12 Apr 2023 Market Close & Major Financial Headlines: The Markets Gapped Sharply Down At The Opening Bell, Continued To Trend Lower, Finally Closing Near Session Lows

Summary Of the Markets Today:

  • The Dow closed down 476 points or 1.24%,
  • Nasdaq closed down 1.62%,
  • S&P 500 closed down 1.46%,
  • Gold $2,361 down $11.90,
  • WTI crude oil settled at $86 up $0.48,
  • 10-year U.S. Treasury 4.520% down 0.056 points,
  • USD index $106.03 up $0.750,
  • Bitcoin $66,994 down $3,333 (4.84%), – Historic high 73,798.25
  • Baker Hughes Rig Count: U.S. -3 to 617 Canada +5 to 141

*Stock data, cryptocurrency, and commodity prices at the market closing.


Click here to read our current Economic Forecast – April 2024 Economic Forecast: Economy Marginally Improving But Growth Will Be Weak


Today’s Economic Releases Compiled by Steven Hansen, Publisher:

I continue to suggest that inflationary pressures are not abating despite the spin from pundits who want the Fed to cut the federal funds rate. I study forces which cause inflation, and part of my reasoning in contained in my economic forecasts. Today, export and import price indices were released – and the disinflation in import prices has disappeared with growth now 0.4% year-over-year. The disinflation in import prices began over one year ago. 15% GDP in the US are imported goods and services – and 49% of all goods sold in the US are imported. One can now expect not only downward pressure on GDP (as imports are subtracted from GDP), but upward pressure from imports on inflation

University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment moved sideways for the fourth straight month, as consumers perceived few meaningful developments in the economy. Since January, sentiment has remained remarkably steady within a very narrow 2.5 index point range, well under the 5 points necessary for a statistically significant difference in readings. Consumers perceived little change in the state of the economy since the start of the new year. Expectations over personal finances, business conditions, and labor markets have all been stable over the last four months. However, a slight uptick in inflation expectations in April reflects some frustration that the inflation slowdown may have stalled. Overall, consumers are reserving judgment about the economy in light of the upcoming election, which, in the view of many consumers, could have a substantial impact on the trajectory of the economy.

Here is a summary of headlines we are reading today:

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11 Apr 2023 Market Close & Major Financial Headlines: Wall Street’s Three Main Indexes Close Higher Ignoring Producer Price Inflation

Summary Of the Markets Today:

  • The Dow closed up 2 points or 0.01%,
  • Nasdaq closed up 1.68%,
  • S&P 500 closed up 0.74%,
  • Gold $2,387 up $39.00,
  • WTI crude oil settled at $86 down $0.65,
  • 10-year U.S. Treasury 4.574% up 0.016 points,
  • USD index $105.26 up $1.020,
  • Bitcoin $70,533 up $826 (1.18%)

*Stock data, cryptocurrency, and commodity prices at the market closing.


Click here to read our current Economic Forecast – April 2024 Economic Forecast: Economy Marginally Improving But Growth Will Be Weak


Today’s Economic Releases Compiled by Steven Hansen, Publisher:

The Producer Price Index for final demand increased 2.1% for the 12 months ended in March 2024 – significantly up from last month’s 1.6%. This was a significant increase, and futher undermines those that believe the Fed will cut its federal funds rate this year. For the 12 months ended in March, prices for final demand less foods, energy, and trade services increased 2.8%.

In the week ending April 6, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims 4-week moving average was 214,250, a decrease of 250 from the previous week’s revised average. The previous week’s average was revised up by 250 from 214,250 to 214,500. From this data, you cannot see the economy slowing and continues to reinforce the strength of the labor market.

Here is a summary of headlines we are reading today:

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10 Apr 2023 Market Close & Major Financial Headlines: Wall Street Markets Gapped Sharply Down, Then Continued To Trade Sideways In A Roller Coaster Fashion To Close Near Session Bottom

Summary Of the Markets Today:

  • The Dow closed down 423 points or 1.09%,
  • Nasdaq closed down 0.84%,
  • S&P 500 closed down 0.95%,
  • Gold $2,348 down $14.50,
  • WTI crude oil settled at $86 down $1.00,
  • 10-year U.S. Treasury 4.548% up 0.184 points,
  • USD index $105.16 up $1.010,
  • Bitcoin $70,022 up $2,000 (1.59%)

*Stock data, cryptocurrency, and commodity prices at the market closing.


