THE WEEK ON WALL STREET
Stocks advanced last week, propelled by hopes that legislators may reach an agreement for a new fiscal stimulus package and optimism generated by a few corporate deal announcements and initial public offerings.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.87%, while the Standard & Poor's 500 increased 1.52%. The Nasdaq Composite index gained 1.48% for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, advanced 1.56%.1,2,3
Stocks Manage Gains
Stocks ebbed and flowed all week as investors reacted to news that legislators might have reached a compromise for a new round of fiscal stimulus. By Friday afternoon, the negotiations proved unfruitful, though stocks managed to retain some of the gains built up over the course of the week.
Corporate buyout announcements, along with a couple of high profile initial public offerings, helped the overall market while technology stocks enjoyed a good week. Energy stocks continued to lag.
In volatile Friday trading, stocks sagged following a weak employment report and news that President Trump had tested positive for COVID-19 and was later hospitalized. Losses were trimmed later in the day on comments by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who suggested an airline aid bill may be in the works.
Conflicting Employment Data
Last week's employment reports and corporate layoff announcements painted a mixed picture of the labor market.
The monthly ADP (Automated Data Processing) report on private sector hiring showed an unexpectedly strong growth of 749,000, while jobless claims remained over 800,000.4,5
Continuing jobs claims fell by nearly one million, but there were a number of large companies, including major airlines, that announced layoffs during the week. Friday's employment report showed 661,000 nonfarm payrolls were added in September, dropping the unemployment rate to 7.9%. What appears to be clear, is that the direction remains positive but the pace of progress has eased a bit.6
BY THE NUMBER$
MORE THAN JUST WAGES - For every $1 spent for wages and salaries in the private sector as of June 2020, employers spend an additional 45 cents on benefits, including paid leave, insurance, retirement plans and legally required benefits. Average private sector compensation is $28.24 per hour while the cost of benefits averages an additional $12.75 per hour (source: Bureau of Labor Statistics).
SIMPLER- As a result of the expansion in the size of the standard deduction that was part of the "2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act," only 10% of tax filers itemized in 2018, down from 30% in 2017 (source: Tax Foundation). 7
THE WEEK AHEAD: KEY ECONOMIC DATA
Monday: Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) Composite Final. Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Services Index.
Tuesday: Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS).
Wednesday: Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) Meeting Minutes.
Thursday: Jobless Claims.
Source: Econoday, October 2, 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
Tuesday: Paychex Inc. (PAYX), Levi Strauss (LEVI).
Source: Zacks, October 2, 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
In 15 minutes, a dress will dry on a clothes wire. How long would it take you to dry five dresses?
LAST WEEK'S RIDDLE: A supermarket sign says you can buy energy bars at $12 a dozen. At that price, how much would it cost you to buy 100 energy bars?
ANSWER: $100. At $12 for a dozen, the unit price is $1 per bar.
