Goldilocks versus the Bears

March 8, 2021

  Continued upward movement in interest rates pressured stocks during the week, but a strong Employment Report ended the week on a stronger note. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was +1.8%, the S&P 500 Index was +0.8%, and the NASDAQ 100 Index was –1.8%. The U.S. economy added 379,000 jobs in February versus an expectation …

Ready to Spend

March 1, 2021

  A sharply steepening yield curve pressured stocks last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was –1.7%, the S&P 500 Index was –2.4%, and the NASDAQ 100 Index was –4.9%. We are nearing the end of the fourth quarter earnings season with 479 in the S&P 500 Index having reported earnings. Eighty percent of companies …

Frozen

February 22, 2021

  The equity market advance froze this week along with most of the country. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was +0.2%, the S&P 500 Index was –0.7%, and the NASDAQ 100 Index was –1.6%. With 399 companies in the S&P 500 Index having reported fourth quarter earnings, 81.7% have reported earnings above consensus. Continuing the …

Vaccination Acceleration

February 16, 2021

Continued progress on COVID-19 vaccine administration, stimulus, and quarterly earnings lifted equity markets last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was +1.1%, the S&P 500 Index was +1.3%, and the NASDAQ 100 Index was +1.5%. With 372 companies in the S&P 500 Index having reported fourth quarter earnings, 82.0% have reported earnings above consensus. Earnings …

Fourth Quarter Comeback

February 8, 2021

  Positive quarterly earnings reports and progress on stimulus talks helped the equity market rebound to start February on a positive note. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was +3.6%, the S&P 500 Index was +4.3%, and the NASDAQ 100 Index was +4.9%. We’re just past halfway in the fourth quarter earnings cycle and S&P 500 …

Positive GDP Surprise

April 29, 2019

  The advance report on First Quarter U.S. Gross Domestic Product (“GDP”) was reported at +3.2%. This was an upside surprise to the 2% widely anticipated by most economists. Part of the surprise was in net trade (exports versus imports) which was refreshing to see given the concern over the U.S.—China trade standoff. Personal consumption …

Calm Before the Earnings Storm

April 8, 2019

  The S&P 500 Index added to an impressive first quarter return by posting a 2.1% return in the first week of 2019’s second quarter. Economic and trade optimism buoyed equity markets. Later this week, the first quarter earnings season kicks off with major banks J.P. Morgan Chase, Wells Fargo, and PNC announcing their quarterly …