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Weekly Economic Update for October 5, 2020

In this week’s recap: Stocks advance with hopes of a new stimulus, end the week up, despite no new deal and President Trump’s illness



THE WEEK ON WALL STREET

Stocks advanced last week, propelled by hopes that legislators may reach an agreement for a new fiscal stimulus package and optimism generated by a few corporate deal announcements and initial public offerings.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.87%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 increased 1.52%. The Nasdaq Composite index gained 1.48% for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, advanced 1.56%.1,2,3


Stocks Manage Gains 

Stocks ebbed and flowed all week as investors reacted to news that legislators might have reached a compromise for a new round of fiscal stimulus. By Friday afternoon, the negotiations proved unfruitful, though stocks managed to retain some of the gains built up over the course of the week. 

Corporate buyout announcements, along with a couple of high profile initial public offerings, helped the overall market while technology stocks enjoyed a good week. Energy stocks continued to lag. 

In volatile Friday trading, stocks sagged following a weak employment report and news that President Trump had tested positive for COVID-19 and was later hospitalized. Losses were trimmed later in the day on comments by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who suggested an airline aid bill may be in the works.  


Conflicting Employment Data 

Last week’s employment reports and corporate layoff announcements painted a mixed picture of the labor market.

The monthly ADP (Automated Data Processing) report on private sector hiring showed an unexpectedly strong growth of 749,000, while jobless claims remained over 800,000.4,5  

Continuing jobs claims fell by nearly one million, but there were a number of large companies, including major airlines, that announced layoffs during the week. Friday’s employment report showed 661,000 nonfarm payrolls were added in September, dropping the unemployment rate to 7.9%.  What appears to be clear, is that the direction remains positive but the pace of progress has eased a bit.6

 

 

 

T I P   O F    T H E   W E E K
 


 What do your children know about money? There’s never a wrong time to talk to your children about its value and impact.

 

 

THE WEEK AHEAD: KEY ECONOMIC DATA

Monday: Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) Composite Final. Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Services Index. 

Tuesday: Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS).

Wednesday: Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) Meeting Minutes. 

Thursday: Jobless Claims.

Source: Econoday, October 2, 2020

The Econoday economic calendar lists upcoming U.S. economic data releases (including key economic indicators), Federal Reserve policy meetings, and speaking engagements of Federal Reserve officials. The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and may not materialize. The forecasts also are subject to revision.

 

THE WEEK AHEAD: COMPANIES REPORTING EARNINGS

Tuesday: Paychex Inc. (PAYX), Levi Strauss (LEVI).

Source: Zacks, October 2, 2020

Companies mentioned are for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of the securities. 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. Companies may reschedule when they report earnings without notice.

 

 

Q U O T E   O F   T H E   W E E K

 

“You never find yourself until you face the truth.”

PEARL BAILEY

 

 

 

 

T H E   W E E K L Y    R I D D L E

 

In 15 minutes, a dress will dry on a clothes wire. How long would it take you to dry five dresses?

 

LAST WEEK’S RIDDLE: A supermarket sign says you can buy energy bars at $12 a dozen. At that price, how much would it cost you to buy 100 energy bars?

ANSWER: $100. At $12 for a dozen, the unit price is $1 per bar.

 


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This material was prepared by MarketingPro, Inc., and does not necessarily represent the views of the presenting party, nor their affiliates. The information herein has been derived from sources believed to be accurate. Please note - investing involves risk, and past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investments will fluctuate and when redeemed may be worth more or less than when originally invested.

This information should not be construed as investment, tax or legal advice and may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any Federal tax penalty. This is neither a solicitation nor recommendation to purchase or sell any investment or insurance product or service, and should not be relied upon as such.

All market indices discussed are unmanaged and are not illustrative of any particular investment. Indices do not incur management fees, costs and expenses, and cannot be invested into directly. All economic and performance data is historical and not indicative of future results.  Additional risks are associated with international investing, such as currency fluctuations, political and economic instability and differences in accounting standards. This material represents an assessment of the market environment at a specific point in time and is not intended to be a forecast of future events, or a guarantee of future results.

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CITATIONS:

1. The Wall Street Journal, October 2, 2020
2. The Wall Street Journal, October 2, 2020
3. The Wall Street Journal, October 2, 2020
4. CNBC, September 30, 2020
5. CNBC, October 1, 2020
 6. The Wall Street Journal, October 2, 2020

CHART CITATIONS:

The Wall Street Journal, October 2, 2020
The Wall Street Journal, October 2, 2020
 treasury.gov, October 2, 2020

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