Markets “In a Nutshell” for September 16, 2024
Investment Week at a Glance
Stocks finished higher for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.60%, the S&P 500 was up 4.00%, and the NASDAQ rose 6.00%. Foreign stocks (MSCI EAFE) were also up, rising 0.20%. Bond prices were up for the week, with the 10-year U.S. Treasury ending the week at 3.66%. (Data source: Wall Street Journal)
Market Rebounds
The market rebounded last week across all indices after a rough start to September. We have seen these larger moves in the market recently as we get closer to a rate cut. The market has also been digesting new economic data in which we see positive and negative trends. Last week’s positive data was the August CPI report which came in right around expectations as we continue to see a downward trend for overall inflation. The increase in overall market volatility was expected after the unusual calmness we saw in the market in the first half of the year. Despite the swings, the market is still near all-time highs and could be poised to move higher as we expect the Fed to cut rates this week.
Fed Rate Cut
The Fed will meet this week and is finally expected to make its much anticipated first rate cut. Now the question for the market is whether it will be a 0.25% or 0.50% rate cut this week. Currently, the market is pricing in a 65% chance of a 0.50% rate cut but has bounced back and forth on which one is expected. This could cause more volatility this week as the one thing markets don’t like is uncertainty. If the economy can avoid a recession the outlook for the market is positive when looking at the past 4 rate cut cycles without a recession. The average 1-year return is 17.5% and the average 2-year return is 46.5%. The economy overall is still in a good position but there are areas where some weakness is showing. The rate cuts should help the economy and hopefully, inflation continues to decline which would be positive for the market.
Quiz:
How much is the Dow Jones up for 2024? (Scroll Down for Answer)
Answer below.
Have a Great Week!
Answer:
1. 10%. The Dow Jones has had a strong year so far up 10%. The Dow continues to set all-time highs throughout the year despite the recent volatility we have seen.
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