Category Archives: Economy/Stock Market

The week began with the Dow Jones Industrial Average closing at its lowest level in 18 months. The S&P 500 Index and the NASDAQ also lost nearly 4% each in a frenzy of selling. The losing streak continued on Tuesday with a rush of selling minutes before the closing bell. On Wednesday, the three major indices surged nearly 4%, with the S&P pulling itself out of correction territory. Still, Wednesday’s big gains don’t erase the financial pain inflicted by the market’s first 10 drop since 2011. The Dow remained 11.1% off its recent high, the S&P 500 remained down 8.9%, while the NASDAQ composite remains 10% off its high and the small-cap Russell 2000 is down 12.6%. Stocks continued to soar on Thursday as renewed optimism about the U.S. economy eased concerns about the pace of global growth. Oil prices soared more than 10% to their biggest one-day percentage gain in six years amid a surge in commodities. The Commerce Department reported Gross Domestic Product, the broadest measure of goods and services produced across the U.S., expanded 3.7% in the second quarter, well ahead of expectations. The markets ended the week with a whimper, as the major indexes notched gains for the week in a subdued end to one of the most volatile periods in years for global markets. Upbeat economic data has helped reassure some investors that while global growth is slowing, the U.S. remains relatively stable. The Commerce Department said consumer spending rose 0.3% in July.

The week began with a rally as the markets rebounded from last week’s downswing, led by a rise in Technology stocks. Google was up in post-session trading after announcing an operations restructuring and a company name change to Alphabet. Stocks dipped Tuesday, likely a result of sinking crude oil prices and news of an unexpected devaluation of Chinese currency. The People’s Bank of China lowered the yuan by 1.9%, marking its largest decline in more than 20 years. Markets were mixed mid-week with energy stocks stepping up while consumer brands remained flat. Thursday brought news that retail sales increased in July, while the Labor Department stated jobless claims increased more than expectations. The markets closed the week on a positive note with news producer prices increased in July while The University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index, hit 92.9 in a preliminary reading, down from 93.1 in July, missing expectations of 93.5.

Monday saw several blue-chip stocks, including IBM, Chevron and Apple, trading lower. West Texas Intermediate crude fell 4.1% to settle at $45.17 a barrel. Personal income growth rose 0.4% in June, while consumer spending ticked up by 0.2%, missing expectations of 0.3%. Indices continued downward on Tuesday, despite news that orders for manufactured goods gained 1.8% in June, in line with the consensus forecast. On Wednesday, the S&P 500 index rebounded after three consecutive days of decline. The ISM Nonmanufacturing Index posted its second consecutive gain and the largest since 2008. The July survey bucks other economic data that suggest the economy was off to a slow start in the quarter. Stocks dipped amid a retreat in crude oil on Thursday. On another note, Labor Department data showed initial jobless claims increased by 3,000 to 270,000 last week. On Friday, the Labor Department released July’s data, showing the economy added 215,000 jobs last month, versus expectations of 225,000 additions. The unemployment rate held steady at 5.35%.

While the daily numbers show the week started and ended in the red, the overall direction for the markets was up. Monday’s red results were likely caused by a slip in West Texas Intermediate crude, as the slip affected several of the big energy companies.  In economic news, durable goods orders increased in June, exceeding expectations. On Tuesday, energy stocks rebounded because of a jump in crude oil. Oil prices still dominated the headlines Wednesday, as crude oil added 1.7% to settle at $48.79 a barrel following a decline in crude oil inventories. Comments from the Federal Reserve’s two-day meeting offered no grand revelations on whether they will lift interest rates at the upcoming meeting in September. However, the Fed kept its stance that the U.S. economy and job market are continuing to improve. Indices closed out mixed on Thursday with disappointing earnings news from Procter & Gamble. Friday’s session ended in red territory as Energy stocks Exxon Mobil and Chevron traded lower following the release of less-than-stellar earnings details. The markets also likely reacted to The University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index, which fell to a reading of 93.1, down from 96.1 in June. Economists had expected a lesser dip to a reading of 94.

After last week’s red zone ending, the markets opened Monday higher on favorable economic news. The ISM Manufacturing Index climbed to 52.8, from 51.5 in April, exceeding estimates of 51.8. Elsewhere, U.S. Personal Income ticked up 0.4% in April following flat activity in March.

During the holiday-shortened week, the markets dipped into the red zone. The Dow Jones Industrial Average began the week with its largest decline in nearly a month (1%), as all 30 Dow components lost ground.