THE WEEK ON WALL STREET
The stock market powered to record levels last week amid talk of Fed tapering and a deceleration in new Delta variant cases.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.96%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 increased 1.52%. The Nasdaq Composite index led, picking up 2.82%. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, rose 1.39%.1,2,3
PUSHING HIGHER
Stocks surged to begin the week as investor sentiment improved on news of the FDA’s approval of its first COVID-19 vaccine, a strong housing number and comments by the Federal Reserve Bank-Dallas president that he would support delaying tapering if the Delta variant spread worsened.
Stocks continued their climb through midweek, pushing the S&P 500 to another record high and the NASDAQ Composite above 15,000 for the first time. The S&P 500 and NASDAQ Composite closed the week at record highs following Fed Chair Powell’s comments that Fed is likely to begin winding down its monthly bond purchases (aka tapering) by year-end, though no interest rate hikes were imminent.4
POWELL SPEAKS
At last week’s Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium, Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s speech on Friday provided further insights into Fed plans to begin tapering. Powell said that the Fed may likely commence tapering prior to year-end, adding that the wind down of bond purchases should not be seen as a signal for future rate hikes. Powell emphasized that labor market conditions remain short of the Fed’s target for maximizing employment. He also reiterated his case for why inflation remains a transitory phenomenon.4
With a number of Regional Federal Reserve Bank presidents already supportive of tapering, investors may see more definitive steps coming out of next month’s FOMC (Federal Open Market Committee) meeting.
TIP OF THE WEEK
DON’T EXPECT ME TO PAY - Just 3% of all hospital costs in America in 2019 were paid “out-of-pocket” by consumers. Various government programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, paid 50% of all hospital costs, another 37% was paid by insurance companies, and the remaining 10% was paid by other third parties including employers that maintain self-insured plans (source: American Enterprise Institute).
BIG VOLUME, LOW COST - Unbranded generic drugs represent 84% of the drugs sold in the United States (by volume) but represent only 12% of US spending on drugs (source: RAND Corporation).
MINERALS - A team of American geologists discovered in 2010 what was described as “nearly $1 trillion” of untapped mineral deposits in Afghanistan, including copper, gold, cobalt and lithium (source: New York Times). 5
THE WEEK AHEAD: KEY ECONOMIC DATA
Tuesday: Consumer Confidence.
Wednesday: ISM (Institute for Supply Management) Manufacturing Index. ADP (Automated Data Processing) Employment Report.
Thursday: Jobless Claims. Factory Orders.
Friday: Employment Situation Report. ISM (Institute for Supply Management) Services Index.
Source: Econoday, August 27, 2021
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: Zoom Video Communications, Inc. (ZM).
Tuesday: Netease, Inc.. (NTES), Crowdstrike Holdings (CRWD).
Wednesday: Okta, Inc. (OKTA).
Thursday: Broadcom, Inc. (AVGO), Mongodb, Inc. (MDB), Docusign, Inc. (DOCU).
Source: Zacks, August 27, 2021
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
The more you take away, the bigger I become.
What am I?
LAST WEEK’S RIDDLE: Aaron is the brother of Bob. Bob is the brother of Cody.
Cody is the father of Dan. So how is Dan related to Aaron?
ANSWER: Aaron is Dan's uncle.
