Nasdaq opens higher as tech stocks attempt to claw back losses after punishing selloff

What’s driving markets

U.S. stocks opened higher after the release of weekly data showing the number of Americans who applied for unemployment benefits in early June jumped to a 21-month high of 261,000, a rise of 28,000 from the prior week.

The data might temper renewed concerns that the Federal Reserve may keep borrowing costs higher for longer, which have started to crimp investor sentiment after the high-flying Nasdaq — which remains up more than 25% since the start of 2023, according to FactSet data — tumbled on Wednesday following a surprise rate hike by the Bank of Canada. The index had logged its highest closing level since April 2022 earlier in the week.

See: Why U.S. stock-market investors were rattled by the Bank of Canada’s surprise rate hike

The rate hike from the BOC reminded investors that even if the Fed pauses its monetary policy tightening campaign next week, stubborn inflation could push the central bank to resume increasing the cost of money in coming months. The BOC’s move came after the Reserve Bank of Australia on Tuesday delivered a second rate hike after ending a pause of its own.

See: Why U.S. stock-market investors are rattled by the Bank of Canada’s surprise rate hike

“With the RBA and BOC not only stunning markets with their policy responses this week, but also by signalling they may not be done with rate increases, investors have had a major wake-up call ahead of the Fed’s own decision in just under a week’s time,” said Raffi Boyadjian, lead investment analyst at XM, in a note.

Markets still show investors pricing in a 68% probability the Fed will leave interest rates unchanged at a range of 5% to 5.25% on June 14.

However, the chances of an additional 25 basis point rate increase in July has risen to 53%, up from just 10% a month ago, according to the CME’s FedWatch tool. Investors have also priced out expectations that the Fed would move to cut interest rates again later this year.

Crucial to the Fed’s thinking will be the U.S. consumer price index for May, which will be published on Tuesday, just as the Fed begins its two-day policy meeting.

Companies in focus

• GameStop Corp.‘s stock
  GME,
  -19.57%
  tanked 17% after the retailer fired Chief Executive Mike Furlong and said that its board elected activist investor Ryan Cohen as its executive chairman.

• Oxford Industries Inc.
  OXM,
  -7.61%
  dropped in aftermarket trade Wednesday after the parent company of Tommy Bahama and other brands lowered its guidance for the year, saying that consumers have grown more cautious.

• Semtech Corp. shares
  SMTC,
  +4.10%
  soared after the  analog and mixed-signal chipmaker swung to a surprise profit.

• Signet Jewelers Ltd. 
  SIG,
  -9.85%
  tumbled Thursday after the diamond jewelry retailer provided downbeat sales and profit guidance, as consumers continue to shift away from discretionary spending amid macroeconomic challenges.