Morning Report 17 Jul 20: US sharemarkets closed lower on Thursday

Initial jobless claims posted their smallest weekly decline since March. Florida posted a record number of virus-related deaths. Shares of big tech companies Microsoft (-2%) and Apple (-1.2%) both fell. Bank of America shares lost 2.7% as the company set aside US$4 billion for coronavirus-related losses. Morgan Stanley shares rose 2.5% after posting a record quarterly profit. Shares of Johnson & Johnson rose by 0.7% after reporting better-than-expected earnings. The Dow Jones index fell by 135 points or 0.5%. The S&P500 index lost 0.3%. The Nasdaq index fell 76 points or 0.7%. 

This report is approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399, AFSL 238814 (CommSec) a wholly owned but non-guaranteed subsidiary of Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124, AFSL 234945 (the Bank). The Bank and its subsidiaries have effected or may effect transactions for their own account in any investments or related investments referred to in this report. This report is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any securities or financial products, and has been prepared without taking account of the objectives, financial or taxation situation or needs of any particular individual. For this reason, any individual should, before acting on the information in this report, consider the appropriateness of the information, having regard to the individual's objectives, financial or taxation situation and needs and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice. This report is produced by Commonwealth Research based on information available at the time of publishing. We believe that the information in this correspondence is correct and any opinions, conclusions or recommendations are reasonably held or made as at the time of its compilation, but no warranty is made as to accuracy, reliability or completeness. To the extent permitted by law, neither the Bank nor any of its subsidiaries accept liability to any person for loss or damage arising from the use of this report.