Market Roundup: Strong Week for the Markets

Economy/Stock Market

The week began with a strong rally that propelled the S&P 500 index to its biggest five-day percentage gain since 2011 as investors bet low interest rates would stick around for longer as a result of the weaker-than-expected jobs report released last Friday. The Institute for Supply Management’s non-manufacturing index hit 56.9, which was well shy of August’s reading of 59 and expectations of 57.5. The markets were mixed on Tuesday while the Commerce Department data showed the U.S. trade deficit grew nearly 16% to $48.3 billion in August. Exports slipped by 2% to $185.1 billion. Stocks led the markets back into green territory Wednesday with Energy stocks trading higher despite a dip in crude oil prices. The rally continued Thursday when the Federal Reserve released comments from their September meeting. The report showed that members believed it would be prudent to wait until risks eased before tightening monetary policy, noting that weaker Chinese growth and market volatility would prove an obstacle to inflation hitting the Fed’s 2% target rate. The week was capped off with strong gains across several sectors. 

Market Roundup: Despite Economic Reports, Markets Rallied to Post Gains for the Week

Economy/Stock Market

The U.S. markets began the week closing well into red territory on Monday. Technology stocks traded lower on a variety of economic data. Personal Income grew by 0.3% in August, missing expectations of a 0.6% advance. August’s personal income was also down from an upwardly revised 0.5% jump in July, while real spending ticked up 0.4% last month, bettering July’s rate. U.S. pending home sales also retreated in August. Consumer confidence improved in September with the Conference Board’s consumer sentiment index’s final reading coming in at 103, up from 101.3 in August. Indices closed Wednesday’s session on a positive note, as Technology stocks rallied. The ISM Manufacturing Index dipped to 50.2 last month from 51.1 in August. Indices ended the week on a positive note, with Energy stocks leading the rally. Labor Department data showed an addition of 142,000 jobs in September; however, the results were well shy of an expected 200,000 jobs. The unemployment rate held tight at 5.1%.