Weekly Economic Update – May 28, 2019 May 28, 2019 THE WEEK ON WALL STREET Stocks drifted lower last week as investors considered the possibility that the world’s two largest economies might take some time to resolve key trade issues. The S&P 500 retreated 1.17%; the Nasdaq Composite, 2.29%; the Dow Jones Industrial Average, 0.69%. The concern over trade was felt elsewhere: the overseas developed [...]
Weekly Economic Update – May 20, 2019 May 20, 2019 THE WEEK ON WALL STREET Stocks fell sharply at the start of last week over trade tensions, then recovered with help from strong earnings and indications that U.S.-China trade talks would continue. Even so, the major indices had a down week. The S&P 500 lost 0.76%, while the Nasdaq Composite fell 1.27%, and the Dow [...]
Weekly Economic Update – May 13, 2019 May 13, 2019 THE WEEK ON WALL STREET As we noted recently, Wall Street has a wandering eye. Last week, it focused on the new tariff threats in the ongoing U.S.-China trade dispute. Stocks fell across five trading sessions: the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 2.12%; the S&P 500, 2.18%; the Nasdaq Composite, 3.03%. International stocks also fell: [...]
Weekly Economic Update – May 6, 2019 May 6, 2019 THE WEEK ON WALL STREET Stocks were up and down last week, and the three major benchmarks ended up little changed after five trading days. The S&P 500 rose 0.20% for the week; the Nasdaq Composite, 0.22%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.14%. The MSCI EAFE index, a benchmark for international stocks, declined 0.21%.1-2 [...]
Weekly Economic Update – April 29, 2019 April 29, 2019 THE WEEK ON WALL STREET Stocks returned to record territory, with both the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite closing at historic highs. The S&P gained 1.20% for the week; the Nasdaq, 1.85%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lagged, losing 0.06%. The MSCI EAFE index of international stocks lost 0.52%.1-2 The S&P took only 17 [...]
Weekly Economic Update – April 22, 2019 April 22, 2019 THE WEEK ON WALL STREET A short and relatively placid trading week wrapped up Thursday, with the major indices turning in mixed performances. The S&P 500 retreated 0.08%, the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.17%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.56%. The MSCI EAFE index, tracking foreign stocks in developed countries, added 0.65%.1-4 Nothing really [...]
Weekly Economic Update – April 15, 2019 April 15, 2019 THE WEEK ON WALL STREET Stocks broke out of a narrow range on Friday following news that two major banks grew their bottom line in the first quarter. For the week, the S&P 500 rose 0.79%; the Nasdaq Composite, 0.91%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average improved 0.50%. Turning to overseas stocks, the MSCI EAFE index [...]
Weekly Economic Update – April 8, 2019 April 8, 2019 THE WEEK ON WALL STREET Stocks posted their second straight weekly gain. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.17% in five trading days; the S&P 500, 1.27%; the Nasdaq Composite, 1.72%. The MSCI EAFE index of international stocks rose 1.84%.1-4 Investors got some good news last week: an encouraging employment report and indications that a [...]
Weekly Economic Update – April 1, 2019 April 1, 2019 THE WEEK ON WALL STREET Stocks ended last week higher as volatility slowed, completing their best quarter since 2009. A Friday tweet from Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin encouraged investors, referring to “constructive” discussions in the ongoing U.S.-China trade negotiations.1 The S&P 500 gained 1.27% for the week. The Dow Industrials and Nasdaq Composite [...]
Weekly Economic Update – March 25, 2019 March 25, 2019 THE WEEK ON WALL STREET Friday, the yield of the 3-month Treasury bill exceeded the yield of the 10-year Treasury note for the first time in 12 years. For some analysts, this “inverted yield curve” may imply a short-term lessening of confidence. (Treasury yields move inversely to Treasury prices.)1 As a result, the S&P 500 [...]