Monthly Market Insights | March 2021
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U.S. Markets |
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Stocks notched a solid gain in February thanks to growing optimism surrounding the economic recovery and decreasing number of COVID-19 infections. The Dow Jones Industrial Average led, picking up 3.17 percent. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 2.61 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite added 0.93 percent.1
Singular FocusInvestors focused on fundamentals during the month as the U.S. presidential election and a social media trading frenzy moved to the background. Attention was centered on three key inputs: corporate earnings, economic data, and interest rates—all three of which influence longer-term stock valuations. Corporate EarningsWith the fourth quarter earnings season coming to a close, many companies surprised analysts. Of the 83 percent of S&P 500 companies that delivered reports, 79 percent of those reported results that exceeded Wall Street expectations. Upon closer evaluation the companies, on average, reported earnings that are 14.6 percent above estimates, which are substantially above the 6.3 percent five-year average.2 Communication Services and Information Technology were the sectors that lead the reporting of positive earnings surprises. Real Estate, Energy, and Utilities lagged in beating earnings estimates.3 Economic DataEconomic strength was evident in January’s retail sales, industrial production, and durable goods orders. However, the labor market remained stubbornly weak. The economic recovery narrative was buoyed by falling COVID-19 numbers, as well as improvements in vaccine distribution. Bond YieldsTreasury yields rose last month, with 10-year yields closing February at 1.46 percent and 30-year yields at 2.11 percent. Bond yields may increase for several reasons, some of which may be good (strong economic growth) and some concerning (accelerating inflation).4 One question that income-seeking advisors may ask is: "At what point do income-seeking investors move from stocks to higher-yielding bonds?" That query may be answered if the 10-year Treasury yield moves above the dividend yield on the S&P 500. Sector ScorecardIndustry sectors were mixed in February, with Communication Services (+2.96 percent), Energy (+18.44 percent), Financials (+9.36 percent), Industrials (+4.15 percent), Materials (+0.69 percent), and Real Estate (+2.29 percent) advancing. Meanwhile, losses were felt in Consumer Discretionary (-6.00 percent), Consumer Staples (-2.10 percent), Health Care (-4.03 percent), Technology (-2.94 percent), and Utilities (-7.24 percent).5
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What Investors May Be Talking About in March |
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Although the Fed remains committed to its zero-interest-rate policy, investors may be monitoring how the financial markets react to any pickup in inflation.6 Investors appear concerned about the Fed’s protracted easy monetary stance and federal fiscal spending in response to the pandemic. For now, inflation remains within the Fed’s target range. However, expectations are rising, with the five-year forward expectations rate reaching a level not seen since 2019.7 |
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World Markets |
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A pickup in global economic activity spurred international stocks higher, with the MSCI-EAFE Index climbing 5.16 percent.8 Broad gains were made in major European markets. France picked up 5.63 percent, Germany 2.63 percent, and the U.K. 1.19 percent.9 Stocks in the Pacific Rim markets also performed well, with solid numbers in Japan and Hong Kong. The Hang Seng index is up 6.42 percent year-to-date.10
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Indicators |
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Gross Domestic Product (GDP)The nation’s economic growth for the fourth quarter was revised higher from 4.0 percent to 4.1 percent.11 EmploymentThe U.S. economy added 49,000 jobs in January, as continued weakness in the leisure and hospitality industry dragged down overall results. The unemployment rate fell to 6.3 percent due to the declining number of people looking for work.12 Retail SalesRetail sales rose 5.3 percent, propelled by strong gains in home improvement, work-from-home (e.g., furniture and electronics), and spending in restaurants and bars.13 Industrial ProductionIndustrial production jumped 0.9 percent, with gains in manufacturing and mining offsetting a decline in utilities.14 HousingHousing starts posted a disappointing 6.0 percent decline, as single-family home construction dropped 12.2 percent. However, a 10.4 percent rise in homebuilding permits suggested that the housing market remained healthy.15 Existing home sales edged 0.6 percent higher, as a limited supply of homes for sale drove a 14.1 percent price increase from a year earlier.16 New home sales rose 4.3 percent in January, the highest level in three months and above consensus estimates.17 Consumer Price IndexInflation rose 0.3 percent to settle at 1.4 percent for the 12-month period, which ended in January.18 Durable Goods OrdersOrders for long-lasting goods rose 3.4 percent, marking the ninth straight month of increases and the most significant leap since July 2020.19 |
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The Fed |
