In this week’s recap: Stocks struggle to find their way amid several noteworthy earnings reports from corporations.

Weekly Economic Update

Presented by Cornerstone Financial Advisory, LLC, May 3, 2021

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THE WEEK ON WALL STREET

Stocks meandered around a flatline in a busy week of corporate earnings, ending the trading week slightly lower.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 0.50%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 was flat (+0.02%). The Nasdaq Composite index surrendered 0.39%. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, rose 0.18%.^1,2,3

Seeking Direction

Though the S&P 500 and Nasdaq established new record highs at the start of the week, stocks struggled to find traction as the week wore on.⁴

Investor sentiment was dampened by rising COVID-19 infections in India and Japan, along with mounting inflation worries. Stocks finally caught some lift from strong quarterly reports issued by two big technology companies and an upbeat first-quarter Gross Domestic Product growth number, sending the S&P 500 to a fresh record high.⁵

Once again, though, stocks failed to follow through, as the market retreated in the final day of trading to close near where it began the week.

 

Earnings Top Expectations

Last week was the biggest week of the first quarter’s earnings season with a third of S&P 500 companies reporting, including six of the largest companies.⁶

With expectations high, businesses generally topped Wall Street analysts’ estimates; Big Tech companies posted especially noteworthy earnings. Coming into last Friday, with 40% of S&P 500 index companies reporting, earnings-per-share growth (EPS) is now estimated to be 29.3%, well ahead of the 12.2% EPS growth rate that analysts had expected at the start of the year.⁷

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T I P   O F   T H E   W E E K

Think about setting up a system to record your allowable income tax deductions and credits. Too many people spend too many hours trying to figure out deductions and credits in April.

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THE WEEK AHEAD: KEY ECONOMIC DATA

Tuesday: Factory Orders.

Wednesday: ADP (Automated Data Processing) Employment Report. ISM (Institute for Supply Management) Services Index.

Thursday: Jobless Claims.

Friday: Employment Situation Report.

Source: Econoday, April 30, 2021

The Econoday economic calendar lists upcoming U.S. economic data releases (including key economic indicators), Federal Reserve policy meetings, and speaking engagements of Federal Reserve officials. The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and may not materialize. The forecasts also are subject to revision.

 

THE WEEK AHEAD: COMPANIES REPORTING EARNINGS

Tuesday: CVS Health Corporation (CVS), Pfizer, Inc. (PFE), Dominion Energy (D), Prudential Financial (PRU).

Wednesday: Paypal Holdings (PYPL), General Motors (GM), Twilio, Inc. (TWLO), Etsy, Inc. (ETSY), Cognizant Technologies (CTSH).

Thursday: Square, Inc. (SQ), Roku, Inc. (ROKU), Albemarle Corporation (ALB), Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (REGN), Booking Holdings (BKNG), Expedia Group (EXPE), Kellogg Company (K).

Friday: Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A), EOG Resources (EOG), Cigna Corporation (CI), Draftkings, Inc. (DKNG).

Source: Zacks, April 30, 2021

Companies mentioned are for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of the securities. Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your own goals, time horizon, and tolerance for risk. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost. Companies may reschedule when they report earnings without notice.

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Q U O T E   O F   T H E   W E E K

“The secret of happiness isn’t found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less.”

SOCRATES

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 T H E   W E E K L Y   R I D D L E

Forward I am heavy, but backward I am not. What am I?

 

LAST WEEK’S RIDDLE: A certain month can begin on a Friday and end on a Friday as well. What month is it?

ANSWER: February. In order for a month to start and end with the same day of the week, it has to have a complete number of weeks and have one more day. The only possible month is February which has 29 days in a leap year.

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Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your own goals, time horizon, and tolerance for risk. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost.

The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, may not materialize, and are subject to revision without notice.

The market indexes discussed are unmanaged, and generally, considered representative of their respective markets. Index performance is not indicative of the past performance of a particular investment. Indexes do not incur management fees, costs, and expenses. Individuals cannot directly invest in unmanaged indexes. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average is an unmanaged index that is generally considered representative of large-capitalization companies on the U.S. stock market. Nasdaq Composite is an index of the common stocks and similar securities listed on the Nasdaq stock market and is considered a broad indicator of the performance of technology and growth companies. The MSCI EAFE Index was created by Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) and serves as a benchmark of the performance of major international equity markets, as represented by 21 major MSCI indexes from Europe, Australia, and Southeast Asia. The S&P 500 Composite Index is an unmanaged group of securities that are considered to be representative of the stock market in general.

