(Repeats from Friday with no changes to text. Updates chart)
** S&P 500 .SPX snaps 9-week winning streak, loses 1.5% in
sluggish start to 2024 as investors recalibrate expected
interest rate cuts .N
** Indeed, traders eye support as longest SPX weekly win
streak since 2004 ends. Benchmark index has worst 4-day start to
a year since 2016
** This, as small-cap tech stamps its feet vs large-cap tech
** Majority of sectors begin the new year feeling lousy:
tech and consumer discretionary biggest headaches, while
healthcare and utilities raise the shades
** Tech .SPLRCT sags 4.1%. Apple AAPL.O hits 7-week low
after Barclays issues rare "sell" equivalent rating on device
demand concerns, and slips further after another downgrade
Chip stocks tumble after strongest year since 2009;
semiconductor index .SOX slides ~6%
Tech was timely in '23, but what could be in store in '24?
** Consumer Staples .SPLRCS flat. But Walgreens WBA.O
slumps ~4% as it nearly halves dividend to save more cash amid
low consumer spending, intense competition
** Financials .SPSY tick up 0.3%. Citigroup C.N gains as
Wells Fargo analyst hikes PT, sees stock doubling over 3 years.
C rises nearly 6%
** Energy .SPNY lifts 1.1%. Sector up as Middle East
tensions prevail O/R .
Though Permian basin oil producer APA Corp APA.O drops on
$4.5 bln buyout of Callon Petroleum CPE.N
** Healthcare .SPXHC rallies 2.1%. Eli Lilly LLY.N
launches website, home delivery option for weight-loss drug. LLY
notches 6% weekly gain
** Meanwhile, what happens when Santa's sleigh gets stuck?
And the January effect - too soon?
** SPX performance YTD:
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SP 500 2024 YTD THROUGH JANUARY 5 https://tmsnrt.rs/3TLKR85
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(Lance Tupper and Terence Gabriel are Reuters market analysts.
The views expressed are their own)
((lance.tupper.tr.com@reuters.net
lance.tupper@tr.com
terence.gabriel.tr.com@reuters.net
terence.gabriel@tr.com))