In Markets "In a Nutshell"

Markets “In a Nutshell” for April 8, 2024

Investment Week at a Glance

Stocks finished lower for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 2.30%, the S&P 500 was down 1.00%, and the NASDAQ fell 0.80%. Foreign stocks (MSCI EAFE) were also down, falling 1.40%. Bond prices were down for the week, with the 10-year U.S. Treasury ending the week at 4.40%.  (Data source: Wall Street Journal)

March Jobs Report

The March jobs report was released last week and once again posted a strong number. Expectations were 200,000 and the new jobs in March were 303,000, continuing the trend of having a strong labor market despite higher rates. Job growth has actually picked up in the recent months and unemployment ticked down slightly to 3.8%, making it the 26th consecutive month under 4%. This is the longest streak since 27 months between 1967-1970. Wage growth has slowed down as it now sits at 4.1% year-over-year. This is the lowest we have seen since June 2021. The job quit rate has also been on the decline, another sign that the labor market, although strong, is starting to show some signs of weakness as people may be having a harder time finding a better job than they currently have.

CPI Data Coming This Week

An important CPI report will come out this week as it is the last one before the next Fed meeting that will come out with a rate decision in early May. If the report comes in with a lower that expected number, we could see the Fed indicate a rate cut coming this summer. If we see a hotter than expected number, it could further push rate cuts pass summer and into the fall/winter months. The market could rally on a low number and add fuel to the current rally we are seeing. The market has not had too many headlines of recent so inflation, and rate cuts continue to be the main driver. As we get closer to the election, those headlines will pick up and may be the main focus of news outlets, however the market will most likely have little movement based on election results. Typically, the market does not care which party is in power as in both cases markets move higher in the long term.

Quiz:

How much is the Dow Jones up for the year?  (Scroll Down for Answer)

  1.     1%
  2.     3%
  3.     7%
  4.     10%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Answer below.

 

 

Have a Great Week!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Answer:

2.    3%.  The Dow Jones is up 3% for 2024, the S&P 500 has been the leading index for 2024, up over 9%.