U.S. Treasury Notes are guaranteed by the federal government as to the timely payment of principal and interest. However, if you sell a Treasury Note prior to maturity, it may be worth more or less than the original price paid. Fixed income investments are subject to various risks including changes in interest rates, credit quality, inflation risk, market valuations, prepayments, corporate events, tax ramifications and other factors.

International investments carry additional risks, which include differences in financial reporting standards, currency exchange rates, political risks unique to a specific country, foreign taxes and regulations, and the potential for illiquid markets. These factors may result in greater share price volatility.

Please consult your financial professional for additional information.

This content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG is not affiliated with the named representative, financial professional, Registered Investment Advisor, Broker-Dealer, nor state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and they should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security.

Copyright 2021 FMG Suite.

CITATIONS:

1. The Wall Street Journal, April 30, 2021
2. The Wall Street Journal, April 30, 2021
3. The Wall Street Journal, April 30, 2021
4. CNBC, April 26, 2021
5. The Wall Street Journal, April 29, 2021
6. MarketWatch, April 25, 2021
7. The Earnings Scout, April 30, 2021

In this week’s recap: Mixed signals lead to a choppy week.

Weekly Economic Update

Presented by Cornerstone Financial Advisory, LLC, April 26. 2021

 

THE WEEK ON WALL STREET

The crosscurrents of strong corporate earnings, rising global cases of COVID-19, and the specter of higher capital gains taxes led to a choppy week of trading that left stock prices slightly lower for the week.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.46%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 slipped 0.13%. The Nasdaq Composite index fell 0.25% for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, dropped 0.47%.^1,2,3 

A DIRECTIONLESS WEEK

Despite continued better-than-expected corporate earnings, stocks retreated as concerns over rising global COVID-19 infections weighed on investor sentiment. A mid-week rally erased much of these losses, with reopening stocks and small cap companies leading the market.

The stock market resumed its decline in reaction to reports that President Biden supported a capital gains tax increase on wealthy Americans. The Biden news prompted worries that stocks could come under pressure this year if such an increase were to go into effect next year.

Solid economic reports, along with a reassessment of the capital gains news, helped stocks to bounce back and close out the week on a positive note.

HOUSING SHOWS STRENGTH

Two housing market reports last week reflected strong consumer demand for homes.

Sales of new homes in March jumped by 20.7% from February and by more than 66% from last March, reaching levels not seen since 2006. All regions recorded double-digit gains, except for the West, which experienced a decline of 30%.⁴

Though existing home sales fell 3.7%, it wasn’t for lack of consumer interest, as evidenced by the 18-day average to sell a home. The decline was largely an issue of tight inventories.  This demand/supply imbalance drove median home prices higher by 17.2% from March 2020 to $329,100.⁵

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T I P   O F   T H E   W E E K

Save your business money by buying furnishings and equipment at bankruptcy auctions, government sales, closeouts and furniture rental outlets.

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THE WEEK AHEAD: KEY ECONOMIC DATA

Monday: Durable Goods Orders.

Tuesday: Consumer Confidence.

Wednesday: Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) Announcement.

Thursday: Jobless Claims. Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Source: Econoday, April 23, 2021

The Econoday economic calendar lists upcoming U.S. economic data releases (including key economic indicators), Federal Reserve policy meetings, and speaking engagements of Federal Reserve officials. The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and may not materialize. The forecasts also are subject to revision.

THE WEEK AHEAD: COMPANIES REPORTING EARNINGS

Monday: Tesla, Inc. (TSLA).

Tuesday: Microsoft (MSFT), Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD), Visa (V), Alphabet, Inc. (GOOGL), Starbucks (SBUX), Amgen, Inc. (AMGN), Eli Lilly and Company (LLY), 3M Company (MMM), Texas Instruments (TXN), United Parcel Service (UPS), Mondelez International (MDLZ).

Wednesday: Apple, Inc. (AAPL), Facebook (FB), Boeing (BA), Ford Motor Company (F), Qualcomm (QCOM), Shopify, Inc. (SHOP), Servicenow, Inc. (NOW), Teladoc Health, Inc. (TDOC), Ebay (EBAY).

