January 24, 2020
This week the S&P 500 again made a new high but ended the week on a down note, showing a loss of over 1%. Friday saw the first 1% down day in over 3 months. Volatility picked up, bond yields fell, and stock prices declined in response to the growing threat of the coronavirus in China and its impact on life, travel, and commerce. Q4 corporate results continue to come in; the rate of positive “surprises” for sales and earnings are above the 5-year average. Next week we are looking forward to an economic calendar that will give updates on the consumer, housing, the Fed, and the first read on Q4 GDP. For more information on the markets or your portfolio, we encourage you to contact your Buckingham advisor.
Ryan P. Johnson CFA, CFP®
Director of Portfolio Management and Research
January 24, 2020
This week the S&P 500 again made a new high but ended the week on a down note, showing a loss of over 1%. Friday saw the first 1% down day in over 3 months. Volatility picked up, bond yields fell, and stock prices declined in response to the growing threat of the coronavirus in China and its impact on life, travel, and commerce. Q4 corporate results continue to come in; the rate of positive “surprises” for sales and earnings are above the 5-year average. Next week we are looking forward to an economic calendar that will give updates on the consumer, housing, the Fed, and the first read on Q4 GDP. For more information on the markets or your portfolio, we encourage you to contact your Buckingham advisor.
Ryan P. Johnson CFA, CFP®
Director of Portfolio Management and Research
January 17, 2020
The S&P 500 ended the week at new highs after earnings season kicked off with a handful of large financial companies reporting. Market participants will be anxiously awaiting as another 43 companies in the S&P 500 are set to report next week. On Wednesday, the U.S. and China signed a $200 billion, phase one agreement, in an effort to end their 18-month trade war. While the deal was encouraging, they still have many issues to resolve. Economic data is fairly light next week. Both the equity and bond markets will be closed on Monday in observance of MLK Day. For more on the markets or your portfolio, we encourage you to contact your Buckingham advisor.
Neal Davis, CFA
Sr. Portfolio Manager & Research Analyst
January 17, 2020
The S&P 500 ended the week at new highs after earnings season kicked off with a handful of large financial companies reporting. Market participants will be anxiously awaiting as another 43 companies in the S&P 500 are set to report next week. On Wednesday, the U.S. and China signed a $200 billion, phase one agreement, in an effort to end their 18-month trade war. While the deal was encouraging, they still have many issues to resolve. Economic data is fairly light next week. Both the equity and bond markets will be closed on Monday in observance of MLK Day. For more on the markets or your portfolio, we encourage you to contact your Buckingham advisor.
Neal Davis, CFA
Sr. Portfolio Manager & Research Analyst
January 10, 2020
This week the S&P 500 again made new highs, led by Technology sector stocks, which also had strong returns in 2019. The Dow Jones Industrial Average reached 29,000 for the first time ever, and the price of oil fell after tensions with Iran eased late in the week. Earlier in the week an economic indicator for the services portion of the economy showed strength, while today’s jobs report showed unemployment remaining at 3.5%, despite fewer jobs being added than expected. For more information on the markets or your portfolio, we encourage you to contact your Buckingham advisor.
Ryan P. Johnson, CFA, CFP®
Director of Equity Research
January 10, 2020
This week the S&P 500 again made new highs, led by Technology sector stocks, which also had strong returns in 2019. The Dow Jones Industrial Average reached 29,000 for the first time ever, and the price of oil fell after tensions with Iran eased late in the week. Earlier in the week an economic indicator for the services portion of the economy showed strength, while today’s jobs report showed unemployment remaining at 3.5%, despite fewer jobs being added than expected. For more information on the markets or your portfolio, we encourage you to contact your Buckingham advisor.
Ryan P. Johnson, CFA, CFP®
Director of Equity Research
January 3, 2020
The S&P 500 made new highs again this week, but then retreated some on Friday after reports that a top Iranian general was killed. This led to some unease in the financial markets as equities sold off, with both gold and oil moving higher. We will continue to monitor events in the Middle East as tensions are on the rise. Elsewhere, economic reports were light this week, but next Friday we are looking forward to the monthly jobs report. For more information on the markets or your portfolio, we encourage you to contact your Buckingham advisor.
