Stocks Settle Mixed on Soft US Economic News

Economic Indicators - The US Dec S&P manufacturing PMI fell by -0.4 to a 5-month low of 51.8, weaker than expectations of 52.1 [1] - US Oct retail sales were unchanged month-over-month, weaker than expectations of +0.1%, while retail sales excluding autos rose by +0.4%, stronger than expectations of +0.2% [2] - US Nov average hourly earnings rose by +0.1% month-over-month and +3.5% year-over-year, which is the smallest year-on-year increase in 4.5 years, and weaker than expectations of +0.3% month-over-month and +3.6% year-over-year [2] Employment Data - US Nov nonfarm payrolls rose by +64,000, stronger than expectations of +50,000, while Oct nonfarm payrolls fell by -105,000, weaker than expectations of -25,000 [3] - The Nov unemployment rate rose by +0.1 to a 4-year high of 4.6% [3] Stock Market Performance - Stock indexes settled mixed, with the S&P 500 falling to a 3-week low, while the Nasdaq 100 rose by +0.26% due to strength in technology stocks [5][6] - Energy producers faced significant sell-offs, with WTI crude oil falling more than -2% to a 4.75-year low, impacting stocks like Phillips 66 and Baker Hughes [5][14] Company-Specific Movements - Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp closed down more than -7% after announcing the resignation of its CFO [16] - Humana closed down more than -6% after forecasting full-year adjusted EPS below consensus [16] - Pfizer Inc closed down more than -3% after forecasting 2026 revenue below consensus [16] - Comcast closed up more than +5% after speculation of activist investor involvement [17] - Cognex closed up more than +5% after a double-upgrade from Goldman Sachs [18]