THE WEEK ON WALL STREET
The stock market posted small losses last week despite a very strong showing by corporate America.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.36%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 lost 0.37%. The Nasdaq Composite index dropped 1.11% for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, jumped 1.51%.1,2,3
STOCKS TAKE A BREATHER
There were plenty of excuses for stocks to retreat last week. News of a new phase in Chinese regulators’ crackdown on large, private-sector companies, a decline in new home sales, and concerns about the Delta variant weighed on investors.
After opening the week adding to record highs, stocks turned lower despite an earnings season that continued to impress.
Solid earnings from the mega-cap technology companies were not enough to propel stocks higher. Instead, stocks slipped throughout the week, fighting uncertainty over Chinese stocks, a disappointing second-quarter Gross Domestic Product number, and a retreat in technology shares they reset to fresh company guidance.
CHINESE CRACKDOWN
Chinese technology stocks were under pressure last week as Chinese regulators continued their push to rein in large companies for reasons that include data security, abusive corporate behavior, financial stability, and curtailing private-sector power.
Chinese government actions raised new levels of concerns about which industries may next fall in the crosshairs of regulators. American investors have plenty of exposure to Chinese companies. Substantial losses were felt by mutual funds and hedge funds, which account for about 86% of the holdings in the over 200 U.S.-listed Chinese companies whose aggregate market capitalization exceeds $2 trillion.4
BY THE NUMBER$
ROADS AND BRIDGES - The bipartisan infrastructure plan that Congress is debating entails $1.18 trillion in total spending, including $630 billion of infrastructure improvements that were already scheduled to take place plus $548 billion of new proposed spending (source: Congress).
ALL ARE IN THE SOUTH - The top 3 US cities for adding residents between 7/01/19 and 6/30/20 were Phoenix (+25,194 residents), San Antonio (+19,862) and Fort Worth (+19,229). The totals represent net additions, i.e., new residents less those people who have moved away (source: Census Bureau).
OLYMPICS - 335 Russian athletes are competing at the Tokyo Summer Olympics even though Russia is banned from Olympic competition until 2022. The workaround has the 335 athletes competing as “neutrals” under the banner of the “Russian Olympic Committee” and technically they do not represent Russia (source: ROC). 5
THE WEEK AHEAD: KEY ECONOMIC DATA
Monday: ISM (Institute for Supply Management) Manufacturing Index.
Tuesday: Factory Orders.
Wednesday: ADP (Automated Data Processing) Employment Report. ISM (Institute for Supply Management) Services Index.
Thursday: Jobless Claims.
Friday: Employment Situation Report.
Source: Econoday, July 30, 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: Simon Property Group, Inc. (SPG)
Tuesday: Alibaba Group Holdings (BABA), Activision Blizzard, Inc. (ATVI), Amgen, Inc. (AMGN), Eli Lilly & Company (LLY), Diageo, PLC (DEO)
Wednesday: Roku, Inc. (ROKU), Prudential Financial, Inc. (PRU), CVS Health Corporation (CVS), General Motors, Inc. (GM), Etsy, Inc. (ETSY), Electronic Arts, Inc. (EA), MGM Resorts International (MGM), Match Group, Inc. (MTCH), Emerson Electric Co. (EMR), Booking Holdings (BKNG)
Thursday: Square, Inc. (SQ), Illumina, Inc. (ILMN), Duke Energy Corporation (DUK), Albemarle Corporation (ALB), Cigna Corporation (CI), Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX), Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (REGN)
Friday: Dominion Energy (D).
Source: Zacks, July 30, 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
A coin lies inside an otherwise empty bottle that has a cork inserted in its neck. How can you remove this coin without removing the cork or breaking the bottle?
LAST WEEK’S RIDDLE: When can you add two to eleven and
get one as the correct answer?
ANSWER: When you add two hours to eleven o'clock, you get one o'clock.