Click here to read our current Economic Forecast – April 2024 Economic Forecast: Economy Marginally Improving But Growth Will Be Weak


Today’s Economic Releases Compiled by Steven Hansen, Publisher:

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 3.5% year-over-year in March 2024- up from 3.2% the previous month. The blame for the increase falls to gasoline and shelter. The index for all items less food and energy increased 3.8% – little changed from the previous month.  As I have been saying, there is too much upward pressure on inflation (caused by economic conditions, wars, and a political bias towards higher costs associated with safeguarding the environment) to think it is going to decline in the short term.

February 2024 sales of merchant wholesalers were up 0.8% from the revised February 2023 level. Total inventories of merchant wholesalers were down 1.5% from the revised February 2023 level. The February inventories/sales ratio for merchant wholesalers, except manufacturers’ sales branches and offices, based on seasonally adjusted data, was 1.34. The February 2023 ratio was 1.37. This sector is in flux due to supply chain changes, so the only would provide an indication of sector health is the inventory to sales ratio – and this ratio is saying the health of wholesalers is little changed over the last year. Also this ratio is saying the economy is not slowing.

Here is a summary of headlines we are reading today:

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09 Apr 2023 Market Close & Major Financial Headlines: After The Opening Bell The Markets Nose-Dived From Green Deeply Into The Red, Spending Most Of Today’s Session In Negative Territory Closing Mixed

Summary Of the Markets Today:

  • The Dow closed down 9 points or 0.02%,
  • Nasdaq closed up 0.32%,
  • S&P 500 closed up 0.14%,
  • Gold $2,366 up $16.90,
  • WTI crude oil settled at $85 down $1.14,
  • 10-year U.S. Treasury 4.358% down 0.062 points,
  • USD index $104.11 down $0.030,
  • Bitcoin $69,060 down $2,705 (3.76%)

*Stock data, cryptocurrency, and commodity prices at the market closing.


Click here to read our current Economic Forecast – April 2024 Economic Forecast: Economy Marginally Improving But Growth Will Be Weak


Today’s Economic Releases Compiled by Steven Hansen, Publisher:

The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index decreased by 0.9 of a point in March 2024 to 88.5, the lowest level since December 2012. This is the 27th consecutive month below the 50-year average of 98. The net percent of owners raising average selling prices rose seven points from February to a net 28% percent seasonally adjusted. NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg added:

Small business optimism has reached the lowest level since 2012 as owners continue to manage numerous economic headwind. Inflation has once again been reported as the top business problem on Main Street and the labor market has only eased slightly.

Here is a summary of headlines we are reading today:

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08 Apr 2023 Market Close & Major Financial Headlines: After The Opening Bell The Three Main Indexes Gyrated Across The Unchanged Line Before Closing Essentially Flat And Mixed

Summary Of the Markets Today:

  • The Dow closed down 11 points or 0.03%,
  • Nasdaq closed up 0.03%,
  • S&P 500 closed down 0.04%,
  • Gold $2,358 up $13.00,
  • WTI crude oil settled at $87 down $0.27,
  • 10-year U.S. Treasury 4.424% up 0.046 points,
  • USD index $104.16 down $0.140,
  • Bitcoin $71,671 up $2,392 (3.75%),

*Stock data, cryptocurrency, and commodity prices at the market closing.


