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Market Commentary for the week ending March 21st, 2020

Summary

  • U.S. stocks had their worst week since the roughest days for the 2008 Financial Crisis
  • Oil price slid to multi-year lows as demand shrinks and supplies persist
  • Real estate stocks suffered a major blow on fears of falling occupancy rates

 

Market Performance Summary

Market indexes Week ending March 20

Source: www.YCharts.com

Notable Market Headlines

Stock prices collapsed around the world as the economic impact of the coronavirus becomes more apparent with the real fear being that there simply is no end in sight. Large U.S. stocks dropped a staggering -14.5%, as measured by the S&P 500, with the index now down -28.7% for the year and -31.9% from the all-time highs. Small U.S. stocks are suffering more off -15.1% for the week and -38.8% in 2020.

International stocks are falling as well but did hang on slightly better this week with developed markets lower by -11.1% and emerging markets down -13.2%. Among the worst performers were Brazil falling -23.3% and Australia by -22.5% for the week and -52.9% and 40.9% respectively year-to-date. These are staggering numbers!

Real estate stocks had an absolutely miserable week plummeting -25.8% and are lower by -44.4% since their peak just last month. Commodities fell -13.5% as the price of oil tanked. Gold was among the best performing asset classes down just -2.2% for the week and 1.9% year-to-date.

The activity in the bond market is nearly unprecedented with prices and yields fluctuating drastically from day-to-day. Overall bond prices fell by -1.8% but there was a huge disparity in returns from one type of bond to another. The safe-haven U.S. mid-term Government Bonds rose by +1.5% while high-yield corporate bonds plunged -12.9%.

Stock Highlights

Many individual stocks are experiencing massive gains and losses as investors try to figure out which will be the survivors and which may not make it through this pandemic. Below are some of the worst performers year-to-date as well as some of the best.

10 worst performing S&P 500 stocks

Source: www.YCharts.com

There was some notable performance behavior on the last day of the week when the overall markets fell sharply. Some of the worst performing stocks actually moved sharply higher on hopes that we may be closer to a bottom and could see some help from the government. Here are a few of those stocks:

10 best performing S&P 500 stocks

Source: www.YCharts.com

Economic Indicator - Reported

Retail Sales fell -0.5% versus economists’ expectations of a gain. Early fears of the coronavirus as well as a drop in gasoline prices fueled this negative report. Future months are expected to be much worse.

Housing Starts came in meaningfully better than economists had expected at 1.599 units annually. Although this was lower than the previous month is was +39% above the same period a year ago. The strong was in single family starts, up +6.7%, while multi-family starts dropped -17%.

Economic Indicators – Upcoming

The following economic data are expected in the coming week:

  • New Home Sales
  • Durable Goods Orders
  • Consumer Spending
  • Consumer Sentiment

Contact Mark A. Patton :

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All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice in reaction to shifting market, economic or political conditions.  Data contained herein from third party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed. This content was created as of the specific date indicated and reflects the author’s views as of that date. Supporting documentation for any claims or statistical information is available upon request.

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