DAILY UPDATE: Strong Labor Department as Stock Markets Soar Last Week but Stock and Oil Futures Drop Early Monday Morning

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U.S. stock futures declined after the S&P 500 notched its longest winning streak in more than 20 years last week. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were down around 280 points, or 0.7%, as of 11 p.m. Eastern. S&P 500 futures and NASDAQ-100 futures were off about 0.8%.

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The labor market stayed strong. The US added 177,000 jobs in April, while unemployment stayed steady at 4.2%, new Labor Department data shows. That was slightly less job growth than the month before, but still more than expected, and it shows a resilient labor environment even as the president’s introduction of tariffs roiled the stock and bond markets and raised concerns about a recession. President Trump celebrated the news in a Truth Social post that once again urged the Fed to cut interest rates.

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Markets: Stocks soared like a balloon whose string a toddler couldn’t keep hold of yesterday. Unexpectedly strong jobs data for last month and reports that China is open to trade talks helped push the S&P 500 to its longest winning streak in more than 20 years (more on that later), erasing the losses from recent tariff turmoil. On its own impressive streak is Netflix, which hit an all-time high and finished its 11th day in the green for its longest positive run ever.

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Crude oil futures dropped more than 3% Sunday after OPEC+ agreed to accelerate production increases for a second straight month in June by 411K bbl/day.

U.S. WTI crude (CL1:COM) for June delivery recently traded -3.4% at $56.28/bbl and July Brent crude (CO1:COM) -3.2% at $59.34/bbl, with both front-month contracts touching their lowest levels since April 9th.

Visualize: How private equity tangled banks in a web of debt, from the Financial Times.

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DAILY UPDATE: Friday Before Memorial Day Weekend and the Stock Market Collapse

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The Friday before Memorial Day is never action packed, and this year is no exception as earnings season begins to wrap up and economic readings slow down. Two reports to watch for tomorrow: April Durable Goods Orders and University of Michigan’s May sentiment report.

Durable Goods Orders are big-ticket items with a shelf life of three or more years—think appliances and furniture for consumers, or machinery, equipment, and vehicles for businesses. More durable goods orders indicate a healthy economy, as consumers and companies alike wouldn’t spend as much if they weren’t confident they could afford it, and also provides insight into how strong the manufacturing industry is.

The University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index is a survey of consumers via telephone to better understand how they feel about the economy, what they’re spending their money on, etc. The preliminary findings earlier this month weren’t great thanks to sticky inflation, and tomorrow’s finalized readings won’t change much. But with the latest CPI reading indicating inflation might yet be tamed, next month’s report could be much more illuminating.

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Here’s where the major benchmarks ended:

  • The S&P 500® index (SPX) fell 39.17 points (0.7%) to 5,267.84; the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 605.78 points (1.5%) to 39,065.26; the NASDAQ Composite® ($COMP) shed 65.51 points (0.4%) to 16,736.03.
  • The 10-year Treasury note yield rose more than 4 basis points to 4.479%.
  • The CBOE Volatility Index® (VIX) rose 0.48 to 12.77.

Financial shares were among Thursday’s weakest performers amid ideas a “higher-for-longer” Fed rate outlook could pressure bank margins. The KBW Regional Bank Index (KRX) dropped almost 3% to a three-week low. Other interest-rate-sensitive sectors, including real estate and utilities, took pressure.

In other markets, WTI Crude Oil (/CL) futures fell for the fourth straight trading day and closed at a three-month low under $76 per barrel.

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Spot Ethereum ETFs were approved by the SEC in another big win for crypto, following the approval of spot bitcoin ETFs earlier this year.

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DAILY UPDATE: Moderna Down with Mixed Markets

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Here’s where the major benchmarks ended:

  • The S&P 500® index (SPX) fell 1.26 points (0.02%) to 5,221.42; the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 81.33 points (0.2%) to 39,431.51; the NASDAQ Composite® ($COMP) gained 47.37 points (0.3%) to 16,388.24.
  • The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) dropped almost 2 basis points to 4.487%.
  • The CBOE Volatility Index® (VIX) surged 1.05 to 13.60.

Biotechnology and food and beverage shares were among the market’s strongest sectors Monday, while communication services stocks were among the biggest laggards. Energy shares took pressure despite a jump of 1.2% in WTI Crude Oil (/CL) futures, which ended above $79 per barrel after slumping last week to two-month lows.

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Moderna is “bleeding money” as its forthcoming RSV vaccine doesn’t appear to deliver better results than other RSV shots already on the market. (Bloomberg)

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It’s ChatGPT-4o’s time to shine. The “o” stands for omni, and it’s the latest iteration of OpenAI’s signature chatbot. According to the company, it’s much faster with enhanced “capabilities across text, vision, and audio.”

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23% is the average portion of the bill hospitals collected from patients before treatment in Q1 of this year, up 3% YoY. (the Wall Street Journal)

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DAILY UPDATE: Mortgage Rates, Ascension Healthcare Network Security Event with Mixed Markets

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Novavax, the Covid vaccine-maker’s value doubled after it announced a $1.2 billion deal to develop new shots with Sanofi.

And, Mortgage rates fell for the first time since March, to just over 7%.

Here’s where the major stock market benchmarks ended:

  • The S&P 500 index rose 8.60 points (0.2%) to 5,222.68, up 1.9% for the week; the Dow Jones Industrial Average® ($DJI) advanced 125.08 points (0.3%) to 39,512.84, up 2.2% for the week and its eighth straight daily gain; the NASDAQ Composite® ($COMP) fell 5.40 points (0.03%) to 16,340.87, up 1.1% for the week.
  • The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) increased more than 5 basis points to 4.50%.
  • The CBOE Volatility Index® (VIX) fell 0.14 to 12.55.

Chip makers ranked among top gainers Friday after Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSM) shares surged 4.5% after the company said its April revenue soared 60% behind AI-driven demand. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX) climbed 1% and posted a 1.9% gain for the week. Consumer staples and transportation shares were also strong. Energy shares slipped behind a 1.2% drop in WTI Crude Oil (/CL) futures, though oil still ended slightly higher for the week.

