• Fourth of July, coronavirus, June jobs report: What to know in the week ahead

    Fourth of July, coronavirus, June jobs report: What to know in the week aheadIt will be a shortened trading week with major markets closed Friday in observance of the Fourth of July holiday. Investors will be closely monitoring the recent resurgence in COVID-19 cases across a handful of states and the big June jobs report due out Thursday.

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  • Chesapeake Pushed Into Bankruptcy by Plunging Energy Prices

    Chesapeake Pushed Into Bankruptcy by Plunging Energy Prices(Bloomberg) — Chesapeake Energy Corp., the archetype for America’s extraordinary shale-gas fortunes, filed for bankruptcy, becoming one of the biggest victims of a spectacular collapse in energy demand from the virus-induced global lockdown.The Oklahoma City-based company filed for Chapter 11 protection from creditors in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Southern District of Texas on Sunday, listing assets and liabilities in the range of $10 billion and $50 billion, and more than 100,000 creditors.The company also entered into an agreement to eliminate about $7 billion in debt and secure $925 million in debtor-in-possession financing.“We are fundamentally resetting Chesapeake’s capital structure and business to address our legacy financial weaknesses and capitalize on our substantial operational strengths,” Chief Executive Officer Doug Lawler said in a statement.Chesapeake is, to a certain extent, victim of the success both it and its peers had in extracting huge volumes of gas from previously hard-to-exploit shale basins. While that turned the U.S. into a global supplier of the fuel to rival any other, it also contributed to a glut that weighed on prices. Natural-gas futures in New York traded last week at a 25-year low.But the gas market is only part of the story. Earlier in its history, under the direction of its late co-founder Aubrey McClendon, a colorful and outspoken advocate for the natural gas industry, Chesapeake expanded aggressively. The heavy debt load it acquired in the process was a burden it ultimately couldn’t shake off.About a decade ago, Chesapeake was a $37.5 billion giant at the forefront of the fracking revolution that transformed the U.S. oil and gas industry. The company cut eye-popping checks to Fort Worth businesses and residents as inducements to drill on their land in the Barnett Shale of North Texas, America’s first shale field to hit the big time.U.S. natural gas slumped after the 2008 financial crisis as the frackers overwhelmed demand, and prices still haven’t revisited their previous highs. Investors soured on Chesapeake, which by that point wasn’t only debt-laden but saddled with a real estate empire that included shopping centers, a church, and a grocery store. McClendon was ousted in 2013 and died in an auto accident three years later.In subsequent years, management sought to compensate for the decline in its gas fortunes by shifting into oil exploration as fracking turned the U.S. into the world’s largest producer of crude as well as a major exporter. However, any optimism about that strategy evaporated with oil’s recent price collapse amid the Covid-19 pandemic.Lawler took over Chesapeake in 2013 with an aim of reducing its debt load that was larger than Exxon Mobil Corp.’s, a company 29 times Chesapeake’s market value at the time. He had counted on capital spending cuts and asset sales to cover debt obligations. The company was in talks last year with Jerry Jones, the billionaire Dallas Cowboys owner, about a $1 billion sale of shale assets, but no deal resulted.In May, Lawler was forced to discard his company’s full-year outlook and write down the value of $8.5 billion in assets as energy demand tumbled amid the Covid-19 lockdown. By then, the producer’s market value had dropped to less than $200 million. The company had about 2,300 employees at the end of last year.“Despite having removed over $20 billion of leverage and financial commitments, we believe this restructuring is necessary for the long-term success and value creation of the business,” Lawler said Sunday.The bankruptcy follows that of another highflier in the U.S. oil patch, Whiting Petroleum Corp., which filed for Chapter 11 at the start of April after championing what was once the premiere U.S. shale field, the Bakken of North Dakota.The case is Chesapeake Energy Corp., 20-33233, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas(Updates with assets and liabilities in second paragraph)For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.©2020 Bloomberg L.P.

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  • Stock market news live updates: Stock futures drop after California joins Florida, Texas in re-closing bars over virus surge

    Stock market news live updates: Stock futures drop after California joins Florida, Texas in re-closing bars over virus surgeStock futures sank Sunday evening as a rising number of states across the country reimposed social distancing standards to try and curb increases in coronavirus case counts.

