The Markets (as of market close July 30, 2021) Equities retreated last week despite strong corporate earnings data. European and Asian stocks slid following China's regulatory crackdown aimed at large tech companies. Although corporate earnings generally have been solid, last Friday's lower-than-expected earnings results from some heavily weighted megacaps may have caused some uncertainty about [...]
The Markets (as of market close July 16, 2021) Stocks suffered their worst week in quite some time, as each of the major indexes ended the week lower. Last week was the start of the second-quarter corporate earnings reporting period. Attention will be paid to reported earnings to gauge whether corporate profits can support equity [...]
The Markets (as of market close July 9, 2021) The holiday-shortened week can best be described as volatile. Some observers suggest investors may be retreating from stocks over uncertainties surrounding the pace of economic recovery coupled with easing inflation expectations. For much of the week, stock values road a roller-coaster ride of ups and downs, [...]
The Markets (second quarter through June 30, 2021) The second quarter began with stocks making solid gains in April. COVID vaccines became available to more Americans. The federal government and several states pushed forward with reopening after relaxing many of pandemic-related constraints. Economic data was favorable and encouraging. The first-quarter gross domestic product accelerated at [...]
The Markets (as of market close June 25, 2021) Despite hawkish rhetoric from some high-ranking Federal Reserve officials, equities kicked off last week on an upswing, enjoying their biggest rally in several sessions. Energy, financials, and industrials helped push the S&P 500 up 1.4%. The Russell 2000 rebounded from a rough prior week, gaining 2.2%. [...]
The Markets (as of market close June 18, 2021) Stocks opened the week with mixed returns: The Dow, the Russell 2000, and the Global Dow lost value, while the Nasdaq and the S&P 500 rose. Tech shares and consumer services closed higher, while financials and materials fell. Anticipating the Federal Open Market Committee meeting later [...]
The Markets (as of market close June 11, 2021) Stocks were mixed last Monday, with the Russell 2000 (1.4%) and the Nasdaq (0.5%) gaining, while the Dow fell 0.4% and the S&P 500 and the Global Dow closed the day essentially unchanged. Treasury yields, crude oil prices, and the dollar fell. Communication services, health care, [...]
The Markets (as of market close May 28, 2021) Stocks were volatile in May, likely a reflection of strength in the U.S. economy as well as concerns about inflation and the timing of when the Federal Reserve might begin to taper its accommodative policies. Regarding inflation, members of the Federal Open Market Committee acknowledged that [...]
The Markets (as of market close June 4, 2021) Stocks were mixed last Tuesday to begin the holiday-shortened week. The Russell 2000 climbed 1.1%, the Global Dow added 0.6%, and the Dow eked out a 0.1% gain. The Nasdaq and the S&P 500 each dipped 0.1%. Yields on 10-year Treasuries, the dollar, and crude oil [...]
The Markets (as of market close May 21, 2021) Stocks began last week mostly lower, pulled down by tech and consumer shares. Of the benchmark indexes listed here, only the Russell 2000 (0.1%) and the Global Dow (0.2%) were able to eke out gains. The Nasdaq dipped 0.4%, followed by the S&P 500, which lost [...]
