Let’s take our typically weekly look at jobless claims. I do this because there are a very good and timely short leading indicator for the labor market. Initial claims rose 11,000 to 219,000. The four week moving average rose 4,000 to 216,750. With the typical one week delay, continued claims rose 36,000 to 1.886 million:On the YoY% basis which is more important for forecasting purposes, initial claims were up 2.8%, while the four week average was up 1.6%. Continuing claims were up 4.0%:This continues the spate of neutral, “steady as she goes” numbers. The labor economy is expanding, but not at any robust rate.Here is our final look at the forecast trend in the unemployment rate, which will be updated in tomorrow’s January jobs report:On a monthly basis, initial claims are up 2.8% from one year ago, and initial + continuing claims are up 4.7%. Since the unemployment rate was 3.8%, this suggest the unemployment rate should be trending towards 4.1% or 4.0%. As it was 4.0% in December, this suggests it will be unchanged or decline -0.1% when we get the report tomorrow.Economically Weighted ISM Services + Manufacturing Indexes Forecast Continued Growth JOLTS Report For December Shows Mild Improvement In Most Metrics, Anticipates Stabilization In Wage Increases ISM Manufacturing Index In January The Strongest Since 2022

The strong upward trend in gold prices has reached a peak of $2,882 per ounce, the highest in the history of gold prices, before settling around $2,850 per ounce at the time of writing this analysis. The recent sharp and continuous gains in gold have been driven by increasing expectations of lower interest rates, increasing the attractiveness of the yellow metal as a haven amidst economic and geopolitical risks. On the economic front, data yesterday showed weaker-than-expected demand for US services, suggesting that economic activity may slow in the coming months. (Click on image to enlarge)This has prompted investors to position for a cut in US interest rates by the Federal Reserve twice this year, in line with the latest projections from the Federal Open Market Committee. Additionally, the European Central Bank and the Bank of Canada have cut interest rates, with the latter also ending quantitative tightening, while the Reserve Bank of India and the Bank of England are expected to implement interest rate cuts this week.  Will gold prices rise further in the coming days?According to recent trades on gold trading platforms,  have risen as the metal’s attractiveness as a safe haven has strengthened after Trump suggested that the United States might take control of Gaza and expressed interest in a new nuclear deal with Iran. This, coupled with concerns about global economic growth due to the potential implications of the US-China trade war, has further supported gold prices. The continuation of these factors could eventually push gold prices […]

Investors are cheering Peloton Interactive Inc () this morning after the connected fitness company came in well above Street estimates for revenue in its fiscal second quarter.Peloton stock is being rewarded because the management  as well on Thursday.The exercise equipment maker generated $674 million in revenue – handily above $654 million that analysts had forecast. On a year-over-year basis, however, the metric was down some 9.0%.Peloton shares are still down about 5.0% versus their year-to-date high. Peloton stock soars on encouraging guidancePeloton attributed its better-than-expected quarterly revenue partly to  in late 2024. Cutting marketing, administrative, and R&D costs, it added, helped on the EBITDA front as well.On the downside, the at-home fitness company guided for up to $625 million in sales for the current quarter. Analysts, in comparison, were at $652 million instead.But Peloton stock is rallying, nonetheless, since investors are focusing more on its profit outlook.The management expects adjusted EBITDA to fall between $70 million and $85 million in Q1 – well above experts’ forecast of $50.4 million only.Additionally, PTON said its revenue will likely pick up in the back half of 2025. Peloton’s new CEO is committed to a turnaroundPeloton Interactive investors seem to be ignoring the wider-than-expected loss in the recently concluded quarter as well.The Nasdaq listed firm lost 24 cents a share, much more than 18 cents per share consensus, as it continued to struggle with making its hardware business more profitable.Under the leadership of its new chief executive Peter Stern, PTON is fully committed to a recovery in it […]

After opening the day marginally low, the Indian benchmark continued its downtrend as the session progressed, eventually closing more than 200 points lower.Benchmark equity indices, BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty50, ended Thursday’s session in negative territory as investors awaited the RBI MPC outcome scheduled for tomorrow, Friday.At the closing bell, the BSE Sensex closed lower by 213 points (down 0.2%).Meanwhile, the NSE Nifty closed 92 points lower (down 0.4%).Cipla, Infosys, and Adani Ports are among the top gainers today.Trent, NTPC, and Titan on the other hand, were among the top losers today.The GIFT Nifty was trading at 23,699, down by 51 points at the time of writing.The BSE MidCap index ended 0.9% lower and the BSE SmallCap index ended flat.Sectoral indices were trading mixed with stocks in the healthcare sector and IT sector witnessing buying. Meanwhile, the stocks inthe  realty sector and power sector witnessing selling pressure.The rupee is trading at 87.59 against the US$.Gold prices for the latest contract on MCX are trading 0.1% lower at Rs 84,481 per 10 grams.Meanwhile, silver prices were trading 0.8% lower at Rs 95,200 per 1 kg.  Triveni Engineering Shares Rises 3%. Here’s WhyIn news from the sugar sector, Triveni Engineering and Industries shares gained about 3% on Thursday, February 6, despite recording a 69% year-on-year decline in its net profit for Q3FY25 results.However, its revenue from operations rose by 3%.As per a recent announcement, Rolls-Royce Marine North America Inc. and Triveni Engineering and Industries Limited (TEIL) have signed an MoU to explore opportunities to collaborate on programs for 4 MW marine gas turbine generators (GTG) […]

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions () is a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) that has a F for Value and a F for Growth.  The company is a supplier of mission critical products and services for the US national security.  The company has beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the last 15 quarters.  Let’s explore more about why this stock is the Bull of the Day. DescriptionKratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. engages in the provision of mission critical products, services and solutions for United States national security priorities. It operates through the Kratos Government Solutions (KGS) and Unmanned Systems (US) segments. The KGS segment consists of an aggregation of KGS operating segments, including microwave electronic products, space, satellite and cyber, training solutions. The US segment refers to the unmanned aerial, unmanned ground, unmanned seaborne and related command, control and communications system businesses. The company was founded on December 19, 1994, and is headquartered in Round Rock, TX. Earnings HistoryWhen I look at a stock, the first thing I do is look to see if the company is beating the number.  This tells me right away where the market’s expectations have been for the company and how management has communicated to the market.  A stock that consistently beats has management communicating expectations to Wall Street that can be achieved.  That is what you want to see.Kratos Defense & Security Solutions () has a good earnings history with the company topping the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the last 15 quarters. The most recent […]