Strong Earnings Drive Stocks
Strong Earnings Drive Stocks Weekly Update – April 23, 2012 Strong corporate earnings caused stocks to rally last week for the first time this month. The S&P closed up 0.6% for the week, while the Dow closed 1.4% higher, and the Nasdaq trimmed 0.36%. With no domestic economic reports released on Friday, traders turned their attention back to lingering concerns over Europeand China, and markets lost some momentum in afternoon trading. Even so, last week’s positive earnings reports are alleviating concerns about the economy and making investors feel more confident about the rallies...
read moreU.S. Gains; World Falters
U.S. Gains; World Falters Weekly Update – April, 16 2012 It was a rough one for the stock market last week as major indices closed out their worst session of 2012 on the back of disappointing economic growth in China and renewed fears about debt-ridden Europe. The S&P fell 2% for the week, while the Dow lost 1.61%, and the Nasdaq closed down 2.25%. China, the world’s second-largest economy, reported first-quarter growth figures of 8.1%, the weakest rate in nearly three years, and below expectations of 8.3%. Stocks fell sharply on the news, stoking fears that a weakened Chinese economy...
read moreAn Expected Pullback
An Expected Pullback Weekly Update – April 9, 2012 Following the strongest quarterly performance since 2008 and the best first quarter performance since 1998, major indices retreated this week, weighed down by disappointing economic reports and renewed concerns over Europe’s debt crisis. The string of losses before Friday’s market holiday left the S&P, the Dow, and the Nasdaq all slightly lower. This is only the third weekly loss for the stock market in 14 weeks of trading. A positive ISM Manufacturing Index report pushed stocks higher on Monday, but sentiment shifted on Tuesday as...
read moreThe Best Since 98’
The Best Since 98’ Quarterly Update – April 2, 2012 When the closing bell rang on Friday the 30th, the Dow and the S&P closed out their best first-quarter performance since 1998 and the Nasdaq notched its best performance since 1991. The Standard & Poor’s 500 (S&P 500) is an unmanaged group of securities considered to be representative of the stock market in general. Chart is for illustration purposes only. Performance excludes reinvested dividends. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Index is unmanaged and cannot be invested into directly....
read moreDon’t Buy Into the Hype
Don’t Buy Into the Hype Weekly Update – March 26, 2012 Stocks edged higher on Friday after a rough week marked by positive economic news in the U.S. but troubling economic news from Asia. For the week, the S&P and Dow notched their biggest losses of the year, 0.5% and 1.1%, respectively, while the Nasdaq edged up by 0.4%, bolstered by positive earnings in tech stocks.[i] Despite reports of increased strength in the American jobs market, improved corporate profits, and strong consumer sentiment, some investors feel increasing worry about Asia, Europe, and the impact higher oil...
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