News of the day for July 26, 2024

The Federal Reserve's favored measure of inflation is due this morning, expected to confirm the cooling trend in price increases and setting the central bank on the path to an interest-rate cut in September; acts of arson sabotaged French rail services just hours before the Paris Olympics begin; Apple (AAPL) is suffering in China, falling out of the top five sellers in the world's largest country for smartphone sales, a triple whammy of research reports say; Deckers Outdoor (DECK) shares are surging in premarket trading as "robust full-price demand" for its HOKA and UGG footwear brands drives a guidance lift; and shares of Dexcom (DXCM) are plunging after the medical devices company slashed its annual revenue outlook. U.S. stock futures are rising ahead of the inflation data. Here's what investors need to know today.

1. PCE Data Expected to Confirm Cooling Inflation

The Federal Reserve's favored measure of inflation is due this morning and expected to show a cooling of price pressures even as the economy remains strong. A cooling trend would suggest the central bank’s measures to subdue price increases are working and would set it on the path to cut interest rates in September. Forecasters expect Friday’s Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) measure of inflation in June to mirror the cooling inflation trend shown by the Consumer Price Index earlier this month. Today's numbers are the last key data points before the Fed meets next week, although financial markets expect the central bank to stay pat on rates then. PCE prices are expected to have risen 2.5% year-over-year, down from 2.6% in May, according to a survey of economists by Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal.

2. Sabotage Hits French Trains Hours Before Paris Olympics Begin

Arson attacks on France’s high-speed trains network sabotaged services just hours before the Paris Olympics were set to start Friday. "Coordinated malicious acts targeted several TGV lines last night and will seriously disrupt traffic until this weekend," French Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete wrote on a post on the X social media network. According to The New York Times, more than 1 million people were expected to travel on France's rail network this weekend.

3. Apple's Fortunes in China Worsen, Research Firms Say

Apple (AAPL) is suffering in China as local rivals overtake it, three new reports by research firms monitoring shipments in the world's largest market for smartphones showed. Apple’s China iPhone shipments fell 3.1% year-over-year in the second quarter, according to preliminary data from IDC. Chinese smartphone makers vivo, Huawei and Xiaomi all registered "large double-digit growth" in the quarter, leading Apple to fall drop into sixth place for sales in the country. Separately, Counterpoint said that Apple posted "single-digit" Q2 sales declines, even as smartphone sales in the country increased 6%. Finally, Canalys noted that local players are dominating the top five for the first time, with Apple's 14% China market share marking a 2% decrease from the prior year.

4. Deckers Surges as HOKA, UGG Sales Drive Guidance Lift

Deckers Outdoor (DECK) shares are surging 12% in premarket trading, after the company boosted its full-year outlook with outgoing Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dave Powers noting "robust full-price demand" for its HOKA and UGG footwear brands. The footwear and apparel maker, which reported first-quarter fiscal 2025 results, raised its full-year earnings per share (EPS) guidance to $29.75 to $30.65 from its prior range of $29.50 to $30.00. Incoming CEO Stefano Caroti, currently the chief commercial officer, said HOKA and UGG’s first-quarter results contributed to the decision to raise the company’s guidance.

5. Dexcom Tumbles After Medical Devices Firm Slashes 2024 Revenue Outlook

Shares of Dexcom (DXCM) are plunging 37% in premarket trading after the medical devices company posted second-quarter results that came in below Wall Street expectations and slashed its annual revenue growth forecast. The maker of glucose monitors said it now expects organic revenue growth of 11% to 13%, down from its projection in April of 17% to 21%.

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