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  • 8 Stock Catalysts For The Week Ahead

    8 Stock Catalysts For The Week AheadThe SPDR S&P 500 (NYSE: SPY) finished off a difficult week on a low note Friday after another turbulent week on Wall Street. Here are eight potential catalysts ahead this week that could move the markets.On Wednesday, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin will testify in front of the House of Representatives Financial Services Committee. Mnuchin and Powell's testimony is expected to focus primarily on the national response to the coronavirus outbreak.On Friday, the Labor Department will report U.S. jobs numbers from the month of June. The May jobs report was shockingly good, initially sending stock prices soaring.Investors will also be watching daily COVID-19 case numbers and potential responses from companies and states following record daily U.S. case numbers last week.The state of Texas was forced to roll back its reopening efforts due to a surge in coronavirus cases, and any further indication that the economy could be shutting back down would likely be bad news for stock prices.Delivery giant FedEx Corporation (NYSE: FDX) is reporting fiscal fourth-quarter earnings Tuesday. Last quarter, FedEx reported 2.8% revenue growth but a sharp 57.3% drop in net income due to the coronavirus.Struggling mall retailer Macy's Inc (NYSE: M) is also reporting first-quarter earnings on Wednesday. Macy's has been gradually reopening shuttered stores in recent weeks, but analysts are expecting a first-quarter EPS loss of $2.57 and a 32.9% year-over-year drop in revenue.Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: DNB) is expected to hold its IPO on Wednesday, raising roughly $1.4 billion by selling shares in the $19 to $21 range. Dun & Bradstreet is one of Wall Street's oldest data and analytics providers.Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ: INO) has yet to report interim Phase 1 clinical trial results for its COVID-19 vaccine candidate that it recently said will be released in "late June."Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) and General Motors Company (NYSE: GM) could be on the move on Wednesday when Autodata releases its June vehicle sales numbers. May auto sales came in at just 12.2 million vehicles, down from 17.3 million a year ago.Related Links:Analyst: S&P 500 'Likely To End 2020 At Or Close To Current Levels'What Does A 'Second Wave' Of COVID-19 Mean For Investors? See more from Benzinga * Will Amazon Or Netflix Buy A Movie Theater Chain? * Biden Leads In Polls, Coronavirus Cases Surge, Micron, FedEx Earnings Ahead: The Weekly Market Outlook * Realty.com CFO Says Apple's Safari Browser Redirects To His Competitor(C) 2020 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

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  • The Week Ahead In Biotech (June 28- July 4): Pending Clinical Readouts In Focus During A Short Holiday Week

    The Week Ahead In Biotech (June 28- July 4): Pending Clinical Readouts In Focus During A Short Holiday WeekBiotech stocks went on a seesaw ride along with the broader markets in the week ended June 26. Yet there were some encouraging developments on the COVID-19 vaccine development front. Vaccine companies are going all out, forging alliances and adding personnel that could help them be successful in their quest.Translate Bio Inc (NASDAQ: TBIO) rallied strongly earlier in the week on the back of news concerning an expansion of its vaccine development partnership with Sanofi SA (NASDAQ: SNY) but eventually gave back some of the gains following a secondary offering. Vaxart Inc (NASDAQ: VXRT), another COVID-19 vaccine play, rallied during the week.View more earnings on IBBThe FDA review machinery worked overtime, ruling on a host of investigational therapies. Three biopharma companies went public this week, raising a combined $485 million in gross proceeds.The following are key catalysts in the unfolding week:Conferences * Cantor Fitzgerald's Virtual Symposium: "Winning Ways to Treat Infections and COVID-19: Tuesday, June 30Clinical Readouts/Presentations Q2 Releases * Intra-Cellular Therapies Inc (NASDAQ: ITCI) is scheduled to release top-line results from Phase 1/2 clinical trial of ITI-214, its phosphodiesterase 1 inhibitor, in patients with chronic systolic heart failure. * Obseva SA (NASDAQ: OBSV) will release Phase 3 PRIMROSE 1, 6-month primary endpoint results and PRIMROSE 2 twelve-month data for Linzagolix in uterine fibroids. * Novavax, Inc. (NASDAQ: NVAX) is scheduled to release top-line data from Matrix M vaccine adjuvant, which is a key component of Serum Institute of India's malaria vaccine candidate. * Revance Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ: RVNC) is due to release Phase 2 top-line data for DAXI in forehead lines and crow's feet. * Zynerba Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ: ZYNE) is expected to release topline data from the pivotal CONNECT-FX trial that is evaluating Zygel in Fragile X syndrome. * Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALXN) will release interim results from Phase 2 studies of ALXN2040 in C3 Glomerulopathy. * Iterum Therapeutics PLC (NASDAQ: ITRM) is due to release Phase 3 topline results from sulopenem clinical trials in uncomplicated urinary tract infections.See also: Novavax Gains Over 50% In June: What's Driving The Rally? First-Half Releases * Cerecor Inc (NASDAQ: CERC) is due to release initial data readout from the Phase 1 trial of CERC-802 in healthy volunteers. * Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS) will release Phase 2 data for LJN452 in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. * Regenxbio Inc (NASDAQ: RGNX) is due to give a program update from the Phase 1/2 trial of RGX-501 for the treatment of Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia. * BioNTech SE – ADR (NASDAQ: BNTX) will release Phase 1 data for BNT111 in advanced melanoma.June Releases * Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ: INO) will release interim Phase 1 data for its coronavirus vaccine candidate INO-4800.Earnings * Avid Bioservices Inc (NASDAQ: CDMO) (Tuesday after the close) IPO Quiet Period Expiration * Pliant Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ: PLRX) * Legend Biotech Corp (NASDAQ: LEGN) * Applied Molecular Transport Inc. (NASDAQ: AMTI) * CALLIDITAS THER/S ADR (NASDAQ: CALT) * Related Link: The Daily Biotech Pulse: Chiasma, Heron Await FDA Decisions, DBV Restructures, 3 Biopharmas Make Wall Street Debuts See more from Benzinga * The Daily Biotech Pulse: Merck's Wonder Cancer Drug Snags Another Approval, Decision Day For Zogenix, UniQure Out-Licenses Gene Therapy * The Daily Biotech Pulse: MediciNova On Track For European Patent Win, Partial Clinical Hold Lifted For Innate Pharma, Tela Bio Details Coronavirus Impact(C) 2020 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