Neal Davis, CFA
Senior Portfolio Manager & Research Analyst
January 3, 2020
The S&P 500 made new highs again this week, but then retreated some on Friday after reports that a top Iranian general was killed. This led to some unease in the financial markets as equities sold off, with both gold and oil moving higher. We will continue to monitor events in the Middle East as tensions are on the rise. Elsewhere, economic reports were light this week, but next Friday we are looking forward to the monthly jobs report. For more information on the markets or your portfolio, we encourage you to contact your Buckingham advisor.
Neal Davis, CFA
Senior Portfolio Manager & Research Analyst
December 27, 2019
The S&P 500 made new highs again this week, gaining over 0.5% in the holiday-shortened week. The NASDAQ Composite reached 9,000 for the first time ever. For reference, the intraday peak of the NASDAQ in March of 2000 was 5,133. Economic reports were light this week and will be light again next week. The monthly jobs report that usually comes out on the first Friday of the month won’t be reported until January 10th. Interest rates have been fairly range-bound over the past two months, with the 2-year Treasury yield around 1.6% and the 10-year Treasury yield around 1.8%. For more information on the markets or your portfolio, we encourage you to contact your Buckingham advisor.
Ryan P. Johnson, CFA, CFP®
Director of Equity Research
December 27, 2019
The S&P 500 made new highs again this week, gaining over 0.5% in the holiday-shortened week. The NASDAQ Composite reached 9,000 for the first time ever. For reference, the intraday peak of the NASDAQ in March of 2000 was 5,133. Economic reports were light this week and will be light again next week. The monthly jobs report that usually comes out on the first Friday of the month won’t be reported until January 10th. Interest rates have been fairly range-bound over the past two months, with the 2-year Treasury yield around 1.6% and the 10-year Treasury yield around 1.8%. For more information on the markets or your portfolio, we encourage you to contact your Buckingham advisor.
Ryan P. Johnson, CFA, CFP®
Director of Equity Research
December 20, 2019
The S&P 500 made new highs again this week, gaining over 1% and boosting the year-to-date total return to over 30%. International and small cap stock indexes again hit new 52-week highs. This week’s economic data for the industrial economy, the consumer, and housing mostly came in-line with expectations, showing modest growth. The final read on Q3 GDP was 2.1%, as expected. Next week the stock market will close at 1pm on Christmas Eve and will be closed for Christmas Day. Economic reports and trading activity will be lighter than average. For more information on the markets or your portfolio, we encourage you to contact your Buckingham advisor.
Ryan P. Johnson, CFA, CFP®
Director of Equity Research
December 20, 2019
The S&P 500 made new highs again this week, gaining over 1% and boosting the year-to-date total return to over 30%. International and small cap stock indexes again hit new 52-week highs. This week’s economic data for the industrial economy, the consumer, and housing mostly came in-line with expectations, showing modest growth. The final read on Q3 GDP was 2.1%, as expected. Next week the stock market will close at 1pm on Christmas Eve and will be closed for Christmas Day. Economic reports and trading activity will be lighter than average. For more information on the markets or your portfolio, we encourage you to contact your Buckingham advisor.
Ryan P. Johnson, CFA, CFP®
Director of Equity Research
December 13, 2019
The S&P 500 made a new high Thursday after promising comments were made about a “Phase 1” trade deal being reached with China. International and small cap stock indexes hit new 52-week highs this week as well. Impeachment proceedings seemed to have little impact on the markets. The Federal Reserve gave a policy update, but no changes were made to short-term interest rates. Next week is heavy with economic updates for the industrial economy, the consumer, housing, and a final read on Q3 GDP which is expected to come in at 2.1%. For more information on the markets or your portfolio, we encourage you to contact your Buckingham advisor.
