July 13, 2020

by | Jul 14, 2020 | weekly economic update

In this week’s recap: stocks gain after volatile week, despite COVID-19 acceleration.

Weekly Market Commentary |Presented by Sterling Total Wealth Solutions |July 13, 2020

THE WEEK ON WALL STREET

Stock prices notched solid gains last week, looking past an increase in COVID-19 cases and any potential economic concerns raised by the trend.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 0.96%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 climbed 1.76%. The Nasdaq Composite Index bounded 4.01% higher for the week. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed stock markets overseas, gained just 0.07%.1,2,3

Virus Concerns

Stocks experienced a volatile week as investors negotiated the crosswinds of encouraging overseas economic data with an accelerating number of COVID-19 cases in several states. Ongoing support of the financial markets by the Federal Reserve appeared to offset any concerns about an economic rebound.

The big technology companies continued to shine, leading the Nasdaq Composite to multiple new record highs. News of positive trial results for a potential COVID-19 treatment boosted stocks on the final trading day, closing the week on an encouraging note.

On the Record

Regional Federal Reserve presidents had several speaking engagements last week, and the message was a consistent one: expect the economic recovery to remain bumpy.

Cleveland Fed President Loretta Mester said that the economy in her region is slowing due to rising COVID-19 cases. She linked gains in combating the virus with further economic progress. She also echoed earlier comments by Fed Chairman Powell that more fiscal support is necessary.4

Meanwhile, San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly observed that it was unlikely many companies would be rehiring all their employees. Thomas Barkin, president of Richmond Federal Reserve, reiterated the challenges of a labor recovery, but also spoke of the strain on local and state governments.5,6

TIP OF THE WEEK

Ramp up your college savings with rewards programs. There are credit cards and online shopping programs that can allow you to direct a steady stream of rebates toward your education fund.

THE WEEK AHEAD: KEY ECONOMIC DATA

Tuesday: Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Thursday: Jobless Claims. Retail Sales.

Friday: Housing Starts.

Source: Econoday, July 10, 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: PepsiCo, Inc. (PEP).

Tuesday: JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM), Citigroup (C), Wells Fargo (WFC).

Wednesday: International Business Machines (IBM), Goldman Sachs (GS), eBay, Inc. (EBAY).

Thursday: Microsoft (MSFT), Netflix (NFLX), Bank of America (BAC), Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), UnitedHealth Group (UNH), Abbott Laboratories (ABT), Morgan Stanley (MS), Honeywell International (HON).

Friday: Blackrock, Inc. (BLK).

Source: Zacks, July 10, 2020

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.

 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.”

MARK TWAIN

THE WEEKLY RIDDLE

A parking lot has 1,000 parking spaces, 40% of them for compact cars. There are 200 compact cars and some standard-size cars in the lot, which is 75% full. How many standard-size cars are in the lot?

 LAST WEEK’S RIDDLE: To date, only one bachelor has served as President of the United States. Can you name him?

ANSWER: James Buchanan.

Securities offered through Registered Representatives of Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a Broker/Dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor. Sterling Total Wealth Solutions and Cambridge are not affiliated.

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This material was prepared by MarketingPro, Inc., and does not necessarily represent the views of the presenting party, nor their affiliates. The information herein has been derived from sources believed to be accurate. Please note – investing involves risk, and past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investments will fluctuate and when redeemed may be worth more or less than when originally invested. This information should not be construed as investment, tax or legal advice and may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding a ny Federal tax penalty. This is neither a solicitation nor recommendation to purchase or sell any investment or insurance product or service, and should not be relied upon as such. All market indices discussed are unmanaged and are not illustrative of any particular investment. Indices do not incur management fees, costs and expenses, and cannot be invested into directly. All economic and performance data is historical and not indicative of future results. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is a price-weighted index of 30 actively traded blue-chip stocks. The NASDAQ Composite Index is a market-weighted index of all over-the-counter common stocks traded on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System. The Standard & Poor’s 500 (S&P 500) is a market-cap weighted index composed of the common stocks of 500 leading companies in leading industries of the U.S. economy. NYSE Group, Inc. (NYSE:NYX) operates two securities exchanges: the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) and NYSE Arca (formerly known as the Archipelago Exchange, or ArcaEx®, and the Pacific Exchange). NYSE Group is a leading provider of securities listing, trading and market data products and services. The New York Mercantile Exchange, Inc. (NYMEX) is the world’s largest physical commodity futures exchange and the preeminent trading forum for energy and precious metals, with trading conducted through two divisions – the NYMEX Division, home to the energy, platinum, and palladium markets, and the COMEX Division, on which all other metals trade. Additional risks are associated with international investing, such as currency fluctuations, political and economi c instability and differences in accounting standards. This material represents an assessment of the market environment at a specif ic point in time and is not intended to be a forecast of future events, or a guarantee of future results. MarketingPro, Inc. is not affiliated with any p erson or firm that may be providing this information to you. The publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional services. If assistance is needed, the reader is advised to engage the services of a competent professional.
CITATIONS:

  1. The Wall Street Journal, July 10, 2020
    2. The Wall Street Journal, July 10, 2020
    3. The Wall Street Journal, July 10, 2020
    4. CNBC, July 7, 2020
    5. MarketWatch, July 7, 2020
    6. MarketWatch, July 7, 2020

CHART CITATIONS:

The Wall Street Journal, July 10, 2020
The Wall Street Journal, July 10, 2020
Treasury.gov, July 10, 2020