THE WEEK ON WALL STREET
A higher-than-expected inflation report triggered a sell-off on Friday, leaving stocks in the red for the week.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 4.58%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 dropped 5.05%. The Nasdaq Composite index slid 5.60% for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, declined 1.81%.1,2,3
INFLATION UPENDS STOCKS
Stocks gyrated between gains and losses last week until sliding lower on Friday’s hot inflation report, which heightened worries over a more aggressive Fed and a further economic slowdown. Stocks moved higher to begin the week, despite rising bond yields, a profit warning from a major retailer, and Senate testimony by Secretary of Treasury Janet Yellen, who said that inflation was likely to remain elevated.
Stocks turned lower later in the week on renewed concerns of an economic slowdown, sparked by a downward revision in The Federal Reserve-Atlanta’s real-time estimate of second-quarter GDP growth and a drop in new mortgage applications. Investors lightening up on stocks ahead of Friday’s inflation report may have also contributed to Thursday’s selling.
INSIDE INFLATION
Consumer prices rose 8.6% year-over-year in May, marking the highest rate since December 1981. Price increases over the last 12 months were driven by a 34.6% jump in energy prices and by food costs, which climbed 10.1%. Used car and truck prices, which had seen three straight months of declines, rose 1.8% from April, while airfares soared 12.6% in May.4
May’s inflation exceeded economists’ forecasts and dashed the hopes that inflation had plateaued. In a separate economic report on Friday, real wages (net of inflation) fell 0.6% in April and were lower by 3% from 12 months ago.5
BY THE NUMBER$
SPENDING MORE, SAVING LESS - The nation’s personal savings rate, which soared during the early months of the pandemic, has now fallen back to below its pre-pandemic levels. The savings rate was 7.8% in January 2020, rose to 33.8% in April 2020, and now has dropped back to 4.4% in April 2022. (source: Bureau of Economic Analysis).
MUST GET IT SOMEWHERE - China is the # 1 importer of crude oil and the # 2 consumer of crude oil among all countries in the world (source: Energy Information Administration). 6
THE WEEK AHEAD: KEY ECONOMIC DATA
Wednesday: Retail Sales. FOMC Announcement.
Thursday: Jobless Claims. Housing Starts.
Friday: Industrial Production. Index of Leading Economic Indicators.
Source: Econoday, June 10, 2022
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
Thursday: Adobe, Inc. (ADBE), The Kroger Co. (KR).
Source: Zacks, June 10, 2022
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
What surrounds everyone and is the end of time and space?
LAST WEEK’S RIDDLE: There is a 5-letter, single-syllable word that you can take 4 letters out of, leaving you with only a single letter that has the same pronunciation as the original 5-letter word. What is this word? (Hint: it involves waiting in line.)
ANSWER: Queue.
