Weekly Investment Update October 12, 2020

October 12, 2020

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Weekly Investment Update

US equity markets, as measured by the S&P 500 index, advanced nearly four percent last week as investors closely monitor the negotiations in Washington regarding additional fiscal stimulus to support individuals negatively impacted by the pandemic[1]. The 2020 Presidential election is now only three weeks away, and Democratic candidate, Joe Biden, has opened up a sizable lead in many polls.  It is possible that markets may be reacting favorably to the reduced uncertainty around the potential outcome of the election, but there is still plenty of time for shifts in voter sentiment, as we saw in 2016.

This week, third quarter earnings season will kick-off with large banks like JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Wells Fargo reporting results.  The consensus analyst estimate for third quarter S&P 500 earnings is for a decline of 20.5% compared to the third quarter of 2019.  However, analysts were anticipating a 25.3% decline in earnings when the quarter began, so expectations have improved over the last few months, which could potentially have helped push stock prices higher.  On average, analysts expect the S&P 500 to earn $133 per share in 2020 and $166 per share in 2021, which means that investors buying an S&P 500 index fund are paying 26x for this year’s expected earnings and 21x for next year’s expected earnings, respectively.[2] 

Key Economic Releases This Week

Asset Class Returns

Prices & Interest Rates

 

[1] Source: Morningstar

[2]https://www.factset.com/hubfs/Resources%20Section/Research%20Desk/Earnings%20Insight/EarningsInsight_100920.pdf

Past performance may not be representative of future results.  All investments are subject to loss.  Forecasts regarding the market or economy are subject to a wide range of possible outcomes.  The views presented in this market update may prove to be inaccurate for a variety of factors.  These views are as of the date listed above and are subject to change based on changes in fundamental economic or market-related data.  Please contact your Financial Advisor in order to complete an updated risk assessment to ensure that your investment allocation is appropriate.   

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US equity markets, as measured by the S&P 500 index, advanced nearly four percent last week as investors closely monitor the negotiations in Washington regarding additional fiscal stimulus to support individuals negatively impacted by the pandemic[1]. The 2020 Presidential election is now only three weeks away, and Democratic candidate, Joe Biden, has opened up a sizable lead in many polls.\u00a0 It is possible that markets may be reacting favorably to the reduced uncertainty around the potential outcome of the election, but there is still plenty of time for shifts in voter sentiment, as we saw in 2016.\n

This week, third quarter earnings season will kick-off with large banks like JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Wells Fargo reporting results.\u00a0 The consensus analyst estimate for third quarter S&P 500 earnings is for a decline of 20.5% compared to the third quarter of 2019.\u00a0 However, analysts were anticipating a 25.3% decline in earnings when the quarter began, so expectations have improved over the last few months, which could potentially have helped push stock prices higher.\u00a0 On average, analysts expect the S&P 500 to earn $133 per share in 2020 and $166 per share in 2021, which means that investors buying an S&P 500 index fund are paying 26x for this year\u2019s expected earnings and 21x for next year\u2019s expected earnings, respectively.[2]\u00a0\n

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Key Economic Releases This Week”}},{“type”:”image”,”props”:{“margin”:”default”,”image_svg_color”:”emphasis”,”image”:”wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/10-12-2020-Key-Economic-Releases-This-Week.png”}},{“type”:”text”,”props”:{“margin”:”default”,”column_breakpoint”:”m”,”content”:”

Asset Class Returns”}},{“type”:”image”,”props”:{“margin”:”default”,”image_svg_color”:”emphasis”,”image”:”wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/10-12-2020-Asset-Class-Returns.png”}},{“type”:”text”,”props”:{“margin”:”default”,”column_breakpoint”:”m”,”content”:”

Prices & Interest Rates”}},{“type”:”image”,”props”:{“margin”:”default”,”image_svg_color”:”emphasis”,”text_align”:”left”,”image”:”wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/10-12-2020-Prices-Interest-Rates.png”}},{“type”:”text”,”props”:{“margin”:”default”,”column_breakpoint”:”m”,”text_size”:”small”,”content”:”

\u00a0\n

[1] Source: Morningstar\n

[2]https:\/\/www.factset.com\/hubfs\/Resources%20Section\/Research%20Desk\/Earnings%20Insight\/EarningsInsight_100920.pdf”}},{“type”:”html”,”props”:{“content”:”

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Past performance may not be representative of future results. \u202fAll investments are subject to loss.\u202f Forecasts regarding the market or economy are subject to a wide range of possible outcomes. \u202fThe views presented in this market update may prove to be inaccurate for a variety of factors.\u202f These views are as of the date listed above and are subject to change based on changes in fundamental economic or market-related data. \u202fPlease contact your Financial Advisor in order to complete an updated risk assessment to ensure that your investment allocation is appropriate.\u202f\u202f\u00a0″,”text_align”:”left”,”text_size”:”small”,”text_color”:”muted”}}]}]}]}],”version”:”2.2.2″} –>

Past performance may not be representative of future results.  All investments are subject to loss.  Forecasts regarding the market or economy are subject to a wide range of possible outcomes.  The views presented in this market update may prove to be inaccurate for a variety of factors.  These views are as of the date listed above and are subject to change based on changes in fundamental economic or market-related data.  Please contact your Financial Advisor in order to complete an updated risk assessment to ensure that your investment allocation is appropriate.