Markets sold consistently across the week. Is there more red to expect in coming weeks?
Monday S&P 500 1.20% | NASDAQ 1.79%
Happy Tax Day! Retail sales expanded more than expected in March. Three major companies reported earnings, all three met expectations, all of which were financials. This was not surprising as financials usually head up earnings season. They also give us a good indication of how earnings season should go. Retail sales, however, took center stage as a strong consumer reduces the need for Federal Reserve Board (FRB) rate cuts. This caused an outsized move downward as investors anticipate less stimulus for 2024.
Tuesday S&P 500 0.21% | NASDAQ 0.12%
Housing data for March came in weaker than market expectation. Ten major companies reported earnings, with two missing expectations. Although mild, the losses continued. FRB Chair Powell indicated that inflation’s recent strength does not give the board confidence to start easing policy.
Wednesday S&P 500 0.58% | NASDAQ 1.15%
11 major companies reported earnings on the day, with three missing expectations. Focus was squarely on earnings as there was little economic data on the day. Tech stocks took a hit as AI chip orders for a specific company did not meet expectations. As would be expected this hit the tech heavy NASDAQ harder than the S&P 500.
Thursday S&P 500 0.22% | NASDAQ 0.52%
Initial unemployment claims remain benign. Existing home sales also slowed in March. 11 major companies reported earnings on the day, with one missing expectations. Markets were down for the day, but in a less dramatic fashion. Robust employment data typically is not favorable information when hoping for an FRB rate cut (as investors are).
Friday S&P 500 0.88% | NASDAQ 2.05%
Six major companies reported earnings on the day, with one missing expectations. NASDAQ led the way lower as Tech and communications got hit hardest. The best performers on the day were defensives, like utilities, healthcare, staples, and also financials.
Conclusion S&P 500 3.05% | NASDAQ 5.52%
The week was bloody. There was not a single up day for the S&P 500 or the NASDAQ Composite. The moves were not founded in fundamental data, as earnings did well. Some forward guidance shows warning of slowing revenues throughout the year, but that is normal for the last two years. Economic data, which signals the economy is doing well, has actually pushed stocks lower. The stronger the economy, the less likely the FRB is to act in reducing rates. The sell-off has extended to approximately 6%. It may take a breather in the coming days but expect that we are not done.
~ Your Future… Our Services… Together! ~
Your interest in our articles helps us reach more people. To show your appreciation for this post, please “like” the article on one of the links below:
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
If you would like to receive this weekly article and other timely information follow us, here.
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.
Earnings were strong across the week, which pushed markets higher. Will it hold up for future quarters?
Monday
The S&P 500 rose .50% to open the week. This was a great opening figure. As of late, markets have opened the week with a blah performance. It has either been down or only up slightly. VIX is currently 16 and this would represent the upper ended of the daily range for the S&P 500.
Tuesday
The S&P 500 rose 0.20% on Tuesday. The housing market provided some explosive data as new home sales surged by 14%. Additionally, the Home Price Index, which measures change in average home prices rose 18.5% YoY (Oct). Believe it or not, this measure is a slow down from last month’s 19.2%.
Wednesday
Markets shifted lower for the first time in a while on Wednesday. The S&P 500 lost 0.50%. Corporate earnings contributed to the move lower for the first time. Earnings from large cap Tech stocks, out Tuesday evening, pushed market sentiment lower at the open. Compounding the sentiment was a larger than expected draw down of oil supplies. This lends to concerns around continued price pressures, AKA inflation concerns.
Thursday
The markets rebounded nicely on Thursday, as the S&P 500 rose 0.98%. Initial jobless claims fell to the lowest level since the start of the pandemic (281K). A trend that is happening more and more as of late. For perspective, average initial job losses at the end of the last expansion were around 200K to 220K per week.
Friday
Markets closed the day and the week on an up tone. The S&P 500 rose 0.20% to end the day and a weekly gain of 1.14%. This happened even as consumer sentiment came in at 71.7. The brighter news of the day was higher than expected consumer spending. Additionally, Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) came in at 4.4% YoY in September. While the highest level to date, it is still substantially lower than its CPI counterpart at 5.4%. The Federal Reserve Board (FRB) regards the PCE measure as a more accurate indication of inflation.
Conclusion
Markets celebrated another strong week for corporate earnings, even as GDP slides to 2.0% in Q3 from 6.7% in Q2. 55% of S&P 500 companies have now reported and 82% are beating on earnings and 66% have beat on revenue. Cost cutting initiatives should be expected over the next year as companies attempt to absorb higher input costs. Unfortunately, expect coming quarters earnings beats to fall as interest rates creep higher and inflation deteriorates bottom line performance.
~ Your Future… Our Services… Together! ~
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
If you would like to receive this weekly article and other timely information follow us, here.
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.