Scary economic reports threw a wet sandbag onto the markets' generally
upward march this week. Overshadowing corporate earnings were several
economic reports that pointed to a wobbly outlook.
New home sales took a step backward during September, showing a much
lower-than-expected annual rate of 402,000. Also, a decline in consumer
confidence reflected the persistent public unease about the sluggishness
in the job market.
The Morningstar US Market Index fell 4.34% for the week, bringing the
year-to-date return to 18%. As investors throttle back their appetite
for risk, large-cap stocks loss less than their smaller counterparts.
The Morningstar Large Cap Index fell 3.7% and the Morningstar Small Cap
Index fell 6.4%.
The difference between growth stocks and value stocks was less than the
size difference, but value trounced growth. Procter & Gamble gained for
the week, as investors fled to the stocks of safer firms. Still, P&G is
another example of a firm showing decent earnings despite the recession,
and raising guidance for the entire year.
The Morningstar Core Bond Index fell slightly for the week, and has a
yield of 3.01%. Gains were across the board. The Morningstar US
Government Bond Index lost 0.24% while the Morningstar Corporate Bond
Index fell 0.13%. The spread between Treasury and corporate bonds stayed
the same. The Morningstar Mortgage Bond Index was up 0.24%, and its
yield falls between the government and corporates at 2.91%.
The Morningstar Long-Only Commodity Index fell 2.11%, but has advanced
15.29% over the year. Wheat fell 8% and was one of the biggest
contributors to the decline, despite wet conditions and below-average
planting. Natural gas continued its decline as well, falling 8.3%. The
Morningstar Long/Short Index fell 0.47%, owing in part to the short
position in wheat. Unlike the long index, the long/short index took a
cash position in place of natural gas, which also helped.
Travis Pascavis, CFA, is a Morningstar stock analyst.
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US weekly review
Travis Pascavis, 02/11/09 08:44
Overshadowing corporate earnings were several economic reports that pointed to a wobbly outlook for the United States last week
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Scary economic reports threw a wet sandbag onto the markets' generally upward march this week. Overshadowing corporate earnings were several economic reports that pointed to a wobbly outlook.
New home sales took a step backward during September, showing a much lower-than-expected annual rate of 402,000. Also, a decline in consumer confidence reflected the persistent public unease about the sluggishness in the job market.
The Morningstar US Market Index fell 4.34% for the week, bringing the year-to-date return to 18%. As investors throttle back their appetite for risk, large-cap stocks loss less than their smaller counterparts. The Morningstar Large Cap Index fell 3.7% and the Morningstar Small Cap Index fell 6.4%.
The difference between growth stocks and value stocks was less than the size difference, but value trounced growth. Procter & Gamble gained for the week, as investors fled to the stocks of safer firms. Still, P&G is another example of a firm showing decent earnings despite the recession, and raising guidance for the entire year.
The Morningstar Core Bond Index fell slightly for the week, and has a yield of 3.01%. Gains were across the board. The Morningstar US Government Bond Index lost 0.24% while the Morningstar Corporate Bond Index fell 0.13%. The spread between Treasury and corporate bonds stayed the same. The Morningstar Mortgage Bond Index was up 0.24%, and its yield falls between the government and corporates at 2.91%.
The Morningstar Long-Only Commodity Index fell 2.11%, but has advanced 15.29% over the year. Wheat fell 8% and was one of the biggest contributors to the decline, despite wet conditions and below-average planting. Natural gas continued its decline as well, falling 8.3%. The Morningstar Long/Short Index fell 0.47%, owing in part to the short position in wheat. Unlike the long index, the long/short index took a cash position in place of natural gas, which also helped.
Travis Pascavis, CFA, is a Morningstar stock analyst.
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