Stocks Pressured by Higher Bond Yields and Chip Stock Weakness

Economic Indicators - September factory orders are expected to rise by +0.3% month-over-month [1] - September personal spending and personal income are both expected to increase by +0.3% month-over-month [1] - The September core PCE price index is anticipated to climb by +0.2% month-over-month and +2.8% year-over-year [1] - The University of Michigan's December consumer sentiment index is expected to rise by +1.0 to 52.0 [1] Labor Market - US weekly initial unemployment claims fell by -27,000 to a 3-year low of 191,000, contrary to expectations of an increase to 220,000 [3] - November Challenger job cuts rose by +23.5% year-over-year to 71,321, which is the highest for November in three years but lower than the expected +48.0% year-over-year increase [3] Corporate Earnings - 83% of S&P 500 companies exceeded earnings forecasts in Q3, marking the best quarter since 2021, with earnings rising by +14.6%, significantly above the expected +7.2% year-over-year [7] - Dollar General's Q3 net sales reached $10.65 billion, surpassing the consensus of $10.62 billion, and the company raised its 2026 net sales forecast to +4.7% to +4.9% [13] - Hormel Foods reported Q4 adjusted EPS of 32 cents, exceeding the consensus of 30 cents, and forecasted 2026 adjusted EPS of $1.43 to $1.51 [14] - Five Below reported Q3 net sales of $1.04 billion, stronger than the consensus of $975.3 million, and raised its 2025 net sales forecast to $4.62 billion to $4.65 billion [15] Stock Market Movements - Dollar General's stock rose more than +8% following its positive earnings report [13] - Meta Platforms increased by more than +3% after announcing budget cuts for its metaverse group [14] - Micron Technology led losses in the Nasdaq 100, down more than -3% [12] - Kroger's stock fell more than -5% after reporting Q3 sales of $33.9 billion, below the consensus of $34.2 billion [18]