U.S. markets and stock ETFs weakened Tuesday on mixed second-quarter earnings after three major U.S. banks reported their quarterly results, setting the tone for the upcoming earnings season.
On Monday, the SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF (NYSEArca: DIA) was flat and SPDR S&P 500 ETF (NYSEArca: SPY) was 0.2% lower.
J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. and Wells Fargo beat quarterly profit expectations but revealed weakness in net interest income. The announcements fueled concern over the financial sector’s ability to maintain profits as the Federal Reserve looks to cut interest rates as early as its upcoming July meeting.
“Much of the outlook remains very unclear for the sector, with falling rates and the potential for further economic weakness in the United States,” Joshua Mahony, senior market analyst with IG, told Reuters. “The banks must show that they can continue to perform in an environment of lower rates and less help from the government.”
Investors are watching U.S. corporate earnings for clues on how companies are handling the weaker growth as trade tensions between the U.S. and China persist.