Click here to read our current Economic Forecast – April 2024 Economic Forecast: Economy Marginally Improving But Growth Will Be Weak


Today’s Economic Releases Compiled by Steven Hansen, Publisher:

none today

Here is a summary of headlines we are reading today:

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05 Apr 2023 Market Close & Major Financial Headlines: Markets Gapped Up At The Opening Bell, Then Continued To Trend Higher, Closing Moderately Higher In The Green

Summary Of the Markets Today:

  • The Dow closed up 307 points or 0.80%,
  • Nasdaq closed up 1.24%,
  • S&P 500 closed up 1.11%, ( New high 5,265)
  • Gold $2,342 up $33.20,
  • WTI crude oil settled at $87 up $0.16,
  • 10-year U.S. Treasury 4.392% up 0.083 points,
  • USD index $104.30 up $0.180,
  • Bitcoin $67,356 down $1,404 (2.00%), – Historic high 73,798.25
  • Baker Hughes Rig Count: U.S. -1 to 620

*Stock data, cryptocurrency, and commodity prices at the market closing.


Click here to read our current Economic Forecast – April 2024 Economic Forecast: Economy Marginally Improving But Growth Will Be Weak


Today’s Economic Releases Compiled by Steven Hansen, Publisher:

Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 303,000 in March 2024, and the unemployment rate changed little at 3.8 percent. Significant job gains occurred in health care, government, and construction. The household survey shows 498,000 jobs were added whilst the headline establishment survey shows 303,000 – this begins to lessen the employment gap between the household and establishment surveys which had been growing. And the household survey which is used for the headline unemployment rate added 469,000 people to the labor force [normally this would have caused the unemployment rate to grow but had little effect this month]. This is a very strong jobs report, and works against any reduction in the federal funds rate as the economy is heating up. In the graph below, the establish survey’s job gains are the blue bars whilst the establishment survey is the red bars.

Here is a summary of headlines we are reading today:

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04 Apr 2023 Market Close & Major Financial Headlines: Markets Opened Moderately Higher, Traded Sideways Until 2 PM, Then Fell Sharply, Closing Deep Into The Red

Summary Of the Markets Today:

  • The Dow closed down 530 points or 1.35%,
  • Nasdaq closed down 1.40%,
  • S&P 500 closed down 1.23%,
  • Gold $2,304 down $11.10,
  • WTI crude oil settled at $87 up $1.12,
  • 10-year U.S. Treasury 4.309% down 0.046 points,
  • USD index $104.26 up $0.010,
  • Bitcoin $68,325 up $2.434 (2.72%),

*Stock data, cryptocurrency, and commodity prices at the market closing.


Click here to read our current Economic Forecast – March 2024 Economic Forecast: A Modest Improvement In Our Index Predicting Little Change In Main Street Growth


Today’s Economic Releases Compiled by Steven Hansen, Publisher:

U.S.-based employers announced 90,309 job cuts in March 2024, up 7% from the 84,638 cuts announced in February, and virtually the same as (+0.7%) the 89,703 cuts announced in the same month last year. It is the highest monthly total since 102,943 cuts occurred in January 2023, according to a report released Thursday from global outplacement and leadership development and executive coaching firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc. ,” Andy Challenger, Senior Vice President of Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc. stated:

Layoffs certainly ticked up to round out the first quarter, though below last year’s levels. Many companies appear to be reverting to a ‘do more with less’ approach. While Technology continues to lead all industries so far this year, several industries, including Energy and Industrial Manufacturing, are cutting more jobs this year than last.

March 2024 Challenger Job Cuts Report Chart; Layoffs by month January 2021 - March 2024

February 2024 exports were up 5.9% year-over-year. February imports were up 3.6% year-over-year.. The February increase in the goods and services deficit increased but is still down 1.7% year-over-year. Trade continues to be lower than pre-pandemic levels.

In the week ending March 30, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims 4-week moving average was 214,250, an increase of 2,750 from the previous week’s revised average. The previous week’s average was revised up by 500 from 211,000 to 211,500. This is the highest level since 27January2024.

NFIB’s monthly jobs report shows a general slowdown in employment activity for small businesses in March, with a seasonally adjusted net 11% planning to create new jobs in the next three months, down one point from February and the lowest level since May 2020. NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg added:

Job openings on Main Street are now in line with the levels before the pandemic. Even with the slowdown in openings, the small business labor market remains tight, and owners continue to compete to retain and recruit employees.

