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Dow Jones: 17,515.73 (-0.5%)
NASDAQ: 4,773.50 (-0.5%)
S&P 500: 2,035.94 (-0.7%)
Gold: 1,221.30 (-2.8%)
Copper: 222.45 (-2.6%)
Crude Oil: 39.79 (-0.8%)
The Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for Q4 of 2015 was revised up as consumer spending was higher than previously estimated. The Q4 2015 Real GDP grew 1.4% instead of 1% according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis’ third estimate. The upward revision reflects higher personal consumption expenditures (PCE) and exports offset by a downward revision to private inventory investment. The full-year Real GDP for 2015 was unchanged at 2.4%.
Crude Oil fell 0.8% this week to close below $40 per barrel at $39.79. Commercial crude oil inventories (excluding the Strategic Petroleum Reserve) increased 1.8% to 532.5 million barrels from 523.2 million the past week. However, the national average retail regular gasoline price rose 2.3% to $2.007 from $1.961 per gallon the prior week as the number of active oil rigs fell.
Corporate Profits (profits from current production) fell $159.6 billion in Q4 of 2015 compared to a decline of $33 billion in Q3. Profits of domestic financial corporations dropped $24 billion while the profits of nonfinancial corporations decreased $129.2 billion. Receipts from the rest of the world slipped $22.4 billion whereas payments to the rest of the world declined $16 billion.
Nike (NYSE: NKE) recorded a 7.7% rise in revenue and a 20.1% increase in net income for Q3 2016 YoY. Diluted EPS rose 22.2% to $0.55 from $0.45 the same quarter the past year. Sales were strong across most product segments, notably Nike Women’s and the Jordan Brand. Geographically, China, Japan, Eastern Europe and North America saw the strongest growth. However, the stock slipped as revenue fell short of consensus estimates.
General Mills (NYSE: GIS) reported a revenue drop of 8.0% and a net income rise of 5.4% for Q3 2016 YoY. Diluted EPS also rose 5.4% to $0.59 from $0.56 YoY. Revenue was down across all three business segments as sales plummeted in all product categories—meals plunged 14%, yogurt dropped 10%, baking products slipped 3% while snacks and cereal both fell 2%. Savings in the cost of sales and SGA expenses buoyed net income.
Accenture (NYSE: ACN) posted a 5.9% rise in revenue and a 92.1% increase in net income for Q2 2016 YoY. Diluted EPS increased 92.6% to $2.08 from $1.08 YoY. Growth was driven by new consulting contracts in the communications, media & technology (up 6%), financial services (up 6%), health & public service (up 12%), and product (up 8%) segments, but checked by resources & other (down 3.2%). Net income was lifted by a gain on the divestiture of Navitaire.
GameStop's (NYSE: GME) revenue rose 0.7% while net income grew 2.5% for fiscal year 2015. Diluted EPS climbed 8.9% to $3.78 from $3.47 partially boosted by a 5.7% decline in shares outstanding YoY. The revenue gains were driven by higher video-game accessories, collectibles and consumer-electronics sales but offset by lower new video-game software and hardware sales. Total comparable store sales for the year increased 4.3%.
Monday March 28 — Personal Income and Outlays (Consumer income and spending)
Friday April 1 — Employment Situation (Labor market conditions)