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  • U.S. Stock Futures Drop at Open, Crude Oil Falls: Markets Wrap

    U.S. Stock Futures Drop at Open, Crude Oil Falls: Markets Wrap(Bloomberg) — U.S. equity futures fell at the open Monday after deaths around the world from the coronavirus topped half a million and infections continued to mount in American states. Crude oil fell.S&P 500 futures opened about 0.6% down and contracts in Japan and Australia pointed lower. In currencies, the Australian dollar saw a modest decline. Providing some comfort was data over the weekend providing more signs the Chinese economy is continuing to recover from its shutdown. Chinese markets reopen after a two-day holiday.Last week’s risk-off stance could endure as coronavirus cases surpassed 10 million and a resurgence in the U.S. continues to batter states likes Texas, Arizona and Florida. Meantime, in China, industrial companies saw the first monthly increase in profits since November.“Markets have taken a breather on the reopening but not entirely priced out the progress,” said Ben Emons, managing director for global macro strategy at Medley Global Advisors.On the policy front, China’s central bank said it will implement new monetary tools to make sure liquidity reaches the real economy. The People’s Bank of China said it will increase the proportion of smaller company, credit and manufacturing loans, and continue to lower lending rates, while reiterating that it will keep the yuan stable.Here are some key events coming up:New York Fed President John Williams moderates a discussion with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva on Monday.On Tuesday, Federal Resserve Chairman Jerome Powell and U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin testify before the House Financial Services Committee.The U.S. jobs report for June on Thursday may continue data-collection issues from May that appear to understate the true scale of joblessness.Friday brings the U.S. Independence Day holiday. Markets are closed, along with government offices.These are the main moves in markets:StocksS&P 500 futures fell 0.7% as of 7:01 a.m. in Tokyo. The gauge fell 2.4% on Friday.Futures on Japan’s Nikkei 255 dropped 0.8%.Hang Seng futures lost 0.4%.Futures on Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 Index declined 1.6%.CurrenciesThe yen was little changed at 107.16 per dollar.The offshore yuan held at 7.0871 per dollar.Australia’s dollar slipped 0.2% to 68.51 U.S. cents.The euro bought $1.1223.BondsThe yield on 10-year Treasuries fell five basis points on Friday to 0.64%.CommoditiesWest Texas Intermediate crude oil fell 1.7% to $37.81 a barrel.Gold was at $1,772.42 an ounce.For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.©2020 Bloomberg L.P.

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  • Here are the 10 most shorted shares on the ASX

    Broker holding red flag in front of bear

    At the start of each week I like to look at ASIC’s short position report to find out which shares are being targeted by short sellers.

