Weekly Market Insights: Friday Rally Stems Week of Losses

A record-high inflation report, the prospects of a more aggressive Fed, and growing recession fears sent stocks lower– though losses were pared by a Friday rally.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.16%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 lost 0.93%. The Nasdaq Composite index dropped 1.57% for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, lost 3.49%. ^1,2,3

Stocks Slide

As the week opened, recession fears intensified with reports of renewed Covid-related lockdowns in China. Also, the U.S. dollar continued to climb, reflecting global economic weakness.

June's consumer price index report showed price increases accelerating. Year-over-year prices jumped 9.1%, the fastest pace in over 40 years. Speculation grew that the Federal Reserve might contemplate a 100 basis point increase in short-term rates later this month, rather than the 75 basis point hike it earlier signaled. The market rebounded on Friday following comments by an Federal Open Market Committee member who said he favoring a 75 basis point hike. Also helping the Friday rally was a strong retail sales report and additional second-quarter company reports.⁴

Dollar Strength

The increasing strength of the U.S. dollar moved to center stage last week as the dollar index (a measure of the U.S. dollar to six other major currencies) reached a fresh high, while the euro fell to parity with the dollar and to its lowest level since 2002. ⁵

A rising U.S dollar hurts overseas profits when converted into dollars and it also makes U.S. products and services more expensive. It’s a challenge for large, multinational companies that derive a portion of their earnings from overseas markets. Greater insight into the extent of that impact may be gained as companies provide forward guidance with their upcoming reports.

This Week: Key Economic Data

Tuesday: Housing Starts.

Wednesday: Existing Home Sales.

Thursday: Jobless Claims. Index of Leading Economic Indicators. 

Friday: Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) Composite Flash.

^{Source: Econoday, July 15, 2022
The Econoday economic calendar lists upcoming U.S. economic data releases (including key economic indicators), Federal Reserve policy meetings, and speaking engagements of Federal Reserve officials. The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and may not materialize. The forecasts also are subject to revision.}

This Week: Companies Reporting Earnings

Monday: Bank of America (BAC), International Business Machines (IBM), The Goldman Sachs Group (GS), The Charles Schwab Corporation (SCHW)

Tuesday: Netflix, Inc. (NFLX), Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (JBHT)

Wednesday: Tesla, Inc. (TSLA), Abbott Laboratories (ABT), CSX Corporation (CSX), United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (UAL)

Thursday: AT&T, Inc. (T), Snap, Inc. (SNAP), Blackstone, Inc. (BX), American Airlines Group, Inc. (AAL), Union Pacific Corporation (UNP), D.R. Horton, Inc. (DHI)

Friday: Verizon Communications, Inc. (VZ), Schlumberger Limited (SLB), American Express Company (AXP), NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE), PPG Industries, Inc. (PPG)

^{Source: Zacks, July 15, 2022
Companies mentioned are for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of the securities. Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your own goals, time horizon, and tolerance for risk. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost. Companies may reschedule when they report earnings without notice.}

"When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."

– Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Recovering Documents Following a Natural Disaster

If you live in an area that’s prone to natural disasters, it’s important to be prepared by knowing how to manage your important documents and paperwork, and by knowing what to do if those materials are lost. Here are some tips from the IRS:

• Contact the IRS or go online and search their database for help in reconstructing records after a natural disaster or casualty loss.
  
• Download Publication 584, Casualty, Disaster, and Theft Loss Workbook to figure out your loss on business and income-producing properties in the event of a natural disaster.
• Read Publication 3067, IRS Disaster Assistance - Federally Declared Disaster for information about how federally declared disasters affect individuals and business owners. This document also covers the assistance available to victims.

* 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.gov⁶

Everything You Need to Know About Walking Meditation

You’ve likely heard about sitting meditation, where you’re encouraged to find a comfortable place to sit or lay down, but have you ever heard of walking meditation?

Walking meditation follows similar principles to sitting or lying meditation, but instead of staying in the same place, you direct your focus to your footsteps and the experience of walking. The goal is to be mindful of every step and experience something that we usually do automatically. You can focus on the mechanics of each step, your breathing, or the sights and smells on your walk. And you don’t have to walk far to enjoy the benefits! A quick, 10-minute walk will leave you more focused, mindful, and centered. 

Tip adapted from Greater Good in Action at Berkeley⁷

You have 9 seemingly identical cubes before you. You are told that one is heavier than the other eight. Using a two-pan balance scale only twice, how can you pick out the heaviest cube?

Last week’s riddle: Two in every corner, one in every room, none in a house. What is it? Riddle answer: The letter "R."

Licancabur Volcano, Atacama desert, Chile

Footnotes and Sources

^{1. The Wall Street Journal, July 15, 2022}

^{2. The Wall Street Journal, July 15, 2022}

^{3. The Wall Street Journal, July 15, 2022}

^{4. The Wall Street Journal, July 13, 2022}

^{5. CNBC, July 11, 2022}

^{6. IRS.gov, May 16, 2022}

^{7. Berkeley.edu, May 26, 2022}

^{Copyright 2022 FMG Suite.}