In this week’s recap: A broad stock market rally, promising signs with COVID-19, and another Federal Reserve program ahead.

Weekly Economic Update

Presented by Cornerstone Financial Advisory, LLC, April 13, 2020

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THE WEEK ON WALL STREET

The stock market staged a broad rally this week, buoyed by the prospect that the COVID-19’s grip on the nation may be easing and news of another Federal Reserve program to help stabilize businesses.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 12.67%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 climbed 12.10%. The Nasdaq Composite Index rose 10.59% for the week. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, advanced 6.32%.^1,2,3

A Change in Sentiment

Market sentiment took a more hopeful turn on news of an apparent peaking of cases in Italy and New York State. Investors also welcomed comments by Dr. Anthony Fauci that the start of a turnaround in the outbreak is close at hand.

The S&P 500 Index surged 7.03% to start the week and added to gains as the week progressed. Positive trends in COVID-19 cases, an agreement between Russia and Saudi Arabia to cut oil production, and the Fed’s unveiling of a $2.5 trillion loan program to assist small and midsized businesses fueled the rally.^4,5

 

Credit Markets Stabilize

As the economy shut down in March, credit markets began to exhibit deep stresses. A functional bond market is essential to economic and financial health, which is why the Federal Reserve initiated a number of actions aimed at helping them to operate.

 

Intervention by the Fed appears to have helped. A raft of new bond offerings may be signaling that investors are now willing to take on more risk. Last week, 11 investment-grade companies sold nearly $20 billion in bonds.⁶

A stable credit market helps the stock market, and while the bond market is not yet out of the woods, its improving health is a positive sign.

 

Final Thought 

One of the major challenges for investors in the last month has been determining realistic stock valuations amid uncertainty over corporate earnings. With earnings season about to unfold, investors may be able to better gauge the impact of the pandemic on company profits. Investors will get to hear from corporate leaders about the state of their businesses and possibly their outlook for the next few quarters. This may help fill in the gap that currently exists, but what remains uncertain is whether that information proves to be positive or negative for the market.

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T I P   O F   T H E   W E E K

If you are marrying, take a moment to see how your new marital status will affect your federal and state taxes and whether it would be best to file jointly or separately.

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 THE WEEK AHEAD: KEY ECONOMIC DATA

Wednesday: Retail Sales. Industrial Production.

Thursday: Housing Starts. Jobless Claims.

Friday: Index of Leading Economic Indicators.

Source: Econoday, April 9, 2020

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: Johnson and Johnson (JNJ), JP Morgan Chase (JPM), Wells Fargo (WFC)

Wednesday: Bank of America (BAC), UnitedHealth Group (UNH), Citigroup (C), Goldman Sachs (GS)

Thursday: Blackstone Group (BX), Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM), Abbott Laboratories (ABT)

Friday: Schlumberger (SLB), Kansas City Southern (KSU)

Source: Zacks, April 9, 2020

Companies mentioned are for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of the securities. Any investment should be consistent with your objectives, time frame and risk tolerance. 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

“One worthwhile task carried to a successful conclusion is worth half-a-hundred half-finished tasks.”

MALCOLM FORBES

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 T H E   W E E K L Y   R I D D L E

Can you name a vegetable or fruit that is never sold frozen, canned, processed, cooked, or in any other form except fresh?

 

LAST WEEK’S RIDDLE: Can you name six or more things that you can wear on your feet starting with the letter S?

ANSWER: Shoes, socks, sandals, sneakers, slippers, skis, skates, snowshoes, stockings, stilts.

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 This material was prepared by MarketingPro, Inc., and does not necessarily represent the views of the presenting party, nor their affiliates. The information herein has been derived from sources believed to be accurate. Please note – investing involves risk, and past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investments will fluctuate and when redeemed may be worth more or less than when originally invested. This information should not be construed as investment, tax or legal advice and may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any Federal tax penalty. This is neither a solicitation nor recommendation to purchase or sell any investment or insurance product or service, and should not be relied upon as such. All market indices discussed are unmanaged and are not illustrative of any particular investment. Indices do not incur management fees, costs and expenses, and cannot be invested into directly. All economic and performance data is historical and not indicative of future results. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is a price-weighted index of 30 actively traded blue-chip stocks. The NASDAQ Composite Index is a market-weighted index of all over-the-counter common stocks traded on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System. The Standard & Poor’s 500 (S&P 500) is a market-cap weighted index composed of the common stocks of 500 leading companies in leading industries of the U.S. economy. NYSE Group, Inc. (NYSE:NYX) operates two securities exchanges: the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) and NYSE Arca (formerly known as the Archipelago Exchange, or ArcaEx®, and the Pacific Exchange). NYSE Group is a leading provider of securities listing, trading and market data products and services. The New York Mercantile Exchange, Inc. (NYMEX) is the world’s largest physical commodity futures exchange and the preeminent trading forum for energy and precious metals, with trading conducted through two divisions – the NYMEX Division, home to the energy, platinum, and palladium markets, and the COMEX Division, on which all other metals trade. Additional risks are associated with international investing, such as currency fluctuations, political and economic instability and differences in accounting standards. This material represents an assessment of the market environment at a specific point in time and is not intended to be a forecast of future events, or a guarantee of future results. MarketingPro, Inc. is not affiliated with any person or firm that may be providing this information to you. The publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional services. If assistance is needed, the reader is advised to engage the services of a competent professional.

CITATIONS:

1 – The Wall Street Journal, April 9, 2020.
2 – The Wall Street Journal, April 9, 2020.
3 – The Wall Street Journal, April 9, 2020.
4 – CNBC, April 6, 2020.
5 – The Wall Street Journal, April 9, 2020.
6 – Bloomberg, April 6, 2020.

CHART CITATIONS:

The Wall Street Journal, April 9, 2020.
The Wall Street Journal, April 9, 2020.
Treasury.gov, April 9, 2020.