市場新聞與洞察

Netflix released its Q4 2021 financial results after the US market close on Thursday. The online streaming service company reported total revenue of $7.709 billion in the quarter, slightly falling short of analyst forecast of $7.71 billion. Earnings per share at $1.33 a share, above analyst estimate of $0.88 a share. ''We achieved several milestones in 2021: we had the biggest TV show of the year (Squid Game), our two biggest film releases of all time (Red Notice and Don’t Look Up) and Netflix was the most Emmy-winning and most nominated TV network and the most Oscar-winning and nominated movie studio of 2021.

Full year revenue of $30 billion grew 19% year over year while operating income of $6.2 billion rose 35% year over year. We finished Q4 with 222m paid memberships (with 8.3m paid net adds in Q4). Even in a world of uncertainty and increasing competition, we’re optimistic about our long-term growth prospects as streaming supplants linear entertainment around the world.

We're continually improving Netflix so that we can please our members, grow our share of leisure time and lead in this transition,'' the company wrote in a letter to shareholders following the latest results. Netflix chart (1Y) Share price of Netlfix traded lower on Thursday, down by 1.48% at $508.25 per share. The stock is down by 12% in the past year.

Netlfix is the 46 th largest company in the world, with a total market cap of $225.13 billion. You can trade Netflix (NFLX) and many other stocks from the NYSE, NASDAQ, HKEX and the ASX with GO Markets as a Share CFD. Sources: Netlfix, TradingView, CompaniesMarketCap

It is set to be a busy week over in the US with major companies, including General Electric, Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft, Tesla, Apple and McDonald's set to release their earnings figures for the previous quarter. International Business Machines Co. (IBM) released their latest figures after the closing bell on Monday. The US technology giant reported total revenue of $16.695 billion in Q4, beating analyst forecast of $15.96 billion.

Earnings per share reported at $3.35 per share, also beating Wall Street analyst estimates of $3.39 per share. Arvind Krishna, IBM chairman and CEO commented on the latest results following the announcement: "We increased revenue in the fourth quarter with hybrid cloud adoption driving growth in software and consulting." "Our fourth-quarter results give us confidence in our ability to deliver our objectives of sustained mid-single digit revenue growth and strong free cash flow in 2022," Krishna added. International Business Machines Co. chart (1Y) Shares of IBM little changed on Monday, ending the day down by 0.41%.

The stock is up by 8.64% in the past year at $128.82 per share. IBM is the 123 rd largest company in the world and with a total market cap of $115.46 billion. You can trade International Business Machines Co. (IBM) and many other stocks from the NYSE, NASDAQ, HKEX and the ASX with GO Markets as a Share CFD.

Sources: International Business Machines Co., TradingView, CompaniesMarketCap

Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) released their previous quarter financial results before the market open on Tuesday. The US telecommunication giant topped Wall Street analyst expectations on both revenue and earnings per share. The company reported total revenue of $34.1 billion vs. $34.056 billion expected.

Earnings per share at $1.31 a share vs. $1.28 a share forecast. "Verizon delivered another strong earnings performance this quarter,” Verizon Chief Financial Officer Matt Ellis said about the latest results. Verizon Chairman and CEO Hans Vestberg commented on the past years results for the company and made predictions for the year ahead: "2021 was a transformational year for Verizon that will serve as a catalyst for us." "We delivered on all of our goals in 2021 and made great progress on our five paths of growth, finishing the year with strong operating and financial momentum. As we move into 2022, we have the necessary assets to realize our strategy that we laid out in 2019.

We are laser focused on executing our 5G strategy and providing value to our customers, shareholders, employees, and society, as 2022 will be the most exciting year yet for Verizon," he added. Verizon Communications Inc. chart (Weekly) Verizon share price little changed during the trading day on Tuesday, down by around 0.31%. The stock is down by around 9.63% in the past year at $52.84 a share.

Verizon Communications Inc. is the 45 th largest company in the world and with a total market cap of $220.99 billion. You can trade Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) and many other stocks from the NYSE, NASDAQ, HKEX and the ASX with GO Markets as a Share CFD. Sources: Verizon Communications Inc., TradingView, GO Markets MT5, CompaniesMarketCap

All major countries’ economies have one thing in common; they are all subject to a central bank. Here in Australia is no different, we have the RBA Reserve Bank of Australia. Their roles are largely the same everywhere: a key role of central banks is to conduct monetary policy to achieve price stability (low and stable inflation) and to help manage economic fluctuations.

Central banks conduct monetary policy by adjusting the supply of money, generally through open market operations. For instance, a central bank may reduce the amount of money by selling government bonds under a “sale and repurchase” agreement, thereby taking in money from commercial banks. The purpose of such open market operations is to steer short-term interest rates, which in turn influence longer-term rates and overall economic activity.

Another key factor is that they have a hand in influencing Interest Rates. This is used to stimulate economies and keep inflation under control (or at least try to do so). For traders, keeping in touch with what our central banks say is hugely important as this can ultimately help you make a profit, or it can turn trades into losses.

