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Labor Costs Worry Investors Ahead of Fed Meet, S&P Dips

Pre-Market

By Athena Xu

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4/30, 08:44 EDT
F5, Inc.
Eli Lilly and Company
3M Company
Sensata Technologies Holding plc
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Key Takeaway

  • Rising labor costs fuel market concerns ahead of the Federal Reserve's meeting, with S&P 500 futures down by 0.4%, signaling investor caution.
  • 3M (MMM) and Eli Lilly (LLY) see a 6% rise post positive earnings updates, while Chegg (CHGG) and Coursera (COUR) drop significantly due to weak revenue forecasts.

Labor Costs Stir Market Concerns

As the U.S. stock futures indicate a slight downturn with S&P 500 futures down by 0.4%, the financial markets brace for the Federal Reserve's upcoming meeting. This cautious sentiment follows a report highlighting an unexpected rise in labor costs for the first quarter, stirring concerns about inflationary pressures and their potential impact on monetary policy.

Earnings Season Sparks Movements

In the midst of these broader economic concerns, individual companies are making headlines with their latest earnings reports and strategic moves. 3M (MMM) sees a 6% uptick after announcing a rise in first-quarter profits and updating its full-year earnings forecast. Similarly, Eli Lilly & Co. (LLY) enjoys a 6% gain as it raises its annual sales and profit outlook, buoyed by strong demand for its leading drugs.

On the flip side, Chegg (CHGG) and Coursera (COUR) face downturns of 15% and 14%, respectively, after disappointing revenue forecasts, highlighting the challenges within the online education sector. Meanwhile, the tech and healthcare sectors show mixed results, with F5 Inc. (FFIV) and GE Healthcare (GEHC) experiencing declines after their earnings reports fell short of expectations.

Strategic Investments and Agreements

Noteworthy strategic developments include Blend Labs (BLND) jumping 11% following a significant investment from Haveli Investments, and Sensata (ST) surging 19% after announcing a cooperation agreement with Elliott Investment Management and a change in leadership. These movements underscore the importance of strategic investments and agreements in driving company valuations and investor sentiment.