Wall Street frowns, markets down
Tomorrow marks the release of May’s job reports, and despite the decline in weekly jobless claims reported today, investors are showing anxiety about the pace of the U.S. economy’s improvement. Unfortunately, Wall Street’s polarizing views could mean disappointment for stocks no matter how good — or bad — the jobs picture looks. Poorer-than-expected jobs growth in May would indicate an economy struggling to get on its feet, while strong jobs growth could make Wall Street fret that quantitative easing could be slowed down soon.
Whatever the result, one thing is clear: This is a time when it’s especially important not to follow the herd.
That’s all Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX)’s stock has done today, however, falling along with the broader energy sector. Strangely, Chevron’s stock is on the downswing despite a release of good news. The Supreme Court of Argentina unfroze Chevron’s assets in the South American nation, lifting an earlier embargo that had gone on for months. Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) is looking to team up with Argentinian state-run energy firm YPF SA (NYSE:YPF) in developing the Vaca Muerta shale field, the world’s second-largest shale-oil basin.
Argentina is anything but a stable business environment right now, but Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX)’s pouring a significant investment into the deal with YPF SA (NYSE:YPF). Bloomberg estimates that the companies’ venture could amount to a $15 billion investment in total.
A few stocks are defying the Dow’s drop today, and Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) ranks among the index’s leaders, with shares gaining 2.1% so far. Today the company offered $25 million in upfront payments to small biotech firm CytomX for the development of cancer-fighting antibody therapies. CytomX could make more than $600 million in milestone payments if the deal meets all its goals, and success would mean even more strength for Pfizer’s already substantial pipeline as the company lays the groundwork for its future financial foundation.
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ)‘s shares haven’t been affected by the big news involving this company today. The telecom firm’s stock has jumped 2.7%, even though it’s experiencing a public-relations nightmare. A classified court order released by The Guardian last night revealed that the firm was ordered to turn over business records of its customers regarding both domestic and foreign calls. Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) didn’t comment on the matter, and while the company certainly isn’t at fault here, there’s no telling whether investors will react poorly to this news if the case opens up even more revealing information. This is one story Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) investors would be wise to follow.
The article Chevron Stock Leads Another Dow Decline originally appeared on Fool.com.
Fool contributor Dan Carroll has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX).
Copyright © 1995 – 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
