Fears that a slowing economy might lead to a recession eased last week as corporate earnings continued to outperform expectations; Friday’s jobs report provided additional optimism. The S&P 500® Index and the Nasdaq reached new highs as investors moved from safe harbor U.S. Treasuries into the equity markets. For the week, the Russell 2000® Index (1.96%) led followed by Nasdaq (1.74%), S&P 500® (1.47%) and Dow Jones Industrial Average (1.44%). Over 70% of companies in the S&P 50… View More
Trade commentaries and earnings results provided momentum for a third straight week of gains. The Nasdaq led with a gain of 1.90% followed by the Russell 2000® Index (1.51%), the S&P 500® Index (1.22%) and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (0.70%). With earnings results from approximately 36% of the companies in the S&P 500®, nearly 80% of reporting companies exceeded analysts’ expectations. Companies across many sectors (including Microsoft, Intel, Phillips 66, Boston Scientific, An… View More
Last week the S&P 500® Index (0.54%) posted its second consecutive weekly gain on the strength of corporate earnings. For the week the Russell 2000® Index (1.56%) led the major indices followed by the S&P 500® (0.54%) and the Nasdaq (0.40%) while the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell -0.17%. The Dow lost ground on reports from Johnson & Johnson of a baby powder recall (due to traces of asbestos) and Boeing (on reports the company failed to disclose “concerning” instant message… View More
The markets closed higher for the week, and ended a three-week losing streak, following Friday’s announcement of a “phase 1” partial trade deal. The White House announced the suspension of tariffs scheduled for this Tuesday on $250 billion worth of Chinese imports; China agreed to purchase between $40 billion and $50 billion of U.S. agricultural goods. For the week, the Nasdaq rose 0.93% followed by the Dow Jones Industrial Average (+0.91%), the Russell 2000® Index (+0.75%), and the S&… View More
Through September, the S&P 500® Index posted a year-to-date gain of 19%, its best performance since 1997; these results, though, mask the modest 2.2% one-year performance. The equity markets reversed course last Tuesday following the release of the September ISM Manufacturing Index; the 47.8 reading, the lowest level in ten years, heightening recessionary fears. On Friday, the equity markets recovered with a “goldilocks” jobs report. The economy added 136,000 jobs in September and unemp… View More