After shipping stocks dipped on worries the port strike would not resolve, watch ZIM Integrated Shipping (ZIM) and Maersk (AMKBY) today. On Thursday, the union representing U.S. dockworkers agreed on a tentative wage deal.
The workers will extend their contract through Jan. 15. This will give all parties the time needed to negotiate a new contract. The agreement is welcome news for the economy. Inflation rates started to fall in the last few months. A port strike would have disrupted the delivery of food, automobiles, and other goods.
Shipping stocks might dip today as markets forecast day rates falling.
The U.S. jobs report released this morning is a critical component of the Federal Reserve’s interest rate policy. A strong job report requires steady unemployment rates. The Fed already said that it did not plan to cut interest rates by 50 bps. Instead, it prefers a measured, 25 bps cut that the economy may absorb.
Military stocks should continue to rise as Israel plans to move its military forward in Lebanon. Watch Lockheed Martin (LMT), RTX (RTX), AeroVironment (AVAV), and Northrop Grumman (NOC). Those firms announced big contracts with the government recently.
Oil prices should continue to head higher. Energy investors should increase their holdings in Exxon Mobil (XOM) and Conoco Phillips (COP).