Stocks Fall As Geopolitics, Economic Worries Spook Investors, Chipmakers Sell Off, Bitcoin Tumbles To $60,000: What's Driving Markets Wednesday?

The S&P 500 declined by 0.5% in Wednesday's trading session. Bitcoin hit an intraday low of $59,650, down 18% since its peak in March. Investors sought refuge in Treasuries for liquidity, with yields dropping by 8 basis points. The situation in the Middle East remains uncertain.

A Market Plagued By Uncertainty

Market volatility and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are causing market volatility. China is aiming for a GDP growth of around 5% in 2024. The country has set ambitious growth targets and aims to become a hub of innovation and sustainable development. China's economy has been under pressure for the past year and a half but is expected to recover.

Stocks Post Moderate Losses as Chip Stocks Retreat

S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 fall to 1-3/4 month lows; Dow Jones Industrials close down to 2-month low. European stock markets settle mixed; China's Shanghai Composite climbs to a 1-week high. Fed Beige Book neutral for stocks as it says economy has expanded slightly. US mortgage applications rose in the week ended April 12.

Stocks Rebound on Positive Q1 Earnings Results and Lower Bond Yields

SPY: Sell Signals Caused By War Uncertainty (Technical Analysis Downgrade)

The market has put sell signals on our charts due to uncertainty in the Middle East. Both daily and weekly charts show sell signals, indicating an end to the bull move in the market. Tom Lloyd Investing Group has gone to cash in our 2024MP Model Portfolio. The market is waiting for war issues to de-escalate in the middle east.

Reflation Trade Is The New Bullish Narrative

Economic reflation is becoming the next bullish narrative as equity valuation increases continue to outpace earnings gains. The last time Wall Street focused on the reflation trade was in 2009. Interest rates, gold, and commodity prices have increased in the past few months. The house view for 2024 remains intact.

I'm Thankful For This Pullback. Finally, It's Here

After reaching new highs, the S&P 500 has experienced a sharp pullback but remains significantly above its October 2023 lows. I've been preparing for a market pullback and am happy it has finally arrived. The SPX's short-term uptrend has been breached. I view a steeper pullback as a golden opportunity to reload exposure.

Quiver Morning Wrap

Major U.S. Indexes closed in the red on Wednesday. Downbeat earnings from Travelers, JB Hunt, Abbott Labs, and others weighed on the market. A downturn in chip stocks and a drop in the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index added to the market's woes. United Airlines was a bright spot, surging 12.4% on an upbeat Q2 forecast.

Stocks Give Up Early Gains on Weakness in Chip Stocks

Chip stocks are under pressure after ASML Holding NV reported Q1 net sales below consensus. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 fall to 1-3/4 month lows. United Airlines Holdings is up more than +11% after reporting better-than-expected Q1 results. Overseas stock markets in China and Japan are mixed.

Oil Price Shock 2024: The Path To $300

Major disruption of global oil supplies could cause global oil prices to rise to $300 per barrel in 2024. The Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal, and Bab el-Mandab are key choke points for global oil supply disruptions. Attacks on oil export infrastructure in Saudi Arabia could also cause massive disruptions.

Bank Discount Window Readiness After The Expiration Of The Bank Term Funding Program

The Federal Reserve is responsible for conducting monetary policy and maintaining the stability of the financial system. The Fed provided massive liquidity and implemented quantitative easing during the 2008 financial crisis and the pandemic. The recent Banking Crisis of 2023 highlighted the importance of banks being ready to borrow from the Discount Window in times of emergency.

Stocks Grapple With Geopolitical Pressures, Gold Eyes $2,400, Bitcoin Falls Below $62,000: What's Driving Markets Tuesday?

U.S. Major averages display mixed performances as of midday trading Tuesday. The S&P 500 holds steady at 5,200 points, while blue-chip stocks outperform the broader market. Treasury yields continue to kick higher, with the 10-year yield reaching 4.65%. Gold is on track for a record-high close; Bitcoin is down 2.5%.

SPY: 10 Reasons To Believe A 10% Decline In The S&P 500 Is Forthcoming

10 Reasons To Believe A 10% Decline In The S&P 500 Is Forthcoming. The index rose 10.2% in the first quarter of 2024 for the S&p 500. In the first half of April, the index has lost 10% of its first quarter gains. Bret Jensen says the market is flashing "yellow" for the economy and equities. He cites 10 reasons why the market could pull back by at least 10% peak to trough.

Stocks Close Mixed on Hawkish Fed Comments

US stock indexes settle mixed; S&P 500 falls to a 1-3/4 month low. Strong earnings from UnitedHealth Group and Morgan Stanley lift the overall market. March housing starts and building permits fall more than expected in the US. Hawkish Fed comments pushed the 10-year T-note yield to a 5-month high.

Stocks Mixed on Rising Bond Yields

Industrial Production March 2024: Too Strong For Fed Cuts

U.S. Federal Reserve published the Industrial Production report for March 2024. Industrial Production expanded by +0.39%, an above-average rate of growth, in line with the median forecast. The potential for an oil price shock is the biggest threat to the U.s. Economy in 2024. James Kostohryz says the Fed does not need to rush to cut interest rates.

War Is Good For Stocks, Especially These

War tensions between Iran and Israel prompt selloff, but present a dip buying opportunity for stocks. History shows that war, while detrimental in the short term, can be beneficial for stocks in the long term. Defense stocks, energy, and Bitcoin are some of the best assets to buy during times of war.

Yellen Champions G7 Plans to Utilize Frozen Russian Funds for Ukraine Aid

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen says the G7 is exploring ways to utilize frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. The frozen assets include nearly $300 billion in frozen assets from Russia. Yellen highlighted the economic dimensions of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. She says Russia could be emboldened by the U.S.-led support for Ukraine.

Quiver Markets Afternoon Update

UnitedHealth Group's strong earnings report lifts Dow Jones Industrial Average. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite show subdued performance as rising Treasury yields pressure growth stocks. The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note hit a five-month high on the back of strong retail sales data and diminished expectations for aggressive Fed rate cuts. Market sentiment was also dampened by global geopolitical tensions and upcoming Fed comments.

Stocks Mixed as Hawkish Fed Comments Push Bond Yields Higher

US economic news mixed with March housing starts and building permits falling more than expected. Hawkish Fed comments pushed bond yields higher today and are weighing on stocks. The 10-year T-note yield today climbed to a new 5-month high. The S&P 500 Index this morning posts a 1-3/4 month low. Overseas stock markets are lower.