The Week on Wall Street
Stock prices pushed higher last week as news of a White
House plan to reopen the economy and reports of a potential COVID-19 treatment helped the market
overcome weak economic data and an ugly start to the corporate earnings season.
The Dow
Jones Industrial Average rose 2.21%, while the Standard & Poor's 500 advanced 3.04%. The Nasdaq
Composite Index gained 6.09% for the week. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock
markets, slumped 1.75%.[1][2][3]
Reality Hits
Until last week, the extent of the economic damage from COVID-19
lacked a lot of hard data. With the release of retail sales (down 8.7% for March), industrial
production (down 5.4% in March), and new jobless claims of 5.2 million (bringing the four-week total
to 22 million), the scope of economic trouble became clearer.[4][5][6]
Stocks
wavered throughout the week as investors digested the economic data and balanced the reports against
signs that the pandemic may have peaked. With news of a plan to restart the economy and promising test
results of a COVID-19 treatment, market sentiment turned positive, sending stocks higher on the final
day of trading and cementing the second consecutive week of gains.
Corporate
Earnings
Large banks kicked off the quarterly earnings season, reporting declines in
profits as they hiked loan loss reserves and saw a contraction in consumer credit card use. The large
loan loss reserves represent a sobering view on just how much the banks believe small businesses and
consumers may be affected by the economic downturn.
Final
Thought
With bank earnings reports, investors got an important - but limited - view of
the state of the economy. This week's earnings reports are expected to provide a much broader
cross-section of the economy, with a number of consumer products, technology, industrial,
transportation, and communication services companies reporting.
THIS WEEK: KEY
ECONOMIC DATA
Tuesday: Existing Home Sales.
Thursday: New Home Sales. Jobless Claims.
Friday:
Durable Goods Orders. Consumer Sentiment.
Source: Econoday, April 17,
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.
THIS WEEK:
COMPANIES REPORTING EARNINGS
Monday: IBM (IBM), Halliburton
(HAL)
Tuesday: Netflix (NFLX), Procter & Gamble (PG), Coca-Cola (KO), United
Airlines (UA)
Wednesday: Facebook (FB), AT&T (T), Boeing (BA), Tesla (TSLA),
Visa (V)
Thursday: Amazon (AMZN), Intel (INTC), Starbucks (SBUX), 3M Company
(MMM), Southwest Airlines (LUV)
Friday: Verizon (VZ), American Airlines (AAL),
American Express (AXP)
Source: Zacks, April 17, 2020
Companies
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The Wall Street Journal, April 17, 2020. 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. 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.
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The Wall Street Journal, April 17, 2020. 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. 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.
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The Wall Street Journal, April 17, 2020.
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The Wall Street Journal, April 15, 2020.
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MarketWatch, April 15, 2020.
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The Wall Street Journal, April 16, 2020.