    I believe it is worth keeping a close eye on short interest levels as high levels can sometimes be a sign that something isn’t quite right with a company.

    With that in mind, here are the 10 most shorted shares on the ASX this week according to ASIC:

    • Myer Holdings Ltd (ASX: MYR) is now the most shorted ASX share with short interest of 12.9%. Last week QBE Insurance Group Ltd (ASX: QBE) stopped providing insurance to suppliers who want to cover the risk of not getting paid by Myer. Australia’s largest provider of trade credit insurance told the ABC that it has severe doubts about Myer’s ability to pay its way.
    • Speedcast International Ltd (ASX: SDA) has short interest of 11.7%. The communications satellite technology provider is currently in the process of declaring itself bankrupt, much to the delight of short sellers.
    • Webjet Limited (ASX: WEB) has seen its short interest rise to 9.7%. Concerns over its valuation and a recent spike in coronavirus cases in Victoria appear to be weighing on this travel agent’s shares.
    • Inghams Group Ltd (ASX: ING) has 9.25% of its shares held short, which is down slightly week on week. Short sellers may believe that FY 2020 will be a disappointing year because of the pandemic’s impact on its sales mix.
    • Bank of Queensland Limited (ASX: BOQ) has seen its short interest lift to 8.8%. A soft half year result and a weak outlook have been weighing on the regional bank’s shares.
    • Nearmap Ltd (ASX: NEA) has seen its short interest edge lower again to 8.6%. Short sellers appear to be closing positions after the recent release of a positive update by the aerial imagery technology company.
    • Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals Limited (ASX: CUV) has seen its short interest fall to 8.2%. The biopharmaceutical company’s shares may have been targeted on valuation grounds. They are currently changing hands for 70x earnings.
    • Southern Cross Media Group Ltd (ASX: SXL) has entered the top ten with short interest of 8%. Weak advertising markets during the pandemic have weighed heavily on this media company’s shares.
    • Galaxy Resources Limited (ASX: GXY) has 7.6% of its shares held short. Last week, rival Orocobre Limited (ASX: ORE) reported record low lithium carbonate sale prices. Galaxy is likely to be experiencing similar weakness with its pricing.
    • Metcash Limited (ASX: MTS) has 7.2% of its shares in the hands of short sellers. The loss of some major supply contracts could be why short sellers are going after this wholesale distributor.

    Finally, instead of those most shorted shares, I would be buying the exciting shares recommended below…

    3 “Double Down” Stocks To Ride The Bull Market

    Motley Fool resident tech stock expert Dr. Anirban Mahanti has stumbled upon three under-the-radar stock picks he believes could be some of the greatest discoveries of his investing career.

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    James Mickleboro owns shares of Galaxy Resources Limited. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of Nearmap Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended Webjet Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Nearmap Ltd. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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  • Why Fortescue and these ASX dividend shares could be top income options

    word dividends on blue stylised background, dividend shares

    Luckily in this low interest rate environment, there are still a good number of ASX shares paying generous dividends.

    But which ones should you be adding to your portfolio? Three ASX dividend shares that I would buy are listed below. Here’s why I like them:

    Dicker Data Ltd (ASX: DDR)

    Dicker Data is a wholesale distributor of computer hardware and software. I think it is one of the most underrated shares on the local market and have been very impressed with its strong growth over the last few years. Pleasingly, this positive form has continued in FY 2020, with first quarter profit before tax jumping 36.3% to $18.4 million. And with management appearing confident that demand will remain strong over the rest of the financial year, it has guided to a 31% increase in its dividend this year. This will bring it to 35.5 cents per share, which equates to a fully franked 5.1% yield.

    Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG)

    Another quality dividend share to consider buying is Fortescue Metals. With iron ore prices at sky high levels, Fortescue appears well-placed to reward shareholders handsomely with dividends again in FY 2020 and FY 2021. Especially given the company’s improving grades and ultra low costs. This should mean the miner is generating very high levels of free cash flow right now from its Pilbara operations. I estimate that its shares provide investors with a forward fully franked dividend of ~6%.

    Woolworths Limited (ASX: WOW)

    I think Woolworths is a good option for income investors. I like the conglomerate due to its quality brands (Woolworths supermarkets, Dan Murphy’s, BWS) and their defensive qualities. Combined with its supply chain improvement plans, I believe the company is well-positioned to continue growing its earnings and dividend at a solid rate over the next decade. At present I estimate that the company’s shares provide investors with a fully franked 3% FY 2021 dividend yield.