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National hospital operator Ascension said a “cyber security event” has disrupted some of its clinical operations, according to a news release. Ascension, a St. Louis-based nonprofit and Catholic healthcare network, announced it had detected “unusual activity” on some of its systems. In response, the company kicked off an investigation and remediation efforts—including turning to outside cybersecurity firm Mandiant for help, as well as notifying the “appropriate authorities,” per the release.

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Planet Fitness to raise membership price for the first time since 1998. It’s going to take more than $10/month to join a gym once Planet Fitness raises the price of a basic membership for new members to $15 per month this summer. The $10 amount, which has held steady for 26 years, was considered a sweet spot where people were happy to sign up and wouldn’t bother to cancel once they gave up on their fitness goals. But after posting weaker-than-expected Q1 results, the gym chain decided it’s time to change, even though execs acknowledged that customers are looking to save rather than spend.

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DAILY UPDATE: U.S.A. Stock Markets Little Changed

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Like use, investors were a little checked out yesterday, focusing on the eclipse or maybe the fact that earnings season starts later this week, and stocks were relatively flat. Diamondback Energy hit an all-time high following several other energy companies that did so last week as oil prices surge.

Here’s where the major benchmarks ended:

  • The S&P 500® index (SPX) lost 1.95 points (0.04%) to 5,202.39; the Dow Jones Industrial Average® ($DJI) eased 11.24 points (0.03%) to 38,892.80; the NASDAQ Composite® ($COMP) gained 5.44 points (0.03%) to 16,253.96.
  • The 10-year Treasury note yield rose more than 4 basis points to 4.422%.
  • The CBOE Volatility Index® (VIX) fell 0.84 to 15.19.

Bank shares were among Monday’s strongest performers, sending the KBW Regional Banking Index (KRX) up 1.5%. Consumer discretionary companies were also strong. WTI Crude Oil (/CL) futures fell sharply earlier in the session following reports Israel had removed some troops from Gaza but bounced back to end down 0.5% at around $86.47 per barrel.

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DAILY UPDATE: The “Lipstick Index” and Stock Market Crash

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Ulta and other major beauty companies that thrived during the past few years of economic instability provided good fodder for the “lipstick index”—a duct-tape economic measure that assumes people still buy small indulgences (like lipstick) during tough times, keeping the beauty industry recession-proof.

However…it’s not. Ulta’s full-year sales growth target is just 4% to 5%, which falls below Wall Street’s estimates, and Estée Lauder announced in February it was laying off 3% to 5% of its workforce after some difficult months.

And, other consumer goods powerhouses are bracing for a slowdown, too. The parent company of Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger said this week that it’s preparing for a 6% to 7% revenue drop this year.

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Here’s where the major benchmarks ended:

  • The S&P 500 index dropped 64.28 points (1.2%) to 5,147.21; the Dow Jones Industrial Average® ($DJI) tumbled 530.16 points (1.4%) to 38,596.98; the NASDAQ Composite® ($COMP) sank 228.38 points (1.4%) to 16,049.08.
  • The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) fell more than 5 basis points to 4.303.%.
  • The CBOE Volatility Index® (VIX) surged 2.07 to 16.39.

Semiconductors were among Thursday’s weakest performers as a drop of more than 8% in Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) helped send the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX) down 3% to a two-week low. Retail shares were also soft. WTI Crude Oil futures rose for the sixth consecutive day and topped $87 per barrel, marking a gain of 4.3% so far this week. Volatility based on the VIX ended at its highest level since early November. Brent Crude Oil (/BZ) futures, the global benchmark, topped $90 for the first time since October.

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DAILY UPDATE: Medicare Advantage Plans Down as Stocks Crash

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Medicare Part C papers, glasses and stethoscope.

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Humana and other managed-care stocks were down sharply in trading Tuesday after the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced an average 3.7% increase in revenue for Medicare Advantage plans in 2025. That amount is the same as the proposed increase the government had announced in January, but it came as a shock to investors who were hoping for a slight bump.

Humana  (HUM)  shares fell sharply in early Tuesday trading, while rivals UnitedHealth UNH and CVS Health  (CVS)  traded firmly in the red, as the health insurance industry received yet another blow to its 2024 profit forecasts. All three major health insurance groups have trailed the broader market this year, with Humana down nearly 25%, amid concern that profit margins will be hit by a surge in medical costs tied to a rise in elective procedures. Those procedures had been delayed by the Covid pandemic. 

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Here’s where the major benchmarks ended:

  • The S&P 500 index fell 37.96 points (0.7%) to 5,205.81; the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 396.61 points (1.0%) to 39,170.24; the NASDAQ Composite slipped 156.38 points (1.0%) to 16,240.45.
  • The 10-year Treasury note yield was up almost 3 basis points to 4.357%.
  • The CBOE Volatility Index® (VIX) rose 0.96 to 14.61.

Retailer, biotechnology, and regional bank shares were among the weakest performers Tuesday, leading a broad market slump in which declining stocks outnumber advancers by a greater than three-to-one ratio. The small-cap Russell 2000® Index (RUT) lost 1.8% and settled at a two-week low. 

Energy companies, by contrast, extended recent strength behind an ongoing climb in WTI Crude Oil (/CL) futures, which surpassed $85 per barrel for the first time since late October. The Philadelphia Oil Service Index (OSX) advanced 2.1% and ended at a 5-½-month high. Oil prices have surged this year due to OPEC production cuts and concern over supply disruptions stemming from the Middle East conflict.

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DAILY UPDATE: The Ides of March as Stock Markets Slide

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Stocks fell yesterday after another round of hotter-than-expected inflation data chilled investors. But it was a tremendous Thursday for sporting goods store Dick’s, as it soared 15% after posting its largest sales quarter in history in Q4, thanks in part to consumers buying more expensive items.

Here’s where the major stock benchmarks ended:

  • The S&P 500 index fell 14.83 points (0.3%) to 5,150.48; the Dow Jones Industrial Average® ($DJI) declined 137.66 points (0.4%) to 38,905.66; the NASDAQ Composite shed 49.24 points (0.3%) to 16,128.53.
  • The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) rose about 10 basis points to 4.292%.
  • The CBOE Volatility Index® (VIX) rose 0.65 to 14.40.

