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Wednesday, December 17

Noteworthy macro moves today: Oil (WTI) +1.9%. Silver +3.4%. FTSE 100 Index (UK) +1.6%. 

Global equity markets are trading higher as the FTSE 100 Index in the UK surged by approximately 1.6%, driven by lower-than-expected inflation data that has bolstered expectations for an interest rate cut by the Bank of England. The consumer price index rose only 3.2% year-on-year in November, down from a previous rate of 3.6%, which has led to increased optimism among investors regarding monetary policy adjustments.

In the United States, mixed economic data continues to influence market sentiment, with retail sales figures showing a notable increase despite concerns about consumer spending stagnation. The latest reports indicate that retail sales grew more than anticipated, suggesting resilience in consumer demand and potentially supporting further Federal Reserve rate cuts amid ongoing economic uncertainties.

Additionally, oil prices have rebounded, with WTI crude up by around 1.9%. This reflects positive sentiment following a significant drop in U.S. crude inventories reported earlier this week, which exceeded market expectations and indicated tightening supply dynamics amidst geopolitical tensions (and increased talk about fresh sanctions) affecting energy markets globally.

iShares Silver Trust (SLV) [+3.7%]
Silver prices have surged recently, climbing over 3% to trade above 66.50 per ounce, marking a new record high. Commentary from gold bull Peter Schiff suggests a significant shift towards gold and silver in global markets, with projections indicating silver could reach 70 before year-end. Social media highlights spot silver's rise past 66 per ounce, reflecting strong market activity, with futures reaching an intraday high of 66.65. Additionally, SLV has increased by 30% over the past month and added another 3.76% overnight. Platinum has also seen a rise of nearly 3%, which may correlate with movements in the silver market, reinforcing the upward trend in precious metals.

iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (EWU) [+1.0%]
The U.K. Consumer Price Index (CPI) for November decreased to 3.2%, falling below the estimated 3.5% and down from 3.6% in October, with a monthly decline of 0.2%. This decline contrasts with expectations of no change and a prior increase of 0.4%. The U.K. Producer Price Index (PPI) Input rose by 0.3% month-over-month, exceeding the expected 0.2%. Following this data, U.K. stock market indexes rebounded, rising over 1%. The FTSE 100 index surged by more than 1.5% due to the cooler-than-expected inflation, enhancing expectations for an interest rate cut by the Bank of England. The iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (EWU) reported a daily return of approximately 0.9%. Among its holdings, HSBC and BP contributed positively, while movements in GBP/USD had a negative impact on performance. Additionally, platinum prices increased significantly, reflecting broader market sentiment that could influence UK equities.

JBL | +7.0% | +1.9B
Jabil Inc | Electronic Manufacturing Services
Jabil Inc. reported its first-quarter results, delivering an adjusted EPS of 2.85, exceeding the estimate of 2.70, alongside sales of 8.305 billion, surpassing the expected 8.086 billion. The company raised its fiscal 2026 adjusted EPS guidance from 11.00 to 11.55, above the consensus of 11.12, and increased its revenue outlook from 31.3 billion to 32.4 billion, compared to the consensus of 31.57 billion. For the second quarter, Jabil anticipates an adjusted EPS between 2.27 and 2.67 and revenue between 7.5 billion and 8.0 billion. Additionally, social media discussions highlighted key economic events scheduled for Wednesday, including U.S. retail sales and a 20-Year Bond Auction, as well as earnings reports from Jabil Inc., General Mills, and Micron Technology.

LEN | -5.5% | -1.7B
Lennar Corp | Homebuilding
Lennar Corp. reported its fourth-quarter financial results, revealing an adjusted EPS of 2.03, which fell short of the consensus estimate of 2.21. Revenue reached 9.4 billion, exceeding expectations of 9.01 billion. New orders increased by 18% year-over-year to 20,018 homes, while deliveries rose by 4% to 23,034 homes. The backlog comprised 13,936 homes valued at 5.2 billion. Nevertheless, the average sales price dropped by 10% year-over-year to 386,000, and gross margins on home sales contracted to 17.0% from 22.1% the previous year. For Q1 fiscal 2026, the company anticipates delivering between 17,000 and 18,000 homes at an average sales price of 365,000 to 375,000. Following the earnings report, shares declined approximately 3.7% in after-hours trading, with social media discussions highlighting a concerning outlook for the winter quarter and an implied earnings move of ±5.84% anticipated for Wednesday.

ALB | +4.2% | +667.2M
Albemarle Corp | Specialty Chemicals
The Natural Resource Authority in Yichun, China's main lithium-producing region, has revoked 27 mining licenses, contributing to a rise in share prices for lithium producers, including Albemarle Corp, which increased notably in premarket trading. Additionally, a social media post welcomed Morgan Stanley into discussions regarding Albemarle and the lithium sector. The Vanguard ESG International Stock ETF experienced a slight increase, suggesting a mild correlation with broader market sentiments that may also affect Albemarle's recent price movement.

TLRY | +5.5% | +671.1M
Tilray Brands Inc | Pharmaceuticals
Shares of Tilray Brands Inc have rebounded into positive territory following a period of decline earlier in the week. This resurgence coincides with President Trump's confirmation that his administration is actively considering reclassifying cannabis at the federal level, a potential regulatory change that could significantly impact the cannabis industry. On October 16th, TLRY shares experienced a notable surge, contrasting with a loss in the S&P 500 and a slight gain in the Nasdaq Composite. Earlier, on October 14th, TLRY shares had surged over the week as investor sentiment improved in anticipation of these developments. Additionally, Canopy Growth Corp has seen a significant increase, which may reflect broader market sentiment within the cannabis sector and influence Tilray's recent price action.

RKLB | +2.2% | +624.7M
Rocket Lab USA Inc | Aerospace & Defense
Rocket Lab USA Inc. has announced the acceleration of its STP-S30 mission for the U.S. Space Force's Space Systems Command, now scheduled for launch on December 18, 2025, at 05:00 UTC. This change reflects the company's responsiveness to governmental demands for space access. The Electron rocket will deploy four DiskSats into a 550km low Earth orbit, designed to test maneuverability and orbit-changing capabilities using electric propulsion. This announcement follows Rocket Lab's recent successful launch from its Launch Complex 2 at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport in Virginia. Social media discussions have highlighted this acceleration as a positive surprise, emphasizing Rocket Lab's agility in meeting urgent requirements from government clients.

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