This brings me nicely on to perhaps the biggest, or at least one of the most influential roles of the Central Banks: they directly or indirectly have one of the biggest effects on commerce, business and currency fluctuations all over the word. The FED. Keeping an eye on your Economic Calendar, can be beneficial if you are a trader who likes to keep up with the latest reports on the finance of a country, or in this case The FED.

The 26 th January 2022 Federal Reserve meeting might be the single most critical event in determining the future of the economy (directly in the US and indirectly to the rest of the world), here’s a breakdown into why is so important (and maybe why you should care). 2021 was a year of crazy growth, if you bought Stocks, Crypto or Real Estate in 2020, early 2021, you would have personally seen considerable gains compared to recent years. Economic boom? Sounds great!

Unless it goes too far, and the economy overheats. An economy which overheats, is expanding at a rate that is unsustainable in the long term, a red flag that accompanies that is high inflation. It is no secret that the US (and other major economies) has experience high inflation in last few months.

The FED is now faced with a critical decision: increase interest rates or keep them largely the same. Fed Chair Powell is expected to signal to the markets which way the FED is leaning. Two possible outcomes: Do not raise interest rates – Likely the engine keeps running and keeps overheating.

More record highs for the S&P, Stocks, Crypto, Real Estate. Asset prices keep rising… And inflation keeps rising, food becomes more expensive, fuel becomes more expensive, etc. etc. Raise interest rates – Effective way to slow the economy down.

The “eeek” is, it can deepen the current dip being seen in the markets and potential cause a recession. Economists often talk about a soft landing. It means a slow down of the economy without a crash.

A soft landing is easier when inflation is controlled (see below). However, this has usually successfully been done when inflation is under control and is impossible once inflation hits crazy highs – or once the economy has overheated. (See below) In short, if Powell advises that a series of aggressive hikes is coming, a recession becomes likely and expect movements in the markets whether you are trading a USD pair of the S&P. The FED and its policies drive our economies and understanding their roles, its history and their future plans, can help shape your economic future.

Update: The Federal Reserve concluded Wednesday its January monetary policy meeting, indicating that a potential rate hike could come in March. The major stock market averages initially jumped around 2 p.m. ET, when the Fed released its policy statement.

However, stocks gave up those gains and turned lower as Chairman Jerome Powell answered questions from reporters. Christian Ramos Sources: Wikipedia, Kalshi, CNBC, RBA

Tesla Inc. (TSLA) reported its Q4 2021 results after the market close on Wednesday. The world’s largest automaker exceeded analyst expectations on both revenue and earnings per share. The company reported total revenue of $17.719 billion in the fourth quarter vs. $17.132 billion expected.

Earnings per share reported at $2.54 vs. $2.36 per share forecast. Tesla produced 305,840 cars in the fourth quarter and deliveries reach 308,600 vehicles. Last year, Elon Musk’s company delivered a total of 930,422 vehicles. ''2021 was a breakthrough year for Tesla.

There should no longer be doubt about the viability and profitability of electric vehicles.'' ''After a successful 2021, our focus shifts to the future. We aim to increase our production as quickly as we can, not only through ramping production at new factories in Austin and Berlin, but also by maximizing output from our established factories in Fremont and Shanghai. We believe competitiveness in the EV market will be determined by the ability to add capacity across the supply chain and ramp production.'' ''While 2021 was a defining year for our company, we believe we are just at the very early stages of our journey.

Thank you for being part of it,'' Tesla said in a letter to shareholders. Tesla chart (Weekly) Share price of Tesla ended the trading day up by 2.07% on Wednesday at $936.70 a share. The stock is up by 8.48% in the past year.

Tesla is the 6 th largest company in the world and with a total market cap of $941.40 billion. You can trade Tesla Inc. (TSLA) and many other stocks from the NYSE, NASDAQ, HKEX and the ASX with GO Markets as a Share CFD. Sources: Tesla Inc., TradingView, GO Markets MT5, CompaniesMarketCap

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) reported its Q4 earnings before the opening bell on Wall Street on Tuesday. Let’s take a closer look at how the pharmaceutical giant performed in the previous quarter. The company reported total revenue of $24.804 billion in Q4 (up by 10.4% from the same period in 2020), below analyst forecast of $25.276 billion.

Earnings per share at $2.13 a share in the previous quarter (up by 14.5%, pretty much in line with analyst forecast of $2.12 a share. Joaquin Duato, Chief Executive Officer commented on the Q4 and 2021 results: ''Our 2021 performance reflects continued strength across all segments of our business. Guided by Our Credo, I am honoured to assume the role of CEO, leading our global teams in continuing our work to deliver life-changing solutions to consumers, patients, and health care providers.'' ''Given our strong results, financial profile, and innovative pipeline we are well positioned for success in 2022 and beyond,'' Duato added.

Johnson & Johnson chart (Monthly) Share price trading higher following the latest results, up by around 2% during the trading day on Tuesday at $166.66 per share. Johnson & Johnson is the 12 th largest company in the world and with a total market cap of $438.19 billion. You can trade Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) and many other stocks from the NYSE, NASDAQ, HKEX and the ASX with GO Markets as a Share CFD.

Sources: Johnson & Johnson, TradingView, GO Markets MT5, CompaniesMarketCap