Global Fixed Income, Andrew Balls, said.

The result has been 3.5% – 6.5% returns from top government bonds and a $10 trillion rally in world stocks, although that has been top heavy.

Meta (NASDAQ:) and Tesla (NASDAQ:) have soared 190% and 105%. The Nasdaq is on the cusp of its strongest year in two decades, while AI’s demand for semiconductor chips has catapulted Nvidia (NASDAQ:) 240% higher into the $1 trillion dollar club.

But it has been a very bumpy ride.

In March, the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, a mid-sized U.S. lender, and the rescue of 167-year-old Credit Suisse triggered a slide in world shares where they lost all of the 10% gains made in January.

The scramble for safety pushed gold up 7% and U.S. and European government bond yields – the main drivers of global borrowing costs – recorded their biggest monthly drop since the 2008 financial crisis.

The steady climb in interest rates around the world then kept investors sweating through the summer, and in October Hamas’ attacks in Israel ratcheted up geopolitical tensions.

ROUND-TRIPPING

In the forex markets, the dollar is down a barely-noticeable 1% on the year. But Japan’s seeming reluctance to raise interest rates and China’s sputtering economy mean the yen and yuan are down 9% and 3.5% respectively.

As usual, the big moves have been in emerging markets.

Turkey’s efforts to tackle its economic problems following Tayyip Erdogan’s re-election have not been made any easier by another 35% dive in the lira.

Egypt has devalued its currency 20%, Nigeria has cut the naira by 45% and Argentina’s new president Javier Milei has just slashed the peso in half.

On the upside, Colombia and Mexico’s pesos are up 23% and 14%. Poland’s zloty is up 11%, followed by Brazil’s real which is up 8.5%. And of the major currencies, the safe-haven Swiss franc has been the strongest performer up 7.5%.

“Once the dollar starts to move down there could be a lot of fuel for that to continue,” DoubleLine’s Bill Campbell said, referring to a potential weakening of the dollar and also questioning what a potential return to power by Donald Trump might mean.

One of the most remarkable round trips is that the key will end the 2023 almost exactly where it started despite touching 5% in October.

BofA calculates that the battle against inflation has produced around 125 interest rate hikes globally this year versus 60 cuts.

If the previous 18 months are added the total is 510 hikes compared with just over 1,370 cuts since the global financial crash in 2008. And cuts will start to dominate next year with roughly 150 now expected compared with 40 hikes.

“Everyone expects a soft landing to happen, everyone expects bond yields to be lower and everyone expects Fed rate cuts,” BofA strategist Elyas Galou said, highlighting the group think the bank’s investor surveys showed.

The big discrepancy though is that the Fed has only cut rates when unemployment is as low as it now five times the last 90 years.

ELECTION FEVER

has surged 17% in dollar terms, or 27% in yen terms, setting it up for its best year in a decade.

Property woes have continued to drag on China, which has had a knock-on impact on oil, which is down almost 8% on the year. Gold has jumped 11.5%.

Other standouts include El Salvador bonds, which are now battling out of default and have returned 114% on the year.

U.S. sanctions relief has seen Venezuela’s bonds vault 150% and Pakistan and Sri Lanka’s have made 97% and 71%.

Next year won’t be quiet on the political front.

There are more than 50 major elections scheduled next year, including in the United States, Taiwan, India, Mexico, Russia and probably Britain. That means countries that contribute 80% of world market cap and 60% of global GDP will be voting.

Taiwan kicks it off with elections on January 13, followed just a few days later by the New Hampshire primary for the 2024 U.S. Presidential race.

Other dates for the diary include the Fed’s first rate cut, which is pencilled in for March 20, while OPEC and G7 meetings are scheduled for June.

“This is an era of boom and bust,” BofA Galou said. “We are not out of the woods.”

