Goldman cut its sales estimates for Apple's iPhone
After wrapping up their worst week in years, U.S. stocks enjoyed their best day since 2015 on Monday, thanks to easing trade war concerns. While this massive turnaround sent up a pair of stock market signals not seen since 2011, the upside momentum didn't last. Another rough week for FAANG stocks pushed the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) into the red, with the tech-rich index on pace for a third straight weekly drop -- something we haven't seen since August. Further, the Nasdaq and Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) are set for their worst monthly losses since January 2016, and the S&P 500 Index (SPX) is on track for its worst quarter -- and first quarterly loss -- since 2015.
Facebook Drags Partners Lower, Eyes Worst Month in 4 Years
The fallout from the Cambridge Analytica scandal continued for Facebook (FB). The stock briefly touched its lowest point since July, as traders prepare for CEO Mark Zuckerberg to testify before Congress next month. FB stock is now on track for a third straight weekly loss of its own -- something we haven't seen since August. Further, the social media stock is set to end March with a deficit of more than 10%, marking its biggest monthly drop in four years.
Meanwhile, notorious short seller Citron Research warned that Shopify (SHOP) has a "major Facebook problem," and predicted SHOP shares to sink. Acxiom (ACXM) stock also plummeted, after Facebook said it would end partnerships with several large data brokers.
Amazon v. Trump
Fellow FAANG stock Amazon (AMZN) is eyeing its worst month since January 2016. The shares gapped lower on Wednesday, amid reports President Donald Trump is "obsessed" with the e-commerce giant, and is considering shifting the tax structure for internet retailers. As expected, Trump on Thursday tweeted about his "concerns with Amazon" and its impact on the U.S. Postal Service.
However, the president's beef with AMZN was a boon for several brick-and-mortar retailers. Macy's (M) stock led the SPX mid-week, thanks to a dose of schadenfreude.
Goldman Cuts iPhone Estimates; NFLX Swoons
Rounding out our FAANG coverage, Apple (AAPL) stock briefly struggled after Goldman Sachs analysts cut their iPhone sales estimates, as well as their price target on the Dow stock. Nevertheless, AAPL stock is among the few tech-sector members set to end the week in the black, and a pair of Apple suppliers might be flashing "buy" at current levels.
Netflix (NFLX), on the other hand, is set for a third straight weekly loss -- again, something we haven't seen since August. The stock was taken down mid-week by sector headwinds, shrugging off a price-target hike at Barclays. Still, NFLX is pacing for its best quarter since June 2015, up nearly 50%, thanks to a huge January rally.
Best and Worst Stocks for April, Second Quarter
U.S. stocks will emerge from the long holiday weekend on Monday, kicking off a week chock-full of jobs data. In addition, Spotify is set to go public, and Tesla (TSLA) -- set for its worst month in years -- is expected to give a Model 3 update. The earnings calendar is relatively light, although Finish Line (FINL) -- which just agreed to be bought by JD Sports -- will report.
Monday will also be the first trading day of April and the second quarter. Among our list of best stocks to own in April, this transport stock could outperform, if history repeats. On the flip side, several airline stocks have been among the worst stocks to own in April and the second quarter. These oil stocks could also struggle in the short term, if past is prologue.