Winthrop Partners Weekly Update 10-19-20

The Markets (as of market close October 16, 2020)

Each of the benchmark indexes listed here advanced last Monday, climbing to their highest levels in more than a month. The Nasdaq advanced 2.6%, the S&P 500 gained 1.6%,the Dow added 0.9%, the Russell 2000 increased 0.7%, and the Global Dow picked up 0.7%. The Treasury market was closed for the Columbus Day holiday. Crude oil prices fell and the dollar was mixed. Mega-caps and tech stocks were big risers, along with communication services, consumer discretionary shares, and financials.

Stocks fell last Tuesday on dampened stimulus hopes. The Global Dow dropped 0.9%, followed by the Russell 2000 (-0.7%), the S&P 500 (-0.6%), the Dow (-0.6%), and the Nasdaq (-0.1%). Treasury yields fell while crude oil prices and the dollar rose. Real estate and financials fell sharply as bank stocks dropped nearly 3.0%.

Equities continued to slide last Wednesday following more rhetoric downplaying the prospects for a stimulus deal in the near term. Lower third-quarter earnings figures from some big banks added to investors’ trepidations. By the close of trading last Wednesday, the Russell dropped 0.9%, the Nasdaq fell 0.8%, the S&P 500 declined 0.7%, the Dow lost 0.6%, and the Global Dow gave back 0.4%. Treasury yields sank as bond prices increased. Crude oil prices advanced for the second consecutive day while the dollar weakened. Most of the major sectors were hit hard last Wednesday, with the largest declines in consumer discretionary stocks, communication services, and real estate.

Last Thursday proved no better for stocks, marking the third consecutive day of declines. Of the indexes listed here, only the Russell 2000 posted a gain (1.1%). The Global Dow fell 1.0%, followed by the Nasdaq (-0.5%), the S&P 500 (-0.2%), and the Dow (-0.1%). Ten-year Treasury yields advanced, crude oil prices dropped, and the dollar was mixed. Investors pulled back from technology stocks and FAANGs following news of stiffening COVID-related lockdowns in Europe and increasing unemployment claims in the United States. Market sectors that fell last Thursday include health care, communication services, information technology, and materials.

Stocks were mixed last Friday as the Dow, the S&P 500, and the Global Dow posted marginal gains, while the Nasdaq and the Russell 2000 lost value. Treasury yields climbed, crude oil prices dropped, and the dollar was mixed. Shares of large technology companies and energy stocks plunged. Investors got more discouraging news on possible virus relief from Democrats and Republicans, as it appears nothing of substance will happen until after the November 3 election.

For the week, the Dow, the Nasdaq, and the S&P 500 posted moderate gains, while the Global Dow and the Russell 2000 lost value. Year to date, the Nasdaq is more than 30.0% higher than its 2019 closing mark, pushed higher by mega-tech stocks. The S&P 500 is nearly 8.0% ahead of last year’s pace, while the Dow is barely above the break-even point.

Crude oil prices inched higher last week, closing at $40.75 per barrel by late Friday afternoon, slightly ahead of the prior week’s price of $40.54. The price of gold (COMEX) fell following two consecutive weeks of increases, closing at $1,901.90, down from the prior week’s price of $1,934.20. The national average retail price for regular gasoline was $2.167 per gallon on October 12, $0.005 lower than the prior week’s price but $0.462 less than a year ago.  Click for full Article:Winthrop Partners Weekly Update 10-19-2020