Thursday: Amazon.com (AMZN), Twitter, Inc. (TWTR), Mastercard (MA), Bristol Myers Squibb (BMY), Caterpillar, Inc. (CAT), Merck & Company (MRK), McDonald’s Corporation (MCD), Comcast Corporation (CMCSA), American Tower Corporation (AMT).

Friday: Abbvie, Inc (ABBV), Chevron (CVX), Charter Communications (CHTR).

Source: Zacks, April 23, 2021

Companies mentioned are for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of the securities. Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your own goals, time horizon, and tolerance for risk. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost. Companies may reschedule when they report earnings without notice.

 

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Q U O T E   O F   T H E   W E E K

“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement.”

HELEN KELLER

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T H E   W E E K L Y   R I D D L E

A certain month can begin on a Friday and end on a Friday as well. What month is it?

LAST WEEK’S RIDDLE: What number is 4 more than the number that is double one-fifth of one-tenth of 900?

ANSWER: 40 (900 / 10 = 90 / 5 = 18 x 2 = 36 + 4 = 40).

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Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your own goals, time horizon, and tolerance for risk. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost.

The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, may not materialize, and are subject to revision without notice.

The market indexes discussed are unmanaged, and generally, considered representative of their respective markets. Index performance is not indicative of the past performance of a particular investment. Indexes do not incur management fees, costs, and expenses. Individuals cannot directly invest in unmanaged indexes. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average is an unmanaged index that is generally considered representative of large-capitalization companies on the U.S. stock market. Nasdaq Composite is an index of the common stocks and similar securities listed on the Nasdaq stock market and is considered a broad indicator of the performance of technology and growth companies. The MSCI EAFE Index was created by Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) and serves as a benchmark of the performance of major international equity markets, as represented by 21 major MSCI indexes from Europe, Australia, and Southeast Asia. The S&P 500 Composite Index is an unmanaged group of securities that are considered to be representative of the stock market in general.

U.S. Treasury Notes are guaranteed by the federal government as to the timely payment of principal and interest. However, if you sell a Treasury Note prior to maturity, it may be worth more or less than the original price paid. Fixed income investments are subject to various risks including changes in interest rates, credit quality, inflation risk, market valuations, prepayments, corporate events, tax ramifications and other factors.

International investments carry additional risks, which include differences in financial reporting standards, currency exchange rates, political risks unique to a specific country, foreign taxes and regulations, and the potential for illiquid markets. These factors may result in greater share price volatility.

Please consult your financial professional for additional information.

This content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG is not affiliated with the named representative, financial professional, Registered Investment Advisor, Broker-Dealer, nor state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and they should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security.

Copyright 2021 FMG Suite.

CITATIONS:

1. The Wall Street Journal, April 23, 2021.
2. The Wall Street Journal, April 23, 2021
3. The Wall Street Journal, April 23, 2021
4. Yahoo! News, April 23, 2021
5. CNBC, April 22, 2021

 

 

 

In this week’s recap: Good indicators for earnings season and other economic data lead to record highs for stocks.
Weekly Economic Update

Presented by Cornerstone Financial Advisory, LLC, April 19, 2021

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THE WEEK ON WALL STREET
Stocks reached record highs last week, riding the tailwind of improving economic data and a strong start to the earnings season.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.18%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 gained 1.37%. The Nasdaq Composite index added 1.09%. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, climbed 1.00%.1,2,3

EARNINGS, ECONOMIC DATA
Stocks rallied early in the week on strong retail sales, a sharp drop in initial jobless claims, and a retreat in bond yields. Stocks then climbed to fresh record highs on Thursday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising above 34,000 for the first time and the S&P 500 approaching 4,200.4
The market overcame some initial jitters arising from health authorities recommending a pause on a COVID-19 vaccine. Stocks also looked past an increase in the Consumer Price Index and a Federal Reserve report that indicated businesses were raising prices.
A surge in housing starts helped the rally, with stock prices moving higher to close out the week.

THE ECONOMIC PULSE
Last week provided insight into the economic recovery, and the numbers vindicated the optimism that has driven markets higher.
An acceleration in inflation was expected, but came in at a rate (+2.6%) that didn’t appear to rattle the markets. It was, however, retail sales (an increase of 9.8%), new jobless claims (576,000–the lowest level since March 14, 2020), continuing unemployment claims (the lowest four-week moving average since March 28, 2020), and housing starts (+19.4%) that emboldened investors.5,6,7,8,9
Confirmation of this recovery came with the start of the new earnings season, which kicked off with strong earnings that, in some cases, exceeded Wall Street consensus expectations.

