U.S. stocks moved lower following a two-week rally as oil prices tanked to record lows on fears of oversupply issues and a continued drop in demand, plus more in today’s Closing Bell on Money & Markets.
The Top Story
West Texas Intermediate crude oil prices for May fell to their lowest price on record on concerns of storage and supply issues. A contract expiring on Thursday fell 305% to minus-$37.59 a barrel.
That pushed energy stocks down nearly 2%, leaving them on track for their sixth day of losses in seven.
Although energy stocks have far smaller weightage on U.S. equity indexes when compared with technology or financial shares, the sheer drop in oil prices underscores the decline in global growth as demand dries up, analysts said.
Losses on the Nasdaq were limited, supported by gains in Amazon.com Inc. (Nasdaq: AMZN) and Netflix Inc. (Nasdaq: NFLX) — deemed “stay-at-home” stocks as widespread lockdowns fueled demand for online streaming and home delivery of groceries.
S&P 500 firms have recovered about 30% — or $5.8 trillion in market value — since a March drop on a raft of global stimulus and hopes the coronavirus was nearing a peak in the United States.
But the benchmark index remains about 15% below its all-time high and analysts have warned of a deep economic slump from the halt in business activity and millions of layoffs.
Shares of United Airlines Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: UAL) fell 4.4% after it warned of a $2.1 billion pretax loss in the first quarter. Delta Air Lines Inc. (NYSE: DAL) is scheduled to report later this week, while Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) has delayed its results to April 28 from April 23.
The Dow Jones fell 2.4%. The S&P 500 dropped 1.8%, and the Nasdaq Composite fell 1%.
Stock Market Update: Closing Bell*
S&P 500: 2,823 (-1.8%)
DOW: 23,650(-2.4%)
NASDAQ: 8,560 (-1%)
GOLD: $1,711.50 (+0.7%)
BITCOIN: $6,826.86 (-4.6%)
U.S. 10-YEAR YIELD: 0.61% (-0.04)
*- as of 4:10 p.m.
A Big Win
In this morning’s Opening Bell, we told you about Walt Disney Co. (NYSE: DIS) and its plan to save $500 million a month by not paying 100,000 furloughed workers during the coronavirus lockdown. Shares of Disney dropped 4.2%.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH) fell 7.2% after it was revealed the cruise liner hired Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) to look at various funding alternatives, including a possible stake sale, to help with burgeoning losses.
Wynn Resorts Ltd. (Nasdaq: WYNN) CEO Matthew Maddox said parts of the Las Vegas strip should reopen sometime in mid-May to help reinvigorate Nevada’s economy. Shares of Wynn Resorts fell 6.6%.
Golden Nuggets
Safe-haven demand pushed precious metals higher as investors retreated from equities.
Gold futures jumped 0.7% to trade at $1,711.50 an ounce. Silver futures moved 1.6% higher to $15.54 an ounce.
Platinum was up 0.5% to $789.20 an ounce. A Reuters poll Monday indicated analysts and traders project an undersupply of palladium — prices fell 0.3% to $2,123.70 an ounce.
Cannabis Corner
Popular ice cream maker Ben & Jerry’s decided to take advantage of the marijuana holiday 4/20 to promote marijuana reform.
This year, as in years past, the company — owned by U.K.-based Unilever NV (NYSE: UN) took to social media to push for restorative justice and legislation to decriminalize cannabis. It also used the day to highlight what it called a disproportionate number of black people being arrested for cannabis-related crimes.
It’s hard for us to get excited about #420 when so many people of color are still being arrested for cannabis. We have to do better. Learn more: https://t.co/cDd2GrE9OT pic.twitter.com/aA8JBFyume
— Ben & Jerry's (@benandjerrys) April 18, 2020
This #420, we're joining the @ACLU to talk justice. Specifically, justice for the people of color that cannabis legalization has left behind. Get the full scoop and take action now: https://t.co/FolxgtEUgY pic.twitter.com/apz0swYIsr
— Ben & Jerry's (@benandjerrys) April 19, 2020
Lawmakers Pressing for Interim Aid Plan
In an attempt to bolster the spent Paycheck Protection Program, Congress is racing to approve a supplemental aid package this week.
According to Bloomberg, Republicans and Democrats are negotiating a package that includes an additional $310 billion for the small business program. The bill includes $50 billion to $60 billion for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.
Other provisions are $75 billion for hospitals — with most going to those in rural areas — and $25 billion for virus testing.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said both sides were close to a deal and President Donald Trump said there was “a good chance of getting a deal.”
Today’s Big Winners:
FLIR Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: FLIR) +14.1%
Biomarin Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: BMRN) +4.6%
Netflix Inc. (Nasdaq: NFLX) +3.4%
Today’s Big Losers:
Vornado Realty Trust (NYSE: VNO) -9.3%
Boeing Co. (NYSE: BA) -6.6%
Wynn Resorts Ltd. (Nasdaq: WYNN) -6.6%
Check back for the most important news and numbers each day after the Closing Bell, only on Money & Markets.