Weekly Market Commentary
Campaigning
Equity markets completed a sixth straight winning week. For last week, the S&P 500 was +0.9%, the Dow +1.0%, and the NASDAQ +0.3%. Within the S&P 500 Index, the Utility, Real Estate, and Financial sectors led the market. The Energy, Health Care, and Communication Services sectors lagged. The 10-year U.S. Treasury note yield decreased to 4.078% at Friday’s close versus 4.084% the previous week. Both the upcoming election and Federal Reserve policy meeting may help
Stocktober
The next few weeks should give investors a lot to digest. The third quarter earnings season is in full swing, there is a hotly contested election in 22 days, and the next monetary policy decision from the Federal Reserve is two days after the election. For last week, optimism won out and U.S. equity markets closed higher with the S&P 500 +1.1%, the Dow +1.2%, and the NASDAQ +1.2%. Within the S&P 500 Index, the
Labor Force
Labor news had an impact on markets last week. The port workers went on strike on Tuesday and then back to work on Friday, and the September labor market report was well above expectations. Stocks labored most of the week before a relief rally on Friday. For the week, the S&P 500 was +0.3%, the Dow was +0.1%, and the NASDAQ was +0.2%. Within the S&P 500 Index, the Energy, Communication Services, and Financial sectors
Tailwind
Stocks kept up their post-Fed meeting momentum last week. For the week, the S&P 500 was +0.6%, the Dow was +0.6%, and the NASDAQ was +1.1%. Within the S&P 500 Index, the Materials, Consumer Discretionary, and Industrial sectors led the market. The Health Care, Energy, and Financial sectors lagged. The 10-year U.S. Treasury note yield increased to 3.748% at Friday’s close versus 3.734% the previous week. The August Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Prices were +0.1%
Start of the Cycle
Stocks advanced as the Federal Reserve lowered interest rates by 0.50%. For the week, the S&P 500 was +1.4%, the Dow was +1.7%, and the NASDAQ was +1.4%. Within the S&P 500 Index, the Energy, Communication Services, and Financial sectors led the market. The Consumer Staples, Real Estate, and Health Care sectors lagged. The 10-year U.S. Treasury note yield increased to 3.734% at Friday’s close versus 3.659% the previous week. With the Federal Reserve confident
Cut Day
Stocks rallied back last week in anticipation of an easing in monetary policy to be announced this week. For the week, the S&P 500 was +4.1%, the Dow was +2.6%, and the NASDAQ was +6.0%. Within the S&P 500 Index, the Technology, Consumer Discretionary, and Communication Services sectors led the market. The Energy, Financial, and Consumer Staples sectors lagged. The 10-year U.S. Treasury note yield decreased to 3.659% at Friday’s close versus 3.717% the previous