The stock market fell sharply on Friday, failing to build on momentum that took many major market benchmarks up 20% or more from their lowest levels. New worries about the coronavirus pandemic surfaced, and the threat of the $2 trillion stimulus bill getting delayed due to procedural voting requirements also raised some worries among investors who had taken the measure's passage for granted. As of 11 a.m. EDT, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI 0.69%) was down 848 points to 21,704. The S&P 500 (^GSPC 1.20%) fell 88 points to 2,542, and the Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC 1.59%) dropped 267 points to 7,530.
The fight against the coronavirus has been wide-ranging, and SmileDirectClub (SDC 8.33%) announced its intent to join the battle by making a contribution of its own. Meanwhile, lululemon athletica (LULU 0.80%) announced its latest financial results, and despite solid numbers for the most recent quarter, shareholders are nervous about what the rest of 2020 could hold for the yoga apparel retailer.
Making medical professionals smile
Shares of SmileDirectClub were higher by 15% Friday morning, as investors applauded a shift that the company has made in response to the outbreak of COVID-19. Even though the company specializes in dental alignment appliances, SmileDirectClub is trying to bring smiles to medical professionals outside the dental profession.
Image source: SmileDirectClub.
SmileDirectClub has used the 3-D printing capabilities that it typically utilizes to make clear aligners and retainers and redirected it toward the production of medical-grade face shields. Healthcare workers can use the shields to protect themselves against catching COVID-19. A hospital complex in the Idaho capital of Boise will receive SmileDirectClub's first shipment of 1,000 face shields. In addition, the dental specialist is making reusable respirator face masks to help fight shortages in key areas.
The company expects to support healthcare workers throughout the pandemic. SmileDirectClub estimates that it can use 3-D printing to produce up to 7,500 face shields per day, and it's taking orders from healthcare facilities and government entities across the U.S. and Canada. Because its manufacturing facilities are certified by the Food and Drug Administration, SmileDirectClub could also have the ability to make other vital items, including testing supplies.
With millions of people struggling to make ends meet, SmileDirectClub could see a drop in its core dental aligner business. By helping with more immediate needs during the coronavirus crisis, the healthcare company is both doing the right thing now and building goodwill among potential customers in the future.
lululemon heads downward
Elsewhere, shares of lululemon athletica dropped almost 4%. The yoga apparel retailer released its fourth-quarter financial results, but shareholders focused more on what the company didn't say about its immediate prospects.
The numbers for lululemon's holiday quarter were generally good. Sales for the period were up 20% from year-earlier levels, with comparable store sales rising by 9%. Direct-to-consumer revenue jumped an even more impressive 41% year over year. Earnings showed similar growth, rising 23% compared to the adjusted earnings numbers from the fourth quarter of 2018. That capped a strong 2019 for lululemon, which featured 21% revenue gains on a 17% rise in total comparable sales, and 28% growth in adjusted earnings.
Yet because of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, lululemon chose not to provide any guidance for fiscal 2020. The retailer acknowledged the temporary closures of all locations in North America, Europe, New Zealand, and Malaysia, although it's reopened all but one of its stores in mainland China following the outbreak there.
Investors seem to have some confidence in lululemon's long-term prospects, as the stock's drop is only slightly worse than that of the overall market today. If life returns to normal in the near future, then lululemon will be in a better position than many to take advantage.