Ryan P. Johnson, CFA, CFP®
Director of Equity Research
December 13, 2019
The S&P 500 made a new high Thursday after promising comments were made about a “Phase 1” trade deal being reached with China. International and small cap stock indexes hit new 52-week highs this week as well. Impeachment proceedings seemed to have little impact on the markets. The Federal Reserve gave a policy update, but no changes were made to short-term interest rates. Next week is heavy with economic updates for the industrial economy, the consumer, housing, and a final read on Q3 GDP which is expected to come in at 2.1%. For more information on the markets or your portfolio, we encourage you to contact your Buckingham advisor.
Ryan P. Johnson, CFA, CFP®
Director of Equity Research
December 6, 2019
After a rough start to the week, a strong finish led to a slight gain in the S&P 500, near the recent high which came just last week. Economic reports continue to show weakness in the industrial/manufacturing part of the economy, but consumer sentiment remains strong, as does employment overall. In today’s monthly jobs report, the unemployment rate fell back to a 50-year low of 3.5%. Next Wednesday, the Federal Reserve will give a policy update but no change in interest rates is expected. The Fed Funds rate is currently 1.55%, within the official target range of 1.50-1.75%. For more information on the markets or your portfolio, we encourage you to contact your Buckingham advisor.
Ryan P. Johnson, CFA, CFP®
Director of Equity Research
November 15, 2019
This week the S&P 500 hit another new high, as sentiment continues to be positive towards a U.S.-China trade deal, and as potential recession indicators have improved over the past several weeks. More than 90% of the companies in the S&P 500 have reported quarterly earnings, with sales and earnings each coming in better than expected. Interest rates remained range-bound near historically low levels and volatility has subsided for the time being. For more information on the markets or your portfolio, we encourage you to contact your Buckingham advisor.
Ryan P. Johnson, CFA, CFP®
Director of Equity Research
November 8, 2019
This week the S&P 500 hit another new high as “risk on” sectors such as Technology, Industrials, Materials, and Energy led, while “risk off” sectors such as Real Estate and Utilities declined. Most of the week’s gains came on Monday, due to more favorable comments around U.S.-China trade. On Friday, the latest read on consumer sentiment remained solid. Banks and bond markets are closed Monday in observance of Veterans Day, but the stock market will remain open. For more information on the markets or your portfolio, we encourage you to contact your Buckingham advisor.
Ryan P. Johnson, CFA, CFP®
Director of Equity Research
November 1, 2019
This week the S&P 500 gained over 1% and hit new highs. As expected, the Federal Reserve cut very short term interest rates by 0.25%, while longer-term rates in the Treasury market declined a little as well. This was the third interest rate cut by the Fed this year, and based on more balanced language in the announcement, should be the last cut for the year. Today’s monthly jobs report showed more jobs being added than expected, and the prior month’s number was revised higher as well, even though the unemployment rate ticked up to 3.6% from 3.5%. For more information on the markets or your portfolio, we encourage you to contact your Buckingham advisor.
Ryan P. Johnson, CFA, CFP®
Director of Equity Research
October 25, 2019
This week the S&P 500 came within a hair of a new intraday high, but the index did make a new high on a total return basis (including dividends). The S&P 500 Value Index (which includes Apple) made new highs, while the S&P 500 Growth Index did not gain as much and remained below its July peak. Next week will be heavy with earnings as about one-third of S&P 500 companies report; including Apple, Facebook, and Google. So far, third quarter earnings have not been as bad as feared, and sentiment seems to be improving around U.S.-China trade talks. Also on tap for Wednesday is likely another quarter-point interest rate cut from the Federal Reserve. For more information on the markets or your portfolio, we encourage you to contact your Buckingham advisor.
Ryan P. Johnson, CFA, CFP®
Director of Equity Research
October 18, 2019
This week, several Financial and Healthcare companies kicked off earnings season, and these two sectors outperformed the S&P 500 in an up week. The U.S. dollar weakened, which helped international stock performance. Today’s monthly Leading Economic Index® (LEI) reading was lower month-over-month due to weakness in manufacturing, but importantly, the index was still higher year-over-year. Interest rates declined slightly this week, and the futures market is still expecting another quarter-point interest rate cut from the Federal Reserve on October 30. For more information on the markets or your portfolio, we encourage you to contact your Buckingham advisor.