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T I P  O F  T H E  W E E K

When was the last time you calculated your net worth? Doing this annually will help you gauge the pace of your financial progress.

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THE WEEK AHEAD: KEY ECONOMIC DATA
Thursday: Jobless Claims. Existing Home Sales. Index of Leading Economic Indicators.
Friday: New Home Sales. Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) Composite Flash.
Source: Econoday, April 16, 2021
The Econoday economic calendar lists upcoming U.S. economic data releases (including key economic indicators), Federal Reserve policy meetings, and speaking engagements of Federal Reserve officials. The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and may not materialize. The forecasts also are subject to revision.

THE WEEK AHEAD: COMPANIES REPORTING EARNINGS
Monday: International Business Machines (IBM), Coca-Cola (KO).
Tuesday: Netflix, Inc. (NFLX), Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), Lockheed Martin (LMT), United Airlines (UAL), Procter & Gamble (PG), Abbott Laboratories (ABT), CSX Corporation (CSX).
Wednesday: Verizon Communications (VZ), Lam Research (LRCX), Anthem, Inc. (ANTM), Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (CMG), Crown Castle International (CCI).
Thursday: AT&T (T), Intel Corporation (INTC), Snap (SNAP), Blackstone Group (BX), American Airlines (AAL), Southwest Airlines (LUV), Union Pacific (UNP), D.R. Horton, inc. (DHI), Credit Suisse Group (CS), Dow, Inc. (DOW).
Friday: American Express (AXP), KimberlyClark Corporation (KMB).
Source: Zacks, April 16, 2021
Companies mentioned are for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of the securities. Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your own goals, time horizon, and tolerance for risk. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost. Companies may reschedule when they report earnings without notice.

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Q U O T E  O F  T H E  W E E K

“The hardest tumble a man can make is to fall over his own bluff.”
AMBROSE BIERCE

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T H E  W E E K L Y  R I D D L E

What number is 4 more than the number that is double one-fifth of one-tenth of 900?

LAST WEEK’S RIDDLE: Ian bought a bag of apples on Friday and ate a third of them. On Saturday he ate half of the remaining apples. On Sunday he looked in the bag and found that just two apples were left. How many apples were originally in the bag?
ANSWER: 6. He had 6 apples to start with, ate 2 the first day and 2 the second day.

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Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your own goals, time horizon, and tolerance for risk. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost.
The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, may not materialize, and are subject to revision without notice.
The market indexes discussed are unmanaged, and generally, considered representative of their respective markets. Index performance is not indicative of the past performance of a particular investment. Indexes do not incur management fees, costs, and expenses. Individuals cannot directly invest in unmanaged indexes. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average is an unmanaged index that is generally considered representative of large-capitalization companies on the U.S. stock market. Nasdaq Composite is an index of the common stocks and similar securities listed on the Nasdaq stock market and is considered a broad indicator of the performance of technology and growth companies. The MSCI EAFE Index was created by Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) and serves as a benchmark of the performance of major international equity markets, as represented by 21 major MSCI indexes from Europe, Australia, and Southeast Asia. The S&P 500 Composite Index is an unmanaged group of securities that are considered to be representative of the stock market in general.
U.S. Treasury Notes are guaranteed by the federal government as to the timely payment of principal and interest. However, if you sell a Treasury Note prior to maturity, it may be worth more or less than the original price paid. Fixed income investments are subject to various risks including changes in interest rates, credit quality, inflation risk, market valuations, prepayments, corporate events, tax ramifications and other factors.
International investments carry additional risks, which include differences in financial reporting standards, currency exchange rates, political risks unique to a specific country, foreign taxes and regulations, and the potential for illiquid markets. These factors may result in greater share price volatility.
Please consult your financial professional for additional information.
This content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG is not affiliated with the named representative, financial professional, Registered Investment Advisor, Broker-Dealer, nor state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and they should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security.
Copyright 2021 FMG Suite.
CITATIONS:
1. The Wall Street Journal, April 16, 2021
2. The Wall Street Journal, April 16, 2021
3. The Wall Street Journal, April 16, 2021
4. The Wall Street Journal, April 13, 2021
5. CNBC, April 15, 2021
6. The Wall Street Journal, April 15, 2021
7. Department of Labor News Release, April 15, 2021
8. Department of Labor News Release, April 15, 2021
9. Reuters, April 16, 2021

 

In this week’s recap: Markets react positively to infrastructure proposals; S&P 500 rises above 4,000 for the first time.

