The S&P 500 Index snapped its nine-week winning streak to open the year down 1.5%. The other major benchmarks also closed lower with the Dow -0.6% and the NASDAQ -3.1%. The S&P 500 Index was led by the Health Care, Utility, and Energy sectors, while the Technology, Consumer Discretionary, and Industrial sectors lagged. The …
Launch
The equity markets had a quiet, but positive, last week of the year. The weekly return for the S&P 500 Index was +0.3%, the Dow was +0.8%, and the NASDAQ was +0.3%. The S&P 500 Index was led by the Utility, Consumer Staples, and Real Estate sectors. The Energy, Consumer Discretionary, and Communication Services …
Skating
Equities skated into the Christmas holiday weekend with eight consecutive weekly gains. The weekly return for the S&P 500 Index was +0.8%, the Dow was +0.2%, and the NASDAQ was +0.9%. The S&P 500 Index was led by the Communication Services, Energy, and Health Care sectors. The Utility and Real Estate sectors lagged. The …
Tight Enough
Equities rallied and bond yields declined as the Federal Reserve projected a decrease in the Fed funds rate for 2024 as the pace of inflation is declining. The weekly return for the S&P 500 Index was +2.5%, the Dow was +2.9%, and the NASDAQ was +3.4%. The S&P 500 Index was led by the …
Projections
Equities rose modestly as investors await the final Federal Reserve meeting of the year. The weekly return for the S&P 500 Index was +0.2%, the Dow was flat, and the NASDAQ was +0.6%. The S&P 500 Index was led by the Consumer Discretionary, Communication Services, and Technology sectors. The Energy, Materials, and Consumer Staples …
The Gift that Keeps on Giving
Equities rose and bond yields fell as investors continue to press the case that the Federal Reserve is likely done with the current monetary tightening cycle. The weekly return for the S&P 500 Index was +0.8%, the Dow was +2.6%, and the NASDAQ was +0.1%. The S&P 500 Index was led by the Real …
Year-End Spend
Equities maintained their upward movement during the holiday shortened week. The weekly return for the S&P 500 Index was +1.0%, the Dow was +1.3%, and the NASDAQ was +0.9%. All eleven sectors in the S&P 500 Index were positive for the week led by the Health Care, Consumer Staples, and Communication Services sectors. The …
Cooling
Cooling inflation reports combined with a cooling job market data from earlier in the month has sustained the recent equity rally. The weekly return for the S&P 500 Index was +2.3%, the Dow was +2.1%, and the NASDAQ was +2.0%. All eleven sectors in the S&P 500 Index were positive for the week led …
Seeking Sufficient Restrictiveness
Stocks added to gains last week. The weekly return for the S&P 500 Index was +1.4%, the Dow was +0.7%, and the NASDAQ was +2.9%. The S&P 500 Index was led by the Technology, Communication Services, and Industrial sectors. The Energy, Utility, and Real Estate sectors were the biggest laggards. The 10-year U.S. Treasury …
Bounce Back
A pause on interest rates at the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting followed by a tame employment report helped stocks rally from an oversold condition last week. The weekly return for the S&P 500 Index was +5.9%, the Dow was +5.1%, and the NASDAQ was +6.5%. All eleven S&P 500 sectors were positive …
Don’t Get Spooked
Mixed earnings from the mega cap Technology and Communications Services companies and on-going concerns of events in the Middle East sent equity markets down last week. The weekly return for the S&P 500 Index was -2.5%, the Dow was -2.1%, and the NASDAQ was -2.6%. The Utility sector was the only sector with a …
Inside Inflation
The eruption of violence in the Middle East created a demand for safe haven assets last week as treasury bonds, gold, and oil all rose. The weekly return for the S&P 500 Index was +0.5%, the Dow was +0.8%, and the NASDAQ was +0.1%. The Energy, Utilities, and Real Estate sectors led the market, …
Higher Hiring
The September Employment report pointed to a still strong economy and sparked a market rally on Friday. The weekly return for the S&P 500 Index was +0.5%, the Dow was -0.2%, and the NASDAQ was +1.8%. The Technology, Communication Services, and Health Care sectors led the market, while the Energy, Consumer Staples, and Utilities …
Open Government
The U.S. government avoided an October 1st shutdown but legislators were only able to agree on a 45-day extension. The weekly return for the S&P 500 Index was -0.7%, the Dow was -1.3%, and the NASDAQ was +0.1%. The Energy, Materials, and Consumer Discretionary sectors were the only positive sectors in the S&P 500 …
Energy Jolt
Stocks were mixed last week. The weekly return for the S&P 500 Index was -0.1%, the Dow was +0.1%, and the NASDAQ was -0.5%. The Utility, Consumer Discretionary, and Financial sectors led the market. The Technology, Industrial, and Materials sectors lagged. The 10-year U.S. Treasury note yield increased to 4.322% at Friday’s close versus …
