Market Moves You Need to See Stocks End Mostly Higher, Dow Makes New YTD High
[Kevin Matras - EVP - Photo]
Profit from the Pros By Kevin Matras
Executive Vice President Stocks End Mostly Higher, Dow Makes New YTD High [Stocks End Mostly Higher, Dow Makes New YTD High]Image: Shutterstock Stocks closed mostly higher yesterday with the Dow leading the way. They were up 1.47% and made a new YTD high in the process. Big moves from Salesforce (+9.36% yesterday), UnitedHealth Group (+3.36%), and Boeing (+3.21%) definitely helped. The Dow is now up 8.46% for the year. Even though they made new highs for the year yesterday, the S&P is up 19.0% YTD, and the Nasdaq Composite is up 35.9%. (The Nasdaq 100 is actually up 45.8%.) Yesterday's Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index confirmed that inflation continues to decline. The headline number showed inflation was flat last month at 0.0% vs. last month's 0.4% and the consensus for 0.0%, while the y/y rate came in at 3.0%, down from last month's 3.4% and below views for 3.1%. The core rate (ex-food & energy) was up 0.2% m/m vs. last month's 0.3% and estimates for 0.2%. The y/y rate came in at 3.5%, down from last month's 3.7%, and in line with the consensus. It was a fine report. And echoed what the CPI and PPI reports showed two weeks ago – that inflation continues to ease. And it further underscored the idea that the Fed is likely to pause at their next announcement on rates on 12/13 (and possibly call it quits afterwards)? What investors are really interested to learn is when the Fed expects to pivot to cutting rates next year, and by how much. At the moment, we know the Fed has previously said they expect to cut rates by -50 basis points in 2024. But more and more Fed watchers are expecting 5 quarter point rate cuts next year (with some calling for even more -- UBS is expecting a -275 basis point cut). Before that though, we'll get the Employment Situation report next Friday on 12/8. The Fed has been looking at that as a proxy for the economy, and average hourly earnings as a barometer of inflation (wage inflation). Employment has been resilient, but is finally easing (which suggests the Fed's rate hike cycle is having an impact). And wage growth has moderated as well (which shows yet another component of inflation is easing). All good signs. In other news, yesterday's Weekly Jobless Claims rose by 7,000 to 218K vs. views for 219K. The Pending Home Sales Index slipped -1.5% m/m vs. last month's 1.0% and the consensus for -2.0%. The index itself came in at 71.4 vs. last month's 72.5. And the Chicago PMI rose to 55.8 vs. last month's 44.0 and estimates for 45.1. Today we'll get the PMI Manufacturing Index, the ISM Manufacturing Index, and Construction Spending. We'll also hear from Fed Chair, Jerome Powell, as he participates in a discussion at Spelman College, in Atlanta, GA in the morning. And then again at a roundtable discussion, along with Fed Governor, Lisa Cook, in the afternoon. No new ground is expected to be broken at today's events. But you can be sure his comments will be closely followed regardless. The Q4 rally is firing on all cylinders. And with one more month to go, expectations are high that we'll finish the year strongly. Best, [Kevin Matras - Signature] Kevin Matras
Executive Vice President, Zacks Investment Research [Deadline: Zacks 7 Best Stocks for December Breakout]( From 4,400 stocks, the Zacks system distills only 220 Strong Buys. This list beats the S&P 500 more than 2X over. Our experts just combed through the Strong Buys to hand-pick 7 compelling companies most likely to jump the soonest. Previous 7 Best reports have caught quick and substantial gains like +47.4% on WING... +44.0% on SLB... and +67.5% on GDYN... all within one month. Report distribution is limited, so don't miss out. Deadline is Sunday, December 3. [See 7 Best Stocks Now »]( Most Popular Articles from Zacks.com [4 Retail Stocks to Play the Surge in US Consumer Confidence]( Consumer confidence has shown a promising uptick in November, breaking a three-month decline. [Read More »]( [Don't Overlook These Top-Rated Stocks After Earnings]( Now looks like a good time to buy these stocks as they could drift higher in the coming weeks. [Read More »]( [Value Investors: How to Find Great Cheap Companies]( Tracey Ryniec, the editor of Zacks Value Investor portfolio, shares two methods for finding the best cheap stocks. [Read More »]( [5 Sector ETFs That Beat the Market in November]( Here are five of the top performers in the ETF space from different corners of the market. [Read More »]( [This Combination of 3 Stocks Provides Monthly Income]( By targeting companies that pay out dividends in different months, investors can construct a portfolio that allows them to get paid monthly. [Read More »]( [What's Today's Top Rated Mutual Fund?]( Use the Zacks Mutual Fund Rank, a quantitative ratings system designed to help you find the best funds to beat the market. See which ones to buy, which to sell and track your favorite mutual fund family. [Get started now »]( [Bull of the Day: CommVault Systems (CVLT)]( CVLT's valuation is pretty reasonable given the higher estimates and its tendency to beat the number. [Read More »]( [New Zacks Strong Buys for December 1st]( Here are 5 stocks added to the Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) List today. [Read More »]( More Zacks Resources Mobile App
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