LCG Associates, Inc.

Weekly Market Update: U.S. equities capped off their fifth consecutive week of gains, propelled by a strong start to third quarter earnings. The S&P 500 Index reached all-time highs after gaining 1.13% on a total return basis for the week. The consumer-price index rose 2.4%, year-over-year through September, running slightly hotter than expectations of a 2.3% increase. Bond yields fell below 4.1% thanks to a better-than expected producer-price index report that helped offset inflation fears that had re-arisen after Thursday’s CPI report. https://lnkd.in/dn_22Uh

Weekly Market Update: U.S. stocks rose for a fourth consecutive week as an upside surprise in the jobs report lifted markets into positive territory despite fears surrounding growing tensions in the Middle East and news of a dockworkers’ strike at East and Gulf Coast U.S. seaports. The S&P 500 Index added 0.2% on a total return basis for the week. Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 254,000 in September versus forecasts of 150,000, and the unemployment rate lowered to 4.1% from 4.2%. Last month's increase in total jobs was also revised higher, from 142,000 to 159,000. Average hourly earnings rose 0.4% in September on the heels of an upwardly revised 0.5% gain in August. The strong jobs report led to a spike in longer-term bond yields, with the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield rising to 3.98% from 3.75% the week before, its highest level in almost two months. ? https://lnkd.in/dn_22Uh

Weekly Market Update: U.S. equities capped off their third consecutive week of gains as the S&P 500 Index gained 0.64% on a total return basis for the week. The personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index, the Fed’s preferred measure of inflation, came in lower than economist expectations in August. The PCE price index posted an annual rate of 2.2% in August, down from 2.5% in July and the lowest since February 2021. China’s CSI 300 index posted its best week since November 2008, up 15.7% for the week, as the Chinese government announced a number of stimulus measures including $114 billion to support Chinese stocks. https://lnkd.in/dn_22Uh

Weekly Market Update: U.S. stocks climbed to new record highs over the week as investors celebrated the Fed rate cut. The S&P 500 Index added 1.4% on a total return basis. On Wednesday, the FOMC voted to cut rates by 50 basis points, its first rate cut in over four years (since March 2020). Retail sales rose 0.1% in August, following an upwardly revised increase of 1.1% in July. ? https://lnkd.in/dn_22Uh

Weekly Market Update: U.S. equities rebounded with their best week of 2024 following their worst week of the year amid heightened debate around the Fed’s upcoming monetary policy decision. The S&P 500 Index gained 4.06% on a total return basis for the week. The consumer-price index climbed 2.5% from a year earlier, decreasing from 2.9% in July and extending its cooling streak to five months. Gold prices have hit repeated all-time highs since March, boosted by demand for safe-haven assets. The spot price of gold closed at $2,577.70 on Friday. ? https://lnkd.in/dn_22Uh

Weekly Market Update: U.S. stocks moved down over the week, led by a decline in Information Technology stocks. The S&P 500 Index returned -4.2% on a total return basis. Employers added 142,000 jobs in August, below consensus estimates, and July’s gain was revised down to 89,000, marking the lowest level since December 2020. The unemployment rate ticked down to 4.2% from 4.3%, and average hourly earnings rose 0.4%. The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield fell to 3.72% from 3.91% the week before, marking its lowest level since May 2023. https://lnkd.in/dn_22Uh

Weekly Market Update: U.S. equities closed out a volatile August in positive territory as encouraging economic data overcame concerns about the health of the labor market. The S&P 500 Index gained 2.43% on a total return basis for the month. The Fed’s preferred inflation indicator, Personal Consumption Expenditures price index, increased 0.2% in July and 2.6% from a year ago, in-line with economists’ expectations. Berkshire Hathaway surpassed $1 trillion in market cap on Wednesday, becoming the first non-technology, U.S. company to reach this mark. https://lnkd.in/dn_22Uh

Weekly Market Update: U.S. stocks moved up over the week on Fed signaling for a possible September rate cut. Returns were broad-based, with small caps outperforming large caps. The S&P 500 Index returned 1.4% on a total return basis for the week. Existing home sales increased 1.3% in July, in line with expectations and breaking a stretch of four consecutive monthly declines. Longer-term bond yields fell and Treasuries rallied after annual job growth estimates were revised downward by 818,000 jobs through March, their largest downward revision since 2009. https://lnkd.in/dn_22Uh

We had an amazing time at Cristo Rey's Draft Day 2024! LCG is honored to partner with Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School's Corporate Work Study Program for the 11th year in a row. Our goal is to help students gain work experience and share capital markets knowledge that they can take with them beyond their time at LCG. We are looking forward to welcoming our CWSP students soon!

Weekly Market Update: The S&P 500 Index capped off its best week-to-date of 2024, gaining 3.99% on a total return basis. U.S. equities were propelled by cooling inflation data, better than expected retail sales, and a weak July jobs report. The consumer-price index rose 2.9% from a year earlier, the lowest reading since 2021 and slightly below economists’ expectations of 3.0%. Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy items, was 3.2%, also a three-year low. Gold reached a new record high on rising hopes for a U.S. interest-rate cut and geopolitical tensions. The spot price of gold per ounce closed at $2,508 on Friday. https://lnkd.in/dn_22Uh