While the Fed is raising interest rates, allowing the US banking sector to feel better than ever, Credit Suisse shareholders approved a capital raising of 4 billion Swiss francs - about $4.2 billion - to fund a massive strategic overhaul of the struggling company.
Credit Suisse's capital-raising plan is divided into two parts. The first, backed by 92% of shareholders, provides shares to new investors, including the National Bank of Saudi Arabia, through a private placement. As part of the new equity offering, Saudi Arabia's regulator will acquire 9.9% of Credit Suisse, making it the bank's largest shareholder. The second capital increase involves the issuance of new shares with preemptive rights for existing shareholders, with 98% voting in favor.
Credit Suisse Chairman Axel Lehmann said that the vote confirmed confidence in the strategy presented in October, and the bank was fully focused on implementing the priorities to lay the foundation for future growth for the company.
Premarket
During premarket trading, shares of Manchester United Plc jumped by nearly 10.0% after the owners of the English soccer club said they were exploring options to sell the club.
Tesla Inc. shares returned to the upside after Citigroup Inc. upgraded the electric-car maker's rating from "sell" to "neutral." Shares of the Elon Musk-led company have already fallen by 52% this year to $167.87, while analysts are forecasting a 12-month average price of $302. Apparently their dreams are unlikely to come true. This year's downturn has brought Tesla's market capitalization to just $530 billion from the trillion-dollar market cap in April.
HP stocks added 3.46% during premarket trading, following yesterday's report that beat expectations for last quarter's earnings. HP plans to lay off between 4,000 and 6,000 employees worldwide over the next three years as part of its cost optimization efforts.
Autodesk stocks recovered during yesterday's regular session but today collapsed again by more than 9% after the software company released its revenue forecast for the fourth quarter, which fell short of expectations. Although for the third quarter Autodesk reported quarterly results that matched forecasts.
As for the S&P 500 index, yesterday's surge gives confidence for the future. Bulls need to protect the support of $4,000. As long as the index is trading above this level, the demand for risky assets is likely to persist. This may strengthen the trading instrument and return the level of $4,038 under control. If the price breaks through $4,064, the upward correction with a target at $4,091 may continue. The next target is located in the area of $4,116. If the price declines, bulls will have to protect the psychologically important support of $4,000. If this level is pierced, the price may be pushed down to $3,968, opening the way to a new support of $3,942.