    3 “Double Down” Stocks To Ride The Bull Market

    Motley Fool resident tech stock expert Dr. Anirban Mahanti has stumbled upon three under-the-radar stock picks he believes could be some of the greatest discoveries of his investing career.

    He’s so confident in their future prospects that he has issued “double down” buy alerts on each of these three stocks to members of his Motley Fool Extreme Opportunities stock picking service.

    *Extreme Opportunities returns as of June 5th 2020

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended Dicker Data Limited. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of Woolworths Limited. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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  • Fisher & Paykel Healthcare share price on watch after COVID-19 drives record profit result

    coronavirus positioned on stock market graph, asx shares

    The Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corp Ltd (ASX: FPH) share price could be on the move today after the release of a record full year result.

    How did Fisher & Paykel Healthcare perform in FY 2020?

    For the 12 months ended 31 March 2020, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare delivered operating revenue of NZ$1.26 billion. This was an 18% increase on the prior corresponding period or a 14% increase in constant currency.

    On the bottom line, the medical device company reported a 37% jump in net profit after tax to NZ$287.3 million. This was positively impacted by tax changes including research and development tax credit and building tax depreciation. Excluding these and favourable currency movements, net profit after tax would have been up 23% year on year.

    Both its operating revenue and profit after tax came in ahead of its guidance. Management had guided to operating revenue of NZ$1.24 billion and net profit after tax in the range of NZ$275 million to NZ$280 million.

    What were the drivers of its growth?

    The key drivers of its growth were increasing use of its Optiflow nasal high flow therapy, demand for products to treat COVID-19 patients, and strong hospital hardware sales throughout the course of the year.

    Hospital product revenue increased 25% to NZ$801.3 million and Homecare product revenue lifted 9% to US$457 million.

    The company’s Managing Director and CEO, Lewis Gradon, commented: “The 2020 financial year was already on track to deliver strong growth before the coronavirus impacted sales. Beginning in January, the demand for our respiratory humidifiers accelerated in a way that has been unprecedented.”

    “With new processes, new procedures and new ways of working safely, we managed to double and in some instances triple, output for some of our hospital hardware products over just a few months at the end of the year. I’m incredibly proud of our people and their unyielding commitment to doing the right thing for patients,” he added.

    FY 2021 outlook.

    Mr Gradon warned that there was a lot of uncertainty for FY 2021 because of the pandemic.

    He explained: “We cannot predict the scope, duration or impact of COVID-19 and its effects on our operations and financial results. In the midst of this uncertainty, we will continue doing what we are known for – expanding our range of innovative products with patients at the centre.”

    Nevertheless, the company has started FY 2021 very strongly, particularly in respect to its Hospital product sales.

    During the first three months of FY 2021, Hospital product sales have continued to accelerate, with hardware growth of over 300%. Hospital consumables are also up over 33% compared to the prior corresponding period.

    Things aren’t quite as positive for its Homecare products, which are seeing evidence of both a lower obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) diagnosis rate and mask resupply levels returning to normal levels. Homecare product revenue is up in the region of 9% over the first three months.

    Looking ahead, management expects FY 2021 operating revenue to be approximately NZ$1.48 billion and net profit after tax to be in the range of NZ$325 million to NZ$340 million. This will be an increase of 17.5% and 13.1% to 18.3%, respectively.

    This guidance is based on global hospitalisations due to COVID-19 peaking during the first quarter of this financial year, and hospitalisations for respiratory-related illnesses and OSA diagnostic activity steadily returning to normal by the end of the first half.

    3 “Double Down” Stocks To Ride The Bull Market

    Motley Fool resident tech stock expert Dr. Anirban Mahanti has stumbled upon three under-the-radar stock picks he believes could be some of the greatest discoveries of his investing career.

    He’s so confident in their future prospects that he has issued “double down” buy alerts on each of these three stocks to members of his Motley Fool Extreme Opportunities stock picking service.

    *Extreme Opportunities returns as of June 5th 2020

    More reading

    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

    The post Fisher & Paykel Healthcare share price on watch after COVID-19 drives record profit result appeared first on Motley Fool Australia.

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  • Opinion: Hits and Misses of the Week

    Opinion: Hits and Misses of the WeekJournal Editorial Report: The week’s best and worst from Kim Strassel, Bill McGurn and Dan Henninger. Image: Karen Bleier/AFP via Getty Images

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