Weekly Economic Update

Presented by Cornerstone Financial Advisory, LCC, April 5, 2021

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THE WEEK ON WALL STREET

Overcoming a rocky start, stocks rallied into the close of a holiday-shortened week of trading as technology shares staged a powerful recovery and investors reacted positively to President Biden’s infrastructure spending proposal.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.24%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 picked up 1.14%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite index rose 2.60%. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, slipped 0.43%.^1,2,3

S&P 500 Hits 4,000

Monday opened with two banks reporting they face losses due to the default of a small U.S. hedge fund. That news, combined with rising yields, higher new cases of COVID-19, and a public warning of new virus variants, started the week off on an unsettled note.⁴

Despite the shaky start, upbeat economic reports helped spark a rally that was paced by gains in the technology sector.  The market also reacted positively on Wednesday to the introduction of a $1.9 trillion infrastructure proposal.

Stocks closed out the week with an exclamation mark, with the S&P 500 Index closing above 4,000 for the first time.⁵

 

Hedge Fund Woes

Last week’s trading opened on news that a U.S.-based investor was forced to unwind positions in multiple Chinese technology companies and American media holdings.

A number of large banks saw their share prices fall early in the week, reflecting concerns about their exposure to the hedge fund losses. Meanwhile, investors grappled with whether this was a one-off event or the opening act for additional hedge fund issues. As the week wore on, it appeared the hedge-fund issues were an isolated event.⁴

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T I P   O F   T H E   W E E K

As you retire, look at the changes in your expenses. Will your mortgage soon be paid off? What business-related expenses will disappear, and what new expenses will emerge? This may matter greatly in your retirement strategy.

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THE WEEK AHEAD: KEY ECONOMIC DATA

Monday: Factory Orders.

Tuesday: Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS).

Wednesday: Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) Minutes.

Thursday: Jobless Claims.

Source: Econoday, April 1, 2021

The Econoday economic calendar lists upcoming U.S. economic data releases (including key economic indicators), Federal Reserve policy meetings, and speaking engagements of Federal Reserve officials. The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and may not materialize. The forecasts also are subject to revision.

 

THE WEEK AHEAD: COMPANIES REPORTING EARNINGS

Tuesday: Paychex, Inc. (PAYX).

Thursday: Constellation Brands (STZ), Conagra Brands (CAG).

Source: Zacks, April 1, 2021

Companies mentioned are for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of the securities. Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your own goals, time horizon, and tolerance for risk. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost. Companies may reschedule when they report earnings without notice.

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Q U O T E   O F   T H E   W E E K

“The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.”

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

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 T H E   W E E K L Y   R I D D L E

What can be seen in the middle of March and April, that can’t be seen in the beginning or end of either month?

 

LAST WEEK’S RIDDLE: Christine likes grapes but not potatoes. She likes squash but not lettuce, and peas but not onions. Following the same rule, will she like pumpkins or apples?

ANSWER: Pumpkins. Christine only likes things that grow on vines.

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Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your own goals, time horizon, and tolerance for risk. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost.

The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, may not materialize, and are subject to revision without notice.

The market indexes discussed are unmanaged, and generally, considered representative of their respective markets. Index performance is not indicative of the past performance of a particular investment. Indexes do not incur management fees, costs, and expenses. Individuals cannot directly invest in unmanaged indexes. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average is an unmanaged index that is generally considered representative of large-capitalization companies on the U.S. stock market. Nasdaq Composite is an index of the common stocks and similar securities listed on the Nasdaq stock market and is considered a broad indicator of the performance of technology and growth companies. The MSCI EAFE Index was created by Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) and serves as a benchmark of the performance of major international equity markets, as represented by 21 major MSCI indexes from Europe, Australia, and Southeast Asia. The S&P 500 Composite Index is an unmanaged group of securities that are considered to be representative of the stock market in general.

U.S. Treasury Notes are guaranteed by the federal government as to the timely payment of principal and interest. However, if you sell a Treasury Note prior to maturity, it may be worth more or less than the original price paid. Fixed income investments are subject to various risks including changes in interest rates, credit quality, inflation risk, market valuations, prepayments, corporate events, tax ramifications and other factors.

