DFG Navigator Archives | October 2024
Your Capital Markets Snapshot: Markets Bouncing Around But Trending Down
An eventful week last week led to markets bouncing around but trending down for most of the week, resulting from increasing tensions in the Middle East and the East Coast port strike. After the strike tentatively ended late Thursday and a strong jobs report on Friday, we saw markets recover and post modest gains for the week. While the Federal Reserve seeks to balance its dual mandates of stable prices and full employment, last week may have some wondering if inflation concerns are truly in the rearview mirror as oil prices increased following Iran’s missile attack as well as US labor strikes becoming more common and leading to potentially higher wages. We will get inflation data next week that can help answer some of these questions, but for now the US economy appears to be on firm footing after posting the strongest job gains in the past six months paired with upward revisions to July and August’s job report numbers. Read more … Your Capital Markets Snapshot: Markets Bouncing Around But Trending Down
Your Capital Markets Snapshot: Equity Markets Saw Modest Gains
Last week, the equity markets saw modest gains, with the three major US indices rising between 0.6% to 1.0% due to positive economic data and a series of stimulus measures launched by the Chinese government. The Chinese stimulus measures led to significant gains in Chinese stocks, which in turn benefited several U.S. industries, such as materials and industrials. Additionally, the U.S. Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge showed further easing of price pressures, contributing to the positive market sentiment. Despite the growth in equity markets, it was another flat week for US fixed income markets while international bonds saw a modest 0.5% gain. Read more … Your Capital Markets Snapshot: Equity Markets Saw Modest Gains