THE WEEK ON WALL STREET
Rising bond yields and fears of a government shutdown hammered stocks last week, with technology shares bearing the brunt of the retreat.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.89%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 dropped 2.93%. The Nasdaq Composite index tumbled 3.62% for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, fell 1.77%.1,2,3
STOCKS SELL OFF
Investor sentiment took a decidedly negative turn last week when investors were caught off-guard by the Fed signaling another potential rate hike this year, upending hopes that the Fed might finish its current rate-hike cycle.
Stocks declined sharply following the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) announcement and continued to fall the following day as bond yields spiked. The 10-year Treasury yield hit 4.48% on Thursday, touching its highest point in more than 15 years.4
Stocks also reacted to news that the House of Representatives went into recess on Thursday, increasing the prospect of a government shutdown. The sell-off cooled on Friday, adding only incrementally to the week’s accumulated losses.
1. The Wall Street Journal, September 22, 2023
2. The Wall Street Journal, September 22, 2023
3. The Wall Street Journal, September 22, 2023
4. CNBC, September 21, 2023