 | Read in Browser | |||||||
 | ||||||||
| ||||||||
Projected dividend increases: Companies forecast to boost their quarterly dividend payouts in the near future include Cigna (NYSE:CI) to $1.20 from $1.00, Marathon Oil (NYSE:MRO) to $0.07 from $0.06, Anthem (NYSE:ANTM) to $1.30 from $1.13, S&P Global (NYSE:SPGI) to $0.87 from $0.77, Franklin Electric (NASDAQ:FELE) to $.0195 from $0.175, Valvoline (NYSE:VVV) to $0.138 from $0.125, Teradyne (NASDAQ:TER) to $0.11 from $0.10, Comcast (CMCSA) to $0.27 from $0.25 and Kimberly-Clark (NYSE:KMB) to $1.21 from $1.14.
FOMC meeting preview: The FOMC meets next week with Fed watchers looking out for any wildcards on the central bank's view on full employment, the anticipated omicron impact on growth and the pace of interest rates hike. The consensus view ahead of the meeting is that the central bank will fire off three or four quarter-point rate increases this year beginning with the March 15-16 meeting. Fed funds trading suggests rate hikes for the June 14-15 meeting and September 20-21 meeting as well before the forecast gets a little more muddled. While inflation has not peaked yet, by the middle of the year the comparisons are expected to become slightly easier when the economy laps some of the re-opening burst of activity and supply chain issues. The odds of a surprise rate hike next week are considered very low, but is not completely off the table.
Apple earnings preview: Apple (AAPL) reports earnings with expectations that the Cupertino tech giant will report revenue of $118.2B and EPS of $1.88. Morgan Stanley expects Apple to guide for a relatively in-line March quarter on the back of improving iPhone production into year end and modest Services outperformance. Following the recent share price stumble, the firm says it would be buyers on any further weakness following earnings as it views AAPL as a more defensive/quality outperformer in challenging markets. Meanwhile, UBS heads into the Apple print with an expectation for FY22 iPhone units of 230M, which it calls a conservative mark given lingering supply chain headwinds and uncertain carrier promotional activity next fall and winter.
Microsoft earnings preview: Microsoft (MSFT) is forecast to churn up $50.9B in revenue for its fiscal second quarter and generate profit of $2.32 per share. Citi sees a modestly positive set-up for report based on channel checks of enterprise customers, with strength noted in particular with Office 365 and Dynamics. Morgan Stanley also sees an upward bias to the numbers Microsoft reports and expects the commentary on the second half of the year to be supportive of a share price rally.
McDonald's earnings preview: McDonald's (MCD) is expected to show more resiliency than many of it fast-food peers with its Q4 earnings report due to strong digital trends and the franchise model setting it up to weather some of the inflation pressures. Several analysts are recommending that investors buy McDonald's on any post-earnings weakness with the brand's competitive advantages seen boosting it later in the year. Keep an eye on Beyond Meat (NASDAQ:BYND) if the topic of the McPlant burger test come up on the earnings conference call.
Corporate events: Restaurant Brands International (NYSE:QSR) makes an appearance at the Barclays Global Inflation Conference on January 24. The presentation comes with fast-food chains being watched closely for their ability to pass on inflation costs to consumers. In the tech sector, the three-day GamesBeat & Facebook Gaming Summit will feature a big focus on Meta Platforms' (NYSEARCA:META) aspirations in the metaverse. The huge Microsoft-Activision Blizzard deal has also turned a brighter spotlight on what Meta plans to do in gaming. Shareholders with Sports Entertainment Acquisition Corp. (NYSE:SEAH) meet to vote on January 26 on the business combination with online gaming company Super Group in a SPAC deal. Also in the sports betting/iGaming sector, Genius Sports Limited (NYSE:GENI) hosts a virtual Investor Day on January 27.
Conferences: Notable conferences during the week include the Jefferies Winter Restaurant, Foodservice, Gaming, Lodging & Leisure Summit 2022, RW Baird Vehicle Technology & Mobility Conference, the TD Securities Mining Conference and the B. Riley Securities Oncology Conference 2022. R.W. Baird 2022 Vehicle Technology & Mobility Conference and the Barclays Global Inflation Conference.
Annual meetings: Annual general meetings of interest include Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (NYSE:SMG) on January 24, Hormel (NYSE:HRL) on January 25, ScanSource (NASDAQ:SCSC) on Janaury 26, as well as Post Holdings (NYSE:POST) on January 27.
Sources: EDGAR, Bloomberg, CNBC, Reuters, Renaissance Capital
Want More Ideas?
Our best ideas → Stock Ideas
ETF's Investing Ideas → ETF Ideas
Dividend stocks ideas → Dividend Ideas
This email was sent to you because you signed up to receive Wall Street Breakfast.
If you do not want to receive Wall Street Breakfast emails, click here to unsubscribe.
Sent by Seeking Alpha, 52 Vanderbilt Avenue, 13th floor, New York, NY 10017
EmoticonEmoticon