What's moving markets today

Updated 4:59 p.m. ET, January 10, 2019
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4:24 p.m. ET, January 10, 2019

Oil hasn't done this in nearly a decade: 9 straight gains

CNN Business' Matt Egan

The oil market is really earning its boom-to-bust reputation lately.

US oil prices climbed to $52.59 a barrel on Thursday, advancing for the ninth day in a row. That hasn't happened since a streak that ended January 6, 2010, according to S&P Global Platts.

Fears about excess supply and waning demand sent crude crashing into a bear market in the fall. Oil plunged as much as 44%.

But thanks to Thursday's steady gain, oil is now up 24% since falling to $42.53 a barrel on Christmas Eve.

At least oil traders can't complain they're bored.

2:12 p.m. ET, January 10, 2019

MGM shares rise over activist investor interest

From CNN Business' Jordan Valinsky

Reports that activist hedge fund Starboard Value is building a stake in MGM Resorts International (MGM) sent shares up nearly 2%.

It's unclear what Starboard's intent is and how much it has invested in the casino chain. MGM Resorts owns 28 resorts around the world.

MGM had a rough 2018: The stock shed nearly one-third of its value and reported weak bookings in Las Vegas.

1:11 p.m. ET, January 10, 2019

Stock market reacts to Powell

From CNN Business' Paul R. La Monica

Stocks moved modestly (to use one of the Fed's favorite words to describe the economy's growth) once Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell began speaking at an event at the Economic Club of Washington today. The Dow was up a bit at first as Powell talked about the economy but later dipped ever so slightly into the red.

Powell didn't really say anything that he hadn't said previously about the justification for last year's rate hikes, and he didn't give any major hints about the Fed's plans for the future. He reiterated that the Fed does not take political factors into consideration when deciding what to do with rates.

The market had been relatively calm before Powell began speaking.

1:34 p.m. ET, January 10, 2019

Live analysis: What Powell is saying

From CNN Business' Matt Egan

1:30 pm: Toward the end of his talk, Powell sought to emphasize the Fed is willing to change its plans -- if needed.

"We're very flexible in adapting our policy if the economy moves, as it often does, in ways we don't expect," he said.

1:14 pm: Powell isn't buying into that 2019 recession talk.

“I don’t see anything that suggests the possibility of a recession in the near term is at all elevated,” he said.

Why? Powell said recent recessions have been caused by the Fed having to “hit the brakes” to combat high inflation or “asset bubbles.” Right now, the Fed doesn’t see evidence of either.

“I don’t see a recession,” Powell said.

However, the Fed chief is less bullish on the world economy. “The US economy is solid. There is good momentum going into this year. The principal worry is global growth,” he said. 

1:08 pm: Here's more evidence of Wall Street's focus on the Fed's balance sheet: Powell reiterated that the Fed wants to have its balance sheet "return to a more normal level."

Asked what qualifies for "normal," Powell said "I don't know the exact level."He noted that the balance sheet has declined to about $4 trillion, but that before the 2008 crisis it was below $1 trillion.

"It will be substantially smaller than it is now," Powell said.

Stocks turned negative after the comments, with the Dow recently down about 35 points.

1:05 pm: Powell is sounding cautious about the impact of a prolonged government shutdown.

“If we have an extended shutdown, I do think that would show up in the data pretty clearly,” Powell said.

But he noted that the economic data would also be muddied because the shutdown is impacting the Commerce Department, which operates the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the Census Bureau. Reports like retail sales and GDP could be sidelined.

“We would have a less clear picture into the economy if it were to go on much longer,” Powell said.

12:56 pm: Asked if he's bothered by President Donald Trump's attacks on the Fed, Powell said "no."

"We do not take political factors into consideration in our discussions or decisions at all."

Powell seemed open to, though not enthusiastic, about a potential meeting with Trump.

"I’m not aware of any Fed chair turning down an invitation from the White House, nor do I think that would be appropriate," Powell said.

