The Week on Wall Street
Stocks returned to record territory, with both the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite closing at historic highs. The S&P gained 1.20% for the week; the Nasdaq, 1.85%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lagged, losing 0.06%. The MSCI EAFE index of international stocks lost 0.52%.[1][2]
The S&P took only 17 weeks to fully rebound from its December low.[3]
A Shift in Focus
Last month, Wall Street fixated on trade, reacting to even the slightest hint of progress in U.S.-China negotiations. This month, the trade talks have taken a back seat, and the fixation is on earnings.
Anxieties about a possible earnings recession may be fading. So far, first-quarter results for S&P 500 firms are 5.3% above expectations; that compares to a 5-year average of 4.8%.[4]
At some point, trade talk will come back, or other developments will lead Wall Street to chase other trends. The thing to remember is that Wall Street is fickle: what preoccupies it one week may be shrugged off the next. Short-term trends ultimately amount to background noise during the long-term pursuit of your financial goals.
A Strong First Quarter
Friday, the Bureau of Economic Analysis said that the economy expanded at a 3.2% pace in Q1. The number surprised to the upside. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones estimated Q1 gross domestic product would increase 2.5%.[5]
What's Ahead
Investors have all kinds of news to consider this week. There will be a plethora of earnings calls, plus important reports on consumer spending and hiring. Also, Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell will hold a press conference following the central bank's May meeting.
THE WEEK AHEAD: KEY ECONOMIC DATA
Monday: March personal spending figures from the Department of Commerce.
Tuesday: The Conference Board's April consumer confidence index.
Wednesday: The Federal Reserve announces its latest interest rate decision.
Friday: The April jobs report from the Department of Labor.
Source: Econoday / MarketWatch Calendar, April 26, 2019
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. The release of data may be delayed without notice for a variety of reasons, including the shutdown of the government agency or change at the private institution that handles the material.
THE WEEK AHEAD: COMPANIES REPORTING EARNINGS
Monday: Alphabet (GOOGL), Kemper (KMPR)
Tuesday: Amgen (AMGN), Apple (AAPL), Cummins (CMI), McDonalds (MCD)
Wednesday: Allstate (ALL), CVS Health (CVS), Humana (HUM), Public Storage (PSA)
Thursday: CBS (CBS), Cigna (CI), Dunkin' Brands (DNKN), Gilead Sciences (GILD)
Friday: Fiat Chrysler (FCAU)
Source: Morningstar.com, April 26, 2019
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