Current Events
5 min read

Morning Market Preview for September 26th, 2024

Published on
September 26, 2024
Loading the Elevenlabs Text to Speech AudioNative Player...

Arena Investor is modern planning and investing built for the busy, hardworking professionals who know their money needs more attention but don't have the time, or simply want better work-life balance

Good morning, Heroes!

Here’s your Morning Market Preview for September 26th, 2024
Read, or listen relaxingly for a few minutes – whichever you prefer!

Key Economic Reports

  • Tons of economic reports today. Let’s dig in:

  • At 8:30am Initial Jobless Claims reports, previously 219,000, expected to be up to 223,000.

  • Also at 8:30am Durable Goods Orders reports, previously 9.8%, expected to be down big to -3.0%.

  • The GDP Second Revision for Q2 is at 8:30am as well, previously 3.0%, expecting 3.0%.

  • At 10:00am Pending Home Sales reports, previously -5.5%, expecting an increase to 1.0%.

Key  Earnings Reports & Events Today

  • Costco, Blackberry, Scholastic, and Vail Resorts all report today, with particular attention on Costco for consumer staple spending and Vail for consumer discretionary spending.

  • Boeing’s strike continues, the union dislikes the 30% pay raise offer, and would like the company to stop negotiating in public. The strike began on September 13th. 

The Fed

  • Many Fed representatives speak during the day: Fed Governor Adriana Kugler, Boston Fed President Susan Collins, Fed Governor Michelle Bowman, Fed Chair Jerome Powell, NY Fed President John Williams, Fed Vice Chair for Supervision Michael Barr, Fed Governor Lisa Cook, and Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari. 

Stocks

Year-to-Date Performance:

  • Up Most: Tech is up again, now up 28.35% this year. Communications passes Utilities as second-best on the year, up 25.91%.

  • Down Most: Important to know, no sectors are negative on the year. The smallest gain has been in Energy, down yesterday, up overall to 6.77% this year. Second-to-last is now Real Estate, up 12.04%.

5 Day Moving Average, Percent of Large Caps above their 5 day average:

  • Up Most: Materials and Utilities are at 68%. Consumer Discretionary is second now at 60%.

  • Down Most: Energy is down big, now at 14%. Health Care is down second-most, now at 21%. 

Crypto

  • Bitcoin: Bitcoin down a touch in the last 24 hours, now over $63,200, which puts it at a staggering 50.2% gain on the year.

  • Ethereum: Ethereum is down a bit the last day too at about $2,575, which means an 11.8% gain on the year.

  • Top Gainers Recently: Ox is up 4.7% on the day; Shiba Inu up 4.3%.

  • Important to note: Crypto markets are always open and prices change constantly.

Bonds

  • 2-Year Treasury:  Yields came down a tad, now at 3.561%.

  • 10-Year Treasury: Up a tick again to 3.791%, but overall it’s been coming down this year too.

  • The “spread” is opening, and the yield curve is no longer inverted, having un-inverted in late August, 2024.

Gold

  • Price: Gold prices remain elevated, now up to $2661, and it’s up 28.8% on the year.

Real Estate

  • 30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate: Up just a tick, now to 6.19%. The mortgage rate has dropped about 7.2% this year.

Geopolitical Aspects

  • Investors should brace for volatility due to OPEC+ hinting at cuts.

  • US indexes poised for minor adjustments amid Fed's dovish signals on rates.

  • Watch geopolitical noise with Middle East potentially flaring, affecting oil.

  • Gold might seesaw against dollar softness.

  • X chatter buzzes with potential Boeing strike action impacts.

  • Stay alert for reactionary trades. And keep a long-term mindset.

Built for The One in the Arena

Arena Investor is on a mission not only to help with financial planning, and investment management, but also with education. Keep reading, watching, following, and sharing great Arena Investor content. And as always if you want professional advice, we are glad to be your teammate – along a financial journey you can actually enjoy.

You’re the Hero.
    We’re the Guide.