But when Rubenstein asked if he'd be happy to accept an invitation, Powell simply repeated: "I'm not aware of anyone not accepting it."

12:48 pm: Powell describes the labor market as "very strong," but acknowledges the market turmoil.

"Financial markets are expressing a view of concern about downside risks associated with global growth and with trade," Powell said.

Asked if the Fed still plans two rate hikes, Powell emphasized there is not on a set course.

"We're in a place where we can be patient and flexible," he said. "We're waiting and watching."

Earlier: Jerome Powell has been moving markets – up and down – lately. The Fed chief will be in focus again this afternoon as he fields questions at the Economic Club of Washington.

Powell is scheduled to be interviewed soon by David Rubenstein, the billionaire co-founder of the Carlyle Group.

Soothing words from Powell on interest rates and the Fed’s balance sheet helped propel markets last Friday. That amounted to a redo for Powell, whose comments during a December 19 press conference deepened fear on Wall Street.

Which Powell will show up on Thursday? Stay tuned for live updates.

11:45 a.m. ET, January 10, 2019

BlackRock will lay off 3% of its workforce

From CNN Business' Julia Horowitz

BlackRock (BLK), the world’s largest asset manager, plans to lay off 500 employees globally, or 3% of its workforce.

President Rob Kapito detailed the cuts in an internal memo seen by CNN Business.

"As our industry undergoes an era of significant change, we can continue to outperform by building our business in high-growth markets," he said in the note sent this morning. "But executing on this strategy requires that we move decisively to refocus resources where the impact will be greatest."

Even after the cuts, Kapito said BlackRock’s headcount will be 4% higher compared to a year ago. The company will report its earnings from the final three months of 2018 next week.

11:35 a.m. ET, January 10, 2019

Midday market update: Dow erases early losses + Oil turns positive

From CNN Business' Matt Egan

Markets have bounced back from an early selloff:

  • As of late morning, the Dow was trading with slight gains. That reverses a decline of as much as 176 points.
  • The S&P 500 and Nasdaq were basically back to unchanged.
  • US oil prices edged 0.1% higher to $52.40 a barrel, flirting with a ninth straight day of gains.

Retailers haven't enjoyed a rebound though. Macy's remains down 18% after posting dreary results and cutting its guidance.

Now the question is how markets will react to Fed chief Jerome Powell's 12 p.m. ET speech.

11:52 a.m. ET, January 10, 2019

Target shares take a hit

From CNN Business' Jordan Valinsky

Shares of Target (TGT) are down nearly 4%, after it reported strong sales figures for the holiday shopping season.

Sales soared 5.7% for the past holiday season — an increase of more than 2% compared to the same period in 2017. Online sales surged 29% compared to last year.

But some analysts are speculating that the free two-day shipping with no minimum purchase that Target offered over the holidays will hurt its profit margins.

Even our Paul R. La Monica isn't totally sure why the stock is falling:

Other retailers are also down: Shares of Macy's, Kohl's and Nordstrom are all falling.

11:23 a.m. ET, January 10, 2019

What's behind the job cuts at Jaguar Land Rover and Ford

CNN's Julia Chatterley and Anna Stewart discuss how Brexit and China factor into an auto sales slump.

9:46 a.m. ET, January 10, 2019

Red-hot Dow slides 100 points at the open

From CNN Business' Matt Egan

The recovery in the stock market is running into a bit of resistance.

  • The Dow fell 100 points as trading opened on Thursday, giving back a slice of its recent surge.
  • The S&P 500 declined 0.6%, putting it on pace to end a four-day win streak.
  • The Nasdaq lost 0.7%.

Thursday’s early slide was mostly driven by poor earnings and guidance from major companies and waning optimism about US-China trade talks. US oil prices were also lower after eight straight days of gains.

Macy’s plunged 18% after posting gloomy holiday sales and slashing its outlook, leading a bloodbath in the retail space. American Airlines tumbled 10% after dimming its guidance.