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Minutes from the last Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting indicate that the Fed has reaffirmed its policy to keep short-term interest rates at current levels and continue its bond purchase program, citing uncertainty about the economy’s continued recovery. While some Fed officials thought that near-term inflation might exceed its 2 percent target, they also believed that any price pressure would be short-lived.20 "At the Federal Reserve, we are strongly committed to achieving the monetary policy goals that Congress has given us: maximum employment and price stability,” Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell declared in his semiannual monetary policy report to Congress. Powell continued, however, stating that, “Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have taken forceful actions to provide support and stability, to ensure that the recovery will be as strong as possible, and to limit lasting damage to households, businesses, and communities."21 By the Numbers: World Meteorological Day - March 23 |
The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG Suite, LLC, is not affiliated with the named representative, broker-dealer, or state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your own goals, time horizon and tolerance for risk. 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. Any companies mentioned are for illustrative 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, timeframe, and risk tolerance. The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, subject to revision without notice, and may not materialize. The market indexes discussed are unmanaged and generally considered representative of their respective markets. Individuals cannot directly invest in unmanaged indexes. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is an unmanaged index that is generally considered representative of large-capitalization companies on the U.S. stock market. The S&P 500 Composite Index is an unmanaged group of securities considered to be representative of the stock market in general. The Nasdaq Composite is an index of the common stocks and similar securities listed on the Nasdaq stock market and considered a broad indicator of the performance of stocks of technology and growth companies. The Russell 1000 Index is an index that measures the performance of the highest-ranking 1,000 stocks in the Russell 3000 Index, which is comprised of 3,000 of the largest U.S. stocks. The MSCI EAFE Index was created by Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) and serves as a benchmark for the performance in major international equity markets, as represented by 21 major MSCI indexes from Europe, Australia, and Southeast Asia. Index performance is not indicative of the past performance of a particular investment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Individuals cannot invest directly in an index. The return and principal value of stock prices will fluctuate as market conditions change. And shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. International investments carry additional risks, which include differences in financial reporting standards, currency exchange rates, political risks unique to a specific country, foreign taxes and regulations, and the potential for illiquid markets. These factors may result in greater share price volatility. The Hang Seng Index is a benchmark index for the blue-chip stocks traded on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The KOSPI is an index of all stocks traded on the Korean Stock Exchange. The Nikkei 225 is a stock market index for the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The SENSEX is a stock market index of 30 companies listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange. The Jakarta Composite Index is an index of all stocks that are traded on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. The Bovespa Index tracks 50 stocks traded on the Sao Paulo Stock, Mercantile, & Futures Exchange. The IPC Index measures the companies listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange. The MERVAL tracks the performance of large companies based in Argentina. The ASX 200 Index is an index of stocks listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. The DAX is a market index consisting of the 30 German companies trading on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. The CAC 40 is a benchmark for the 40 most significant companies on the French Stock Market Exchange. The Dow Jones Russia Index measures the performance of leading Russian Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs) that trade on the London Stock Exchange. The FTSE 100 Index is an index of the 100 companies with the highest market capitalization listed on the London Stock Exchange. Please consult your financial professional for additional information. Copyright 2021 FMG Suite. |
1. The Wall Street Journal, February 28, 2021
2. FactSet Research, February 19, 2021
3. FactSet Research, February 19, 2021
4. U.S. Department of the Treasury, February 2021
5. SectorSpdr.com, February 28, 2021
6. The Wall Street Journal, February 24, 2021
7. Fred.StLouisFed.org, February 2021
8. MSCI.com, February 28, 2021
9. MSCI.com, February 28, 2021
10. MSCI.com, February 28, 2021
11. CNBC.com, February 25, 2021
12. The Wall Street Journal, February 5, 2021
13. The Wall Street Journal, February 13, 2021
14. FederalReserve.gov, February 17, 2021
15. CNBC.com, February 18, 2021
16. The Wall Street Journal, February 19, 2021
17. Bloomberg.com, February 24, 2021
18. CNBC.com, February 10, 2021
19. The Wall Street Journal, February 25, 2021
20. The Wall Street Journal, February 17, 2021
21. FederalReserve.gov, February 23, 2021
22. Facts.net, November 22, 2019
23. Funfactsabout.net, October 1, 2020
24. Earthhow.com, May 17, 2020
25. Sciencing.com, November 22, 2019