Stubborn inflation is weighing heavily on shoppers' mood, according to the University of Michigan's survey. ...

Ernest HoffmanErnest Hoffman is a Crypto and Market Reporter for Kitco News. He has over 15 years of experience as a writer, editor, broadcaster and producer for media, educational and cultural organizations. Ernest began working in market news in 2007, establishing the broadcast division of CEP News in Montreal, Canada, where he developed the fastest web-based audio news service in the world and produced economic news videos in partnership with MSN and the TMX. He has a Bachelor's degree Specialization in ...

Consumer Sentiment - US consumer sentiment declined to a five-month low in October [1] - Concerns about persistently high prices and their financial impact contributed to the decline [1]

UK households were more inclined to splash out on big-ticket items in October than at any point in almost four years despite the threat of tax increases, according to a long-running survey of consumer sentiment https://t.co/KdlVinGiol ...

Consumer Sentiment - U.S. consumer sentiment declined in October, with the University of Michigan's preliminary reading at 55, down from 55.1 in September, but above analysts' expectations of 54.1 [4] - Short-term inflation expectations eased slightly to 4.6% over the next 12 months, down from 4.7% the previous month, while long-term expectations remained unchanged at 3.7% [5] Market Environment - Overall consumer confidence remains low due to economic uncertainty, leading to increased volatility in Wall Street, exacerbated by fears of a trade dispute with China [2][7] - The ongoing government shutdown has contributed to market volatility, with all three major stock indexes ending lower last week [7] Defensive Stocks - In the current market environment, investors are advised to focus on low-beta, defensive stocks, particularly in the consumer staples sector, to mitigate market fluctuations [3] - Companies such as Energizer Holdings, Grocery Outlet, United Natural Foods, and Ollie's Bargain Outlet are highlighted for their steady earnings growth and improved estimates [9] Company Insights - **Energizer Holdings, Inc.**: Expected earnings growth rate of 8.7% for the current year, with a 1.4% improvement in earnings estimates over the last 60 days [8] - **Grocery Outlet Holding Corp.**: Expected earnings growth rate of 1.3% for the current year, with a 1.3% improvement in earnings estimates over the last 60 days [10] - **United Natural Foods, Inc.**: Expected earnings growth rate exceeds 100% for the current year, with a 24% improvement in earnings estimates over the past 60 days [12] - **Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc.**: Expected earnings growth rate of 16.5% for the current year, with a 2.1% improvement in earnings estimates over the last 60 days [14]

Market Overview - U.S. stocks experienced a decline, with the Nasdaq Composite falling approximately 2.5% on Friday. The Dow increased by 1.26% to 45,772.50, while the S&P 500 rose by 1.79% to 6,614.73 [1] - Consumer staples shares increased by 0.6%, while energy stocks decreased by 0.6% on the same day [1] Economic Indicators - The University of Michigan consumer sentiment index decreased to 55 in October from 55.1 in September, slightly above market expectations of 54.2 [2][10] Commodity Market - Oil prices fell by 4.2% to $58.94, while gold prices rose by 0.7% to $3,999.90. Silver increased by 2.7% to $48.440, and copper rose by 0.6% to $5.1540 [5] European Market - European shares were predominantly lower, with the eurozone's STOXX 600 declining by 0.23%. Spain's IBEX 35 Index was an exception, rising by 0.45% [6] Asian Market - Asian markets closed mostly lower, with Japan's Nikkei 225 down by 1.01% and Hong Kong's Hang Seng index falling by 1.73%. China's Shanghai Composite decreased by 0.94%, while India's BSE Sensex rose by 0.40% [7] Company Performance - Quoin Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. (NASDAQ:QNRX) shares surged by 293% to $32.10 following a $104.5 million private placement [9] - ESS Tech, Inc. (NYSE:GWH) saw an 83% increase to $3.15 after announcing an agreement for a battery system addition [9] - Applied Digital Corporation (NASDAQ:APLD) shares rose by 24% to $36.46 after reporting better-than-expected first-quarter results, with Needham raising its price target from $21 to $41 [9] - Bollinger Innovations, Inc. (NASDAQ:BINI) shares dropped by 58% to $0.5856 due to a move to OTC markets [9] - Venture Global, Inc. (NASDAQ:VG) shares fell by 20% to $10.07 after resolving arbitration with significant damage risks, with Mizuho downgrading the stock [9] - Tian Ruixiang Holdings Ltd. (NASDAQ:TIRX) shares decreased by 39% to $1.4380 following a $3 million registered direct offering announcement [9]

Market Overview - U.S. stocks experienced a decline, with the Nasdaq Composite falling approximately 2.5% on Friday. The Dow increased by 1.26% to 45,772.50, while the S&P 500 rose by 1.79% to 6,614.73 [1] - Consumer staples shares increased by 0.6%, while energy stocks decreased by 0.6% on the same day [1] Economic Indicators - The University of Michigan consumer sentiment index decreased to 55 in October from 55.1 in September, slightly above market expectations of 54.2 [2][10] Commodity Market - Oil prices fell by 4.2% to $58.94, while gold prices rose by 0.7% to $3,999.90. Silver increased by 2.7% to $48.440, and copper rose by 0.6% to $5.1540 [5] European Market - European shares were predominantly lower, with the eurozone's STOXX 600 declining by 0.23%. Spain's IBEX 35 Index was an exception, rising by 0.45% [6] Asian Market - Asian markets closed mostly lower, with Japan's Nikkei 225 down by 1.01% and Hong Kong's Hang Seng index falling by 1.73%. China's Shanghai Composite decreased by 0.94%, while India's BSE Sensex rose by 0.40% [7] Company Performance - Quoin Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. saw a significant increase in shares, rising by 293% to $32.10 following a $104.5 million private placement [9] - ESS Tech, Inc. shares surged by 83% to $3.15 after announcing an agreement to add a battery system to the grid in Arizona [9] - Applied Digital Corporation's shares increased by 24% to $36.46 after reporting better-than-expected first-quarter results, with Needham raising its price target from $21 to $41 [9] - Bollinger Innovations, Inc. shares dropped by 58% to $0.5856 after announcing a move to OTC markets and suspension from Nasdaq trading [9] - Venture Global, Inc. shares fell by 20% to $10.07 due to arbitration resolution risks and a downgrade from Mizuho [9] - Tian Ruixiang Holdings Ltd. shares decreased by 39% to $1.4380 after announcing a $3 million registered direct offering [9]