Technology shares remained under pressure, as a pullback in Nvidia (NVDA) and other chip makers sent the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX) down almost 2% to its lowest close of the month. Nvidia fell 3.2% Thursday and has dropped nearly 10% from a record intraday high of $974 last Friday. Banks and small-cap stocks were also among the market’s weakest performers.

“Tech shares appear to be going through a corrective phase following last Friday’s key reversal day in Nvidia. The question remains whether a potential correction in tech will spill over into the broader market or whether money will rotate into other areas of the market.”

In other markets, WTI crude oil futures (/CL) extended this week’s rally with a gain of 1.7% and ended slightly above $81 per barrel, its highest level since early November. Oil’s strength has been driven by an unexpected drop in U.S. inventories and concerns over supply disruptions after Ukrainian strikes on oil refineries in Russia.

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DAILY UPDATE: Down Down Third Day

By Staff Reporters

HAPPY LEAP YEAR DAY

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Stocks fell yesterday, while bitcoin almost touched an all-time high after surging 20% in five days as its halving approaches. UnitedHealth dipped on reports that antitrust regulators are investigating the massive insurer.

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Here’s where the major benchmarks ended:

  • The S&P 500® index (SPX) fell 8.42 points (0.2%) to 5,069.76; the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 23.39 points (0.1%) to 38,949.02; the NASDAQ Composite® (COMP) declined 87.56 points (0.6%) to 15,947.74.
  • The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) fell about 5 basis points to 4.264%.
  • The CBOE Volatility Index® (VIX) rose 0.39 to 13.82.

Regional banks and semiconductors were among the weakest performers Wednesday, and communications services and health care shares were also soft. Real estate shares bucked the weakness in many sectors to post firm gains. Food and beverage and consumer discretionary sectors also firmed. In other markets, WTI crude oil (/CL) futures rose to a three-month high at $79.62 per barrel before ending lower after the Energy Information Administration reported a rise in U.S. inventories.

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DAILY UPDATE: Markets Mixed as Technology Stocks Remains Under Pressure

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Here’s where the major benchmarks ended:

  • The S&P 500® index (SPX) rose 6.29 points (0.1%) to 4,981.80; the Dow Jones Industrial Average® (DJI) added 48.44 points (0.1%) to 38,612.24; the NASDAQ Composite dropped 49.91 points (0.3%) to 15,580.87.
  • The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) rose more than 4 basis points to 4.319%.
  • The CBOE Volatility Index® (VIX) fell 0.05 to 15.37.

Chipmakers continue to be among the softest performers this week, which sent the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX) lower for the fourth-straight day. Small caps also remained under pressure as the Russell 2000® Index (RUT) declined 0.5%, its third-straight daily decline. Energy shares were among upside leaders with an assist from a jump of more than 1.3% in WTI crude oil (/CL)futures.

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DAILY UPDATE: Nvidia Stock Down as Markets Extend Losses

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Stocks fell to start the week as investors awaited Nvidia’s big earnings report today. Recent earnings for tech companies in the so-called Magnificent Seven have been a mixed bag, but as a group, they have never been stronger. Meanwhile, Intuitive Machines’s stock zoomed as its pilot less spacecraft remained on track to touch down on the lunar surface Thursday.

Here’s where the major benchmarks ended:

  • The S&P 500® index (SPX) fell 30.06 points (0.6%) to 4,975.51; the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 64.19 points (0.2%) to 38,563.80; the NASDAQ Composite declined 144.87 points (0.9%) to 15,630.78.
  • The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) fell about 2 basis points to 4.275%.
  • The CBOE Volatility Index® (VIX) rose 0.71 to 15.42.

Nvidia shares fell 4.4%, weakness that helped drag down shares of other chip makers and contributed to a drop of 1.6% in the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX), which ended near a two-week low. Energy shares also took pressure as WTI crude oil futures (/CL) sank 1.6%. Small caps were also soft, as the Russell 2000® Index (RUT) dropped 1.4%.

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DAILY UPDATE: Uber and the Stock Markets Rebound

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Stocks rose yesterday after they plunged following Tuesday’s unexpectedly hot inflation report. And, investors hit the gas pedal on Uber when the company revealed it would buy back $7 billion worth of shares in its first-ever repurchase plan.

Here’s where the major benchmarks ended:

  • The S&P 500 index rose 47.45 points (1.0%) to 5,000.62; the Dow Jones Industrial Average® (DJI) gained 151.52 points (0.4%) to 38,424.27; the NASDAQ Composite® (COMP) added 203.55 points (1.3%) to 15,859.15.
  • The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) fell almost 5 basis points to 4.269%.
  • The CBOE Volatility Index® (VIX) fell 1.47 to 14.38.

Small-cap shares were among the upside leaders Wednesday as the Russell 2000® Index (RUT) surged 2.4% to erase over half of its 4% nosedive on Tuesday. Banks and semiconductors were also among the strongest sectors. Energy companies were under pressure after WTI crude oil (/CL) futures dropped 1.6% in the wake of a larger-than-expected increase in U.S. inventories.

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DAILY UPDATE: S&P 500 Stocks Extend Rise!

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The S&P 500 index closed above 5,000 for the first time ever, as investors reflected on robust company earnings and data showing inflation rose even less than was previously thought in December. One stock that wasn’t going places: Expedia, which fell after reporting earnings that took a hit from low airfares.

Here’s where the major benchmarks ended:

  • The S&P 500 index rose 28.70 points (0.6%) to 5,026.61, up 1.4% for the week; the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 54.64 points (0.1%) to 38,671.69, up 0.04% for the week; the NASDAQ Composite® (COMP) surged 196.95 points (1.3%) to 15,990.66, up 2.3% for the week.
  • The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) rose less than 1 basis point to 4.175%.
  • The CBOE Volatility Index® (VIX) rose 0.14 to 12.93.

