Monthly Market Insights | April 2019
US Markets | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock prices finished the month higher despite a volatile domestic bond market and several poor economic reports. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.05 percent, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index gained 1.79 percent. The NASDAQ Composite led the major indices, climbing 2.61 percent. 1
As the month opened, stock prices fell due to waning optimism on U.S.-China trade talks and a troubling employment report. Trading SignalsMarket sentiment improved as the month progressed on, raising hope that a trade agreement might be reached. Chinese officials reassured negotiators that they would not use currency devaluation as leverage in the ongoing trade dispute. The market moved higher still, led by a renewed enthusiasm for technology companies. A rebound in retail sales helped offset some of the other disappointing economic news. The Fed’s PlanStock prices continued their advance in mid-March after Fed Chair Jerome Powell said that no more rate hikes were planned for this year.2 But in the following days, stocks staged a broad retreat on a weak manufacturing report out of Germany, which reignited fears of a global economic slowdown. Stocks drifted higher in the final week as prices fluctuating in the wake of declining bond yields. Were the falling yields signaling an economic slowdown or merely a function of recent monetary easing by central banks? Optimism prevailed with stocks closing higher for the week, putting an exclamation point on a solid first-quarter performance. Sector ScorecardThe majority of industry sectors finished higher this month, with gains in Communication Services (+1.63 percent), Consumer Discretionary (+2.77 percent), Consumer Staples (+2.58 percent), Energy (+1.49 percent), Real Estate (+4.38 percent), Technology (+3.42 percent), and Utilities (+1.49 percent), while Financials (-3.32 percent), Health Care (-1.08 percent), Industrials (-2.76 percent), and Materials (-0.05 percent) fell in value. 3
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What Investors May Be Talking About in May | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lyft, Inc., one of the pioneers of the ride-sharing industry, closed on its initial public offering (IPO) on Friday, March 29th, kicking off what may be a big year for IPOs. Up to 226 private companies have started the process of going public, including several well-known names, such as Uber and Airbnb.4 IPO offerings were slowed by the partial federal government shutdown this year. The shutdown prevented the Securities and Exchange Commission from performing the necessary regulatory reviews. Watch IPO ActivityThe IPO calendar indicates different things to different investors. One perspective is that a large number of IPOs may be a signal of a market top. On the other hand, it may mean that the risk appetite of investors has returned, which may be a healthy signal for the financial markets. It’s impossible to know which is the more accurate view. Should some big-name IPOs stumble, it may not only deter other companies from their own public offerings, but it may affect market psychology. Conversely, an enthusiastic reception of these IPOs may serve to underpin further market advances. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
World Markets | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
International equities were mixed in March, thanks to economic weakness in both Europe and Asia. The MSCI-EAFE Index slipped 0.42 percent.5 European markets were mostly higher, with Germany gaining 1.4 percent and France picking up 2.1 percent.6 Stocks in the Pacific Rim countries were mixed, with Australia climbing 0.2 percent and Japan dropping 0.8 percent.7
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Indicators | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross Domestic ProductThe final assessment of fourth-quarter Gross Domestic Product was a 2.2 percent increase, which represents a downward revision from an earlier estimate of 2.6 percent growth. For the 2018 calendar year, GDP increased 2.9 percent.8 EmploymentThe employment report presented a perplexing picture of the labor market, with new job creation of 20,000 in February. However, the unemployment rate dropped from 4.0 percent to 3.8 percent, and wages rose a robust 3.4 percent compared to February 2018.9 Retail SalesRetail sales bounced higher in January, rising 0.2 percent.10 Industrial ProductionIndustrial production rose 0.1 percent, dragged down by weakness in manufacturing, which declined 0.4 percent.11 HousingThe delayed January report for housing starts saw an 18.6 percent jump. 12 This encouraging beginning to the new year was dimmed by an 8.7 percent drop in housing starts for February.13 New home sales reports were delayed into March due to the backlog caused by the federal government shutdown.14 Consumer Price IndexThe prices of consumer goods rose 0.2 percent in February. Core inflation – which excludes volatile food and energy prices – suggests inflation may remain somewhat stable, rising just 0.1 percent.15 Durable Goods OrdersOrders for manufactured products designed to last three years or longer rose 0.4 percent, making this the third straight month orders have increased.16 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Fed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Following the end of its two-day meeting, the Fed decided to leave the federal funds rate unchanged. At the close of the meeting, the Fed also announced that it was slowing the drawdown of its $4 trillion balance sheet beginning in May and ending bond sales by September. The status of future hikes was clarified, as a majority of voting members indicated that another hike this year would likely be unnecessary. This suggests that only one additional hike may be necessary in the next three years, down from December’s expectations for three further hikes.17 By the Numbers |
Springtime
The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG Suite, LLC, is not affiliated with the named representative, broker-dealer, state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your own goals, time horizon and tolerance for risk. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost. Any companies mentioned are for illustrative purposes only. It should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of the securities. Any investment should be consistent with your objectives, time frame and risk tolerance. The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, may not materialize and are subject to revision without notice. The market indexes discussed are unmanaged and generally considered representative of their respective markets. Individuals cannot directly invest in unmanaged indexes. Past performance does not guarantee future results. International investments carry additional risks, which include differences in financial reporting standards, currency exchange rates, political risks unique to a specific country, foreign taxes and regulations, and the potential for illiquid markets. These factors may result in greater share price volatility. Please consult your financial advisor for additional information. Copyright 2019 FMG Suite. |
1. The Wall Street Journal, March 31, 2019
2. CNBC.com, March 20, 2019
3. FactSet Research Systems, Inc., March 31, 2019
4. CNBC.com, February 4, 2019
5. MSCI.com, March 31, 2019
6. MSCI.com, March 31, 2019
7. MSCI.com, March 31, 2019
8. The Wall Street Journal, March 28, 2019
9. The Wall Street Journal, March 11, 2019
10. The Wall Street Journal, March 15, 2019
11. The Wall Street Journal, March 15, 2019
12. The Wall Street Journal, March 8, 2019
13. The Wall Street Journal, March 26, 2019
14. The Wall Street Journal, March 22, 2019
15. The Wall Street Journal, March 12, 2019
16. The Wall Street Journal, March 13, 2019
17. The Wall Street Journal, March 20, 2019
18. American Clearing Institute, 2018
19. Statistica.com, 2018
20. IbisWorld.com, 2018
21. WorldPopulationReview.com, 2018
22. GlobeNewsWire.com, April 18, 2018
23. WalletHub.com, 2019
24. GuinnessWorldRecords.com, 2019
25. Forbes.com, January 3, 2019
26. Fortune.com, March 31, 2018