P.S.

Continue reading, if you would enjoy some simple explanations of key concepts to level up your financial education

Each of these elements interacts, creating the dynamic we call 'the market'.

Understanding these aspects of the investing arena can help investors in making informed investment decisions.

You’re the Hero.
    We’re the Guide.

  • Initial Jobless Claims: The report measures the number of people who filed for unemployment benefits for the first time during the past week, indicating labor market strength or weakness.
  • Consumer Confidence: The Consumer Confidence report measures how optimistic consumers are about the economy's short-term future, influencing spending and investment decisions. It's based on surveys about income, business, and employment conditions.
  • PMI (Purchasing Managers' Index): This is like a health check for businesses. A number above 50 means more growth, below 50 indicates contraction. It's crucial because it shows if companies are buying more stuff, which suggests they're confident about future sales.
  • Economic Reports: Data like jobless claims help predict economic health. For instance, rising claims might suggest economic slowdown.
  • Jobless Claims: These are weekly reports that show the number of people filing for unemployment benefits. Higher numbers can indicate a weakening labor market.
  • Housing Starts: This measures the number of new residential construction projects and is a key indicator of real estate market health.
  • The University of Michigan's Consumer Sentiment Index measures consumer confidence through surveys, reflecting optimism or pessimism about personal finances and business conditions.
  • Federal Reserve Rate Decisions: The Fed adjusts interest rates to either stimulate the economy (by lowering rates) or control inflation (by raising rates). Rate cuts can make borrowing cheaper, while rate hikes aim to curb inflation.
  • Treasury Yields: The return on U.S. government bonds, often used as a measure of investor sentiment about future inflation and economic growth.
  • Stock Sectors: Different sectors thrive in different economic conditions. Tech might boom during innovation, while energy could struggle with green shifts.
  • Bonds and Yields: Bonds are safer than stocks but yield reflects risk or inflation expectations. Higher yields could mean investors demand more return.
  • Cryptocurrency: Digital currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum have been volatile but offer significant returns in 2024.
  • Gold: A traditional safe-haven investment that often rises during times of uncertainty or when inflation is high.
  • Real Estate: Influenced by rates, economic health, and demographic trends. Lower rates can inflate home prices due to increased buying power.
  • Mortgage Rates: Higher rates make borrowing more expensive, which can cool down housing demand and affect real estate prices.
  • 1 Basis Point (BPS) equals 0.01%. It’s easier to say “5 bips” than it is to say “zero point zero five percent.”

Data Sources

Key Economic Reports: https://www.marketwatch.com/economy-politics/calendar
Consumer Surveys: https://data.sca.isr.umich.edu/reports.php
Key Earnings Reports: https://www.earningswhispers.com/calendar/
Key Events: https://x.com/i/grok and fact-checking
The Fed: https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents.htm
Stocks, Year-to-date Performance: https://digital.fidelity.com/prgw/digital/research/sector
Stocks, 5 Day Moving Averages: https://www.barchart.com/stocks/market-performance#google_vignette
Crypto, Bitcoin: https://www.cnbc.com/quotes/BTC.CM=
Crypto, Ethereum: https://www.cnbc.com/quotes/ETH.CM=
Crypto, Top Gainers: https://www.cnbc.com/cryptocurrency/
Bonds, 2 Year: https://www.cnbc.com/quotes/US2Y
Bonds, 10 Year: https://www.cnbc.com/quotes/US10Y
Gold: https://www.cnbc.com/quotes/XAU=
US 30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate: https://www.cnbc.com/quotes/US30YFRM
Geopolitical Aspects: https://x.com/i/grok, https://chatgpt.com, and fact-checking
Simple Explanations: https://x.com/i/grok, https://chatgpt.com, and fact-checking
The article itself is written by Arena Investor humans, not AI
The article audio is generated by https://elevenlabs.io
The article images are generated by https://chatgpt.com using DALL-E

Share this post
Current Events
5 min read

Morning Market Preview for August 29, 2024

Read, or listen relaxingly for a few minutes – whichever you prefer!

