Market Week: March 8, 2021

The Markets (as of market close March 5, 2021)

Stocks rebounded in a big way last Monday. Investors may be picking low-hanging fruit following the prior week's depressed values, or they may have regained confidence in the market despite higher Treasury yields. In any case, each of the benchmark indexes listed here posted sizable gains, led by the Russell 2000 (3.4%), followed by the Nasdaq (3.0%), the S&P 500 (2.4%), the Dow (2.0%), and the Global Dow (1.6%). Yields on 10-year Treasuries dipped, as did the price of crude oil. The dollar inched up 0.2%. The market sectors enjoyed a resurgence as well, with information technology and financials each climbing more than 3.0%.

Monday's profit-taking market surge was short-lived, as stocks plummeted last Tuesday. Tech shares led the losses, pulling the Nasdaq down 1.7%. The Russell 2000 fell 1.9%, the S&P 500 dropped 0.8%, the Dow lost 0.5%, and the Global Dow dipped 0.1%. Treasury yields fell, as prices climbed on increased demand. Crude oil prices also plunged, and the dollar inched down. Only materials posted a gain among the sectors, while information technology (-1.6%) and consumer discretionary (-1.3%) tumbled.

Last Wednesday marked another rough day for equities. The Nasdaq dropped 2.7%, sinking to a two-month low. The yield on 10-year Treasuries jumped 6 basis points to 1.47%, as investors may be retreating from stocks perceived as overvalued. The S&P 500 declined 1.3%, while the Russell 2000 (-1.1%) and the Dow (-0.4%) also fell. The Global Dow picked up 0.6%. Crude oil prices reversed course from the past few days, surging to over $61.00 per barrel. The dollar gained as well. Among the sectors, energy and financials advanced. Information technology and consumer discretionary each lost more than 2.4%.

Timely Topics, Newsletter, General NewsMelissa MinterMarch 8, 2021

Overview

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The year began with the government stymied by a shutdown, and ended with articles of impeachment levied against the president. In between, both domestic and global economies showed signs of slowing, all while the trade war between the United States and China loomed throughout the year. Nevertheless, investors remained relatively bullish toward stocks, pushing several major indexes to record highs.

While domestic economic growth may have slowed in 2019 compared to 2018, it showed resilience and stamina. The third-quarter gross domestic product expanded at an annualized rate of 2.1% — moderately down from 2018's 3.0% rate, yet still strong enough to outpace global economic growth by a considerable margin. Consumer spending — which accounts for about two-thirds of the U.S. economy — surged, buoyed by a strong labor market, near-record unemployment, solid wage growth, and a burgeoning stock market. All told, the domestic economic expansion continued into its 11th straight year, the longest run in U.S. history.

Last year saw trade disputes between the United States and several of its trade partners reach an accord, but the trade war with China roared. The world's two largest economies engaged in a tit-for-tat skirmish, with each country volleying tariffs on their respective imports at the expense of the exporting nation. Coincidentally, a limited deal was announced just before the holiday shopping season, with the U.S. agreeing to forgo new tariffs and China assenting to allow more U.S. agricultural imports. Further negotiations are presumed, but the relationship between the economic giants remains tenuous at best.

Not only did the ongoing trade war affect global economies, but it also impacted domestic business investment, industrial production, and exports. Part of the justification cited by the Federal Reserve for lowering interest rates three times last year was weakness in business fixed investment and exports. As of November, new orders for durable goods were down 1.3% from the same period in 2018, and business (nonresidential) investment fell 2.3% in the third quarter.

The new year begins with a strong stock market and solid economic growth. The Secure Act, passed in late December, should change the retirement planning (and saving) landscape to some extent. However, the Treasury budget deficit for fiscal 2019 (October 2018-September 2019) exceeded $980 billion — 26% higher than the 2018 fiscal-year deficit. The trade war with China may cool with more mutual concessions, or accelerate, which would continue to dampen global economic growth. The new year will begin with the impeachment process and end with November's presidential election. What happens in between is anyone's guess. Will unemployment and inflation remain low? Will stocks continue to experience growth? Will oil and gas prices moderate or surge? Will the domestic economy continue to accelerate, or suffer a setback? Can the world economy recover, or will it continue to stagnate? If nothing else, 2020 looks to be an interesting year.

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Market Week: March 8, 2021

Overview

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