U.S. stocks suffered their worst weekly decline since the 2008–09 financial crisis as COVID-19 outbreak fears intensified and drove a wave of heavy selling. One U.S. case of community transmission plus raised warning levels from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) appeared to spark the selling. The S&P 500 Index lost more than 11% for the week, bringing the seven-day decline to almost 13%, the fastest correction to an all-time high ever recorded.
All four major U.S. stock indexes we track ended the week sharply lower, with losses between 10.5% and 12.4%. No sector lost less than 9%, while the energy sector paced the declines. The defensive consumer staples sector held up slightly better than the overall market, but there was little dispersion among growth, value, cyclical, and defensive.
The week’s economic data for January did not reflect outbreak-related disruption in the United States, and therefore received little attention. The Conference Board’s measure of consumer confidence remained stable; new and pending home sales rose solidly, exceeding expectations; durable goods orders (ex. Transportation) jumped a better-than-expected 0.9%; personal income rose a solid 0.6%; and consumer spending slightly missed consensus estimates with a 0.2% increase.
Developed international and emerging markets fell on global outbreak news but held up better than the United States, with 6.7% and 4.9% declines for the MSCI EAFE and MSCI Emerging Markets (EM) indexes, respectively, through Thursday. Based on MSCI country indexes, China held up relatively well, as did Japan. France, Germany, and Korea suffered outsized declines.
Fixed income prices were up again during the week as fears over the Coronavirus outbreak and related economic uncertainty drove yields lower. The U.S. Treasury curve shifted downwards with the 10-year Treasury yield falling 28 basis points (0.28%) to a record low of 1.18%, the first time it has ever traded below 1.2%. The 30-year U.S. Treasury yield also hit a record low, and the 2-year U.S. Treasury plummeted 38 basis points (0.38%) amid heightened speculation of a Federal Reserve (Fed) rate cut. The U.S. Government Bond Index was the week’s top performer, finishing up through Thursday’s close. High yield bonds and emerging market debt were the only indexes we track to end the week with sizeable losses.
Oil slid more than 15% during the week, slumping to its lowest weekly close since mid-2017 and deeper into bear market territory on falling demand expectations. Gold provided little protection as a hedge, trading mostly sideways through Thursday before falling sharply on Friday, its biggest daily decline since 2013. The U.S. dollar lost ground during the week, only its second down week in the past eight. Copper also declined on global demand concerns.
This week’s U.S. economic calendar includes the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Purchasing Manager’s Index (PMI) for manufacturing and the February jobs report, which will likely see some outbreak impact. The Super Tuesday Democrat presidential primaries are this week.
Internationally, the most important data to watch will be more PMI data coming out of China, where the impact from the virus outbreak is expected to be significant. In Europe, PMI and consumer inflation data are on the docket.
###
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES:
This material is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. There is no assurance the products or strategies discussed are suitable for all investors or will yield positive outcomes. All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results. The economic forecasts set may not develop as predicted.
All indexes are unmanaged and cannot be invested into directly. Unmanaged index returns do not reflect fees, expenses, or sales charges. Index performance is not indicative of the performance of any investment. Sector data is represented by S&P 500 GICS sub-indexes.
Because of its narrow focus, specialty sector investing, such as healthcare, financials, or energy, will be subject to greater volatility than investing more broadly across many sectors and companies.
Investing in gold is subject to risks including loss of value. The price swings in commodities and currencies can result in significant volatility in an investor’s holdings.
All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, LPL Financial makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy.
For a list of descriptions of the indexes referenced in this publication, please visit our website at lplresearch.com/definitions
This research material has been prepared by LPL Financial LLC.
Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial (LPL), a registered investment advisor and broker-dealer (member FINRA/SIPC). Insurance products are offered through LPL or its licensed affiliates. To the extent you are receiving investment advice from a separately registered independent investment advisor that is not an LPL affiliate, please note LPL makes no representation with respect to such entity.
If your advisor is located at a bank or credit union, please note that the bank/credit union is not registered as a broker-dealer or investment advisor. Registered representatives of LPL may also be employees of the bank/credit union. These products and services are being offered through LPL or its affiliates, which are separate entities from, and not affiliates of, the bank/credit union. Securities and insurance offered through LPL or its affiliates are:
Not Insured by FDIC/NCUA or Any Other Government Agency | Not Bank/Credit Union Guaranteed |
Not Bank/Credit Union Deposits or Obligations | May Lose Value
Tracking # 1-958084