Weekly Economic Update: Positive COVID-19 News Signals Optimism for Markets
Presented by Nicholas Wealth Management
February 8th, 2021
Weekly Market Update
In this week’s recap: The markets went back to basics this week, showing optimism for positive COVID-19 news.
The Week on Wall Street
Stocks notched strong gains last week, paced by a string of solid economic reports and consensus-beating corporate earnings.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 3.89%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 advanced 4.65%. The Nasdaq Composite index jumped 6.01% for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, climbed 1.96%.1,2,3
Bull Story Remains Intact
As the social media trading frenzy fizzled, investors were able to focus on more fundamental issues, like economic data and a fresh batch of corporate earnings. Pleased by an economy that appeared to be growing stronger, coronavirus cases in decline, and an improving vaccine rollout, investors bought stocks with enthusiasm.
The rally last week was broadly based, with the Energy, Financial, Communication Services, and Technology sectors posting gains.
The stock market’s optimism on an improving economy was seconded by the bond market as the 30-year Treasury rate rose to nearly 2.0% by Friday. When yields rise, bond prices fall. Falling bond prices may indicate that investors are less interested in Treasuries and more interested in other investments that benefit from a stronger economy. Rising yields may also reflect worries that a growing economy may spark inflation that may lead the Fed to rethink its zero-rate policy.4
The Inevitable Denouement
It was just two weeks ago that a social media chat forum appeared to contribute to a buying frenzy in a handful of struggling companies, unsettling Wall Street and capturing the nation’s attention.
These stocks staged a broad retreat last week as more was learned about the trading activity.
A similar social media-inspired buying effort was also initiated on silver. But silver prices experienced a modest gain before quickly reversing direction just days later.5
Tip of the Week
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CITATIONS:
1. The Wall Street Journal, February 5, 2021
2. The Wall Street Journal, February 5, 2021
3. The Wall Street Journal, February 5, 2021
4. The Wall Street Journal, February 5, 2021
5. CNBC, February 4, 2021
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