Technology sector strength was highlighted by chip makers, as the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX) gained 2%. Regional banks also ended the week on a firm note after slumping in recent days, and small-cap stocks also firmed. The small-cap Russell 2000® Index (RUT) jumped 1.5% Friday and ended the week with a gain of 2.4%, ending just below its high for the year.

In other markets, WTI crude oil (/CL) futures gained for the fifth straight day, completing a 7.2% gain for the week amid growing concern the Middle East conflict may disrupt supplies.

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DAILY UPDATE: Uber Profits with Extended Stock Market Gains

By Staff Reporters

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Stat: $1.43 billion. That’s Uber’s first full-year profit since 2018. And, it’s the first time the rides hare giant has shown a profit from its operations. The company has had $30 billion in operating losses since 2016. (the Wall Street Journal)

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Stocks ticked up, putting the S&P 500 over the 5,000-point milestone for the first time, as more strong company earnings poured in. And, Arm soared 48% after it surprised investors with record computer chip sales.

Here’s where the major benchmarks ended:

  • The S&P 500 index added 2.85 points (0.1%) to 4,997.91, after briefly rising to 5,000.40, breaching the 5,000 level for the first time; the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 48.97 points (0.1%) to 38,726.33; the NASDAQ Composite climbed 37.07 points (0.2%) to 15,793.71.
  • The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) rose more than 5 basis points to 4.154%.
  • The CBOE Volatility Index® (VIX) fell 0.04 to 12.79.

Semiconductor shares were among the strongest performers Thursday behind Arm Holdings (ARM), which soared 48% after the chip maker reported a better-than-expected quarter profit. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX) gained 1.6%. Energy shares were also firm as WTI crude oil (/CL) futures surged 3.6% to a high for the month above $76 per barrel, reflecting growing concern the Middle East conflict may disrupt supplies.

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DAILY UPDATE: Stock Markets Unchanged

By Staff Reporters

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Stocks rose yesterday as investors mulled earnings reports that beat expectations from companies like Palantir and Spotify. But not every company had good news to share: Snap plunged after hours when it reported less revenue than expected and said the Middle East conflict was a headwind to growth. Meanwhile, New York Community Bancorp fell to its lowest since 1997, and Moody’s downgraded it to junk.

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Here’s where the major benchmarks ended:

  • The S&P 500® index (SPX) rose 11.42 points (0.2%) to 4,954.23; the Dow Jones Industrial Average® (DJI) gained 141.24 points (0.4%) to 38,521.36; the NASDAQ Composite® (COMP)added 11.32 points (0.1%) to 15,609.00.
  • The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) fell about 7 basis points to 4.089%.
  • The CBOE Volatility Index® (VIX) dropped 0.60 to 13.07.

Transportation shares were among the strongest performers Tuesday behind strength in United Parcel Service (UPS), which jumped 4.8% following an analyst upgrade. The Dow Jones Transportation Average (DJT) rose 2.1% to end at its highest level since late December. Energy shares also firmed as WTI Crude Oil (/CL) futures gained 1%. 

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DAILY UPDATE: Microsoft, Google and IMF Up Yesterday, as UPS and the Stock Markets Collapse Today

By Staff Reporters

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Microsoft and Google rode the AI wave to huge quarters. Microsoft posted revenues of ~$62 billion in its fiscal Q2 ending Dec. 31, a year over year increase of 17.6% and ahead of analyst’s expectations. That was its best revenue growth in seven quarters, thanks to the release of new AI-enabled Office products. Meanwhile, Google reported strong results, too: Ad revenue at YouTube skyrocketed to $9.2 billion in Q4 of last year, up from below $8 billion the year before. Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai said YouTube is “already benefiting from our AI investments and innovation.” Alphabet’s total revenue was up 13% year over year to ~$86 billion.

UPS slashed 12k jobs. The shipping giant said it will require employees to return to the office five days a week this year as it changes how it operates amid a slowdown in demand. Revenue declined in Q4, while annual sales fell 9.3% in 2023. Amazon, its biggest customer, accounted for 11.8% of revenue last year, up from the year before, as revenue from other customers declined due to lower demand and more in-store pickups, executives said. UPS is also dealing with higher labor costs due to the deal it made with the Teamsters union to avoid a strike last summer.

The IMF has the US to thank for raising its global forecast. The International Monetary Fund—the UN’s flagship financial agency—said the global economy will grow 3.1% this year, a slight increase from its projection in October. That’s largely due to the strength of the US economy, which has defied economists’ expectations, growing 3.3% in the fourth quarter of 2023. But the improved outlook was also boosted by economic stimulus in China, which has faced deflation and a real estate crisis, among other issues. Other economies, including India, Brazil, and Russia, also performed better than expected, helping to juice the IMF’s forecast.

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Here’s where the major benchmarks ended:

  • The S&P 500® index (SPX) fell 79.32 points (1.6%) to 4,845.65; the Dow Jones Industrial Average® (DJI) lost 317.01 points (0.8%) to 38,150.30; the NASDAQ Composite® (COMP) dropped 345.89 points (2.2%) to 15,164.01, a two-week low.
  • The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) decreased nearly 9 basis points to 3.969%.
  • The CBOE Volatility Index® (VIX) jumped 1.03 to 14.34.

Regional banks led Wednesday’s declines after New York Community Bancorp (NYCB), which took over the failed Signature Bank last year, reported a fourth-quarter loss of $193 million, sending its shares down nearly 38%. The KBW Regional Banking Index (KRX) sank 6%. Communications services shares were also among the weakest performers. Energy companies were also under pressure as WTI Crude Oil futures (/CL) shed nearly 3%.

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DAILY UPDATE: Stock Markets Blast Off Again!

By Staff Reporters

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Markets: Stocks had a strong start to the week, with the S&P 500 and the Dow once again hitting new records. That’s mostly thanks to a boom in Big Tech as investors anticipate a slew of high-profile earnings (not to mention a Fed meeting) this week. Microsoft, Meta, and Uber all reached all-time highs.