Loading the Elevenlabs Text to Speech AudioNative Player...

US Economic Reports Today's economic calendar is packed with key indicators:

  • GDP (Second Estimate for Q2): Expected to hold steady at 2.8%, signaling continued economic growth but with a watchful eye on inflation.
  • Initial Jobless Claims: Anticipated at 232k, this could influence views on labor market health and Fed's future rate decisions.
  • Pending Home Sales Index: At 10 AM, this report will offer insights into future real estate trends, crucial for understanding consumer confidence and housing market dynamics.

Key Earnings Reports Today

  • NVIDIA (NVDA): After a stellar year, NVIDIA's recent earnings disappointed, leading to a -1.8% drop, which might affect tech sector sentiment today.
  • Salesforce (CRM): Positive earnings have boosted Dow futures, suggesting a positive start for tech stocks.
  • Dollar General (DG): Scheduled before market open, could provide insights into consumer spending habits.
  • Best Buy (BBY): Also reporting pre-market, its performance will be watched for retail sector health.
  • Campbell Soup (CPB): Expected to report, offering a view into consumer staples amidst inflation.

Federal Reserve (The Fed)

  • While no meeting today, comments from Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic could sway market expectations on future rate decisions. Markets are pricing in rate cuts, especially if unemployment shows signs of increase.

Stocks

  • US Stock Indexes: Pre-market trading suggests gains, with tech earnings like Salesforce providing a lift, though tempered by NVIDIA's dip.
  • Individual Stocks: Focus on mega-caps like Apple, Amazon, and Google, which often set market sentiment.

Bonds

  • Treasury Yields: Remain steady, reflecting a balance between economic recovery and inflation concerns.

Crypto

  • Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum remain volatile, influenced by regulatory news and broader market sentiment. No specific crypto news today, but always watch for reactions to global financial policies.

Gold

  • Gold prices are slightly up, seen as a safe haven during economic uncertainty or inflation fears.

Real Estate

  • The Pending Home Sales Index will be crucial. A drop could signal cooling in the market, affecting related stocks and funds.

Geopolitical Aspects

  • US-China Relations: Developments from recent talks could impact markets, especially tech stocks due to ongoing trade tensions.
  • Global Tensions: Any escalation or de-escalation in global hotspots could affect oil prices, thereby influencing energy stocks and commodities.

Worldwide Market News

  • Europe: Watch for Brexit-related updates or EU economic data influencing European stocks or the Euro.
  • Asia: After Japan's policy shift, Asian markets might react to further comments or data, affecting carry trade dynamics.
  • Oil Markets: With WTI and Brent crude prices moving, geopolitical news or OPEC decisions could lead to volatility.

Learning Perspective for someone new to market analysis:

  • Economic Reports like GDP and jobless claims gauge economic health, influencing everything from Fed decisions to stock prices.
  • Earnings Reports are company performance reviews. Positive earnings can boost stock prices, while misses can lead to drops.
  • The Fed controls interest rates, affecting borrowing costs, consumer spending, and asset prices.
  • Stocks, Bonds, and Gold often move in response to economic indicators and Fed actions. Stocks might rise with good economic news but fall with inflation fears. Bonds and gold can be safer during uncertainty.
  • Crypto and Real Estate are more speculative but influenced by broader economic trends.
  • Geopolitics can create sudden market shifts, especially in commodities like oil or currencies.

Today's market will likely be driven by how these various elements interact. For instance, if GDP growth is higher than expected but jobless claims rise, markets might see mixed signals on economic health versus labor market strength, potentially leading to volatility as investors recalibrate expectations for Fed actions and economic recovery.

Built for The One in the Arena

Arena Investor is on a mission not only to help with financial planning, and investment management, but also with education. Keep reading, watching, following, and sharing great Arena Investor content. And as always if you want professional advice, we are glad to be your teammate – along a financial journey you can actually enjoy.

