Market Update: Wed, Nov 25, 2020 | LPL Financial Research

Daily Insights

US stocks open mixed amid Dow 30,000 level reached. US equities opened the day mixed after the Dow finished above the 30,000 milestone and the S&P 500 and Russell 2000 indexes closed at record highs in Tuesday’s trading. Even with the recent vaccine progress, the effects of higher COVID-19 case numbers across the nation and ongoing political uncertainty still influence market Continue reading

Treasury Yields After Recessions End

Economic Blog

It may be a year or more before the end of the recession is officially called, but gauging from the growth we’ve seen since April, it may already be over. If that’s true, it’s a good time to take a look at what US Treasury yields do early in a new economic cycle. As shown in the LPL Chart of the Day, in the last seven recessions, dating back to 1970, the difference between the 10-year Treasury and 3-month Treasury yield, referred to as a yield spread, at peak has been at least 2% every time—and above 3% in the last four recessions. (Looking at the spread between the 10-year and the 3-month Treasury makes it easier to compare times when the absolute rate level was different.) Continue reading

Market Update: Tue, Nov 24, 2020 | LPL Financial Research

Daily Insights

S&P 500 Index opens higher on greater political clarity. Markets don’t like uncertainty, and the release of transition funds by the General Services Administration and certification of election results in Michigan both point to less of a chance of a contested election. Prospects of a Janet Yellen-led Treasury help reduce policy uncertainty and are lifting investor sentiment this morning. Continue reading

Rising COVID-19 Cases Could Pressure the Recovery

Economic Blog

COVID-19 cases have been rising in several regions around the world, prompting many countries to implement new restrictions to curb the spread of the virus. Governments in a few European countries have rolled out what has been dubbed “lockdown 2.0,” and high-frequency data in the region, highlighted in our blog Europe’s Lockdown 2.0 May Be Smarter, has shown a reduction in economic activity. While new restrictions are more targeted than those used in the spring, economies currently are in a more fragile position and some could even be at risk of a “double-dip” recession. Continue reading