The end result of the week was green, but was there reason for it and does it tell us anything for this week?
Monday S&P 500 1.03% | NASDAQ 1.19%
Eleven major companies reported earnings, with one missing expectations. Much of the movement on Monday came as an extension of the Friday rally. A move based on the weaker than expected jobs report. Growth stocks outperformed as lower interest rates would carry a greater impact on their performance.
Tuesday S&P 500 0.13% | NASDAQ 0.10%
Twenty-three major companies reported earnings, with two missing expectations. Markets were little changed on the day. While stock stood steady, fixed income yields did slip on Tuesday. In general, this is a continuation of the last few days.
Wednesday S&P 500 0.00% | NASDAQ 0.18%
Fourteen major companies reported earnings, with three missing expectations. Mortgage rates slipped a little lower as rate hike expectations faded. The 10-year treasury rate, to the contrary, rose slightly on the day. This was a reversal of a recent trend. Not a notable enough increase to think that sentiment has changed.
Thursday S&P 500 0.51% | NASDAQ 0.27%
Eleven major companies reported earnings, with three missing expectations. Initial jobless claims came in higher than expected, but still at a muted level. The jobs data brought markets out of their two-day coma. Employment data is showing signs of softening. The hope is the Federal Reserve Board (FRB) will start getting the signals needed to start cutting rates.
Friday S&P 500 0.16% | NASDAQ 0.03%
Michigan Consumer Sentiment is projected to fall to 67.4 in May. If that holds true, it will be the lowest reading since August of 2023. This was a period where fears were high that a recession was on the horizon. The lack of earnings data and the weaker potential sentiment sent markets higher. Again, weakness is a signal of potential FRB moves.
Conclusion S&P 500 0.55% | NASDAQ 1.43%
Markets advanced for the week, albeit with little decisiveness. Market growth has all but stalled as more data is needed to entice investors. Last week’s message was clear from the FRB; they do not expect that their next move will be a hike. The focus is on the timing of a cut. Earnings data will slow down next week; however, inflation data will be in focus. It should give investors a better read on potential rate cuts later this year.
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The Federal Reserve is trying to put the economy into ‘neutral’. What does it all mean for growth?
Monday S&P 500 0.81% | NASDAQ 1.90%
Ukraine regained territory in their war over the weekend. This improved sentiment early for markets. Elon Musk announced that he currently holds a 9% share of Twitter, which sent tech stocks higher.
Tuesday S&P 500 1.26% | NASDAQ 2.26%
ISM Services data came out strong at 58.3, but that did not deter a selloff in markets Tuesday. Federal Reserve Board (FRB) Governor Brainard made indication that ‘Quantitative Tightening’ could begin as early as May. This is earlier than markets are anticipating. This sent Bond and stock markets south. The ten-year treasury added .14% in yield on the day. If there was a silver lining, it would be that the 2/10 yield curve reverted back to a positive slope.
Wednesday S&P 500 0.97% | NASDAQ 2.22%
Markets opened lower and stayed there throughout the day. The anticipated FRB minutes from March were expected to show a hawkish FRB, sure enough they did. It is now expected that we will see a 0.50% hike in May. Additionally, FRB roll off of their balance sheet will likely begin.
Thursday S&P 500 0.43% | NASDAQ 0.06%
Market movements on Thursday were focused on a more aggressive FRB, given the minutes from Wednesday. Markets were up, but to be noted was that the leading stock sectors were defensive, i.e. staples and healthcare. Initial jobless claims fell to 166K for last week, which signals continued strength in the job market. This signal reinforces FRB action.
Friday S&P 500 0.27% | NASDAQ 1.34%
Growth stocks led lower on Friday as concerns swell regarding a potential recession as a result of an over-active FRB. We have time before a recession, but markets pricing growth stocks will not be fortunate in the run up.
Conclusion S&P 500 1.27% | NASDAQ 3.86%
Markets moved lower for the week as yield curve inversions and an aggressive FRB could bring us closer to recession. ‘Neutral’, where the FRB is neither tightening nor loosening monetary policy is perceived to be between 2% and 2.5%. We are currently sitting at 0.25%. If the FRB were to aggressively raise rates over the remainder of the year, then we could get to ‘neutral’. This means that we likely have 8 to 12 months before tighter monetary policy could lead to a recessionary environment.
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Always remember that while this is a week in review, this does not trigger or relate to trading activity on your account with Financial Future Services. Broad diversification across several asset classes with a long-term holding strategy is the best strategy in any market environment.
Any and all third-party posts or responses to this blog do not reflect the views of the firm and have not been reviewed by the firm for completeness or accuracy.