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Here’s where the major benchmarks ended today:

  • The S&P 500 index rose 36.96 points (0.8%) to 4,927.93; the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 224.02 points (0.6%) to 38,333.45; the NASDAQ Composite® (COMP) added 172.68 points (1.1%) to 15,628.04.
  • The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) dropped about 8 basis points to 4.08%.
  • The CBOE Volatility Index® (VIX) rose 0.37 to 13.63.

Consumer discretionary and banks were among the market’s strongest sectors Monday, and small caps were also strong. The Russell 2000® Index (RUT), a small-cap benchmark, outpaced its large-cap counterparts with a gain of 1.7%, ending near a four-week high. Energy shares took pressure after WTI Crude Oil futures (/CL) reversed an initial rally to a two-month high and ended with a loss of more than 1%.

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DAILY UPDATE: Stocks End Mixed

By Staff Reporters

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Here’s where the major benchmarks ended:

  • The S&P 500® index (SPX) fell 3.19 points (0.1%) to 4,890.97, up 1.1% for the week; the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 60.30 points (0.2%) to 38,109.43, up 0.6% for the week; the NASDAQ Composite® (COMP) dropped 55.13 points (0.4%) to 15,455.36, still up 0.9% for the week.
  • The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) rose about 1 basis point to 4.143%.
  • The CBOE Volatility Index® (VIX) fell 0.19 to 13.26.

Energy shares extended a strong week as WTI Crude Oil futures (/CL) rallied further, reaching a two-month high just under $78 per barrel. Regional banks were also among the market’s strongest performers Friday. Small-cap stocks gained modestly to end a firm week with the Russell 2000® Index (RUT) posting a weekly gain of about 1.8%.

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DAILY UPDATE: Stock Markets Close at Record Highs

By Staff Reporters

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Here’s where the major benchmarks ended:

  • The S&P 500 index rose 25.61 points (0.5%) to 4,894.16, a record high close; the Dow Jones Industrial Average® (DJI) gained 242.74 points (0.6%) to 38,049.13, also a record high; the NASDAQ Composite rose 28.58 points (0.2%) to 15,510.50.
  • The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) fell about 5 basis points to 4.13%.
  • The CBOE Volatility Index® (VIX) rose 0.31 to 13.45.

Energy companies were among the market’s strongest performers Thursday, boosted by a rally in WTI crude oil (/CL) futures, which surged 2.8% and ended near a two-month high above $77 per barrel amid concerns conflict in the Middle East and the Russia-Ukraine war may disrupt global oil supplies.

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DAILY UPDATE: Mobile Payment Fraud Up as Economy Grows and Stock Markets Extend Gains

By Staff Reporters

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Alarmed by a surge in fraud draining bank accounts through popular mobile payment apps like Venmo, Cash App and Zelle, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Jr., has sent scathing letters to the CEOs of each company, demanding immediate action to protect consumers.

In the letters, Bragg described the crimes as involving an unauthorized user gaining access to unlocked devices, then stealing significant sums of money from bank accounts by making purchases with the mobile payment apps and using financial information from them to open new accounts.

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And, the U.S. economy expanded at a 3.3% annualized pace in the final quarter of 2023, the Commerce Department said on Thursday.

Why it matters: It’s much stronger growth than economists expected and caps a year of economic resilience as the nation avoided a projected recession.

Here’s where the major benchmarks ended:

  • The S&P 500 index rose3.95 points (0.1%) to 4,868.55; the Dow Jones Industrial Average® (DJI) lost 99.06 points (0.3%) to 37,806.39; the NASDAQ Composite gained 55.97 points (0.4%) to 15,481.92.
  • The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) increased about 4 basis points to 4.18%.
  • The CBOE Volatility Index® (VIX) rose 0.59 to 13.14.

Tech-related strength helped boost the NASDAQ-100® (NXD), which includes the NASDAQ’s largest non-financial companies, by 0.6% to a record close. Energy shares were also strong behind continued gains in WTI Crude Oil (/CL) futures, which rose 1.4% and settled near a two-month -high after the Energy Information Administration reported a 7.5% drop in U.S. oil production last week, reflecting disruptions from winter storms. Small-cap shares lagged as the Russell 2000® Index (RUT) fell 0.7%.

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DAILY UPDATE: IRS Zaps Debt as Stock Markets Ascend!

By Staff Reporters

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SPONSOR: http://www.MarcinkoAssociates.com

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Americans who owe back taxes will be given an incentive to pay up after the Internal Revenue Service it would waive nearly $1 billion in late-payment penalties. Roughly 4.6 million individual taxpayers who owe for tax years 2020 and 2021 will be eligible for the penalty relief. The IRS is extending the olive branch because it stopped sending out many collection letters during the pandemic. It hoped the letter halt would help struggling taxpayers and reduce its backlog. The long absence of these computer-generated letters had big consequences for taxpayers. Americans’ debt on unpaid back taxes had been growing with interest and penalties, and many were likely in the dark about just how much they owed.

Here is where the major benchmarks ended:

Here’s where the major benchmarks ended:

  • The S&P 500 index was up 27.81 points (0.6%) at 4,768.37; the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 251.90 points (0.7%) at 37,557.92; the NASDAQ Composite® (COMP) was up 98.03 points (0.7%) at 15,003.22.
  • The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) was down about 3 basis points at 3.924%.
  • The CBOE® Volatility Index (VIX) was down 0.03 at 12.53.

Energy shares extended an early week rally behind a continued rebound in WTI Crude Oil futures (/CL), which rose for a fifth straight day and ended near a three-week high above $74 per barrel.

Banks and retailers were also particularly firm. The S&P 500 Retail Select Industry Index (SPSIRE) surged over 2% and ended at its highest level in over 10 months.

And, Tuesday’s big winner was Affirm, whose shares skyrocketed 15% after the buy now, pay later company announced it’s expanding its Walmart partnership to include the retailer’s self-checkout kiosks.

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DAILY UPDATE: Goldman Sachs Speaks as the Stock Markets Rise

By Staff Reporters

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SPONSOR: http://www.MarcinkoAssociates.com

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The Federal Reserve’s pivot last week to an easier monetary policy made many investors more bullish toward stocks. You can count Goldman Sachs among them. It has raised its year-end 2024 target for the S&P to 5,100 from 4,700. The new forecast represents an 8% increase from 4,740 on Dec. 18. Goldman has a three-month target of 4,800 and a six-month target of 4,900.

