The markets returned from the holiday break with a round of selling pressure as financial stocks were weak. The Dow 30 was off 55, the S&P 500 lost 6, and the Nasdaq 100 sold off 35. Tomorrow traders will look to the Fed for more information. The Fed's beige book will be out along with a speech from Fed chairwoman Janet Yellen.
Walmart (WMT ) was a big mover with shares gaining 1.94% despite the market selloff. The retailer said it will create 10,000 US jobs this year with most of the additional positions in its stores, including 59 Walmart and Sam's Club sites it plans to open, remodel or expand. The news comes in response to Amazon (AMZN ) announcing last week that they would create 100,000 US jobs in the next 18 months. Although shares were strong they did close well off the highs of the session as the market weakness pulled on retail stocks.
Morgan Stanley (MS ) suffered a 3.79% down day today despite reporting fourth quarter earnings and revenue that were well past Wall streets expectations. Profit doubled from a year ago to $1.51 billion, or $0.81 cents a share, as bond trading revenue surged after the election, but investors took the opportunity to close out their positions on the good news today which sent the markets, as well as the financial stocks lower today.
United Health (UNH ) fell 0.70%% today despite doing pretty well on earnings. The company announced a beat on both its top and bottom lines for the fourth quarter. Profit was also strong, jumping 56% from a year ago thanks to strength in its pharmacy benefit management business and an increase in its memberships.