Turbulent Week Comes To An End

Once again, the market opened lowered on the day, extending the losses from Thursday's session. However, we did have two days of +4% gains by the market, but that has been offset by three days of losses. And even though the losses feel like they added up this week, we are, in fact, relatively level on the week as far as the indexes are concerned.

The DOW fell 533 points, or -2.1%, cutting some of its morning losses. It had been down as much as 894 points at one point in the session. The S&P 500 and the NASDAQ also pared losses slightly, last down -2.5% and -2.6%, on the day, respectively.

However, if you take a look at the weekly levels, the DOW is clinging to a weekly gain of +.5% while the S%P 500 is down -.3%. The NASDAQ is feeling the most pain in the week, losing roughly -.8% as we head into afternoon trading. Continue reading "Turbulent Week Comes To An End"

Stocks Have Worst Week Since Financial Crisis

Trading on Friday opened much like it had the rest of the week, down. And that was really no surprise as fears over the coronavirus, and its impact on the economy continue to scare investors. As we head into the close on Friday, stocks will have their worst week since the 2008 financial crisis.

The DOW was down more than 600 points after plunging 1,000 points in morning trading and down -2% on the day. The S&P 500 fell -1.5%, while the NASDAQ fell -0.7% after sinking more than -3% earlier.

So what does the worst week since the financial crisis look like? Continue reading "Stocks Have Worst Week Since Financial Crisis"

Stocks Fall As Coronavirus Cases Escalate

We headed into Friday afternoon off the lows of the session but still down for the shortened trading week after coronavirus cases escalated, which in turn has the stock market worried about a pronounced global economic slowdown. China's National Health Commission reported more than 2,000 deaths in the mainland, with 75,00 confirmed cases. That news is a jump of 800 new cases overnight. South Korea also said 52 new cases on Thursday, making its total cases 150.

All three major indexes will end the week in negative territory with the S&P 500 losing roughly -1%, the DOW is down -1.3%, and the NASDAQ is sitting right below the -1% mark at -.98%.

Adding to the economic worries were falling existing home sales and a less than stellar IHS Markit U.S. composite purchasing managers' index (PMI) report. Continue reading "Stocks Fall As Coronavirus Cases Escalate"

Disappointing Consumer Data Weakens Rally

The stock market is headed for strong weekly gains despite a rising number of reported coronavirus cases and disappointing consumer data. The S&P 500 and DOW are each up more than +1% for the week as we head into Friday afternoon trading. The NASDAQ, meanwhile, has risen +2% for the week lead by strong earnings in the tech sector, which has dominated or Top Stocks list this week.

Core retail sales, which exclude autos, gas, building materials, and food services, were unchanged last month, the Commerce Department said. The department added clothing-store sales had its most significant one-month decline since 2009. Continue reading "Disappointing Consumer Data Weakens Rally"

Four Day Rally Comes To An End

Stocks were up sharply for the week, entering Friday on the back of a four-day rally as strong earnings and economic data outweighed worries over the coronavirus' economic impact.

The S&P 500 was up +3.3% for the week through lunchtime on Friday and was on pace for its best weekly performance since early June. The DOW is up +3.2% for the week issuing a new green weekly Trade Triangle entering into a long-term uptrend, while the NASDAQ led the pack by gaining +4.3%.

The major averages also reached record highs on Thursday, boosted by China's decision to halve tariffs on a slew of U.S. products. The world's second-largest economy announced it would halve tariffs on $75 billion worth of U.S. imports on Thursday. Continue reading "Four Day Rally Comes To An End"