Here is a summary of headlines we are reading today:

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03 Apr 2023 Market Close & Major Financial Headlines: Markets Opened Fractionally Down, Trended Higher, Closing Mixed

Summary Of the Markets Today:

  • The Dow closed down 43 points or 0.11%,
  • Nasdaq closed up 0.23%,
  • S&P 500 closed up 0.11%,
  • Gold $2,317 up $35.10,
  • WTI crude oil settled at $86 up $0.42,
  • 10-year U.S. Treasury 4.351% down 0.014 points,
  • USD index $104.27 down $0.550,
  • Bitcoin $65,846 down $224 (0.35%)

*Stock data, cryptocurrency, and commodity prices at the market closing.


Click here to read our current Economic Forecast – March 2024 Economic Forecast: A Modest Improvement In Our Index Predicting Little Change In Main Street Growth


Today’s Economic Releases Compiled by Steven Hansen, Publisher:

Private employers added 184,000 jobs in March 2024 and pay for job-stayers rose 5.1% year-over-year
according to ADP. The biggest news was in pay for job-stayers, which jumped to 10 percent. Inflation has been cooling, but our data shows that pay is heating up in both goods and services. Over the past several months, I believe the BLS has been overstating their headline jobs growth numbers as the discrepancy between the establishment and household surveys have been growing – and the AD numbers may be closer to the real gains. In any event, jobs growth gains have been strong which becomes a force against any reduction in the federal funds rate.

In March 2024, the ISM Services PMI® registered 51.4 percent, 1.2 percentage points lower than February’s reading of 52.6 percent. The Business Activity sub-Index registered 57.4 percent in March, which is 0.2 percentage point higher than the 57.2 percent recorded in February. As the US is a service oriented economy, this low reading implies economic slowing.

 

Here is a summary of headlines we are reading today:

  • The Next Gold Rush: Lithium Surge Creates New Investment Opportunities
  • Breakthrough in OLED Technology Could Revolutionize Tech Displays
  • BofA Sees Summer Oil Price Peak at $95 Per Barrel
  • Gold Prices Have Surged 23.3% in the Last Six Months
  • Oil Moves Higher on Fuel Inventory Draws
  • Xiaomi’s EV Launch Shakes Up China’s Auto Industry
  • Fed’s Powell emphasizes need for more evidence that inflation is easing before cutting rates
  • Dow closes lower for a third day as stocks’ second-quarter woes continue: Live updates
  • Intel drops almost 8% after chipmaker reports hefty loss in foundry business
  • Private payrolls increased by 184,000 in March, better than expected, ADP says
  • Long-term Treasury yields end near November highs after Fed’s Powell delivers economic outlook

Click on the “Read More” below to access these, other headlines, and the associated news summaries moving the markets today.

02 Apr 2023 Market Close & Major Financial Headlines: Dow Opened Nearly 500 Points In The Red, Markets Continued Trading Mostly Sideways, Closing Sharply Lower, And Bitcoin Tumbles 5%

Summary Of the Markets Today:

  • The Dow closed down 395 points or 1.00%,
  • Nasdaq closed down 0.95%,
  • S&P 500 closed down 0.72%,
  • Gold $2,297 up $40.00,
  • WTI crude oil settled at $85 up $1.45,
  • 10-year U.S. Treasury 4.355% up 0.026 points,
  • USD index $104.78 down $0.240,
  • Bitcoin $66,028 down $3,404 (4.90%)

*Stock data, cryptocurrency, and commodity prices at the market closing.


Click here to read our current Economic Forecast – March 2024 Economic Forecast: A Modest Improvement In Our Index Predicting Little Change In Main Street Growth


Today’s Economic Releases Compiled by Steven Hansen, Publisher:

New orders for manufactured goods in February 2024 was up 3.6% year-over-year (versus the Federal Reserve’s IP which was down 0.5% year-over-year). Does this mean the manufacturing recession is ending – it will take a few months more of data to know for sure.

The number of job openings changed little at 8.8 million on the last business day of February 2024 – and as this number has been little changed over the last 5 months, one would expect little change in the rate of growth for employment. Over the month, the number of hires and total separations were little changed at 5.8 million and 5.6 million, respectively. Within separations, quits (3.5 million) and layoffs and discharges (1.7 million) changed little.

