EmailThe consumer discretionary group is in-line with the broader market in early trade. The retail group is also in the red with the Retail HOLDRS Trust (RTH) -0.3% and the SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT) -0.4%. Trading higher following earnings/guidance: WEN +2.9%, AM +1.5%... Trading lower following earnings/guidance: FDO -4.1%, SJR -1.2%.
Other notable mentions: CMCSA flat (FCC resolves investigation of Comcast-NBCU broadband-related merger conditions; ensures consumer access to reasonably priced broadband internet service), Leaders: HAR 0.7% (doubles annual dividend to $0.60/share), Laggards: RSH -1.5% (Scott E. Young resigned as Executive Vice President—Chief Merchandise Officer), DG -1.4% (announces pricing of $500 mln of senior notes), NWSA -0.7% (confirms intent to pursue separation of entertainment and publishing businesses to enhance strategic alignment and increase operational flexibility), AMZN -1.2% (new Kindle Fire to start shipping in August, according to reports).
Analyst related: Upgrades: MDAS 2.7% (upgraded to Outperform from Neutral at Cowen), MHP -0.1% (upgraded to Buy at The Benchmark Company; tgt $53)... Misc: ANGI -0.5% (initiated with a Market Perform at Wells Fargo), SHFL 4.8% (initiated with a Buy at Deutsche Bank), COH -1.1% (initiated with a Neutral at Wedbush), F 0.1% (initiated with a Hold at Stifel Nicolaus), EBAY -2.7% (Hearing early weakness being attributed to cautious comments on sales expectations from ITG), PETM 0.9% (Hearing mentioned positively at ITG), DG -1.4% (lower following FDO results but also hearing mentioned positively at ITG).
