Weekly Market Insights: Mixed Data Leaves Investors Anxious

Chad Kunc | October 14, 2024

Stocks advanced last week despite mixed inflation data, lurching oil prices, and lingering anxiety about the Middle East.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index gained 1.11 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 1.13 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average picked up 1.21 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, added 0.23 percent.^1,2

Up And Down Week

Stocks slipped on Monday as oil continued to rise but moved higher on Tuesday as the technology sector showed the way. Oil prices fell back as investors took a wait-and-see stance concerning Middle East tensions.³

The S&P 500 and Dow Industrials hit fresh record highs on Wednesday but dipped Thursday morning after the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) data showed inflation was warmer than expected.^4,5

Earnings season kicked off Friday, and update reports from a few money center banks injected some enthusiasm into markets. Also, the Producer Price Index (PPI) report showed wholesale prices stayed flat last month, a welcomed update for investors. All three averages closed higher for the fifth consecutive week.⁶

Inflation Moves Markets

Despite news that showed retail inflation continued to decelerate in September, anxious investors focused on the fact that CPI came in slightly warmer than economists expected for September. Meanwhile, Friday’s PPI reading came in slightly better than economists expected, adding a layer of complexity for the Fed as it evaluates the inflation story.^7,8

This Week: Key Economic Data

Monday: Fed Official Christopher Waller speaks.

Tuesday: Fed Official Adriana Kugler speaks.

Wednesday: Import and Export Prices. API Weekly Oil Stocks.

Thursday: Retail Sales. Industrial Production. EIA Petroleum Status Report. Weekly Jobless Claims. Fed Official Austan Goolsbee speaks.

Friday: Housing Starts and Permits.

^{Source: Investors Business Daily - Econoday economic calendar; October 9, 2024}^{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: UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UHN), Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), Bank of America Corporation (BAC), The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (GS), Citigroup Inc.©

Wednesday: Abbott Laboratories (ABT), Prologis, Inc. (PLD)

Thursday: Netflix, Inc. (NFLX), Morgan Stanley (MS), Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (ISRG), Elevance Health, Inc. (ELV), Marsh & McLennon Companies, Inc. (MMC), The Blackstone Group (BX)

Friday: The Proctor & Gamble Company (PG), American Express Company (AXP)

^{Source: Zacks, October 9, 2024}
^{Companies mentioned are for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of the securities. Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your own goals, time horizon, and tolerance for risk. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost. Companies may reschedule when they report earnings without notice.}

“Avoid having your ego so close to your position that when your position falls, your ego goes with it.”

– Colin Powell

Passport Power

Did you know that the IRS can revoke your passport if you owe the Internal Revenue Service $62,000 or more? That's right; the IRS can revoke the passports of any taxpayer owing $62,000 or more, including penalties and interest.

Notably, if you’re currently paying off the debt or are contesting a tax bill in court, you should not be affected. However, anyone under an IRS tax lien could find their ability to travel hampered.

Contact a qualified attorney or tax specialist with questions about tax debts or other complex tax issues.

This information is not a substitute for individualized tax advice. Please discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax professional.

Tip adapted from IRS⁹

Eat The Rainbow, Reap The Rainbow

Every food has health benefits, and colors can help you determine which health benefits you enjoy. Here’s a quick summary of some of the benefits associated with these colored foods:

Red foods contain lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that can help reduce cancer risk and keep our hearts healthy.
Orange/yellow foods contain lots of carotenoids, which help maintain healthy mucous membranes and eyes/vision (possibly preventing cataracts and blindness).
Green foods contain various compounds that have anti-cancer properties. They’re also an excellent source of folate.
Blue and purple foods contain antioxidants called anthocyanins, which can help protect cells from damage and may reduce the risk of cancer, stroke, and heart disease.
White foods are known for their antiviral and antibacterial properties, and some (like bananas) are a good source of potassium.

Tip adapted from healthline.com¹⁰

If six pheasants are in a stand of cattails, and a hunter shoots one of them, how many will remain amid the cattails?

Last week’s riddle: I have rough skin and sometimes more than two eyes, but I can be tasty when prepared plainly and simply. Just what am I? Answer: A potato.

Bald Eagles Prepare Nest - Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Kenansville, Florida, United States

Footnotes and Sources

^{1. The Wall Street Journal, October 11, 2024}

^{2. Investing.com, October 11, 2024}

^{3. CNBC.com, October 8, 2024}

^{4. MarketWatch.com, October 9, 2024}

^{5. The Wall Street Journal, October 10, 2024}

^{6. The Wall Street Journal, October 10, 2024}

^{7. The Wall Street Journal, October 11, 2024}

^{8. MarketWatch.com, October 11, 2024}

^{9. IRS.gov, June 12, 2024}

^{10. healthline.com, July 24, 2024}

Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your own goals, time horizon, and tolerance for risk. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost.

The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, may not materialize, and are subject to revision without notice.

The market indexes discussed are unmanaged, and generally, considered representative of their respective markets. Index performance is not indicative of the past performance of a particular investment. Indexes do not incur management fees, costs, and expenses. Individuals cannot directly invest in unmanaged indexes. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average is an unmanaged index that is generally considered representative of large-capitalization companies on the U.S. stock market. Nasdaq Composite is an index of the common stocks and similar securities listed on the NASDAQ stock market and is considered a broad indicator of the performance of technology and growth companies. The MSCI EAFE Index was created by Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) and serves as a benchmark of the performance of major international equity markets, as represented by 21 major MSCI indexes from Europe, Australia, and Southeast Asia. The S&P 500 Composite Index is an unmanaged group of securities that are considered to be representative of the stock market in general.

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International investments carry additional risks, which include differences in financial reporting standards, currency exchange rates, political risks unique to a specific country, foreign taxes and regulations, and the potential for illiquid markets. These factors may result in greater share price volatility.

Please consult your financial professional for additional information.

This content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG is not affiliated with the named representative, financial professional, Registered Investment Advisor, Broker-Dealer, nor state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and they should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security.