Investment Week at a Glance
Stocks finished up last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.9%, the S&P 500 was up 1.0%, and the NASDAQ was up 0.5%. Foreign stocks (MSCI EAFE) were down 0.5% for the week. Bond prices were up for the week, with the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield ending the week at 5.24%. (Data source: Wall Street Journal)
Jobless Claims Remain Historically Low, Despite Hiring Slowdowns
For the week ending October 3rd, initial jobless claims fell to 197,000. This marks the fourth straight week in which jobless claims measured under 200,000. These extended jobless claims levels have not been seen since the 1960s, and they indicate that while hiring may have slowed down in the economy, layoffs remain relatively limited. The data also shows that continuing claims increased by 17,000, indicating unemployed workers are taking longer to secure new jobs. Currently, the data points make it appear as if the US labor market is in a low-hire, low-fire environment rather than deteriorating.
Federal Reserve Meeting Minutes Reveal the Possibility of Another Rate Hike in 2026
The Meeting Minutes from the Federal Reserve’s September meeting were released on Wednesday. The Minutes showed that most Fed officials are still concerned about combating inflation, even after conducting the first interest rate hike in three years. However, policymakers appear divided on the timing of another rate increase, as some believe time should be given to see the effect of the monetary policy change outlined in September. The minutes reinforce the importance of inflation- and job-related data through the last quarter of 2026 as the Fed weighs the possibility of another rate hike later this year.
Microsoft Stock Up Over 13% This Year, Despite Experiencing A Major Price Decline Early
Microsoft (MSFT), one of the largest technology companies in the world, continues to grow as its stock price has risen over 13% despite new competition in the technology sector. Shortly after dropping to a price of $352 per share on July 25th, the company crushed earnings expectations on July 29th, accompanied by a positive outlook from the management team. This combination sent the stock price up significantly, as the stock price has recently reached $530 per share. The company is set to report earnings at the end of this month, and analysts are expecting to see another monster quarter from the company (CNBC).
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Quiz
What is the only company that has remained a top 10 company by market cap since 2000?
- Apple (AAPL)
- Exxon Mobil (XOM)
- JPMorgan Chase (JPM)
- Microsoft (MSFT)
(Scroll Down for Answer)
Answer:
4. Microsoft. Since the turn of the 21st century, Microsoft is the only company that has remained a top 10 company by total market cap. In 2000, Microsoft was the second largest company in the S&P 500; today, it is the 4th largest.
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