Historic August Opens Door To Worst Month Of The Year

Market Blog

What a month August has been so far, with the S&P 500 Index up more than 7%, for the best August since 1984. Not to be outdone, this is the first time in history August saw two separate 6-day (or more) win streaks. Last, with one day to go, the S&P 500 has gained 16 days so far this month, for the most since 16 in April 2019. Meanwhile, it is the most up days for any August since 2003. Continue reading

Market Update: Fri, Aug 28, 2020 | LPL Financial Research

DAILY INSIGHTS

Markets moving higher. US markets opened higher, looking for a seventh consecutive higher close. Continued positive trends in COVID-19 progress helped, but the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) change in its views on inflation (more below) has many investors talking. Asian markets were mixed with Hong Kong and China solidly higher, while Japan sold off after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced he would step down. European markets posted mixed results during midday trading. Continue reading

LPL Market Signals: What May Happen If Biden Wins?

Market Blog

This week in the LPL Market Signals podcast, LPL Financial’s Chief Market Strategist Ryan Detrick and Equity Strategist Jeff Buchbinder discuss the impacts of a potential Joe Biden victory. “Of course tensions are high as we head closer to the election, but don’t forget that stocks tend to do just fine, regardless of who is in the White House, as long as the economy is firm,” according to Ryan. Continue reading

Market Update: Thurs, Aug 27, 2020 | LPL Financial Research

DAILY INSIGHTS

Stocks opened lower. After four straight record-high closes for the S&P 500 Index, stocks are showing a bit of fatigue this morning. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s policy speech this morning from Jackson Hole, WY, is the featured event on today’s macro calendar. Powell is expected to outline a more dovish approach to inflation fighting. Meanwhile, weekly jobless claims data will also garner some attention. Continue reading

Which Bull Will It Be?

Market Blog

The incredible rally off the March 23 bear market bottom continues, with the S&P 500 Index up more than 50% from those fateful lows. It feels like a lifetime since the longest bull market ever ended. Remember though, although the recent bull market was the longest, it wasn’t the greatest, as the 1990s bull gained more on a percentage basis. Continue reading

Market Update: Wed, Aug 26, 2020 | LPL Financial Research

DAILY INSIGHTS

Major averages opened mixed. US markets opened mixed after record closes for the S&P 500 Index and the Nasdaq. Tuesday’s Dow Jones Industrials decline is credited to component changes to the index scheduled for month’s end. Market participants appear optimistic concerning COVID-19 vaccine progress along with US-China trade talks. Investors await Federal Reserve (Fed) Chairman Jerome Powell’s speech on Thursday along with claims numbers. Asian markets finished mixed, with European markets trading higher through midday.  Continue reading

When Do Rates Start Rising After a Recession?

Economic Blog

As the economy begins to recover, with the early stage more robust than expected, we increasingly get asked when interest rates will move meaningfully higher. As shown in the LPL Chart of the Day, historically rates don’t start to move higher until a median of about two years after a recession starts, and five of the last seven recessions were at least 20 months. Continue reading