Daily Insights
One step back. U.S. stocks are sliding on renewed reports that the Trump administration is planning to restrict U.S. investors’ capital flows into China, just a few days before the two sides are scheduled to kick off another round of face-to-face discussions. Continue reading
Daily Insights
Trade pessimism. U.S. stocks are lower this morning on speculation that China may be increasingly reluctant to strike a trade deal. High-level talks between the United States and China are still scheduled to kick off later this week, but reports indicate that Chinese officials have narrowed the scope of topics they’re willing to negotiate on during these discussions. Continue reading
Economic Blog
October 04, 2019
The U.S. labor market keeps chugging along, despite signs of weakness in other pockets of the U.S. economy.
Nonfarm payrolls rose 136,000 in September, and July and August payrolls growth were revised up by 45,000. The 12-month average payrolls change climbed to 179,000 including Friday’s data, still slightly higher than the expansion average.
Daily Insights
Another volatile day. U.S. stocks posted another volatile trading session Thursday amid unexpectedly soft data and heightened global uncertainty. The S&P 500 Index dropped as much as 1.1% intraday before recovering to finish up 0.8%, its biggest comeback in a trading session since December 27, 2018. S&P 500 futures are up this morning as stocks keep searching for direction. Continue reading
Market Blog
October 03, 2019
Well, that wasn’t the start to the fourth quarter that the bulls wanted. The S&P 500 Index has dropped at least 1% on consecutive days to start the fourth quarter for the first time in history. It was down about 3% after two days, the worst start to the fourth quarter since 2009.
Daily Insights
A rough start. Stocks are searching for direction this morning after a rough start to the fourth quarter. The S&P 500 Index dropped about 3% in the past two trading sessions, the first time the benchmark has dropped 1% on consecutive days to start the fourth quarter. Continue reading
Market Blog
October 02, 2019
Just like that, the S&P 500 Index fell more than 1% on the first day of October. The rough start has many investors on edge, as October is known for spectacular crashes—specifically 1929, 1987, and 2008.
On the flipside, September 2019 was historically calm for equity markets, as the S&P 500 didn’t fall 1% on a single day the entire month.
Daily Insights
Is this the start of October volatility? After going the entire month of September without a 1% drop for the S&P 500 Index, it fell 1.2% on the first day of October. Stocks are continuing to follow through to the downside this morning. Continue reading
Economic Blog
October 01, 2019
U.S. manufacturing activity fell to a 10-year low, dragged down by a weakening global economy.
The Institute for Supply Management’s (ISM) Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) fell to 47.6 in September, the lowest level since June 2009. As shown in the LPL Chart of the Day, the gauge stayed in contractionary territory (below 50) for a second straight month.
Daily Insights
Here comes October. U.S. stocks are higher this morning to kick off October. Stocks during the month of October have had a bad rap, mainly due to extreme declines in 1929, 1987, and 2008. However, the S&P 500 Index has performed well overall during this usually volatile month. Continue reading