Stock Markets

Sterling Construction stock soars to all-time high of $137.93

letizo News

Published

on

Sterling Construction Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:) has reached an impressive milestone, with its stock price soaring to an all-time high of $137.93. This peak represents a significant achievement for the company, reflecting a robust performance and investor confidence. Over the past year, Sterling Construction has witnessed a remarkable 84.48% increase in its stock value, underscoring the company’s strong market presence and the positive reception of its strategic initiatives. Investors and market analysts alike are closely monitoring STRL’s progress, as it continues to build on its momentum in the construction sector.

In other recent news, Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. announced two key changes in its leadership. The company revealed the upcoming retirement of board member Charles R. Patton, effective from September 1, 2024. Patton, who has been a part of Sterling’s Board since 2013, will step down after over a decade of service, during which he contributed to the Corporate Governance & Nominating Committee and the Compensation Committee.

In parallel, Sterling Infrastructure named Dan Govin as its new Chief Operating Officer. Govin, who brings over three decades of experience in the energy infrastructure industry, is set to lead the company’s strategic and operational initiatives. His past roles include Regional President at Quanta Services (NYSE:) and Senior Vice President of Operations.

In related developments, Sterling Real Estate Trust, a North Dakota-based real estate investment trust, recently held its annual shareholders’ meeting. During the meeting, eight trustees were elected, including Gregory P. Hammes, Timothy L. Haugen, and Michelle L. Korsmo, among others. Additionally, the appointment of RSM US, LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, was ratified by the shareholders. These are among the latest developments at Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. and Sterling Real Estate Trust.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

Continue Reading

Stock Markets

CRH stock soars to all-time high, reaching $91.22

letizo News

Published

on

CRH (NYSE:) PLC, a global leader in building materials, has reached an all-time high, with its stock price soaring to $91.22. This significant milestone underscores the company’s robust performance and investor confidence in its growth trajectory. Over the past year, CRH has seen an impressive 66.73% increase in its stock value, reflecting strong market demand and the successful execution of its strategic initiatives. The company’s ability to achieve this record price level amidst a dynamic economic environment speaks volumes about its resilience and the positive outlook shared by its stakeholders.

In other recent news, CRH Plc has seen a series of positive developments. Stifel, a financial services firm, has increased its EBITDA projections for the company by 4% for the years 2024 and 2025, following a positive outlook on CRH’s earnings. This includes the expected contributions from the newly acquired Adbri, which is predicted to add an additional 1% and 2% to the EBITDA in 2024 and 2025, respectively.

In addition, Deutsche Bank has raised its price target for CRH, maintaining a Buy rating on the stock, following the company’s acquisition of a majority stake in Adbri. This move is anticipated to enhance CRH’s materials solutions offerings in Europe.

Furthermore, CRH has appointed Lauren Schulz as its new Chief Communications Officer, a move expected to enhance the company’s global communications strategy.

Additionally, CRH has filed a notification regarding transactions by persons discharging managerial responsibilities, providing transparency into the dealings of the company’s management.

Lastly, CRH has reported strong growth in adjusted EBITDA and margin for the second quarter of 2024, and has raised its full-year adjusted EBITDA guidance to a range of $6.82 billion to $7.02 billion. These recent developments demonstrate the company’s resilience and strategic approach in a competitive market.

InvestingPro Insights

The ascent of CRH PLC in the stock market is not just a reflection of past performance but also a beacon for future potential, as suggested by InvestingPro data and insights. With a market capitalization of $60.88 billion and a forward-looking P/E ratio of 17.69, CRH is positioned competitively within the Construction Materials industry. Its commitment to shareholder returns is evident through a consistent dividend growth, having raised its dividend for the last four years, and a dividend yield of 1.39% as of the last twelve months leading up to Q2 2024. These financial gestures indicate management’s confidence in the company’s profitability, which is further supported by a strong gross profit margin of 34.85%.

