THE WEEK ON WALL STREET
A positive jobs report sent stocks soaring last Friday, capping a solid week as evidence of a global economic recovery outweighed concerns over civil unrest and tensions with China.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 6.81%, while the Standard & Poor's 500 advanced 4.91%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index lagged, climbing 3.42%. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed stock markets overseas, gained 5.52%.1,2,3
Stocks March Higher
Despite multiple headwinds, stocks rode a wave of optimism over economic recovery and were encouraged by signs that a feared spike in COVID-19 had not occurred.
Firming oil prices and positive global manufacturing data helped boost stocks during the week. The market continued to be led by industry sectors that were most battered in the March decline, as price advances slowed in growth-oriented stocks, primarily technology names.
After a pause on Thursday, stocks surged on Friday when a jobs report surprisingly showed 2.5 million new jobs in May, with the unemployment rate falling to 13.3%. Wall Street expected a jobs decline of over 8 million and an unemployment rate of 19.5%.4,5
A Wall of Worry
While the markets continued to move higher last week, many investors are concerned that the recovery may be hindered by simmering tensions with China and the civil unrest that erupted last week.
China has been a longstanding source of market worry, but the civil unrest introduces a new challenge. For now, the market appears to have shrugged off these concerns.
FINAL THought
This past Wednesday marked the best 50-day gain for the S&P 500 in the index's history. During a period that approximates the lifespan of a mosquito, stock market sentiment has swung from near-absolute despair in late March to positively bullish.6
Often, the most impactful lessons in life tend to be those most recently learned. If the last three months have offered investors any lesson, it may be that trying to time the market is a challenging proposition.
BY THE NUMBER$
OIL
- The price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil rose from $18.84 a barrel as of 4/30/20 to $35.49 a barrel by 5/31/20 (up $16.65 a barrel), an +88.4% increase. Both monthly gains (by dollar and by percentage) are all-time records for WTI crude. The oil benchmark closed at $39.55 a barrel last Friday 6/05/20 (source: NYMEX).
GETTING SMALLER
- The median size of 903,000 new single-family homes completed in America during 2019 was 2,301 square feet. A decade earlier, the median size of 520,000 new single-family homes completed during 2009 was 2,417 square feet (source: Census Bureau).
7
2.5 Million Jobs Added In Shock Report - The U.S. economy added 2.5 million jobs, defying views for another big loss.
THE WEEK AHEAD: KEY ECONOMIC DATA
Wednesday:
Consumer Price Index (CPI). Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) Meeting Announcement. Federal Reserve Chair Press Conference.
Thursday:
Jobless Claims.
Source: Econoday, June 5, 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:
Coupa Software (COUP).
Tuesday:
Chewy (CHWY).
Thursday:
Lululemon (LULU).
Source: Source: Zacks, June 5, 2020
Companies mentioned are for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of the securities. Any investment should be consistent with your objectives, time frame and risk tolerance. 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
What is the timepiece with the most moving parts? (It's been around for centuries.)
LAST WEEK'S RIDDLE: Can you name two English words (longer than two letters) that both begin and end with the letters "he" (in that order)?
ANSWER: Headache and Heartache.
