Here are the most important news, trends and analyzes from which investors should start their trading day:
1. Stock futures start lower in March as Russia heads to Kyiv
NYSE Traders on February 28, 2022
Source: NYSE
US stock futures fell on Tuesday, the first day of March, when Russia clashed with the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. Bond yields fell as oil and bitcoins jumped. Investors are also concentrating on retail profits, with Target shares rising 12% after forecasting continued sales growth.
- The Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 broke the winning streak of two sessions with modest losses on Monday; although they were quite the lowest points of the day. The rally at the end of the session actually pushed the Nasdaq positively. For the whole of February, the three benchmarks of shares fell by more than 3% each.
2. Target stocks are rising as the retailer forecasts growth after the pandemic
David Paul Morris Bloomberg | Getty Images
Target ended in 2021, saying it tackled the challenges of the supply chain on Tuesday and relied on e-commerce and customer profits during the Covid pandemic. Earnings for the fourth quarter exceeded forecasts, while revenue was missed. But stocks did rise better than expected for the full year on top and bottom lines and rosy operating margins.
- Target said Monday that it will spend $ 300 million more next year on salaries and health benefits. Starting salaries will range from $ 15 to $ 25 per employee per hour, based on their roles and local markets. About 20% more employees will be eligible for medical benefits.
3. US oil exceeds $ 101 a barrel as bond yields fall, bitcoin jumps
Satellite images from Maxar Technologies, taken on February 28, appear to show a convoy of Russian vehicles advancing toward the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. The company says these images show the northern end of the convoy, with logistics and supply vehicles. Satellite image (c) 2022 Maxar Technologies.
Maxar Technologies | Getty Images
U.S. oil prices jumped more than 4 percent on Tuesday, with West Texas Intermediate oil surpassing $ 101 a barrel, its highest level since July 2014, after Russia hit Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, and A 40-kilometer convoy approached Kyiv. US sanctions for Moscow’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine are not aimed at oil from Russia, which exports about 4 to 5 million barrels of crude oil a day.
Investors also sought bond security, pushing back 10-year bond yields to about 1.77% on Tuesday. Bitcoin jumped 6%, albeit away from overnight highs, to about $ 44,400. Proponents of cryptocurrency see bitcoin as a refuge and a means of storing value such as gold. Real gold prices also rose by more than 1% to approximately $ 1920 an ounce.
4. The President of Ukraine says that “no one will break us”
This general view shows the damaged local town hall of Kharkiv on March 1, 2022, destroyed as a result of shelling by Russian troops.
Sergey Bobok AFP | Getty Images
On the sixth day of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, fighting went beyond military targets, with Associated Press reporters documenting evidence of shelling of homes, schools and hospitals. The Kremlin denies this. The first round of talks between Ukraine and Russia failed to lead to a ceasefire. The two sides agreed on a new meeting in the coming days.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the European Parliament on Tuesday, saying “no one will break us.” Earlier in a Facebook video, Zelensky called the shelling of Kharkiv “undisguised terror” that “no one will forget.” He also said keeping Kyiv was a “key priority”.
5. Biden is preparing for the state of the Union during turbulent times
US President Joe Biden pauses as he speaks at an event marking Black History Month at the White House in Washington, DC, February 28, 2022.
Kevin Lamarck Reuters
President Joe Biden will deliver a speech on the state of the Union on Tuesday night, facing turmoil both abroad and at home. From Russian aggression, bringing the United States out of the pandemic through a strained social and climate agenda, to rising inflation, Biden is addressing a nation that studies say is disappointed with its performance in the White House.
- Biden will speak to a predominantly full and optional crowd in the House of Commons, one of the signs of mitigating the Covid threat. But his speech will also be from the newly fenced Capitol due to renewed security concerns after last year’s uprising.
– The Associated Press contributed to this report. Get involved now for the CNBC Investment Club to follow Jim Every movement of Kramer’s shares. Follow broader market actions as a professional CNBC Pro.