Ryan P. Johnson, CFA, CFP®
Director of Equity Research
October 11, 2019
After starting on a weak note due to concerns about U.S-China trade, this week the S&P 500 gained over 1% due to U.S.-China trade deal optimism, as it seems a partial deal is in the works. Several international stock indices gained even more, benefiting from both China and Brexit optimism. While banks, government offices, and the bond markets will be closed for a holiday on Monday, the stock market will remain open. On Tuesday morning and throughout the week, several financial and healthcare companies will kick off Q3 earnings season. For more information on the markets or your portfolio, we encourage you to contact your Buckingham advisor.
Ryan P. Johnson, CFA, CFP®
Director of Equity Research
October 4, 2019
Stock prices and interest rates moved lower this week on economic data that showed contraction in manufacturing and a slowing of growth in the services sector of the economy (services makes up about 80% of GDP). Today, the monthly jobs report came in just shy of expectations with 136,000 jobs being added in September, but the July and August reports were revised higher. The unemployment rate fell to a 40-year low of 3.5%. The 10-year Treasury yield fell to nearly 1.5%, and the odds of another rate cut from the Federal Reserve at the end of October shot up to 77% in the futures market. Fed Chairman Powell speaks this afternoon as well as on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday next week. For more information on the markets or your portfolio, we encourage you to contact your Buckingham advisor.
Ryan P. Johnson, CFA, CFP®
Director of Equity Research
September 27, 2019
This week the final read on Q2 GDP (Gross Domestic Product) came in as expected, showing 2.0% economic growth. Stocks sold off a bit on Tuesday when reports surfaced that Democratic members of Congress would formally announce an impeachment inquiry of the President, but the market recovered most of those losses Wednesday. However, just before noon on Friday, stocks declined again on news that President Trump is considering limiting investments in China, including possibly delisting Chinese companies from U.S. stock exchanges and by reducing U.S. government pension exposure to Chinese investments. The S&P 500 declined about 1.5% this week. Next week we will get monthly reads on manufacturing, services and job growth. For more information on the markets or your portfolio, we encourage you to contact your Buckingham advisor.
Ryan P. Johnson, CFA, CFP®
Director of Equity Research
September 20, 2019
As expected, on Wednesday the Federal Reserve cut the Federal Funds Rate by 0.25% to a range of 1.75-2.00%. Fed Chairman Powell noted that trade tensions, weakening economies in Europe and China, and Brexit were risks (particularly for manufacturers), but the Fed also noted household spending remains strong. This week the 10-year Treasury yield, which is correlated to mortgage rates, declined to about 1.75%, which is still historically low. The stock market was down slightly, and we are still about a month from Q3 earnings season. Next week we will get a final read on Q2 GDP (Gross Domestic Product) that is expected to show 2.0% economic growth. For more information on the markets or your portfolio, we encourage you to contact your Buckingham advisor.
Ryan P. Johnson, CFA, CFP®
Director of Equity Research
September 20, 2019
As expected, on Wednesday the Federal Reserve cut the Federal Funds Rate by 0.25% to a range of 1.75-2.00%. Fed Chairman Powell noted that trade tensions, weakening economies in Europe and China, and Brexit were risks (particularly for manufacturers), but the Fed also noted household spending remains strong. This week the 10-year Treasury yield, which is correlated to mortgage rates, declined to about 1.75%, which is still historically low. The stock market was down slightly, and we are still about a month from Q3 earnings season. Next week we will get a final read on Q2 GDP (Gross Domestic Product) that is expected to show 2.0% economic growth. For more information on the markets or your portfolio, we encourage you to contact your Buckingham advisor.
Ryan P. Johnson, CFA, CFP®
Director of Equity Research