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Stocks ended November generally lower, with only the Nasdaq able to eke out a gain. The Global Dow and the Russell 2000 each lost more than 4.25%. The Dow fell 3.7% and the S&P 500 dropped 0.8%. The Nasdaq gained 0.3%.
Despite some positive economic news, global and domestic markets were sent reeling in November following reports of a new coronavirus strain. The Omicron variant, first discovered in South Africa, prompted several countries, including the United States, to impose travel restrictions. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell indicated that the coronavirus variant could hinder economic recovery efforts and impact the country's response to surging inflation. Nevertheless, Powell also suggested that the central bank could end its asset purchase program a few months sooner than planned, apparently signaling confidence in the economic recovery, despite concerns over the Omicron variant. Inflation continued to rise, as supply-chain bottlenecks and labor shortages prompted price hikes at both the manufacturing and retail levels.
The Omicron variant also impacted crude oil prices, driving them to the biggest monthly loss since early 2020. Prior to news of the variant, several countries, including the United States, responded to rising oil prices by planning to release several million barrels of oil from strategic reserves. Bond prices rose in anticipation of rising interest rates, sending yields lower, with 10-year Treasury yields falling 11 basis points to close the month at 1.44%.
There were some positive economic signs in November. Industrial production rose, while sales of new and existing homes increased. More than 500,000 new jobs were added, and weekly claims for unemployment insurance fell to their lowest level since 1969.
November saw the dollar climb higher, while gold prices dropped nearly 1.0%. Prices at the pump increased, as the national average retail price for regular gasoline was $3.395 per gallon on November 22, up from the October 25 price of $3.383 per gallon.
MARKET/INDEX | 2021 CLOSE | PRIOR MONTH | AS OF 01/31 | MONTHLY CHANGE | YTD CHANGE |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
DJIA | 36,338.30 | 36,338.30 | 35,131.86 | -3.32% | -3.32% |
NASDAQ | 15,644.97 | 15,644.77 | 14,239.88 | -8.98% | -8.98% |
S&P 500 | 4,766.18 | 4,766.18 | 4,515.55 | -5.26% | -5.26% |
RUSSELL 2000 | 2,245.31 | 2,245.31 | 2,028.45 | -9.66% | -9.66% |
GLOBAL DOW | 4,137.63 | 4,137.63 | 4,161.11 | 0.57% | 0.57% |
FED. FUNDS | 0.00%-0.25% | 0.00%-0.25% | 0.00%-0.25% | 0 BPS | 0 BPS |
10-YEAR TREASURIES | 1.51% | 1.51% | 1.78% | 27 BPS | 27 BPS |
US DOLLAR-DXY | 95.64 | 95.64 | 96.64 | 1.05% | 1.05% |
CRUDE OIL-CL=F | $75.44 | $75.44 | $88.33 | 17.09% | 17.09% |
GOLD-GC=F | $1,830.30 | $1,830.30 | $1,798.70 | -1.73% | -1.73% |
Chart reflects price changes, not total return. Because it does not include dividends or splits, it should not be used to benchmark performance of specific investments.
Eye on the Month Ahead
A common adage for the stock market says that as January goes, so goes the year. Hopefully, such is not the case for 2022. The Federal Open Market Committee does not meet in February, giving investors more time to ponder what course to follow with the impending interest-rate hike looming in March.
Data sources: Economic: Based on data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (unemployment, inflation); U.S. Department of Commerce (GDP, corporate profits, retail sales, housing); S&P/Case-Shiller 20-City Composite Index (home prices); Institute for Supply Management (manufacturing/services). Performance: Based on data reported in WSJ Market Data Center (indexes); U.S. Treasury (Treasury yields); U.S. Energy Information Administration/Bloomberg.com Market Data (oil spot price, WTI, Cushing, OK); http://www.goldprice.org (spot gold/silver); Oanda/FX Street (currency exchange rates). News items are based on reports from multiple commonly available international news sources (i.e. wire services) and are independently verified when necessary with secondary sources such as government agencies, corporate press releases, or trade organizations. All information is based on sources deemed reliable, but no warranty or guarantee is made as to its accuracy or completeness. Neither the information nor any opinion expressed herein constitutes a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any securities, and should not be relied on as financial advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. All investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal, and there can be no guarantee that any investing strategy will be successful.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is a price-weighted index composed of 30 widely traded blue-chip U.S. common stocks. The S&P 500 is a market-cap weighted index composed of the common stocks of 500 largest, publicly traded companies in leading industries of the U.S. economy. The NASDAQ Composite Index is a market-value weighted index of all common stocks listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange. The Russell 2000 is a market-cap weighted index composed of 2,000 U.S. small-cap common stocks. The Global Dow is an equally weighted index of 150 widely traded blue-chip common stocks worldwide. The U.S. Dollar Index is a geometrically weighted index of the value of the U.S. dollar relative to six foreign currencies. Market indices listed are unmanaged and are not available for direct investment.
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