Even with some major setbacks, stocks looks promising in 2016. The S&P 500 has increased 5% year to date and the MSCI World Index has further added nearly 2%, as of October 24, 2016. Numerous important data points with U.S. labor, manufacturing and housing markets, are displaying marks a global economy that is rising, although sluggishly.
Q4 earnings
Ctrip reported a 50% increase in its net revenues for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2015, as demand for online ticketing increases.
Square reported a widened loss during the fourth quarter of 2015 as transaction expenses and other related costs burdened its balance sheet. The company reported a 49% increase in quarterly revenue.
The Kraft Heinz Company on Thursday reported its fourth-quarter earnings that outstripped analysts' estimate. The company also declared a quarterly dividend of $0.575 per common share.
The soda maker Cott Corp posted fourth-quarter adjusted net income of US$3 million, boosted by the growth in the DS Services coffee and water home delivery business.
Wal-Mart De Mexico SAB posted an 18.4% drop in its fourth-quarter net income. High spending during the fourth quarter affected the retailer's earnings.
Michelin posted an increase of 19% in its earnings for the year 2015 helped by low raw material costs and its restructuring activities in Europe. The company also expects strong demand for its tires in 2016.
Commerzbank posted a profit for the fourth quarter of 2015, helped by lower provisions for bad debts. The bank expects to report a mild increase in 2016 net profit.