THE WEEK ON WALL STREET
Stocks remained resilient last week amid mixed earnings reports, hawkish Fed-speak, and lingering recession fears, closing out the five trading days with small losses.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.23%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 lost 0.10%. The Nasdaq Composite index fell 0.42% for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, added 0.10%.1,2,3
STOCKS HOLD FIRM
Stocks traded most of last week around the flatline as investors grappled with several headwinds.
The first was disappointing earnings results, coupled with the absence of earnings guidance from some companies due to an uncertain economic climate. Weak economic data, including declines in housing and leading economic indicators, also weighed on investor sentiment. Finally, multiple Fed officials spoke last week, signaling that inflation remained too high and that further rate hikes may be likely.
Underneath the seemingly placid surface of the major market indices, there was substantial price action at the individual stock and sector level. Poor earnings results hit communication services stocks and regional banks, while margin pressures put pressure on auto stock valuations.
1. The Wall Street Journal, April 21, 2023
2. The Wall Street Journal, April 21, 2023
3. The Wall Street Journal, April 21, 2023