July 31, 2020

Stocks  – FB, AMZN, MSFT, GILD, AAPL, 700

Macro – SPY, QQQ, EWJ, 

Mike’s Reading The Markets (RTM) Premium Content – NOW WITH A 2 WEEK FREE TRIAL 

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MICHAEL KRAMER AND THE CLIENTS OF MOTT CAPITAL OWNS AAPL AND MSFT

Stocks are rising following the “strong” quarterly results last night. But the results in some cases were misleading because expectations had been reduced so greatly. For example, Facebook delivered better than expected revenue and earnings, but revenue growth was just 11% there slowest growth rate in many quarters. At the same time, Analysts had been looking for revenue in the first quarter of $20.3 billion at the beginning of March, and it declined to $17.4 billion, a drop of 14.2%.  

Meanwhile, Apple saw its revenue estimates drop from about $59.8 billion to $52.2 at the end of March, a drop of 11.1%. Simply put,  both companies beat severely reduced expectations, and without providing any guidance, it, in my opinion, dilutes the appearance of what are strong results. Not to mention Apple had more iPad and Mac sales this quarter then they did in many quarters. Is it repeatable? Probably not, everyone was running out and getting their kids iPads and Laptops in April when they were ordered to home school. I had to buy two laptops.

The only one of the four that delivered strong results, sort of was Amazon, because analysts were actually raising their revenue numbers into the results, and Amazon still beat those numbers. But then again, AWS’s revenue growth fell to 29% its slowest growth rate ever.

So while Microsoft delivered blockbuster results, the stock has suffered because Azure grew below 50%, at 49%, and since reporting results, the shares have fallen by 5%. Microsoft was even punished for giving mostly inline guidance. But yet, Apple and Facebook provided no guidance, and the stocks are rising? Make no sense to me. The bottom line, I’d be careful with this setup this morning and would be curious to see where they close. Probably lower, then where they start.

Remember Tesla? So be careful. Again, 81% of S&P 500 companies have smashed their estimates in the second quarter, and that is because these massive beats are coming on watered-down results from companies that gave no guidance. If anything, it tells you just how bad analysts are at forecasting results without guidance. 

Look, I own Apple and Alphabet, but I also so own Tesla and Microsoft, so are the big moves frustrating for me to see. Yes.

Amazon (AMZN)

I would watch Amazon closely; it needs to push through 3,275 this morning. 

Facebook (FB)

Facebook will need to close above $250 today. 

Nikkei 

Meanwhile, the Nikkei didn’t care much about the big tech’s significant results. The index was smoked down 2.8% and fell below some essential support at 21,980. A strong yen is not going to be helpful for Japanese equities. 

Tencent 

Even Tencent didn’t get a boost, falling by 20 bps. 

S&P 500 (SPY)

Meanwhile, we will see if the S&P 500 futures can push through resistance at 3,272.

Nasdaq (QQQ)

Meanwhile, the NASDAQ 100 futures are failing to make a new high, and topping out at the lower high they made last week.

Gilead (GILD)

Anyway, poor Gilead is trading lower because it missed estimates all around. But then again it didn’t get the same love when it came to reductions, only with revenue estimates falling to $5.3 billion from $5.6 billion, a reduction of just 7%. Man, if they had only gotten the same love as Facebook. They could have crushed it too. Anyway, now the stock is likely on its way to $67.

Nobody ever said investing was fair. 

-Mike

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