November was a mixed month for stock markets, with a late-month selloff erasing early gains. Energy commodities were especially hard hit, as the U.S. crude oil benchmark declined 20%. The latest COVID variant to emerge, Omicron, spread fresh fear as several major economies increased restrictive measures. Monetary policy, both in the U.S. and abroad, continued […]
Continue Reading ›October 2021 Economic Dashboard
Major U.S. stock market indices rebounded to new all-time highs in October following September declines. Crude oil benchmarks climbed to multi-year highs while natural gas remained elevated. Third quarter real GDP grew 2.0% annualized, with the delta variant, moderating fiscal stimulus, supply chain shortages, and subdued labor participation weighing on the economic recovery. Consumer spending […]
Continue Reading ›September 2021 Economic Dashboard
Major stock markets declined in September, ending the third quarter with mixed results. The Fed has indicated a future reduction in the COVID-related purchases of treasuries and mortgages in the months ahead. At quarter end, Congress had not agreed to lift the debt ceiling. Despite the domestic headlines, the U.S. stock market outperformed again in […]
Continue Reading ›August 2021 Economic Dashboard
August was a relatively calm month for markets. Economic data continued to show inflation running hot, but not broad-based. Autos, especially used, account for roughly 1/3 of the rise in the consumer price index. Markets continued to shrug off inflation data. Most major indices climbed higher in August, with the S&P 500 rising 2.9%. Commodities play a crucial role […]
Continue Reading ›July 2021 Economic Dashboard
July marked another positive month for U.S. equities, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average posting gains of 2.8% and 1.3%, respectively. A majority of S&P 500 companies reported second quarter earnings results during the month. Aggregate S&P 500 earnings are on track for an all-time high while easily clearing the prior year’s […]
Continue Reading ›June 2021 Economic Dashboard
All major U.S. stock market indices posted another strong quarter of gains as the economy continued to reopen. The confluence of pent-up demand, prior government stimulus, and record household savings fueled robust consumer spending. The pandemic-induced shift in spending to goods continued early in the quarter. Spending began to shift back to services later in […]
Continue Reading ›May 2021 Economic Dashboard
The S&P 500 index managed a modest gain of 0.5% in May on muted volatility. Inflation continues to dominate headlines as several commodities reached all-time highs and consumer price indices saw their largest spikes in decades. The major central banks of the world continue to view recent inflation as transitory. The Federal Reserve is willing […]
Continue Reading ›April 2021 Economic Dashboard
The S&P 500 advanced 5% in April as treasury yields stabilized following a significant run-up in the first quarter. First quarter GDP results were released at the end of April, showing 6.4% real growth and 10.7% nominal growth, annualized. Retail sales and goods consumption soared in March as more stimulus boosted personal incomes. The wave […]
Continue Reading ›March 2021 Economic Dashboard
The first quarter of 2021 featured vaccinations and falling COVID cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. Enthusiasm for a reopening and more fiscal stimulus raised expectations for US economic growth. As investor optimism improved over the quarter, a change in performance leadership – “rotation” – accelerated. Cyclical industries, which tend to perform well in a strong economy, […]
Continue Reading ›February 2021 Economic Dashboard
February marked an acceleration of investor optimism for a strengthening economy. Amidst the backdrop of falling COVID cases, vaccination progress, and House passage of a $1.9 Trillion stimulus bill, the S&P 500 index rose 2.6% for the month. Cyclical sectors like energy, financials, and industrials led the market. Perhaps more encouraging for the economy, is […]
Continue Reading ›January 2021 Economic Dashboard
By now, many have heard of the recent drama surrounding GameStop, AMC, and several other stocks making huge moves in the last week. GameStop shares traded from $61 to $483 in the final week of January. Media coverage has been unclear and generally failed to explain some of the underlying dynamics at work, so we […]
Continue Reading ›December 2020 Economic Dashboard
2020 was a year no one could make up. As the year ends, what are investors looking towards in 2021? All hinges on the speed and success of Operation Warp Speed’s vaccination efforts. It will probably take most of 2021 to roll out the vaccine to nearly all adults but giving priority to elderly and […]
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