International investments carry additional risks, which include differences in financial reporting standards, currency exchange rates, political risks unique to a specific country, foreign taxes and regulations, and the potential for illiquid markets. These factors may result in greater share price volatility.

Please consult your financial professional for additional information.

This content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG is not affiliated with the named representative, financial professional, Registered Investment Advisor, Broker-Dealer, nor state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and they should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security.

Copyright 2021 FMG Suite.

CITATIONS:

1. The Wall Street Journal, April 1, 2021
2. The Wall Street Journal, April 1, 2021
3. The Wall Street Journal, April 1, 2021
4. Fortune.com, March 29, 2021
5. CNBC, April 1, 2021

In this week’s recap: Weakness in tech and high-growth stocks leads to a rocky week; Yellen and Powell signal optimism.

Weekly Economic Update

Presented by Cornerstone Financial Advisory, LLC, March 29, 2021

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THE WEEK ON WALL STREET

A rocky week with wide price swings led to mixed results for stocks last week, as investors grappled with anxieties over economic growth and weakness in technology and other high-growth stocks.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 1.36%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 gained 1.57%. The Nasdaq Composite index fell 0.58% for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, slipped 1.67%.^1,2,3

 

Stocks Churn

After a promising start to the week, stocks turned negative on mounting concerns about economic growth in Europe, with broad losses in energy, cyclicals, and technology.

Though bond yields backed off their highs and Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen and Fed Chair Jerome Powell both struck an optimistic tone on the economy, stocks posted back-to-back losses on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Thursday trading was emblematic of the week’s volatile action. The S&P 500 dropped nearly one percent earlier in the day following Powell’s comment about the Fed eventually rolling back its bond purchase program, then rallied to close with a 0.5% gain.⁴

Stocks rallied into the Friday close, pushing the Dow and S&P 500 into positive territory and paring the losses on the Nasdaq Composite.

 

Tech Remains Under Pressure

The losses in technology and other high-growth stocks in recent weeks have largely been attributed to the sharp and rapid rise in bond yields.

So, it was both interesting and a bit confounding that last week saw yields pull back, and rather than helping support these companies’ stock prices, many technology stocks continued to decline. The failure to rally on lower yields may be pointing to other reasons for their price weakness. Some are concerned about current prices, and believe there may be better growth opportunities in more fairly-valued companies. The “fear of missing out” that propelled investors to pile into these stocks over the last twelve months appears to have moderated.

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T I P   O F   T H E   W E E K

If you are expecting a child, take a moment to calculate the amount left on your mortgage and to roughly estimate the future cost of his or her college education. Besides defining some financial goals, this may also help you determine how much life insurance you should consider.

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THE WEEK AHEAD: KEY ECONOMIC DATA

Tuesday: Consumer Confidence.

Wednesday: ADP (Automated Data Processing) Employment Report.

Thursday: Jobless Claims. ISM (Institute for Supply Management) Manufacturing Index.

Friday: Employment Situation Report.

Source: Econoday, March 26, 2021

The Econoday economic calendar lists upcoming U.S. economic data releases (including key economic indicators), Federal Reserve policy meetings, and speaking engagements of Federal Reserve officials. The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and may not materialize. The forecasts also are subject to revision.

 

THE WEEK AHEAD: COMPANIES REPORTING EARNINGS

Tuesday: Lululemon Athletica (LULU), Chewy, Inc. (CHWY).

Wednesday: Micron Technology, Inc. (MU), Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA).

Thursday: Carmax, Inc. (KMX).

Source: Zacks, March 26, 2021

Companies mentioned are for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of the securities. Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your own goals, time horizon, and tolerance for risk. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost. Companies may reschedule when they report earnings without notice.

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Q U O T E   O F   T H E   W E E K

“Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night.”

EDGAR ALLEN POE

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T H E   W E E K L Y   R I D D L E

Christine likes grapes but not potatoes. She likes squash but not lettuce, and peas but not onions. Following the same rule, will she like pumpkins or apples?

 

LAST WEEK’S RIDDLE: I have no heart or mind, but I do have two legs. Yet they only touch the ground when I am not carrying things around. What am I?

ANSWER: A wheelbarrow.

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CITATIONS:

1. The Wall Street Journal, March 26, 2021
2. The Wall Street Journal, March 26, 2021
3. The Wall Street Journal, March 26, 2021
4. CNBC, March 25, 2021