The Week on Wall Street
Stocks slipped in the final days of trading last week on higher jobless claims and rising tensions in the U.S.-China relationship.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.76%, while the Standard & Poor's 500 dipped 0.28%. The Nasdaq Composite Index dropped 1.33% for the week. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed stock markets overseas, rose 1.24%.[1][2][3]
Stocks Lose Momentum
Stocks marched higher to begin the week on progress with a COVID-19 vaccine and a string of upbeat corporate quarterly reports. Firming oil prices and the passage of a fiscal stimulus bill by the European Union also helped buoy investors' spirits.
Market sentiment, however, turned negative after Thursday morning's report of an uptick in new unemployment claims, which suggested a possible slowdown in hiring. The market was led lower by the technology sector ahead of quarterly reports from some of the sector's biggest names.[4]
U.S.-China Tensions Escalate
Tensions escalated last week as the U.S. ordered China to close its consulate in Houston, which the White House claimed was stealing American information. A day earlier, the U.S. had accused China of attempting to steal COVID-19 research data. China responded by ordering the U.S. to close its consulate in the city of Chengdu.[5][6]
The markets appear more focused on the apparent deteriorating relations between the two nations, worried about a repeat of the trade battle in 2018. Whether the rancor is managed is likely to remain a top concern for investors in the weeks ahead.
Final Thoughts
The mega-cap technology companies' market dominance is a concern to some. Last week it was reported that six of these mega-cap stocks represent 41% of the Nasdaq market capitalization.Five mega-cap names included in the S&P 500 Index account for 22% of that index's market capitalization.[7]
Investors have embraced these firms because they appear to be able to show solid financial performance in the midst of an economy coping with COVID-19.
THIS WEEK: KEY ECONOMIC DATA
Monday: Durable Goods Orders.
Wednesday: Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) Meeting Announcement.
Thursday: Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Jobless Claims.
Friday: Consumer Sentiment.
Source: Econoday, July 24, 2020
The Econoday economic calendar lists upcoming U.S. economic data releases (including key economic indicators), Federal Reserve policy meetings, and speaking engagements of Federal Reserve officials. 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.
THIS WEEK: COMPANIES REPORTING EARNINGS
Tuesday: Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Visa (V), Pfizer (PFE), McDonalds (MCD), 3M Company (MMM), eBay (EBAY), D.R. Horton (DHI).
Wednesday: Facebook (FB), Boeing (BA), Qualcomm (QCOM), PayPal (PYPL), General Motors (GM), Shopify (SHOP), Teladoc Health (TDOC).
Thursday: Apple (AAPL), Ford (F), Alphabet (GOOGL), Mastercard (MA), Procter & Gamble (PG), Eli Lilly (LLY), United Parcel Service (UPS).
Friday: AbbVie (ABBV), Exxon Mobil (XOM), Caterpillar (CAT), Merck (MRK), Chevron (CVX).
Source: Zacks, July 24, 2020
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The Wall Street Journal, July 24, 2020
The Wall Street Journal, July 24, 2020
The Wall Street Journal, July 24, 2020
NYTimes.com, July 23, 2020
CBSnews.com, July 22, 2020
APNews.com, July 24, 2020
CNBC, July 22, 2020