What’s the Story?

Reuters

More Americans than forecast filed applications for unemployment benefits last week, indicating the labor market continues to struggle.

Jobless claims decreased by 2,000 to 387,000 in the week ended June 16, Labor Department figures showed today in Washington. The median forecast of 45 economists surveyed by Bloomberg News called for 383,000. The four-week average, a less volatile measure, climbed to the highest of the year.

Calculated Risk

Marketwatch

Manufacturing activity in the United States grew at the slowest pace in June in 11 months, according to the flash purchasing managers index released by Markit on Thursday. The flash PMI slowed to 52.9% from 54.0% in May. New export orders notably fell below the 50% mark indicating contraction, sliding to 48.9% from 50.5%. The flash indicator is based on 85% to 90% of responses.

Reuters

Spain sold 2.22 billion euros ($2.8 billion) of bonds, more than the maximum target of 2 billion euros, and borrowing costs dropped at a French auction. Jobless claims decreased by 2,000 to 387,000 in the week ended June 16, more than the 383,000 estimate in a Bloomberg survey. Stocks retreated earlier after reports showed manufacturing in the euro-area contracted at the fastest pace in three years in June, while China’s factory output was seen shrinking for an eighth month.

WSJ

The preliminary HSBC China Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index fell to 48.1 in June compared with a final reading of 48.4 in May, strengthening the case for further policy steps aimed at boosting China’s growth.

Tim Duy

1. The general argument that supported expectations of QE3 was broadly correct.  The basis of this argument was a deterioration in the forecast matched with moderating inflation data and increasing downside risks.  A solid argument in light of speeches by Vice Chair Janet Yellen and San Francisco President John WIlliams.  And this line of thought was consistent with the Fed’s actual projections.  The Fed, however, did not follow through on their own projections, which is frustrating.  It strikes me as a sloppy communications strategy.
2. The Fed wants to see more data before making another move.  This seemed to be evident in Bernanke’s press conference. I suspected this might be the case, but am surprised that while they are sufficiently uncertain of the data to forestall QE, they were certain enough to mark down their forecasts.
3. The labor market remains a critical indicator.  It is clear from the final sentence that sustained progress in labor market conditions would prevent additional easing, and vice versa.  At least this seems clear – arguably, by this metric the Fed would already embraced QE3.  Again, they want more data.  The possibility that seasonal adjustment issues are at play in the data weighs heavily on their minds.
4. The Fed is very uncertain about the impacts of additional QE.  This uncertainty is probably the most significant impediment to additional easing.  It is really the only explanation for Bernanke’s hesitation to do more now; clearly the forecast justifies additional action as it indicates the Fed does not expect to meet either its employment or inflation mandates.
5. The form of additional easing remains uncertain.  Like other officials, Bernanke did not close the door on additional asset purchases.  I noted earlier, however, that the statement no longer singles out balance sheet operations as the next tool.  Arguably, this change was simply necessary to eliminate the “composition” of the balance sheet option, as the Fed’s ability to change the composition via twisting will expire at the end of the year.  That said, they could still change the composition by shifting between Treasuries and mortgage assets, so the composition tools is not necessarily dead.  Or they could be signalling an intention to use communications tools as an alternative to QE; Yellen has suggested this possibility.   My baseline scenario is that if additional easing is deemed necessary, asset purchases will be the likely option.  Still, I think it is worth being on the look-out for other options.

CNBC

ConAgra [CAG  24.60        ]– The food producer earned $0.51 per share for its fourth quarter, excluding certain items, one cent above estimates, with revenues also beating consensus. The company says it was able to post a year-over-year profit increase despite what it calls a challenging business environment.

VF Corp. [VFC  142.50        ] – The clothing maker’s stock has been added to “Top Picks Live” at Citigroup. Citi says European market weakness is already priced into the stock and that VF is attractively positioned and valued.

Celgene [CELG  67.16        ] – The drugmaker is withdrawing its application for new uses for its Revlimid drug, but plans to resubmit its application with more “mature data.” The application involved the use of Revlimid to treat multiple myeloma patients.

CarMax [KMX  27.90  —  UNCH    ] – The auto retailer reported quarterly profit of $0.52 per share, one cent below estimates. Same-store sales were flat versus a year earlier, though the company does say it was able to increase profit margins.

TJX Cos. [TJX  43.11        ] – The retailer’s stock has been upgraded to “outperform” from “market perform” at Wells Fargo, which is also raising earnings estimates for the T.J. Maxx parent. The firm notes that TJX has been seeing comparable store sales rise to the high single-digit range, gaining share from the troubles at J.C. Penney [JCP  23.49        ].

Dick’s Sporting Goods [DKS  48.58  —  UNCH    ] – Canaccord Genuity has raised earnings estimates for the sporting goods retailer, saying comparable store sales are running at the high end of the company’s guidance.

Rite Aid [RAD  1.17        ] – The drugstore chain reported a quarterly loss of $0.03 per share, smaller than the $0.04 loss analysts had been forecasting. It’s also cut its loss estimate for the full year, pointing to strong growth in its prescription business as a key factor improving its fortunes.

Micron Technology [MU  6.12        ] – The chipmaker reported a wider-than-expected quarterly loss. Micron lost $0.32 per share for its third quarter, compared to estimates of $0.20. An increase in memory chip prices was not enough to make up for weak profit margins from its flash memory products.

Onyx Pharmaceuticals [ONXX  44.58        ] – The drugmaker has gotten a positive U.S. Food and Drug Administration panel recommendation for an experimental blood cancer drug. The full FDA usually, but not always, follows the recommendations of its panels.

Bed Bath & Beyond [BBBY  73.67        ] – The retailer earned $0.89 for its first quarter, five cents above estimates, but its current quarter outlook of $0.97 to $1.03 per share is below Street estimates of $1.08.

Red Hat [RHT  56.50        ] – The Linux software provider earned $0.30 per share, excluding certain items, for the first quarter, three cents above estimates. But its stock came under pressure in after-hours trading on weaker-than-expected billings. That measure — revenue that Red Hat doesn’t recognize until it actually provides the services — was up 16 percent, short of analysts’ estimates.

Murphy Oil [MUR  45.60        ] – The oil producer has named board member Steve Cosse as its new president and chief executive officer. He’ll replace David Wood, who is retiring following a 17-year career at Murphy.

Johnson & Johnson [JNJ  67.00        ] – The company is reportedly close to settling a Justice Department probe into off-label marketing of its antipsychotic drug Risperdal. Dow Jones reports the settlement could be $1.5 billion or higher, which would be one of the highest payments ever in a drug marketing case.

Key Energy Services [KEG  9.79        ] – The oil services company says current-quarter results will miss its prior forecasts, and it also cut its full-year guidance. It cites a decline in natural gas prices, as well as slower growth in liquid shale markets.

Philip Morris International [PM  88.51        ] – The tobacco producer has cut its full-year outlook for a second time, becoming the latest company to cite unfavorable currency rates for a lower forecast. Philip Morris has lowered its full year earnings per share forecast by 10 cents to $5.10 to $5.20 per share, on top of April’s 5 cent cut in its outlook.