US markets settle lower on Tuesday

29 Jul 2020 Evaluate

The US markets settled lower on Tuesday as investors monitored talks between Republicans and Democrats on a second coronavirus aid package and tuned in to a deluge of second-quarter corporate results. The GOP bill includes popular provisions like another $1,200 stimulus payment to American as well as more funding for the Paycheck Protection Program. However, the legislation also slashes unemployment benefits and provides liability protections for businesses and doctors, which could lead to an impasse in negotiations with Democrats. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he will not bring up a bill in the Senate that does not include liability protections. A negative reaction to earnings news from Dow components 3M and McDonald's also contributed to the weakness on markets.

Shares of 3M tumbled by 4.8 percent after the diversified manufacturer reported second quarter results that missed street estimates on both the top and bottom lines. McDonald's also slumped by 2.5 percent after the fast food giant reported weaker than expected second quarter earnings on a slightly bigger than expected drop in comparable-restaurant sales. Besides, negative sentiment was also generated by a report from the Conference Board showing consumer confidence deteriorated by more than expected in the month of July. The Conference Board said its consumer confidence index slumped to 92.6 in July after jumping to an upwardly revised 98.3 in June. Street had expected the consumer confidence index to pull back to 95.7 from the 98.1 originally reported for the previous month.

Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 205.49 points 0.77 percent to 26,379.28, Nasdaq dropped 134.18 points or 1.27 percent 10,402.09 and S&P 500 was down by 20.97 points or 0.65 percent to 3,218.44.

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