Here is where the major benchmarks ended:

Here’s where the major benchmarks ended:

  • The S&P 500 index was up 21.37 points (0.5%) at 4,740.56; the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.86 points at 37,306.02; the NASDAQ Composite was up 90.89 points (0.6%) at 14,904.81.
  • The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) was up about 2 basis points at 3.946%.
  • The CBOE® Volatility Index (VIX) was up 0.25 at 12.53.

Energy shares were among Monday’s strongest performers behind a rally in WTI Crude Oil futures (/CL), which jumped 1.7% to end at a two-week high amid concern over supply disruptions following attacks on ships in the Red Sea.

Communication services and consumer staples were also firm. Financials gave back some of last week’s sharp gains, with the KBW Bank Index (BKX) down nearly 1%.

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DAILY UPDATE: Norton Healthcare Hacked – Pharma Chains Give Health Data to Police and the Stock Markets Climb

By Staff Reporters

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SPONSOR: http://www.MarcinkoAssociates.com

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Kentucky-based healthcare provider Norton Healthcare has confirmed that it has suffered a significant ransomware attack that may have put the data of millions of its patients at risk. In a filing to the Maine Attorney General on December 8th, the healthcare giant said that 2.5 million individuals had been affected by the breach.

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Meanwhile, the nation’s largest pharmacy chains have handed over Americans’ prescription records to police and government investigators without a warrant, a congressional investigation found, raising concerns about threats to medical privacy. Though some of the chains require their lawyers to review law enforcement requests, three of the largest — CVS Health, Kroger and Rite Aid, with a combined 60,000 locations nationwide — said they allow pharmacy staff members to hand over customers’ medical records in the store.

The policy was revealed in a letter sent to Xavier Becerra, the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Reps. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) and Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.).

HIPAA anyone?

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Here’s where the major benchmarks ended:

  • The S&P 500 index was up 21.26 points (0.5%) at 4,643.70; the Dow Jones Industrial Average®(DJI) was up 173.01 points (0.5%) at 36,577.94; the NASDAQ Composite® (COMP) was up 100.91 points (0.7%) at 14,533.40.
  • The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) was down about 3 basis points at 4.206%.
  • The CBOE® Volatility Index (VIX) was down 0.56 at 12.07.

Technology shares were among Tuesday’s strongest performers despite a 12% drop in Oracle (ORCL), which plunged after reporting lighter-than-expected quarterly revenue late Monday. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX) posted its highest close since January 2022.

Financial shares were also firm. Energy shares were under pressure because WTI Crude Oil futures (/CL) extended a slump below $70 per barrel and settled at its lowest price since late June.

Here is where the major benchmarks ended:

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DAILY UPDATE: Thanksgiving Travel Gas Prices Down – Narrow Traffic Lanes Safer – Walgreens Pharmacies Closed as the Stock Markets Roar

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Thanksgiving is a trading holiday. Both the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq are closed. Black Friday, one of the biggest shopping days of the year, is a half day for the stock market. Both stock exchanges close at 1:00 p.m. ET, with eligible options trading until 1:15 p.m. Normal trading hours resume on the Monday after Thanksgiving, also known as Cyber Monday, when many online retailers host major sales.

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Thanks to plummeting prices at the pump, US drivers will save a collective $1.2 billion this Thanksgiving travel period, and day, compared to last year, according to GasBuddy. The average price per gallon is down nearly 46 cents from a year ago, and more than 50,000 stations now show gas prices at $2.99/gallon or less.

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Narrow traffic lanes are safer than wide ones. Researchers at Johns Hopkins analyzed more than 1,000 streets in seven major cities across the US and found that narrower roads mitigated traffic collisions in certain conditions. The study did not find a significant difference between roads 9-feet wide and those 10- or 11-feet wide, but it did conclude that traffic accidents increase 1.5x when a road widens from 9 feet to 12 feet. Traffic fatalities are the leading cause of death for Americans aged 1–54.

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Walgreens will close most of its pharmacies and stores on Thanksgiving Day for the first time in the company’s history, executives said last Thursday. The move to close more than 8,700 stores for the federal holiday comes as some Walgreens workers staged a three-day walkout this fall to push for improved working conditions and increased staffing numbers, Reuters reported.

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Here is where the major benchmarks ended on Wednesday:

  • The S&P 500 Index was up 18.43 points (0.4%) at 4,556.62, near a four-month high close; the Dow Jones Industrial Average®(DJI) was up 184.74 points (0.5%) at 35,273.03; the NASDAQ Composite was up 65.88 points (0.5%) at 14,265.86.
  • The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) was down about 1 basis point at 4.41%, after earlier dropping to a two-month low under 4.37%.
  • CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) was down 0.50 at 12.85.

Communications services and technology were among the strongest performers Wednesday. Food and beverage companies were also firm. Energy shares were among the weakest performers Wednesday behind a drop of over 1% in WTI Crude Oil futures (/CL). ), which fell following reports OPEC delayed a weekend meeting until November 30th, a possible reflection of cartel members struggling to reach consensus over production cuts. WTI crude ended just under $77 a barrel, down 19% from a 2023 high above $95 in late October.

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DAILY UPDATE: The U.S. Stock Markets

By Staff Reporters

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SPONSOR: http://www.MarcinkoAssociates.com

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Here is where the major benchmarks ended on Friday:

  • The S&P 500 Index (SPX) was up 5.78 points (0.1%) at 4,514.02, up 2.2% for the week; the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) was up 1.81 points at 34,947.28, up 1.9% for the week; the NASDAQ Composite was up 11.81 points (0.1%) at 14,125.48, up 2.4% for the week.
  • The 10-year Treasury note yield was down about 1 basis point at 4.439%.
  • CBOE’s Volatility Index (VIX) was down 0.54 at 13.78.

Retail shares were among Friday’s strongest sectors, helped by a nearly 30% surge by Gap (GPS) after the apparel company stronger-than-expected quarterly results. Energy companies were also higher thanks to a nearly 4% rise in WTI Crude Oil futures (/CL). Oil prices are still down 20% from a 2023 peak of more than $95 posted in late September.