You’re the Hero.
    We’re the Guide.

Current Events
5 min read

Morning Market Preview for September 16th, 2024

Read, or listen relaxingly for a few minutes – whichever you prefer!
Loading the Elevenlabs Text to Speech AudioNative Player...

Arena Investor is modern planning and investing built for the busy, hardworking professionals who know their money needs more attention but don't have the time, or simply want better work-life balance

Good morning, Heroes!

Here’s your Morning Market Preview for September 16th, 2024
Read, or listen relaxingly for a few minutes – whichever you prefer!

Key Economic Reports

  • No reports to mention for Monday.

Key Events & Earnings Reports Today

  • A handful of lesser-known companies report on Monday: Hide Tide Inc, RF Industries, Vince Holding Corp, and Ocean Power Technologies. Likely, none of these reports will move the market.

The Fed

  • All eyes are on the Fed. On the 17th and 18th the key members meet to decide on a rate cut. The consensus had been that the Fed would cut rate by a quarter percent, but a lot of energy has formed around a half percent cut with the charge led by former New York Fed President William Dudley, saying “I think there’s a strong case for 50.”

Stocks

Year-to-Date Performance:

  • Up Most: Tech has taken over the top spot with a strong week last week, now up 26.21%. Second is Utilities, now up 23.18%.

  • Down Most: Energy is down the most, but is still barely up on the year overall at 1.83%. Down second-most is Materials, up 7.95% on the year.

5 Day Moving Average: This is the percent of Large Cap stocks above their 5 day average

  • Up Most: Utilities and Consumer Discretionary are now up a whopping to 97% and 96% of their Large Cap above their 5 day average, respectively. Tech and Materials are tied for second best over the last 5 days with 93% of their Large Caps above their 5 day averages.

  • Down Most: Energy is down most with 59% of its Large Cap stocks above its 5 day average. And Consumer Staples was second to last, although it had 68% of its Large Cap stocks above their 5 day averages.

  • Overall, it was a great week for these sectors, as we get a new week started.

Crypto

  • Bitcoin: Up to about $59,826, up a massive 42.24% this year.

  • Ethereum: Opening at about $2,409, and staying positive at 2.47% this year.

  • Top Gainers Recently: Litecoin left the rest of the field in the dust recently, up 5.74% as of this report.

Bonds

  • 2-Year Treasury Yield:  At 3.603%, it has continued its yield decline this year.

  • 10-Year Treasury Yield: At 3.649%, it also continues its yield decline this year.

Gold

  • Price: Gold has had an amazing year, up 24.92%, now at about $2,576.

Real Estate

  • 30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate: Down just a bit, now to 6.14%. The mortgage rate has dropped about 7.95% this year.

Geopolitical Aspects

  • Geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Middle East and between major powers like the U.S. and China, influence markets significantly. Escalations or de-escalations in these regions can lead to immediate market volatility, affecting oil prices, stock markets, and investor sentiment. The potential for broader conflict or trade disruptions adds uncertainty, with markets often reacting swiftly to geopolitical news.

Built for The One in the Arena

Arena Investor is on a mission not only to help with financial planning, and investment management, but also with education. Keep reading, watching, following, and sharing great Arena Investor content. And as always if you want professional advice, we are glad to be your teammate – along a financial journey you can actually enjoy.

You’re the Hero.
    We’re the Guide.

P.S. 

Some Simple Explanations of Key Concepts to Level Up Your Financial Education

Stock Market Sectors: Stocks are divided into sectors like technology, health care, or energy. Each sector performs differently based on economic conditions, policy changes, or technological advancements. For instance, tech stocks might thrive in a high-growth environment, while energy stocks could respond to oil price fluctuations.

Bonds and Treasury Yields: When you buy a bond, you're lending money to the issuer (like the government) in exchange for interest over time. The yield is this interest rate. Higher yields can mean higher risk or inflation expectations, affecting all asset classes, including stocks and real estate.

