Downshift

January 30, 2023

  After a dismal 2022, stocks have staged a comeback so far in early 2023. This past week, the S&P 500 Index was +2.5%, the Dow was +1.8%, and the NASDAQ was +4.7%. The 10-year U.S. Treasury note yield increased to 3.518% at Friday’s close versus 3.484% the previous week. The significant event for the …

The Rubber Meets the Road

January 23, 2023

  Equity markets were mixed last week. The S&P 500 was -0.6%, the Dow was -2.7%, and the NASDAQ was +0.7%. The 10-year U.S. Treasury note yield decreased to 3.484% at Friday’s close versus 3.511% the previous week. The December Producer Price Index (PPI) was -0.5% month-to-month and core PPI (which excludes food, energy, and …

Early Optimism

January 17, 2023

  Equity markets continued their advance last week. The S&P 500 was +2.7%, the Dow was +2.0%, and the NASDAQ was +4.5%. The 10-year U.S. Treasury note yield decreased to 3.551% at Friday’s close versus 3.571% the previous week. The December Consumer Price Index (CPI) declined 0.1% month-to-month and core CPI, which excludes the Food …

Melt Up

January 9, 2023

  Equity markets kicked off the new year with an advance. The S&P 500 was +1.5%, the Dow was +1.5%, and the NASDAQ was +0.9% as Friday’s release of the December employment report sparked a strong rally to end the week. The 10-year U.S. Treasury note yield decreased to 3.571% at Friday’s close versus 3.831% …

Good-Bye 2022

December 27, 2022

  Equity markets were mixed last week. The S&P 500 was -0.2% for the week, the Dow was +0.9%, and the NASDAQ was -2.3%. The 10-year U.S. Treasury note yield increased to 3.747% at Friday’s close versus 3.482% the previous week. Small but steady improvement continues on the inflation front. The November Personal Consumption Expenditures …

Winter Recess

December 19, 2022

  Equity markets took another ride last week. Optimism was high early in the week following a Consumer Price Index (CPI) report that showed slowing inflation, but pessimism returned following the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting which indicated the final level on short-term interest rates is projected to be higher than previously expected. The …

Naughty or Nice?

December 12, 2022

  Equity markets retrenched last week after the November Producer Price Index (PPI) showed inflation to be stickier than anticipated. The S&P 500 was -3.3% for the week, the Dow was -2.7%, and the NASDAQ was -3.6%. The 10-year U.S. Treasury note yield increased to 3.567% at Friday’s close versus 3.503% the previous week. The …

Labor Strength

December 5, 2022

  Equity markets gained last week after supportive comments from Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell that the Fed could start slowing the pace of interest rate increases. The S&P 500 was +1.2% for the week, the Dow was +0.4%, and the NASDAQ was +2.1%. The 10-year U.S. Treasury note yield decreased to 3.503% at Friday’s …

The Homestretch

November 28, 2022

  With 24 stock market trading days left for the year, we are in the homestretch for what has been a dismal 2022. This past week, equity markets gained during the Thanksgiving holiday shortened week. The S&P 500 was +1.6%, the Dow was +1.8%, and the NASDAQ was +0.7%. The 10-year U.S. Treasury note yield …

A Wing and a Leg

November 21, 2022

  Equity markets consolidated last week after a large advance the week prior. The S&P 500 was -0.6%, the Dow was +0.1%, and the NASDAQ was -1.1%. The 10-year U.S. Treasury note yield decreased to 3.818% at Friday’s close versus 3.893% the previous week. Following on the heels of the October Consumer Price Index (CPI) …