Weekly Economic Update for April 22, 2019
In this week’s recap: stocks move sideways as earnings season gathers momentum, and retail sales jump.
Weekly Economic Update
Presented by Nancy Van De Berg, April 22, 2019
THE WEEK ON WALL STREET
A short and relatively placid trading week wrapped up Thursday, with the major indices turning in mixed performances. The S&P 500 retreated 0.08%, the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.17%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.56%. The MSCI EAFE index, tracking foreign stocks in developed countries, added 0.65%.1-4
Nothing really catalytic emerged to drive the market last week, and volumes were low.
Earnings Season Update
More than 78% of S&P 500 firms reporting so far this earnings season have surpassed analyst expectations, according to FactSet. Since guidance tends to be conservative, there is the possibility that more companies will beat forecasts than expected.5
The initial public offering market remained strong. Two high-profile technology companies came public on Thursday and were met with enthusiasm from investors. As mentioned in recent weeks, 2019 could be a banner year for IPOs.
Retail Sales Rebound
March’s 1.6% gain was the biggest monthly advance seen since September 2017. Sales of cars and gasoline rose more than 3%.6
If the upcoming March consumer spending report is also impressive, concerns about the current business cycle peaking may recede.
Final Thought
Nearly 800 companies will report earnings this week, including some high-profile names. This kicks off five weeks of active daily earnings reports.
Investors will watch corporate profits, guidance, and fundamental indicators with great interest, to try and glean whether the economy is strengthening or softening. Reports on first-quarter economic growth and existing home sales will command particular attention.
T I P O F T H E W E E K
Your insurance needs should be reevaluated every few years. Life events like a marriage, a home purchase, or retirement may mean you need more (or less) coverage.
THE WEEK AHEAD: KEY ECONOMIC DATA
Monday: March existing home sales figures from the National Association of Realtors.
Tuesday: March new home sales numbers from the Census Bureau.
Friday: The first estimate of first-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) from the federal government, and the final April University of Michigan consumer sentiment index, a gauge of consumer confidence levels.
Source: Econoday / MarketWatch Calendar, April 18, 2019
The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and may not materialize. The forecasts also are subject to revision. The release of data may be delayed without notice for a variety of reasons.
THE WEEK AHEAD: COMPANIES REPORTING EARNINGS
Monday: Halliburton (HAL), Kimberly-Clark (KMB), Whirlpool (WHR)
Tuesday: Coca-Cola (KO), Harley-Davidson (HOG), Procter & Gamble (PG), Twitter (TWTR), Verizon (VZ)
Wednesday: Anthem (ANTM), Boeing (BA), Caterpillar (CAT), Facebook (FB)
Thursday: 3M (MMM), AbbVie (ABBV), Amazon (AMZN), Starbucks (SBUX)
Friday: American Airlines (AAL), Colgate-Palmolive (CL), ExxonMobil (XOM)
Source: Morningstar.com, April 18, 2019
Companies mentioned are for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of the securities. Any investment should be consistent with your objectives, time frame, and risk tolerance. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost. Companies may reschedule when they report earnings without notice.
Q U O T E O F T H E W E E K
“You are the only person on earth who can use your ability.”
ZIG ZIGLAR
T H E W E E K L Y R I D D L E
It has keys that open no locks. Yet, it lets you enter and create spaces. What is it?
LAST WEEK’S RIDDLE: Name two English words (longer than two letters) that both begin and end with the letters “he” (in that order).
ANSWER: Headache and heartache.
Nancy Van De Berg may be reached at 507-283-9590 or nancy@mainstreetfinancial.net
https://mainstreetfinancialservices.advisorwebsite.com/
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1 - quotes.wsj.com/index/SPX [4/18/19]
2 - quotes.wsj.com/index/DJIA [4/18/19]
3 - quotes.wsj.com/index/COMP [4/18/19]
4 - quotes.wsj.com/index/XX/990300/historical-prices [4/18/19]
5 - cnbc.com/2019/04/18/stocks-market-earnings-retail-sales-and-jobless-data-in-focus.html [4/18/19]
6 - reuters.com/article/us-usa-economy-retail/us-retail-sales-post-biggest-gain-in-one-and-a-half-years-in-march-idUSKCN1RU1GI [4/18/19]
quotes.wsj.com/index/SPX [4/18/19]
quotes.wsj.com/index/DJIA [4/18/19]
quotes.wsj.com/index/COMP [4/18/19]
quotes.wsj.com/index/XX/990300/historical-prices [4/18/19]
markets.wsj.com [4/18/19]
treasury.gov/resource-center/data-chart-center/interest-rates/Pages/TextView.aspx?data=yield [4/18/19]
treasury.gov/resource-center/data-chart-center/interest-rates/Pages/TextView.aspx?data=yieldAll [4/18/19]
