American stock markets traded lower this Thursday (19) at Nova York, influenced by growing geopolitical tensions between Estados Unidos and Irã, which raised oil prices, and by mixed quarterly results from large retail and technology companies. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost about 0.4%, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite posted similar declines, reversing some of the previous session’s gains. Investidores closely monitored the potential impact of conflict in Oriente Médio on global energy supplies and corporate performance amid cautious consumption.
The main indices opened the session in negative territory, with the Dow Jones falling 185 points shortly after the opening, equivalent to a loss of 0.4%. The S&P 500 fell 0.3% and the Nasdaq Composite lost 0.4% in the first minutes of trading. The pressure came mainly from the increase in oil prices, which rose more than 1%, with Brent reaching levels above US$71 per barrel, the highest level since last summer.
Geopolitical tensions drive oil prices higher
The military escalation in the Oriente Médio, with the movement of American air forces in the region, increased fears of a direct confrontation with the Irã. Autoridades of the US has mounted a significant military presence, the largest since the Iraque invasion in 2003. The Irã could respond by shutting down the Estreito of
American crude oil rose 1.44%, quoted at US$66.13 a barrel, while Brent advanced 1.52%, to US$71.42. Essa increase benefits companies in the energy sector, but puts pressure on costs for other segments and fuels inflationary concerns.
Corporate results generate mixed movements in retail
Walmart reported quarterly results with strong sales, driven by grocery items and online deliveries, and its shares rose about 2%. Consumidores maintained essential purchases despite general caution in spending. The company reported revenue in line with expectations, but future guidance generated some volatility.
DoorDash presented a higher-than-expected gross order value forecast for the next quarter and invested in artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicles. Suas shares gained 3%. Empresas like eBay and Etsy also stood out with a deal to acquire a second-hand fashion platform for US$1.2 billion, sending shares up more than 3% and 10%, respectively.
Companies face challenges in recent balance sheets
Carvana reported record sales, but profit metrics disappointed analysts, leading to a nearly 8% drop in its shares. Avis Budget Group suffered from lower revenue and impairment in the electric vehicle fleet, resulting in a 15% drop. Molson Coors lost 8.5% after missing revenue guidance, focusing on value brands amid cautious consumers.
Deere benefited from rebounding demand for construction and small agriculture, with shares rising nearly 7%. Occidental Petroleum gained about 9% with better-than-expected profit and rising oil prices. In the aerospace sector, Airbus reduced delivery targets due to engine shortages, dropping shares by 6% in Paris.
Economic indicators and other market factors
The US trade deficit surprised by surpassing US$70 billion in December, influenced by variations in international gold trade. The yield on the 10-year Tesouro bond rose slightly to 4.092%. The VIX volatility index advanced 4%, reflecting greater uncertainty.
Gold fell 0.31% to $4,994, while bitcoin fell 0.75%. The dollar strengthened 0.24% on the DXY index. Setores energy-sensitive and defense gained traction, while technology and consumer discretionary faced selective pressure.
Sector movements and perspectives for the day
The energy sector stood out with gains in companies such as Occidental, while banks and finance had mixed performance. Varejo has shown resilience in the likes of Walmart, but other retailers and delivery services have dealt with mixed results. The session remained volatile as investors assessed geopolitical risks and economic data.
The Russell 2000, of small caps, rose 0.45% amid sector rotation. Global Mercados showed mixed movements, with Asian stocks mostly up and European stocks mostly down. The focus remained on monitoring developments in the Oriente Médio and upcoming corporate earnings reports.