Cryptocurrencies: These are digital or virtual currencies not backed by any government or physical asset. Their value can soar or plummet rapidly due to speculation, regulatory news, or technological developments.

Gold: Often seen as insurance against economic downturns or inflation. When economies are uncertain, gold tends to rise in value as investors seek safe investments.

Real Estate: Mortgage rates directly impact housing affordability. Lower rates can lead to a housing boom, but if rates rise, demand can fall, affecting home prices.

Understanding these aspects of the investing arena can help investors in making informed investment decisions.

You’re the Hero.
    We’re the Guide.

Current Events
5 min read

Morning Market Preview for September 3, 2024

Read, or listen relaxingly for a few minutes – whichever you prefer!
Loading the Elevenlabs Text to Speech AudioNative Player...

Good morning, Heroes!

Here’s your Morning Market Preview for September 3, 2024
Read, or listen relaxingly for a few minutes – whichever you prefer!

Key Economic Reports:

  • ISM Manufacturing PMI for August is due, which could influence market sentiment regarding manufacturing activity. A higher than expected PMI might bolster confidence in economic recovery.

5 Key Earnings Reports Today:

  • Broadcom (AVGO) - Broadcom is expected to report its fiscal third-quarter results after the market closes. Analysts are looking forward to this tech giant's performance, especially given its significant acquisitions and the ongoing demand for its products in various technology sectors.

  • Dick's Sporting Goods (DKS) - Ahead of Wednesday's open, Dick's Sporting Goods will release its second-quarter results. The retail sector's health, particularly in sporting goods amidst consumer spending trends, makes this report crucial for insights into consumer behavior.

  • DocuSign (DOCU) - DocuSign's earnings are anticipated after the market close. Given the shift towards digital signatures and electronic document management, its performance could reflect broader trends in digital transformation and remote work environments.

  • NIO Inc. (NIO) - NIO, a key player in the electric vehicle market, especially in China, will report its earnings. The EV sector's volatility and NIO's strategic moves in a competitive market make this report significant for investors tracking the automotive industry's shift towards electric.

  • Zscaler (ZS) - Zscaler, known for its cloud security solutions, will report its earnings. With cybersecurity being a top priority for businesses globally, Zscaler's performance could influence investor sentiment towards cloud and security stocks.

The Fed:

  • No direct actions or statements from the Federal Reserve are scheduled for tomorrow, but market participants will be analyzing recent comments from Fed Chair Powell, particularly his stance on maintaining economic strength.

Stocks:

  • Pre-market futures suggest a mild bearish sentiment, with S&P 500 E-Mini futures slightly down. Investors might be cautious, awaiting economic data and earnings reactions.

Bonds:

  • The 10-Year T-Note futures indicate a slight decrease, signaling potential increased yields, which could affect borrowing costs across various sectors.

Crypto:

  • Bitcoin hovers around $58,500, facing a bearish September trend. Regulatory developments include SEC warnings to FTX and Nasdaq's interest in Bitcoin options. Ethereum experiences its worst month in years, while crypto funds see outflows. Global markets show mixed sentiments with Japan supporting Web3 and Brazil's crypto moves.

Gold:

  • Gold prices are noted at $2,535, with stability in crude oil possibly influencing investor decisions towards safe-haven assets like gold.

Real Estate:

  • No specific real estate market updates for tomorrow, but general economic health indicators like manufacturing PMI could indirectly affect real estate through interest rate expectations.

Geopolitical Aspects:

  • Geopolitical tensions, particularly the Iran-Israel escalation and ongoing Ukraine conflict, have heightened market volatility. Investors are pulling back from risky assets, with oil prices reacting to potential supply disruptions. The U.S.-China relations add to the uncertainty, influencing global trade and investment flows, while elections worldwide could sway economic policies and market sentiments.

Worldwide Market News:

  • Asian markets opened mixed, which could influence U.S. markets as investors gauge global economic health. Positive cues from global markets might support a cautious optimism in U.S. trading.

