While US stock indices are trying to hit the bottom, the number of daily cases of coronavirus in China rose to a six-month high over the weekend. According to social media reports, schools in Beijing are about to switch to online learning.
The latest statistics show that the introduction of the anti-Covid measures in China affected 12.2% of the national GDP, compared to 9.5% the week before. The southern province of Guangdong was hit the most, with cases primarily clustered in one area. More than 20 of China's 31 provinces have had reports of recent cases. People do not dare to travel anymore because too many restrictions have already been imposed.
As a result, businesses do not know how to work with their customers. One can only guess how the restrictions may affect China's industrial production.
Premarket
Carvana lost 15.64%, after which trading was even suspended for some time amid high volatility. The sell-off, which occurred yesterday after news that the company suffered losses and Morgan Stanley lowered its rating and target price for the shares, may continue today. During premarket trading, the company added 1.1%.
Facebook Meta jumped by 6.53% after rumors that the company could begin layoffs. More details will be revealed tomorrow. It is expected that the layoffs could affect thousands of employees. The company said it had 87,000 employees at the end of September. The company's stocks ate trading unchanged in the premarket today.
Warren Buffett's conglomerate shares continue to rise and added 0.33% in the premarket. Yesterday, the company reported a 20% increase in operating profit in the third quarter. Berkshire also spent $1.05 billion on stock buybacks in the last quarter. However, the company is suffering a $10.1 billion loss on its investment after the recent sell-off in the stock market.
Palantir failed to recover from yesterday's 11.48% decline. The drop was caused by the report, which showed that the company's third-quarter profit failed to meet the estimates, although it outperformed revenue. In response to the software company's report, Citi said it saw further declines in PLTR with a rapid slowdown in growth. Palantir increased by 0.43% during premarket trading today.
As for the S&P 500 index, after the price pulled back to the upside yesterday, it was stable. Bulls need to protect the support of $3,808. While the instrument is trading above this level, demand for risky assets is expected to return amid the lack of important statistics from the US. It may strengthen the index and fix the price above $3,835, pushing the price toward $3,861. If this level is broken through, we may see an upward correction to the resistance of $3,905. The next target is located at $3,942. If the price declines, bulls will need to show some action near $3,808 and $3,773. If those levels are pierced, the index may plummet to $3,735 and $3,699, opening the way to a new support of $3,661.
