Weekly Market Insights: Stocks Sag On Downbeat Economic Indicators
Presented by Hershey Financial Group, LLC
Stocks edged lower in the final week of May as fresh news on economic growth and inflation failed to inspire investors. Stocks SlideMarkets shrugged off news that the Q1 Gross Domestic Product was revised lower to 1.3 percent from the initial estimated 1.6 percent. Despite concerns that the economy was cooling faster than expected, investors didn’t believe the update was enough to influence the Fed’s decision about adjusting short-term rates.1 On Friday, investors were on edge waiting for the update on inflation. The Fed’s preferred inflation indicator, called the personal consumption and expenditures (PCE), rose 0.2 percent in April, which was in line with forecasts.2 Stocks rose slightly in pre-market trading on the news but were under pressure throughout the day as investors digested the inflation update. But in the last hour of trading, stock staged a powerful rally led by the Dow, which had its best day of the year. |
Source: YCharts.com, June 1, 2024. Weekly performance is measured from Friday, May 24, to Friday, May 31. |
Is Bad News Good News?On the economic front, last week’s news was generally disappointing. The update on Q1 GDP was a bit discouraging, and several Fed officials gave seemingly more hawkish updates. Also, the Fed’s “Beige Book” revealed modest economic growth nationwide. Yet despite the drumbeat of bad news, stocks were resilient and closed only slightly lower for the holiday-shortened week.3 This Week: Key Economic DataMonday: ISM Manufacturing Index. Construction Spending. Tuesday: Motor Vehicle Sales. Factory Orders. Wednesday: ADP Employment Report. EIA Petroleum Status Report. Thursday: Jobless Claims. International Trade in Goods & Services. Productivity and Costs. Friday: Employment Situation. Fed Official Lisa Cook speaks. Source: Investors Business Daily – Econoday economic calendar; May 31, 2024 This Week: Companies Reporting EarningsTuesday: CrowdStrike (CRWD), Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (HPE) Wednesday: lululemon athletica Inc. (LULU), DollarTree, Inc. (DLTR) Source: Zacks, May 31, 2024 |
“Lasting change is a series of compromises. And compromise is all right, as long your values don’t change.” – Jane Goodall |
Tax Season May Be Over, But The Taxpayer Bill Of Rights Applies Year-RoundAlthough filing season might be over for most taxpayers, the IRS is available year-round for any questions. They also have a Taxpayer Bill of Rights, which promises the level of service and information you will receive when working with the IRS. Here are the ten fundamental rights you have as a taxpayer when interacting with the IRS:
*This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific, individualized tax advice. We suggest that you discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax professional. Tip adapted from IRS.gov4 |
Health Benefits Of GarlicNot only is garlic delicious, but it also confers many potential health benefits. One of the most potent benefits of garlic is that it may bolster your immune system and help you combat sickness, including the common cold. One large 12-week study found that a daily garlic supplement reduced the number of colds by 63% compared to a placebo. The average length of cold symptoms was also reduced by 70%, from 5 days in the placebo group to 1.5 days in the garlic group. Garlic may also improve cholesterol levels, thus lowering the risk of heart disease. Garlic may reduce both total and LDL cholesterol (otherwise known as the “bad” cholesterol). Therefore, consider adding a few garlic cloves next time you make your favorite dish. Tip adapted from Healthline.com5 |
What runs around a field but doesn’t move?
Last week’s riddle: There is a word that starts and ends with T and contains “tea” as well. What word is this? Answer: Teapot. |
Burj Khalifa Skyscraper |
Footnotes And Sources
2. CNBC.com, May 31, 2024 3. Investors Business Daily, May 30, 2024 4. IRS.gov, May 1, 2023 5. Healthline.com, January 29, 2023 |