Market Commentaries Archive | Page 2 of 15

Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary – September 30, 2019

Impeachment proceedings led news coverage most of the week, but other economic data may be more impactful on portfolios. As the accompanying chart shows, consumer spending rose just 0.1% in August. The below-expected results indicate weakness from trade, and business spending may be slowing consumer confidence, too.

Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary – September 23, 2019

The Federal Reserve cut interest rates 0.25% last week. While the move was widely expected, various forms of dissent reflected the underlying tensions faced by the Fed. As the accompanying chart shows, interest rates dropped last week but remain above recent lows.

Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary – September 16, 2019

Global stocks rallied sharply for the third straight week. The S&P 500 rose 1.0%. The MSCI ACWI index of global stocks rose 1.3%. The Bloomberg BarCap Aggregate Bond Index dropped 1.7% as optimism about future economic growth pushed interest rates higher and bond prices lower.

Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary – September 9, 2019

Global stocks rallied sharply for the second straight week. Stocks have historically performed worse in September than any other month, so the positive performance comes at a welcome time. For the week, the S&P 500 rose 1.8%.

Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary – September 3, 2019

Global stocks rallied sharply last week and erased much of the decline experienced in August. Economic news was generally in line with recent themes, and the Chinese government’s comments expressing its willingness to negotiate reassured investors.

Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary – August 26, 2019

Global stocks were having a positive week until an escalation in the trade war between the U.S. and China pushed the market lower Friday morning. The S&P 500 dropped 2.6% on Friday after the president indicated the U.S. would respond to additional Chinese tariffs.

Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary – August 19, 2019

Volatility continued to rise last week as the markets swung sharply in both directions. Markets moved more than 1% on four days. The most impactful event was the two-year yield temporarily rising above the 10-year yield, a move that has coincided with the last seven recessions.

Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary – August 12, 2019

Like some employees, the stock market had a great week, if you don’t count Monday. After falling nearly 3% on Monday, the market steadied as the back-and-forth between China and the U.S. calmed.

Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary – August 5, 2019

Major news buffeted the market last week. The Federal Reserve cut rates as expected, but the press conference and vote margin suggested the cut does not signal more to come, which disappointed investors. Additional tariffs on Chinese goods were announced by President Trump, and the U.S. employment market remained strong.

Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary – July 29, 2019

U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) rose enough to calm recession worries, but not enough to cause the Federal Reserve to stray from an expected interest rate cut this week. The S&P 500 resumed its steady climb as positive earnings news and the economic data reassured investors. The S&P 500 climbed 1.7%.