Understanding these concepts helps you see why markets move the way they do, turning the financial news from confusing noise into a story about the world's economic pulse.

Built for The One in the Arena

Arena Investor is on a mission not only to help with financial planning, and investment management, but also with education. Keep reading, watching, following, and sharing great Arena Investor content. And as always if you want professional advice, we are glad to be your teammate – along a financial journey you can actually enjoy.

You’re the Hero.
    We’re the Guide.

Arena Investor Offers
Income Research Assistance


Are you being compensated properly? Let us check on that for you.

A boost in compensation can make a major impact on your financial goals.


We Also Offer
‍‍
Philanthropy Assistance


Enjoy our well-curated list of charitable organizations to donate to. Have a favorite organization already? Great! Let's get those donations coordinated for you.

Charitable donations can reduce your tax obligations too.
Win-win scenarios are the best!

Did You Know That Your Business Can Have Investment Portfolios?

Put business money to work too.
Tailored to your business’s unique needs.

Arena Investor Offers Something For Everyone

FINANCIAL PLANS

Simple Financial Plans.
Built for Your Situation.
So You Can Reach Your Goals.

INVESTMENT
MANAGEMENT

Optimized Portfolios.
Professionally Built.
Professionally Managed.

PORTFOLIO
CHECKUPS

Personal Portfolio Reviews.
Adjustment Recommendations.
From a Registered Investment Advisor.

Join the Waitlist

The Investor Mindset newsletter is a weekly digital publication that creatively presents insights into the mind of an investor.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Always Learning
Thinks Independently
Emotionally Poised
Sees Trends
Financially Ready

Arena Investor Helps
The One in the Arena
Level-Up

1

Learn

Financial Planning Education

Investing Education

Current Events

Insights & Ideas

News In The Arena

Reviews

Monthly Topics include

Understanding: Insurance Rate, Debt Rate, Savings Rate, Burn Rate, Qualified Term, Tax Rate, Liquid Term, Real Estate Term, Equity Rate, Total Term

Plus
• DRIP and Grow Rich!
• What Is Investment Management?
• What Is Your Financial SWOT?
and more!  

Subscribe to The Investor Mindset newsletter (above)

2

Plan

One-on-One Financial Planning

Enjoy an Initial Meeting to get to know each other, set your goals, and evaluate your debt and credit

Enjoy a Second Meeting to refine the gameplan, review insurance, and review your investing

Get easy-to-understand Monthly Reports specific to you and the Financial Plan we built recorded and delivered to your inbox for your convenience

Schedule live or recorded Quarterly Meetings to stay on track, review your Financial Health, Financial Plan, and make adjustments as needed

Enjoy Income Research Assistance -- Let us confirm you're being properly compensated

Enjoy Philanthropy Assistance -- our curated list of organizations you can donate to if desired

Financial Health Monitoring & Alerts
in the Elements app


Get professional monitoring of your Financial Health

Receive alerts when certain thresholds are met

Understand your Financial Health and actually enjoy the journey!

3

Invest

Investment Management
for Individual and SMBs

Fee-Only, never any commissions or conflicts

At just 0.75% AUM, Arena Investor offers great value!

No hidden [fill-in-the-blank] fees -- we absorb them all!

Enjoyable user experiences with elegant industry-leading apps

A modern Advisory designed to serve today's professionals

Professionally managed portfolios
Stocks, ETFs, Mutual Funds, Bonds,
Crypto, High Yield Cash Accounts

Also included
Financial Health Monitoring & Alerts in the Elements app

Portfolio Checkups for DIY Investors


For All 401ks

For Personal Brokerage Accounts

Have your Investor Profile analyzed (your goals, time horizon, risk tolerance, et al)

Have your actual portfolio analyzed and compared to your Investor Profile to ensure alignment

Get specific stock, ETF, mutual fund, crypto, etc recommendations to realign your portfolio

Invest with the peace of mind that you have a Registered Investment Advisor as a teammate when desired