Market Overview - Stocks have experienced a decline, with major averages moving to new session lows, including the Nasdaq down 431.12 points (1.9%) at 22,593.50, the S&P 500 down 84.10 points (1.3%) at 6,651.01, and the Dow down 364.63 points (0.8%) at 45,993.79 [1] Trade Relations - President Trump has threatened retaliation against China's export controls on rare earths, accusing China of "becoming very hostile" and indicating a potential "massive increase" in tariffs on Chinese products [2] - Trump's decision to cancel a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the APEC forum raises concerns about escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and China [3] Economic Indicators - The University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index showed a slight decrease to 55.0 in October from 55.1 in September, which was better than the expected drop to 54.2 [4] - Year-ahead inflation expectations decreased to 4.6% in October from 4.7% in September, while long-run inflation expectations remained steady at 3.7% [5] Sector Performance - Significant declines were noted in computer hardware and semiconductor stocks, with the NYSE Arca Computer Hardware Index and the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index falling by 3.9% and 3.5%, respectively [6] - Oil service stocks also dropped sharply, with the Philadelphia Oil Service Index down by 3.2% to its lowest intraday level in over a month [6] - Networking, brokerage, and biotechnology stocks showed notable declines, while gold stocks increased due to a rebound in gold prices [7] Global Market Trends - In the Asia-Pacific region, stocks mostly declined, with Japan's Nikkei 225 Index down by 1.0% and Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index down by 1.7% [7] - Major European markets also experienced downturns, with the U.K.'s FTSE 100 Index down by 0.6%, and both the German DAX Index and French CAC 40 Index down by 0.9% [8] - In the bond market, treasuries surged in response to Trump's threats, leading to a decrease in the yield on the benchmark ten-year note by 8.3 basis points to 4.065% [8]

Consumer Sentiment - University of Michigan sentiment preliminary view is 5500%, slightly better than expected and close to September's final read of 5510% [1] - Current conditions index is 6100%, better than expected and higher than the previous 6040% [2] - Expectations index is 5120%, a slight disappointment compared to expectations and the previous 5170% [2] Inflation Expectations - One-year inflation expectation is 460%, one tenth less than expected and the previous 470%, the lowest since February's 430% [2][3] - Five to ten-year inflation expectation remains at 370%, matching both expectations and the previous reading [3] Market Indicators - Current ten-year Treasury yield is 409%, down three basis points from last week's settlement at 412% [5] Economic Data Delay - Government shutdown has caused delays in the release of construction spending, jobless claims, factory orders, September jobs report, and wholesale inventories and sales [4] - CPI data for October, potentially related to COLA, is scheduled for release on October 15th, but the release date is uncertain [4][5]

Market Overview - U.S. stocks traded higher, with the Dow Jones index gaining over 150 points, up 0.39% to 46,542.50, NASDAQ rose 0.29% to 23,090.45, and S&P 500 increased 0.26% to 6,752.41 [1] - Consumer staples shares increased by 0.7%, while energy stocks fell by 1% [1] Consumer Sentiment - The University of Michigan consumer sentiment index decreased to 55 in October from 55.1 in September, slightly above market estimates of 54.2 [2][10] Commodity Prices - Oil prices fell by 2.4% to $60.05, while gold rose by 0.6% to $3,995.60. Silver increased by 2.3% to $48.250, and copper rose by 0.7% to $5.1575 [5] European Markets - European shares were mostly lower, with the eurozone's STOXX 600 down 0.2%. Spain's IBEX 35 Index rose by 0.5%, while London's FTSE 100, Germany's DAX 40, and France's CAC 40 all experienced slight declines [6] Asian Markets - Asian markets closed mostly lower, with Japan's Nikkei 225 down 1.01%, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index down 1.73%, and China's Shanghai Composite down 0.94%. India's BSE Sensex was the exception, rising by 0.40% [7] Company Stock Movements - Quoin Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. shares surged 170% to $22.00 following a $104.5 million private placement [9] - ESS Tech, Inc. shares increased 102% to $3.4750 after announcing an agreement for a battery system addition [9] - Safe & Green Holdings Corp. shares rose 90% to $6.16 after regaining Nasdaq compliance [9] - Bollinger Innovations, Inc. shares dropped 58% to $0.5820 due to a move to OTC markets [9] - Carisma Therapeutics, Inc. shares fell 44% to $0.1538 after announcing a $5 million investment as part of a merger [9] - Tian Ruixiang Holdings Ltd. shares decreased 39% to $1.4310 following a $3 million registered direct offering [9]