In addition to its financial health, CRH’s operational efficiency is highlighted by an EBITDA growth of 13.63% in the same period. Notably, analysts have revised their earnings upwards for the upcoming period, signaling potential for continued growth. For investors seeking more detailed analysis, there are additional InvestingPro Tips available, including insights into CRH’s share buyback strategy and its performance relative to industry peers. These tips, accessible through the InvestingPro platform, offer a comprehensive view of the company’s strengths and investment potential.

For those monitoring CRH’s trajectory, the stock is trading near its 52-week high, at 99.14% of its peak, with a previous close at $89.27. The company’s next earnings date is set for November 7, 2024, which will provide further clarity on its performance and outlook. With a fair value estimate of $101 by analysts and an InvestingPro fair value of $74.35, investors are presented with a nuanced picture of CRH’s valuation. As the market anticipates CRH’s next financial disclosures, the InvestingPro platform remains a valuable resource for real-time data and expert analysis.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

Continue Reading

Stock Markets

Nelnet stock soars to all-time high of $115.64 amid robust growth

letizo News

Published

on

In a remarkable display of market confidence, Nelnet Inc (NYSE:) stock has achieved an all-time high, reaching a price level of $115.64. This milestone underscores a period of significant growth for the company, which has seen its stock value surge by 27.28% over the past year. Investors have rallied behind Nelnet’s strong performance, propelling the stock to new heights and reflecting optimism in the company’s future prospects. The all-time high represents not just a peak for the year but an unprecedented value in the company’s trading history, marking a momentous occasion for both Nelnet and its shareholders.

In other recent news, Nelnet Inc. has been under the spotlight following strong Q2 earnings and subsequent adjustments by TD Cowen. The firm increased Nelnet’s price target to $98.00, up from $96.00, while maintaining a Hold rating on the stock. This follows Nelnet’s Q2 2024 earnings report, which highlighted an EPS of $1.44, surpassing TD Cowen’s estimate of $1.33. The improved earnings were largely due to reduced operating expenses and a lower provision for losses. However, these gains were slightly offset by a decrease in fee income and a lower net interest income.

In recent developments, Nelnet disclosed its quarterly financial results to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). The report provides a snapshot of the financial health of Nelnet Bank, its wholly-owned subsidiary, and includes critical data such as assets, liabilities, and income. This commitment to transparency and regulatory compliance allows investors to gauge Nelnet’s financial stability and growth prospects.

Furthermore, Nelnet’s bank subsidiary, Nelnet Bank, also disclosed its quarterly financials. The report, known as the Call Report, is a significant indicator of the subsidiary’s contribution to Nelnet’s overall financial status. This routine disclosure aligns with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, providing a clear view of Nelnet Bank’s financial standing as of the last quarter.

InvestingPro Insights

In light of Nelnet Inc’s (NNI) recent achievement of an all-time high stock price, several InvestingPro Tips and real-time data points provide further context to the company’s financial health and market performance. Notably, Nelnet has demonstrated a robust track record by raising its dividend for 9 consecutive years and maintaining dividend payments for 18 consecutive years, which signals a strong commitment to shareholder returns. Additionally, analysts remain optimistic about the company’s profitability, expecting net income to grow this year.

From a data standpoint, Nelnet’s current market capitalization stands at $4.15 billion with a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 26.88, which adjusts to a lower ratio of 22.02 when considering the last twelve months as of Q2 2024, reflecting a more favorable valuation for investors. The company’s revenue growth has been modest at 0.7% over the last twelve months, yet it experienced a more significant quarterly surge of 12.82% as of Q2 2024. Importantly, Nelnet’s stock is trading near its 52-week high, at 99.06% of this peak, and has seen a large price uptick of 31% over the last six months. These figures underscore the company’s strong market presence and potential for continued growth.

For those interested in deeper analysis, there are additional InvestingPro Tips available at https://www.investing.com/pro/NNI, which can provide investors with more nuanced insights into Nelnet’s performance and future outlook.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

Continue Reading

Trending

©2021-2024 Letizo All Rights Reserved