Bad News is Good News

September 5, 2023

  Stocks gained last week after a downward revision to second quarter Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth and a moderating job market report. The weekly return for the S&P 500 Index was +2.5%, the Dow was +1.6%, and the NASDAQ was +3.7%. The Technology, Materials, and Energy sectors led the market. The Utilities and Consumer …

Holding the Line

August 28, 2023

  Stocks were mixed last week as the corporate earnings season winds down and Fed Chairman Jerome Powell held the line on being steadfast on inflation in his remarks at Jackson Hole. The weekly return for the S&P 500 Index was +0.8%, the Dow was -0.4%, and the NASDAQ was +1.7%. The Technology and Consumer …

China Concerns

August 21, 2023

  Rising bond yields in the U.S. and concern of contagion from a weakening Chinese economy sent stocks lower last week. The weekly return for the S&P 500 Index was -2.1%, the Dow was -2.1%, and the NASDAQ was -2.2%. All sectors in the S&P 500 Index declined. The Technology and Energy sectors declined the …

Joseph Sroka speaking at Private Wealth Central States Forum – August 23rd

August 15, 2023

  On Wednesday, August 23rd, NovaPoint’s chief investment officer, Joseph Sroka, CFA, CMT will be speaking at Markets Group’s Private Wealth Central States Forum in Nashville. Joe will be a panelist on the forum’s Opening Bell panel, “The Next 12 Months at a Glance,” with several other investment professionals. The Private Wealth Central States Forum …

Summer Daze

August 14, 2023

  Temperatures remain warm but stocks have cooled recently with the S&P 500 Index’s first back-to-back weekly decline since early May. The weekly return for the S&P 500 Index was -0.3%, the Dow was +0.7%, and the NASDAQ was -1.3%. Within the S&P 500, the Energy, Healthcare, and Utility sectors led the market for the …

Cash or Credit

August 7, 2023

  A mixed week of earnings reports, higher oil prices and a downgrade of the U.S. debt by rating agency Fitch all combined to move stocks lower last week. The weekly return for the S&P 500 Index was -2.3%, the Dow was -1.1%, and the NASDAQ was -3.0%. Within the S&P 500, the Energy sector …

Dog Days

July 31, 2023

  A combination of favorable earnings reports and economic data moved stocks higher last week. The weekly return for the S&P 500 Index was +1.0%, the Dow was +0.7%, and the NASDAQ was +2.1%. Within the S&P 500, the Communication Services, Energy, and Materials sectors led the market. The 10-year U.S. Treasury note yield increased …

Fed Watch

July 24, 2023

  A broadening of industry participants in the market advance helped the S&P 500 Index rise as the tech-heavy NASDAQ 100 fell this past week. The Energy, Healthcare, and Financial Sectors led the market. The weekly return for the S&P 500 Index was +0.7%, the Dow was +2.1%, and the NASDAQ was -0.9%. The 10-year …

Swift Impact

July 17, 2023

  A slowing in the rate of inflation and a good start to the earnings reporting season boosted stocks last week. The weekly return for the S&P 500 Index was +2.4%, the Dow was +2.3%, and the NASDAQ was +3.5%. The 10-year U.S. Treasury note yield decreased to 3.820% at Friday’s close versus 4.048% the …

Earnings Horizon

July 10, 2023

  Equity markets opened the new quarter with a whimper. The weekly return for the S&P 500 Index was -1.1%, the Dow was -1.9%, and the NASDAQ was -0.9%. The 10-year U.S. Treasury note yield increased to 4.048% at Friday’s close versus 3.819% the previous week. The June employment report showed 209,000 net new jobs …