Posted on March 29, 2022.

1. Stocks set to rise, with Dow, S&P 500 on winning streaks

All three benchmarks turned losses intraday Monday into gains by the close.
The Dow and S&P 500 were roughly 5% below their early January record closes.
The Nasdaq, while clawing its way higher recently, was still in a correction, down more than 10% from its November 2021 record close.
Home prices heated up to start the year, with huge surges in Arizona and Florida, according to the S&P Case-Shiller report, which was released before the opening bell Tuesday. Consumer confidence data is set for release at 10 a.m. ET.

2. Yield curve inversion recession signal still flashing

The 5-year Treasury yield was still higher than the 30-year yield Tuesday morning, one day after doing so for the first time since 2006. This type of inversion has in the past happened before recessions. However, the main spread that traders watch — the 2-year Treasury yield and the benchmark 10-year yield — remained intact.

3. Saudi energy minister says politics not part of oil decisions

Oil prices dropped 5% Tuesday on hope out of Russia-Ukraine talks. West Texas Intermediate crude, the U.S. benchmark, fell more than 8% on Monday as concerns over new Covid lockdowns in China and the potential for curtailed demand sent prices tumbling. Ahead of this week’s OPEC+ meeting, Saudi Arabia’s energy minister told CNBC on Tuesday that international producers will keep politics out of their decision-making in favor of the “common good” of stabilizing energy prices. OPEC+ has faced pressure to boost oil output with crude prices still around $100 per barrel in the wake of energy powerhouse Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

4. Russian and Ukrainian delegates resume peace talks in Istanbul

Peace talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegates resumed in Istanbul on Tuesday. As negotiations began, three humanitarian corridors have been opened in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Deputy U.S. Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo told CNBC on Tuesday that America will hold accountable anyone seeking to help Russia bypass sanctions for its unprovoked attack on Ukraine. The war has triggered a humanitarian crisis, sent shock waves through financial markets and left Russia increasingly isolated on the global stage.

5. FedEx founder Fred Smith will step down as CEO

FedEx said late Monday that Fred Smith will step down on June 1 as CEO of the package delivery giant he founded. He’ll be succeeded by FedEx President and Chief Operating Officer Raj Subramaniam. Smith will become executive chairman. FedEx, which the 77-year-old founded, started operations in 1973 — and over the next half-century Smith oversaw the growth of a company that became an economic bellwether.

Original Post: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/29/5-things-to-know-before-the-stock-market-opens-tuesday-march-29.html

Merchant Policies