Back to Business
Stocks declined during the holiday-shorted week. The weekly return for the S&P 500 Index was -1.3%, the Dow was -0.7%, and the NASDAQ was -1.4%. The Energy and Utility sectors posted gains for the week. All other sectors were negative, led by the Industrial, Materials and Technology sectors. The 10-year U.S. Treasury note yield …
Bad News is Good News
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
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
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 …
Earnings Matter
Despite concerns over impact of the coronavirus, the equity markets staged a recovery back toward record levels last week. We believe the significant story here is corporate earnings. With 387 companies in the S&P 500 Index having reported fourth quarter 2019 earnings, 72% have exceeded expectations, 10% have been in-line and 19% have been …
Gone Viral
The enthusiasm from the Phase One U.S. – China trade agreement was quickly tempered as fear of the economic impact of the Coronavirus on global growth seeped into the markets. Major market averages saw their first weekly decline for the year. Despite the headline health scare, corporate earnings reporting season rolls on. With 85 …
Phase One Trade Agreement Signed
A good start to the fourth quarter earnings reporting season and the signing of the Phase One trade agreement between the U.S. and China combined to maintain positive equity market momentum this past week. With 44 companies having reported fourth quarter earnings, 70% have exceeded expectations, 7% have reported in-line, and 23% have reported …
Focus Returns to Corporate Earnings
After a short period of volatility surrounding U.S.—Iran tensions, the market continued its current climb once investors assessed that the situation was deescalating. Geopolitical tensions aside, investors can return their focus to company fundamentals this week as the fourth quarter corporate earnings season kicks off. Twenty-six companies in the S&P 500 Index are scheduled …
Trade Optimism Driving Equity Returns
Stocks remain at record levels on optimism for a partial trade truce. As we head into the final leg of corporate earnings season, we anticipate that macroeconomic and geopolitical headlines should continue to dominate market direction day-to-day. Earnings have shown a more positive picture than was expected in late September. Of the 461 companies …
Earnings Take Center Stage
Second quarter earnings season takes center stage this week as 56 companies in the S&P 500 Index are scheduled to report earnings results. Most major banks will report earnings and we can see how they are navigating the current interest rate environment. Several industrial companies will also report earnings results and we can get …
Balancing Act
An upside surprise to the June employment report last week tempered expectations that the Federal Reserve would be reducing short-term interest rate at the July FOMC meeting. The Labor Department reported that Non-Farm Payrolls increased by 224,000 in June versus an expectation of 160,000. This was a sharp reversal from May’s disappointing jobs report …
Pax Pacifica?
U.S. President Trump and President Xi of China met during the G20 meeting in Japan this week and agreed to restart trade talks between the two countries. Tariffs remain on $250 billion of Chinese imports but no new tariffs will be put in place for the time being. There is no time table for …
The Dove and the Dragon
A double-shot of positive news lifted major market averages last week. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell reinforced his supportive posture to keep the U.S. economy growing and the White House announced President Trump and President Xi of China would meet during the G20 meeting in Japan at the end of this week. Both announcements supported …
Will Key Meetings Satisfy Investor Expectations?
The major market averages posted a second consecutive positive weekly return. With the lull between corporate earnings season, most movement came from macroeconomic data, politics, and some company commentary at investor conferences. Investors will have two big events to focus on for the balance of the month with the Federal Reserve meeting on June …
Continue reading “Will Key Meetings Satisfy Investor Expectations?”
Animal Spirits on the Rise
Equities rallied last week as moderating economic data and Dovish comments from Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell led investors to the conclusion that a short-term interest rate cut is on the horizon. The Fed Chairman’s speech on June 4th indicated the Fed would take appropriate action to maintain expansion of the economy in the …