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) …

Animal Spirits

November 14, 2022

  Better than expected Consumer Price Index data let pent up animal spirits run wild last Thursday and Friday. Stocks advanced sharply for the week with the S&P 500 +5.9%, the Dow was +4.2%, and the NASDAQ was +8.9%. The 10-year U.S. Treasury note yield decreased to 3.893% at Thursday’s close versus 4.158% the previous …

Examining Midterms

November 7, 2022

  Stocks declined last week as the Federal Reserve did not indicate it was ready to cease its interest rate increase cycle. For the week, the S&P 500 was -3.3%, the Dow was -1.4%, and the NASDAQ was -5.9%. The 10-year U.S. Treasury note yield increased to 4.158% at Friday’s close versus 4.010% the previous …

Frankenstocks

October 31, 2022

  Stocks have tried to come back from the dead, rallying for a second consecutive week and are on track to turn in a strong month for October. For the week, the S&P 500 was +4.0%, the Dow was +5.7%, and the NASDAQ was +2.1%. The 10-year U.S. Treasury note yield decreased to 4.010% at …

Storm Before the Calm

October 24, 2022

  Stocks rallied on a combination of good earnings results and hope that the Fed would soon slow the pace of interest rate increases. The S&P 500 was +4.8%, the Dow was +4.9%, and the NASDAQ was +5.8%. The 10-year U.S. Treasury note yield increased to 4.212% at Friday’s close versus 4.006% the previous week. …

FX Effects

October 17, 2022

  Stocks rallied on Thursday despite higher-than-expected Consumer Price Index (CPI) data, then fell back on Friday for a mixed finish to the week. The S&P 500 was -1.5%, the Dow was +1.2%, and the NASDAQ was -3.1%. The 10-year U.S. Treasury note yield increased to 4.006% at Friday’s close versus 3.885% the previous week. …