Market Week: May 3, 2021

The Markets (as of market close April 30, 2021)

Last Monday saw small caps and tech shares drive the Russell 2000 and the Nasdaq higher. Investors may have drawn encouragement from strong, first-quarter corporate earnings reports, solid economic data, and the expectation that the Federal Reserve will maintain its accommodative stance. Following the Russell 2000 (1.2%) and the Nasdaq (0.9%), were the Global Dow (0.6%) and the S&P 500 (0.2%). The Dow dipped 0.2%. The yield on 10-year Treasuries inched up, while the dollar and crude oil prices fell. Energy and consumer discretionary each advanced 0.6% last Monday, while consumer staples fell 1.2%.

Stocks were mixed last Tuesday, with the Dow, Russell 2000, and Global Dow inching up, while the Nasdaq and the S&P 500 declined. Among the sectors, energy advanced 1.3%, while financials and industrials each climbed 0.9%. The remaining major market sectors lost ground with utilities (-0.8%) and health care (-0.5%) falling the furthest. Yields on 10-year Treasuries increased 3.3%, crude oil increased 2.1%, and the dollar inched up 0.1%.

Equities retreated last Wednesday, despite the Federal Reserve indicating that it would continue fiscal stimulus measures in place. Only the small caps of the Russell 2000 and the Global Dow ended the day in the black. The Dow dipped 0.5%, the Nasdaq fell 0.3%, and the S&P 500 dipped 0.1%. Energy advanced 3.4% on word that OPEC+ indicated plans to boost supply, while crude oil prices climbed 1.3%. Communication services gained 1.2%. Information technology fell 1.0%. The dollar and the yield on 10-year Treasuries declined.

Last Thursday, stocks closed higher in what was a volatile session. The large caps of the Dow and the S&P 500 led the way, each climbing 0.7%, followed by the Global Dow (0.4%) and the Nasdaq (0.2%). The small caps of the Russell 2000 ended the session down 0.4%. Treasury yields, the dollar, and crude oil prices all advanced. First-quarter corporate earnings season is in full force, and Thursday's results for some major companies were mostly favorable. Stocks also were buoyed by a strong initial estimate for first-quarter gross domestic product and a notable reduction in new claims for unemployment insurance. Among the market sectors, only health care and information technology failed to gain. Communication services enjoyed a particularly strong day, closing up 2.8%

Melissa MinterMay 5, 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: May 3, 2021

Overview

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