In other markets, the U.S. dollar index dropped 1.8% for the week to touch its weakest level since September 1st, reflecting stepped-up expectations that interest rates have peaked.

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DAILY UPDATE: T-Market Crash, Amazon Healthcare Launches as the Markets Take a Breather

By Staff Reporters

SPONSOR: http://www.MarcinkoAssociates.com

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  • Big banks are sitting on $650 billion of unrealized losses, Moody’s has estimated.
  • It’s a sign even Wall Street’s best-known names are feeling the heat from the Treasury-market rout.
  • Crashing bond prices sank Silicon Valley Bank earlier this year, and there may be more chaos to come.

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Yet, the billionaire Larry Fink says investors should be 100% in equities right now if they can handle it? Can you?

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Amazon.com is turning to Prime members to bolster its healthcare business, an industry where the company has sought to expand for years. The tech giant just revealed plans to offer its millions of Amazon Prime subscribers a low-cost annual membership to One Medical, the primary-care business Amazon purchased for $3.9 billion earlier this year. Amazon says Prime subscribers can now become One Medical members for $9 a month, or $99 a year. The typical cost to become a One Medical member is $199 annually.

RxPass: https://medicalexecutivepost.com/2023/01/27/amazon-launches-rxpass-generic-drug-subscription-program/

Clinic: https://medicalexecutivepost.com/2022/12/01/amazon-healthcare-act-ii/

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The S&P 500 continued to an eighth positive day, building on its longest hot streak in two years, while the Dow inched downward, ending its best run since July. Warner Bros. Discovery suffered its worst day since March 2021 after reporting that although Barbie raked in $1.5 billion for the company, it still lost money last quarter.

Here is where the major benchmarks ended:

  • The S&P 500 Index was up 4.40 points (0.1%) at 4,382.78; the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 40.33 points (0.1%) at 34,112.27; the NASDAQ Composite was up 10.56 points (0.1%) at 13,650.41.
  • The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) was down about 6 basis points at 4.511%.
  • CBOE’s Volatility Index (VIX) was down 0.36 at 14.45.

Retailers and banks were among the weakest performers Wednesday. Energy stocks also slipped in step with WTI crude oil futures, which touched a 3½-month low of under $75 a barrel on escalating concern over global demand. Real estate was one of the few sectors to rise Wednesday.

The U.S. dollar index (DXY) rose to a seven-week high earlier in the day before fading.

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DAILY UPDATE: A New NIH Director and a Home Loan Bank System Update as the Stock Markets Ascend Again

By Staff Reporters

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The Senate on Tuesday confirmed Dr. Monica M. Bertagnolli, a cancer surgeon who currently leads the National Cancer Institute, as the next director of the National Institutes of Health, overriding the objections of Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, the chairman of the Senate health committee.

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The U.S. regulator charged with overseeing the Federal Home Loan Bank system said in a report on Tuesday the system is overdue for an update in terms of its structure and operation. The Federal Housing Finance Agency emphasized in the report there needs to be a clearer distinction between the purpose of those banks, which is to aid liquidity needs at banks in a bid to facilitate mortgage lending, with the Federal Reserve, which should serve as a source of emergency liquidity for banks.

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***

Here is where the major stock market benchmarks ended:

  • The S&P 500 Index was up 12.40 points (0.3%) at 4,378.38; the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 56.74 points (0.2%) at 34,152.60; the NASDAQ Composite (COMP) was up 121.08 points (0.9%) at 13,639.86.
  • The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) was down about 9 basis points at 4.571%.
  • CBOE’s Volatility Index (VIX) was down 0.08 at 14.81.

The small-cap-focused Russell 2000 Index (RUT) fell a second day, reflecting concerns about the economy tipping over into recession.

Energy stocks fell as WTI crude oil futures tumbled more than 4% to a 3½-month low on concerns about softening demand from China.

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DAILY UPDATE: Pfizer Revises amid US Economic Growth as the Stock Markets Plummet

By Staff Reporters

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Pfizer, a key producer of the COVID-19 vaccine, has revised its earnings outlook for 2023, cutting its projected earnings per share and revenue estimates. Pfizer saw its 2022 revenue surpass a record $100 billion as company CEO Albert Bourla vowed that everyone will have a “perfectly normal life with just injection maybe once a year.” Bourla received a 36% pay hike and netted $33 million through the pandemic.

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The U.S. economy grew at its fastest pace in nearly two years in the third quarter as higher wages from a tight labor market helped to power consumer spending, again defying dire warnings of a recession that have lingered since 2022. Gross domestic product increased at a 4.9% annualized rate last quarter, the fastest since the fourth quarter of 2021, the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis said in its advance estimate of third-quarter GDP growth. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast GDP rising at a 4.3% rate.

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Here is where the major benchmarks ended:

  • The S&P 500® Index (SPX) was down 49.54 points (1.2%) at 4,137.23; the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) was down 251.63 points (0.8%) at 32,784.30; the NASDAQ Composite was down 225.62 points (1.8%) at 12,595.61.
  • The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) was down about 11 basis points at 4.845%.
  • CBOE’s Volatility Index (VIX) was up 0.49 at 20.68.

Energy shares were among the weakest-performing sectors Thursday after a larger-than-expected increase in U.S. oil inventories last week sent WTI crude futures down more than 2% to a two-week low. Communication services and technology were also lower.

The market’s overall weakness belied some notable pockets of strength, including in banks and utilities, as the KBW Regional Banking Index (KRX) jumped more than 3%. Small-caps offered possible signs that a recent steep downdraft may be waning, with the Russell 2000 Index (RUT) dropping to a 12-month low earlier in the day before recovering to close about 0.7% higher.

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DAILY UPDATE: Meta Sued as Markets Rise!

By Staff Reporters

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A bipartisan group of 33 attorneys general is suing Meta over addictive features aimed at kids and teens, according to a complaint filed Tuesday in a federal court in California. The support from so many state AGs of different political backgrounds indicates a significant legal challenge to Meta’s business.

