THE WEEK ON WALL STREET
A jump in COVID-19 cases dampened investor enthusiasm last week, sending stock prices lower on worries that rising infections could derail the economic recovery.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average slumped 3.31%, while the Standard & Poor's 500 retreated 2.86%. The Nasdaq Composite Index lost 1.90% for the week. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed stock markets overseas, declined 1.28%.1,2,3
A Rocky Week for Stocks
Investors began the week overlooking a jump in COVID-19 cases in some early reopening states, sending stocks higher and powering the Nasdaq Composite to close above 10,000 and establish a new record high on successive days. But the market quickly reversed course as investors reacted to data showing a troubling spike in nationwide COVID-19 cases.4
In Thursday's trading, stocks opened lower but rallied late in the day on no apparent news. Stocks resumed their decline on Friday, falling on news that Texas and Florida were rolling back some reopening plans amid rising COVID-19 infections.5
COVID-19 Cases
Investor expectations for an economic rebound took a hit last week, following reports of an increase in nationwide COVID-19 cases. The pace of infections had picked up in 33 states, with the seven-day average of new cases higher than the average over the last two weeks.6
While traders understood that reopening and increased testing would lead to an uptick in reported cases, the numbers were a bit unsettling. The week's action reminded investors that the market remains tightly tethered to COVID-19 developments.
BY THE NUMBER$
WHERE IT COMES FROM
- The money used by the Federal Reserve in its lending programs and asset-buying programs was "digitally created" by the Fed, i.e., the Fed does not technically "print" money (it does not have a printing press). (source: Federal Reserve).
USED ONE OTHER TIME
- The Fed has "digitally created" money to buy government securities during the 2008 global real estate crisis. Between 11/05/08 and 10/29/14, the Fed's balance sheet grew from $490 billion to $4.2 trillion as a result of 3 "Quantitative Easing" programs (source: Federal Reserve).
LOW COST
- The 2008-14 "Quantitative Easing" programs were designed to lower long-term rates for mortgages and other debt after the nation's 2008-09 recession. It worked - the yield on the 10-year Treasury note and the average interest rate on a 30-year fixed rate mortgage both fell to all-time lows
in 2012 (source: BTN Research).
7
THE WEEK AHEAD: KEY ECONOMIC DATA
Wednesday:
ADP (Automatic Data Processing) Employment Report. Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) Manufacturing Index. Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Manufacturing Index. Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) Minutes.
Thursday:
Employment Situation Report. Jobless Claims. Factory Orders.
Source: Econoday, June 26, 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
Monday:
Micron Technologies (MU).
Tuesday:
FedEx Corp. (FDX), Conagra Brands (CAG).
Wednesday:
Constellation Brands (STZ), General Mills (GIS).
Source: Zacks, June 26, 2020
Companies mentioned are for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of the securities. Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your own goals, time horizon, and tolerance for risk. 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.
THE WEEKLY RIDDLE
Can you determine the numeral between 1 and 100 that is also nine times the sum of its digits?
LAST WEEK'S RIDDLE: What is the only planet within our solar system that rotates clockwise?
ANSWER: Venus.
