Markets Finish Mixed as Investors Await Inflation Data
ICARO Media Group
In a day of fluctuating market activity, major stock indexes started off on a lower note before rebounding slightly. Treasury yields followed a similar pattern, rising initially and then reversing course. Market analysts are eagerly anticipating Tuesday's inflation reading, which is expected to reveal a slowdown in U.S. consumer-price growth last month. Retail sales data, scheduled to be released on Wednesday, will further shape GDP forecasts. Additionally, the upcoming meeting between Presidents Biden and Xi in San Francisco is also poised to have an impact on market sentiments.
Looking at Monday's closing figures, the stock market experienced a relatively quiet session. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 55 points, around 0.2% higher. The Nasdaq Composite, on the other hand, dipped by 0.2%, while the S&P 500 remained relatively unchanged. Boeing played a key role in boosting the Dow, as its stock surged by 4%.
Investors are now positioning themselves for a potential year-end rally, as suggested by options-market data. This sentiment has been influenced by recent indications from the Federal Reserve, which hinted at no further interest rate hikes until 2023.
In the tech sector, Nvidia continued its upward trajectory, marking its ninth consecutive daily gain. However, the overall chip stocks index experienced a decline.
On the fixed-income side, Treasury yields made slight gains. The 10-year yield settled at 4.631%, a marginal increase from the previous trading session. Late last week, Moody's Investors Service downgraded its outlook for the U.S. government's credit rating to negative, which contributed to the upward movement in yields. Concerns surrounding mounting deficits have been weighing on investors as of late.
The oil market witnessed fluctuations, with U.S. crude settling at just above $78 per barrel, representing a 1.4% increase. Recent decreases in demand have placed downward pressure on crude prices, aiding in containing inflationary pressures.
Global markets, on the other hand, closed with mixed results. Travel and leisure stocks provided a boost to the Stoxx Europe 600 index, while Japanese and mainland Chinese indexes ended the day with minimal changes.
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