Market Update

In this month’s recap: The coronavirus becomes the leading news story in the financial markets, sending stock indices and Treasury yields lower; oil futures slide; consumer confidence, hiring, and manufacturing data offer bright spots. THE MONTH IN BRIEF In February, anxieties about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) rippled through stock, bond, and commodity markets. S … [Read more...] about Market Update (March 2020)

In this month’s recap: the emerging coronavirus reins in the bulls on Wall Street, trade deals make headlines, the United Kingdom makes its Brexit, and confident U.S. households help the economy keep its pace. THE MONTH IN BRIEF Early January gains gave way to late January losses as the coronavirus emerged as a global health concern, and correspondingly, a concern for … [Read more...] about Market Update (February 2020)

In this month’s recap: As 2019 ends, the U.S. and China agree to a phase-one trade deal, and stocks, gold, and oil all advance. THE MONTH IN BRIEF Stocks rallied in December, closing out a decidedly positive year on Wall Street. The S&P 500 added another 2.86% last month, rising 28.88% for 2019. What helped the market? The trade dispute between the U.S. and China c … [Read more...] about Market Update (January 2020)

In this month’s recap: stocks stay in rally mode, helped by hints that the U.S. and China may be closing in on a phase-one trade deal; hiring bounces back; key real estate indicators look stronger. THE MONTH IN BRIEF The S&P 500 rose 3.4% in November and attained a series of record closes in the process. Earnings results helped stocks, as did intermittent signals t … [Read more...] about Market Update (December 4th, 2019)

In this month’s recap: another rate cut from the Federal Reserve, a strong hint of a partial U.S.-China trade deal, and stocks reach record heights again. THE MONTH IN BRIEF Investors and traders found much to like in October. The S&P 500 gained 2.04% during the month, topping 3,000 again. The Federal Reserve made its third interest rate cut of the year. Word came … [Read more...] about Market Update (November 5th, 2019)

In this month’s recap: The Fed cuts interest rates, the price of oil spikes, and trade negotiations between the U.S. and China are rescheduled. THE MONTH IN BRIEF September brought an economic event that was widely expected: a quarter-point cut in short-term interest rates by the Federal Reserve. It also brought an attack on two of the world’s largest oil fields that t … [Read more...] about Market Update (October 4th, 2019)

In this week’s recap: the three Wall Street benchmarks advance as investors respond to newly scheduled U.S.-China trade talks and see a silver lining in the latest employment and manufacturing data. THE WEEK ON WALL STREET Stocks rose last week, with help from two developments: the announcement of further U.S.-China trade talks as well as August hiring and m … [Read more...] about Market Update (September 9th, 2019)

In this week’s recap: Wall Street finishes August with a rally, China decides to pause a potential response to oncoming U.S. tariffs, and two consumer confidence indices send different messages. THE WEEK ON WALL STREET Fears of an impasse in the U.S.-China trade dispute lessened last week. While additional U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports were scheduled to take effect o … [Read more...] about Market Update (September 3rd, 2019)