The Week on Wall Street
Stocks were mixed last week amid a busy week of
earnings, some troubling economic data, and seemingly little progress on a new fiscal stimulus
package.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.16%, while the Standard & Poor's 500 increased by 1.73%. The Nasdaq Composite Index surged 3.69% for the week. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed stock markets overseas, dipped 0.75%.[1][2][3]
Stocks Buffeted by Crosswinds
Stocks rode a roller coaster last week, reacting
to a conflicting stream of corporate events and economic data.
Investors were optimistic on
Monday about the ability of mega-cap technology companies to thrive in an uncertain economy, but
worried on Tuesday about pending Congressional testimony involving the CEOs of these
firms.
On the economic front, a strong June durable goods orders report on Monday bolstered
investor sentiment. But the optimism faded on a disappointing jobless claims number and a troubling
second-quarter GDP number that-while anticipated-was a bit
unsettling.[4][5][6]
Following some exceptional earnings results from the
mega-cap technology companies, stocks managed to rally in the final hour of trading on
Friday.
U.S. Dollar Continues Its Decline
Since peaking in mid-March,
the U.S. dollar has dropped nearly 9%. Some of the potential beneficiaries of a weak dollar are global
American businesses whose products and services become less expensive in overseas
markets.[7]
Conversely, international companies may suffer lower sales in the
U.S. as their products become more expensive. It's a mixed bag of potential outcomes, but Wall Street
has become more and more focused on the dollar's trajectory.
Final
Thoughts
August has historically been a particularly volatile month. For instance, in
2019, the S&P 500 posted moves of more than one percent in 22 trading
days.[8]
One of the possible reasons is that many traders are away on vacation,
resulting in light volume, which may amplify market volatility. But this year, it's uncertain whether
traders will be away on vacation due to the pandemic. Should markets become volatile in the weeks
ahead, investors may want to remind themselves of the seasonal trends that may be at
work.
THIS WEEK: KEY ECONOMIC DATA
Monday:
Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) Manufacturing Index. Institute for Supply Management (ISM)
Manufacturing Index.
Wednesday: Automated Data Processing (ADP) Employment
Report. Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) Services Index. Institute for Supply Management (ISM)
Non-Manufacturing Index.
Thursday: Jobless Claims.
Friday: Employment Situation Report.
Source: Econoday, July 31,
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: The Clorox Company (CLX),
American International Group (AIG).
Tuesday: The Walt Disney Company (DIS),
Twilio (TWLO), Prudential Financial (PRU), Emerson Electric (EMR).
Wednesday:
CVS Health (CVS), Humana (HUM), Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (REGN), Wayfair
(W).
Thursday: Bristol Myers Squibb (BMY), Booking Holdings (BKNG), Becton
Dickinson (BDX), T-Mobile (TMUS).
Source: Zacks, July 31,
2020
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The Wall Street Journal, July 31, 2020
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The Wall Street Journal, July 31, 2020
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The Wall Street Journal, July 31, 2020
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CNBC.com, July 27, 2020
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CNBC.com, July 30, 2020
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BEA.gov, July 30, 2020
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Reuters.com, July 28, 2020
- CNBC.com, August 31, 2019