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Here is where the major benchmarks ended today:

  • The S&P 500 Index was up 30.64 points (0.7%) at 4,247.68; the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) was up 204.97 points (0.6%) at 33,141.38; the NASDAQ Composite (COMP) was up 121.55 points (0.9%) at 13,139.87.
  • The 10-year Treasury note yield was down about 2 basis points at 4.815%.
  • CBOE’s Volatility Index (VIX) was down 1.51 at 18.89.

Utilities were among the strongest performers Tuesday, with the Philadelphia Utility Index (UTY) rising nearly 3%. Semiconductors and communications services shares were also higher.

Energy stocks were pressured by a more than 2% drop in WTI crude oil futures, which briefly fell under $83 a barrel.

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DAILY UPDATE: Rothification and the Markets

By Staff Reporters

REMINDER

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Starting in 2026, high-income earners over the age of 50 who make more than $145,000 can no longer make catch-up contributions to regular 401(k)s. Instead, those catch-ups will head to Roth accounts. That carries significant tax implications.

MORE: https://taxfoundation.org/blog/what-rothification-means-for-tax-reform/

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Here is where the major benchmarks ended yesterday:

  • The S&P 500® Index (SPX) was down 25.56 points (0.6%) at 4,461.90; the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) was down 17.73 points at 34,645.99; the NASDAQ Composite was down 144.28 points (1.0%) at 13,773.61.
  • The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) was down about 2 basis points at 4.272%.
  • CBOE’s Volatility Index (VIX) was up 0.42 at 14.22.

While tech was the weakest performing sector Tuesday, consumer discretionary and communication services shares were also lower. Energy shares led sector gainers Tuesday as oil prices continued to rise.

The Philadelphia Oil Service Index (OSX) gained more than 2% and ended at its highest level since April 2019. WTI crude futures, the U.S. benchmark, extended gains to near $90 a barrel after OPEC, in a report, slightly increased its forecasts for global consumption in 2023 and 2024.

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DAILY UPDATE: Summer Trauma Season but Not for the Markets

By Staff Reporters

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We hope everyone is staying safe out there, especially because in healthcare, summertime is known as “trauma season.” Accidents nearly double for children, and adult injuries increase by almost 25%, with the main culprits being sports and recreational activities. So remember to put on a helmet, knee and elbow pads; etc.

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Stocks surged on Wednesday after a cooler-than-expected June consumer price index report eased some worries that the Federal Reserve may tip the economy into a recession as it fights to bring down sticky inflation.  

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite jumped 0.74% and 1.15%, respectively, to hit their highest closing levels since April 2022. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 86.01 points, or 0.25%.

Fundstrat’s Tom Lee told CNBC’s “Closing Bell: Overtime” on Wednesday that today’s CPI print, future expectations for easing and recent stock activity paint a market that is “behaving more like a soft landing” scenario that many deemed unreachable at the start of 2023.  

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DAILY UPDATE: The CARES Act and the MARKETS

By Staff Reporters

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The CARES Act, a COVID relief law that was enacted in March of 2020, made it easier to pull money from one’s 401(k) or IRA It allowed people to take up to $100,000 out of their accounts and have three years to pay it back without the normal 10% early withdrawal penalty and tax payment. For Americans who needed cash quickly, their 401(k) was a tempting well to dip into that wouldn’t have been otherwise available.

In the spring of 2020, nearly 20% of all withdrawals from 401(k)’s, between April 6th and June 26th were related to COVID, according to CNBC. CNBC reported that at Fidelity Investments, the largest provider of 401(k) plans in the U.S., more than 700,000 people took from their 401(k) or their 403(b) plan. The median amount was about $5,000, while more than 18,000 people asked for the full $100,000 amount.

And Vanguard’s How America Saves report from 2021 found that more than 7% of people withdrew from their 401(k) or a 401(b) — similar to a 401(k) but available to not-for-profit companies — in 2020.

READ: https://oig.treasury.gov/cares-act

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Here is where the major indexes settled:

  • The S&P 500 Index was down 65.41 (1.6%) at 4071.63; the Dow Jones industrial average was down 344.57 (1.0%) at 33,530.83; the NASDAQ Composite was down 238.05 (2.0%) at 11,799.16.
  • The 10-year Treasury yield was down about 12 basis points at 3.394%.
  • CBOEs Volatility Index was up 1.99 at 18.92.

Transportation stocks also had a rough day after United Parcel Service’s (UPS) shares dropped some 10% after its results missed analysts’ forecasts. Energy companies were lower after WTI crude oil futures dropped under $77 a barrel for the first time this month. Small-cap companies, which are considered to have greater recession exposure than larger businesses, were also under pressure, with the Russell 2000 index falling more than 2% and nearing a five-week low.

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CITE: https://www.r2library.com/Resource

CITE: https://www.amazon.com/Dictionary-Health-Information-Technology-Security/dp/0826149952/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1254413315&sr=1-5

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ORDER: https://www.routledge.com/Comprehensive-Financial-Planning-Strategies-for-Doctors-and-Advisors-Best/Marcinko-Hetico/p/book/9781482240283

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On OIL Investing for Physicians?

WHAT IT IS – HOW IT WORKS – WHY?

UPDATE: Hits $90 dollars/barrel

By Staff Reporters

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What it is: Exactly what it sounds like. The North American crude oil benchmark, known as West Texas Intermediate (WTI), is one of three main oil benchmarks used around the globe. While WTI is sourced primarily from Texas, it’s considered one of the highest-quality oils and is often refined into gasoline.

How it works: WTI is the physical commodity behind oil futures contracts traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Oil futures = financial instruments that allow investors to buy “abstract oil.” When the futures contract expires, that investment is converted into IRL oil, cashed out, or rolled into a future futures contract.

Why it matters: Oil prices are affected by economic conditions, supply and demand, and geopolitical forces. The coronavirus pandemic caused a historic collapse in prices this spring, and while prices have stabilized, the outlook is shaky.

CITE: https://www.r2library.com/Resource/Title/082610254

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Subcribe to the ME-P

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