AI Disruption Causes Major Market Sell-Off
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 2 days ago
0mins
Source: Fool
- Market Panic Intensifies: On February 23, 2023, a major sell-off occurred due to fears about AI's potential impact on companies and the economy, particularly hitting tech stocks hard, with IBM shares plummeting 13%, marking its worst single-day loss since 2000.
- Unemployment Rate Warning: Citrini Research issued a report predicting that in two years, AI-induced job displacement could push the unemployment rate above 10%, which spooked the markets and led to a 1% drop in the S&P 500 index on the same day.
- Investors Shift to HALO Stocks: In light of growing concerns about AI's impact, investors are increasingly seeking HALO stocks, which are deemed less vulnerable to AI disruption and may even benefit from the efficiencies AI can provide.
- Examples of HALO Stocks: HALO stocks mentioned by Josh Brown include ExxonMobil, McDonald's, FedEx, Coca-Cola, Caterpillar, and Deere, all of which are considered less susceptible to AI replacement due to their heavy asset bases and have outperformed IBM and other tech stocks in 2023.
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Analyst Views on XOM
Wall Street analysts forecast XOM stock price to fall
19 Analyst Rating
12 Buy
7 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 152.500
Low
114.00
Averages
132.17
High
158.00
Current: 152.500
Low
114.00
Averages
132.17
High
158.00
About XOM
Exxon Mobil Corporation is an energy provider and chemical manufacturer. The Company’s principal business involves exploration for, and production of, crude oil and natural gas; the manufacture, trade, transport and sale of crude oil, natural gas, petroleum products, petrochemicals and a wide variety of specialty products; and pursuit of lower-emission and other new business opportunities, including carbon capture and storage, hydrogen, lower-emission fuels, Proxxima systems, carbon materials, and lithium. Its Upstream segment explores for and produces crude oil and natural gas. The Energy Products, Chemical Products, and Specialty Products segments manufacture and sell petroleum products and petrochemicals. Energy Products segment includes fuels, aromatics, and catalysts and licensing. Chemical Products segment consists of olefins, polyolefins, and intermediates. Specialty Products segment includes finished lubricants, basestocks and waxes, synthetics, and elastomers and resins.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Oil Prices Surge: Crude oil prices jumped more than 8% on Monday after Iran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, as market participants fear that the U.S.-Iran conflict could lead to major supply disruptions, significantly impacting the global energy market.
- Apple Product Launch: Apple launched a lower-cost iPhone 17e and a new iPad Air powered by its M4 chip, marking the beginning of a week-long hardware launch event that could stimulate consumer demand and enhance the company's sales performance.
- Shipping Industry Disruption: Following the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, Danish shipping giant Maersk announced the suspension of all vessel crossings in the Strait of Hormuz, warning that services to Persian Gulf ports may experience delays, further exacerbating uncertainties in global trade.
See More
Mixed Close for US Stocks Amid Iran War Impact
- Mixed Market Performance: On Monday, the S&P 500 closed up 0.04%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.15%, and the Nasdaq 100 rose 0.13%, reflecting a divergence in market sentiment influenced by the ongoing war in Iran, with increased demand for defense and energy stocks.
- Surge in Oil Prices: WTI crude oil prices soared over 6% to an 8.25-month high following Iran's attack on oil tankers, which is expected to elevate inflation expectations and impact the overall economic environment and investor confidence.
- Strong Manufacturing Index: The US February ISM manufacturing index unexpectedly rose to 52.4, surpassing the market expectation of 51.5, indicating economic resilience that could influence the Federal Reserve's monetary policy direction, leading to shifts in future rate hike expectations.
- Optimistic Earnings Outlook: More than 90% of S&P 500 companies have reported earnings, with 73% exceeding expectations, and Q4 earnings growth is projected at 8.4%, providing market support despite geopolitical risks.
See More
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- Opportunity in Crisis: Salesforce's inclusion in the Dow Jones Industrial Average on August 31, 2020, symbolizes the rise of technology, with CEO Marc Benioff noting that each crisis accelerates the company's future development.
- AI-Driven Transformation: Salesforce's Agentforce AI agents manage 50% of customer interactions, leading to a 17% reduction in support costs, demonstrating the company's adaptability and competitiveness in the AI economy.
- Share Buyback Plan: The company announced a $50 billion stock buyback to counter current market lows, with Benioff viewing this as a great buying opportunity, reflecting confidence in the company's future.
- Cautious Financial Outlook: While Salesforce exceeded analysts' fourth-quarter earnings expectations, its fiscal 2027 revenue guidance fell short, raising investor concerns about growth and AI adoption, highlighting market uncertainty.
See More
Oil Stocks Surge Following U.S. Attacks on Iran
- Oil Stock Surge: Oil stocks experienced a significant rally on Monday following U.S. attacks on Iran, with several companies hitting new 52-week highs, indicating strong market expectations for rising oil prices and potentially boosting investor confidence.
- Congressional Holdings: Multiple members of Congress own shares in Chevron (CVX), Exxon Mobil (XOM), and ConocoPhillips (COP), highlighting the intertwining of political and business interests that could influence policy decisions.
- Potential Conflicts of Interest: Congressional members holding oil stocks may profit from escalating tensions in the Middle East, particularly those serving on defense and homeland security committees, who could face scrutiny over potential conflicts of interest.
- Market Reactions: As military actions against Iran unfold, oil prices are likely to rise, and public comments from Congress members, especially those with defense stock holdings, may attract increased scrutiny regarding their motivations and potential insider information.
See More
Iran Conflict Impacts Asia-Pacific Markets
- Oil Price Surge: Following Iran's announcement of closing the Strait of Hormuz, oil prices have continued to rise, with U.S. crude futures up 0.15% to $71.33 and Brent crude up 7.14% to $78.07, indicating market concerns over supply disruptions that could lead to increased global energy costs.
- Weak Market Performance: Most Asia-Pacific markets opened lower, with Australia's S&P/ASX 200 index down 0.3%, reflecting investor caution regarding geopolitical risks that may impact future investment decisions.
- Declining Japanese Market Expectations: Japan's Nikkei 225 futures traded at 57,530 in Chicago, down from the previous close of 58,057.24, indicating market concerns over economic outlook, which may lead investors to reassess their risk appetite.
- U.S. Market Fluctuations: The U.S. S&P 500 index edged up 0.04%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 73.14 points, showing market attempts to find stability amid uncertainty, which could influence global market sentiment.
See More
Middle East Conflict Boosts ExxonMobil Share Prices
- Stock Price Increase: The geopolitical crisis in the Middle East led to ExxonMobil (XOM) shares rising over 1% on Monday, outperforming the essentially flat S&P 500 index, indicating market optimism towards energy stocks.
- Oil Price Risk Premium: Analysts predict that the potential for rising oil prices due to the conflict with Iran will enhance the fundamentals of major oil companies like ExxonMobil, reflecting market expectations for future price increases.
- Target Price Upgrades: Bank of America analyst Jean Ann Salisbury raised ExxonMobil's price target from $135 to $151, while also increasing Chevron's target from $188 to $206, demonstrating confidence in the companies' future profitability.
- Market Vigilance: Although no serious damage to Iran's oil production capacity has been reported yet, investors should remain vigilant regarding the situation's developments to assess potential impacts on ExxonMobil and other energy stocks.
See More