U.S. annual home price growth remained mostly consistent with numbers seen since last fall in February but finally slowed as the residual impact of comparing gains with weak 2022 home prices wore off. CoreLogic projects that year-over-year home price gains will continue to rise at a slower pace for the rest of 2024, which suggests more certainty for potential homebuyers who have been waiting to get a foot in the door. Dr. Selma Hepp, chief economist for CoreLogic noted:

Home price growth pivoted in February, as the impact of the January 2023 Home Price Index bottom finally faded.  As a result, the U.S. should begin to see slowing annual home price gains moving forward. Nevertheless, with a 0.7% increase from January to February 2024, which is almost double the monthly increase recorded before the pandemic, spring home price gains are already off to a strong start despite continued mortgage rate volatility. That said, more inventory finally coming to market will likely translate to more options for buyers and fewer bidding wars, which typically keeps outsized price growth in check. Still, despite affordability challenges, homebuyer demand appears to favor already expensive, coastal markets with a limited availability of properties for sale.

 

Here is a summary of headlines we are reading today:

 

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01 Apr 2023 Market Close & Major Financial Headlines: Markets Opened Mixed, Traded Mostly Sideways And Down, Closing Mixed

Summary Of the Markets Today:

  • The Dow closed down 241 points or 0.60%,
  • Nasdaq closed up 0.11%,
  • S&P 500 closed down 0.20%,
  • Gold $2,262 up $23.80,
  • WTI crude oil settled at $84 up $0.75,
  • 10-year U.S. Treasury 4.321% up 0.127 points,
  • USD index $104.98 up $0.430,
  • Bitcoin $69,680 down $1,245   (1.72%)

*Stock data, cryptocurrency, and commodity prices at the market closing.


Click here to read our current Economic Forecast – March 2024 Economic Forecast: A Modest Improvement In Our Index Predicting Little Change In Main Street Growth


Today’s Economic Releases Compiled by Steven Hansen, Publisher:

Construction spending during February 2024 was 10.7% above February 2023. Construction has been one of the bright spots in the economy.

The ISM Manufacturing PMI® registered 50.3 percent in March, up 2.5 percentage points from the 47.8 percent recorded in February.  This is the first time in over 18 months that manufacturing has been in positive territory. Could it be that the manufacturing recession is over? Timothy R. Fiore, CPSM, C.P.M., Chair of the Institute for Supply Management® (ISM®) Manufacturing Business Survey Committee stated:

The Supplier Deliveries Index figure of 49.9 percent is 0.2 percentage point lower than the 50.1 percent recorded in February. (Supplier Deliveries is the only ISM® Report On Business® index that is inversed; a reading of above 50 percent indicates slower deliveries, which is typical as the economy improves and customer demand increases.) The Inventories Index increased 2.9 percentage points to 48.2 percent following a reading of 45.3 percent in February. The New Export Orders Index reading of 51.6 percent is the same reading as registered in February. The Imports Index continued in expansion territory, registering 53 percent, the same figure as in February. Both indexes repeated their highest readings since July 2022, when the New Export Orders Index registered 52.6 percent and the Imports Index registered 54.4 percent.

Here is a summary of headlines we are reading today:

  • Permian Oil Producers Eye Next-Gen Nuclear to Cleaner Drilling
  • Oil Prices Up as Iranian Embassy in Syria Leveled in Airstrike
  • Argentina Discusses Natural Gas Exports to Brazil via Bolivia
  • The U.S. Was the World’s Top LNG Exporter in 2023
  • Dow closes more than 200 points lower to begin April as Treasury yields pop: Live updates
  • Railroad CSX adding new freight route on Tuesday to avoid Port of Baltimore after bridge collapse
  • Bitcoin drops below $70,000 to kick off April: CNBC Crypto World
  • Amazon is trying to get rid of its signature brown boxes. The retail shipping giant has a long way to go
  • Gold prices are at an all-time high—but experts like Warren Buffett don’t always recommend investing
  • Fears over persistent inflation resurface in U.S. Treasury market, ushering in volatility
  • Treasury yields post biggest one-day leap in over a month as traders react to latest U.S. data

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