Stocks rise on Wall Street after 3 days of losses

  • Tuesday, January 28, 2014 4:19pm
  • Business

By Steve Rothwell

Associated Press

NEW YORK — Investors’ jitters over emerging markets faded on Tuesday and U.S. stocks rose for the first time in four days.

Global stock markets stabilized after three turbulent days when investors grew worried about growth in China and other developing economies. The sell-off began last Thursday, when a survey for January showed that Chinese manufacturing was set to contract, dragging down stocks in Asia, Europe and the U.S. The slide continued on Friday as currencies in countries including Argentina and Turkey slumped. On Monday, Asian markets dropped, although the selling on Wall Street eased.

By Tuesday, though, global markets regained their calm. In the U.S., earnings gains from big companies, including Pfizer, Comcast and D.R. Horton helped lift stock indexes. One area of disappointment, though, was Apple, whose weak revenue forecast pushed its stock to the biggest one-day loss in a year.

The stock market has fallen 3 percent in January. In 2013 the market rose 5 percent in the first month, on its way to a 30 percent rise for the year, climbing to record levels.

While the market has not had a correction, a drop of 10 percent or more, since October 2011, many believe that the rally has yet to run its course.

“I tend to interpret the choppiness and downward movement in share prices so far this year as just a little bit of a stumble off the starting block,” said John Carey, a portfolio manager at Pioneer Investments. “This is a temporary situation.”

The Standard &Poor’s 500 index rose 10.94 points, or 0.6 percent, to 1,792.50. The Dow Jones industrial average gained 90.68 points, or 0.6 percent, to 15,928.56. The Nasdaq composite climbed 14.35 points, or 0.4 percent, to 4,097.96.

Nine of the 10 sectors that make up the S&P 500 index rose. Health care and financial stocks were the two best-performing sectors. The technology sector was the only one to fall.

Apple slumped $44, or 8 percent, to $506.50 after the company’s first-quarter results released late Monday disappointed investors. First-quarter shipments of iPhones were below expectations, reinforcing perceptions that Apple is now mostly selling its mobile devices to repeat customers who are upgrading, instead of reeling in new customers. Apple also provided a cautious second-quarter revenue forecast.

A key reason that financial markets stabilized on Tuesday was the widespread expectation that Turkey’s central bank would raise interest rates later that day. The higher rates would shore up Turkey’s slumping currency and fight inflation.

After U.S. markets closed, Turkey’s central bank announced a sharp increase in its benchmark interest rate, to 12 percent from 7.75 percent. Relieved investors sent the Turkish currency, the lira, surging against the dollar. The lira’s plunge last week was at the center of an emerging-market slump that prompted the global sell-off in stocks.

The Argentine peso also stabilized Tuesday after a big drop on Friday when the government was forced to relax restrictions on the purchase of U.S. dollars. The peso dropped 0.3 percent to 8.02 per dollar on Tuesday.

Investors will once again focus on earnings Wednesday.

Fourth-quarter results at major U.S. companies are projected to rise by 6.3 percent from the same period a year earlier. Of companies that have reported results, about two-thirds have met or beaten expectations, according to S&P Capital IQ.

After signs of accelerating economic growth in the fourth quarter, some investors are disappointed that companies aren’t seeing stronger demand.

“People were hoping, generally, for better earnings,” said David Lafferty, chief market strategist for Natixis Global Asset Management. “We’ve sort of met expectations, but we haven’t significantly exceeded them.”

Investors will also be focusing on the Federal Reserve.

Most analysts expect that the Fed will announce that it will further reduce its bond purchases by $10 billion to $65 billion following a two-day meeting that began Tuesday. The central bank has been buying bonds to hold down long-term interest rates and encourage lending and hiring. The policy also helped power a rally last year, when the S&P 500 index had its biggest annual gain since 1997.

In government bond trading, the yield on the 10-year Treasury note held steady at 2.75 percent.

In commodities trading, the price of oil rose $1.69, or 1.8 percent, to $97.41 a barrel. Gold fell $12.60, or 1 percent, to $1,251.80 an ounce.

Among stocks making big moves:

— Homebuilder D.R. Horton was the biggest gainer in the S&P 500 index, surging $2.06, or 9.8 percent, to $23. The stock gained after Horton reported that its fiscal first-quarter net income jumped 86 percent as selling prices for its houses rose. Other house builders including PutleGroup and Lennar also rose.

— Pfizer gained 76 cents, or 2.6 percent, to $30.42 after the company’s earnings beat analyst expectations, helped by lower costs.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Business

Lynnwood
New Jersey auto group purchases Lynnwood Lexus dealership land

Holman, which owns Lexus of Seattle in Lynnwood, bought property on which the dealership resides.

Two couples walk along Hewitt Avenue around lunchtime on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett businesses say it’s time the city had its own Chamber of Commerce

The state’s seventh-largest city hasn’t had a chamber since 2011. After 13 years, businesses are rallying for its return.

Students Mary Chapman, left, and Nano Portugal, right, work together with a fusion splicer and other equipment during a fiber optic technician training demonstration at Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Sno-Isle students on the path to becoming fiber professionals

The state will roll out $1.2 billion to close gaps in internet access. But not enough professionals are working to build the infrastructure.

Washingtonians lost $250M to scammers in 2023

Identity theft, imposter scams and phony online ads were the most common schemes, a new study says.

LETI founder and president Rosario Reyes, left, and LETI director of operations Thomas Laing III, right, pose for a photo at the former Paroba College in Everett, Washington on Saturday, June 1, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Woman brings Latino culture to business education in Snohomish County

Rosario Reyes spent the past 25 years helping other immigrants thrive. Now, she’s focused on sustaining her legacy.

Annie Crawley poses for a photo with her scuba gear at Brackett’s Landing near the Port of Edmonds on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Edmonds ocean activist to kids: Life is better under the sea

From clownfish to kelp, Annie Crawley has been teaching kids and adults about the ocean’s wonders for three decades.

Reed Macdonald, magniX CEO. Photo: magniX
Everett-based magniX appoints longtime aerospace exec as new CEO

Reed Macdonald will take the helm at a pivotal time for the company that builds electric motors for airplanes.

People walk along a newly constructed bridge at the Big Four Ice Caves hike along the Mountain Loop Highway in Snohomish County, Washington on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Check out the best tourist attractions in Snohomish County

Here’s a taste of what to do and see in Snohomish County, from shopping to sky diving.

People walk out of the Columbia Clearance Store at Seattle Premium Outlets on Thursday, April 25, 2024 in Quil Ceda Village, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Head to Tulalip for retail recreation at Seattle Premium Outlets

The outlet mall has over 130 shops. You might even bring home a furry friend.

Brandon Baker, deputy director for the Port of Edmonds, shows off the port's new logo. Credit: Port of Edmonds
A new logo sets sail for the Port of Edmonds

Port officials say after 30 years it was time for a new look

Penny Clark, owner of Travel Time of Everett Inc., at her home office on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In a changing industry, travel agents ‘so busy’ navigating modern travel

While online travel tools are everywhere, travel advisers still prove useful — and popular, says Penny Clark, of Travel Time in Arlington.

Travis Furlanic shows the fluorescent properties of sulfur tuft mushrooms during a Whidbey Wild Mushroom Tour at Tilth Farmers Market on Saturday, April 27, 2024 in Langley, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
On Whidbey Island, local fungi forager offers educational mushroom tours

Every spring and fall, Travis Furlanic guides groups through county parks. His priority, he said, is education.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.