S&P 500 slumps more than 4% in April, snaps five-month win streak on inflation woes

S&P 500 slumps more than 4% in April, snaps five-month win streak on inflation woes. The benchmark index posted its first negative month since October 2023. This month's retreat was primarily due to market participants dialing back their interest rate cut expectations by the Federal Reserve. The S&P500 retreated 4.16% for April to end at 5,035.69 points.

April Showers On Wall Street: Miners, Utilities Emerge As Bright Spots In Gloomy Market

April's top-performing sector and industry exchange-traded funds of the month. The S&P 500 Index finished April on a downturn, declining by approximately 3%. Only the utilities sector managed to avoid losses in April. The real estate sector experienced the worst performance, down by over 7%. Only five out of the 25 industries reported gains for the month of April.

XLP: Not In The Spotlight Amid Market Uncertainty

Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF provides exposure to defensive stories from the consumer staples sector. XLP is not exhibiting attractive momentum so far this year. The fund could provide up to a 10% return. The consumer staples market has been under pressure as inflation is accelerating.

The “highest quality” stocks within each sector - GS

Goldman Sachs analysts published their “high quality stock” basket. These are large-cap stocks that have strong balance sheets, a history of stable sales and earnings growth and low historical drawdown risk. The growth backdrop for the S&P 500 has improved in the past 12 months.

Top 50 stocks with the highest sensitivity to interest rates changes - GS

Goldman Sachs analysts published a list of the top 50 stocks with the highest sensitivity to interest rates changes. The basket consists of S&P 500 stocks with highest positive stock price sensitivity to changes in the nominal 10-year US Treasury yield. Goldman economists expect disinflation to continue, leading to rate cuts later this year.

Consumer Sector Update for 04/29/2024: DPZ, YUM, GIS, XLP, XLY

Weekly Report: what happened at XLP last week (0422-0426)?

Retail Sales Data Suggests A Strong Consumer, Or Does It

March retail sales data suggests a robust consumer, leading economists to become more optimistic about economic growth this year. Retail sales data was extraordinarily weak from October to January, the traditionally strongest shopping months of the year. Lance Roberts says to remain cautious about economic exuberance. He says the March retail sales report was NOT adjusted for inflation.

Big Tech earnings power S&P to best week since October 2023; focus turns to Fed meet

Big Tech earnings power S&P to best week since October 2023; focus turns to Fed meet Apr. 26, 2024. The S&p 500 (SP500) on Friday climbed 2.67% for the week to end at 5,099.96 points, posting gains in four out of five sessions. This week's gains were primarily driven by a surge in technology stocks and other heavyweight growth sectors.

PCE March 2024:  Spending And Inflation Too Hot

U.S. Personal spending and inflation grew at higher rates than expected in March 2024. Real PCE in 2024 expanded by +0.51%, surpassing economists' median forecast of -0.30%. The analysis of the PCE data suggests the economy is not "landing" in 2024. There are under-appreciated risks to the inflation outlook.

XLP, KFVG: Big ETF Outflows

Consumer Sector Update for 04/25/2024: XLP, XLY, ORLY, KDP, JOE

Should You Invest in the First Trust Consumer Staples AlphaDEX ETF (FXG)?

Walmart, Kroger shares hint at concerns about Amazon's low-cost delivery plan, UBS says

Consumer Walmart, Kroger shares hint at concerns about Amazon's low-cost delivery plan, UBS says. Amazon unveiled a low- cost grocery delivery program on Tuesday. Walmart and Kroger's shares ended the day down 1.8% and 2.3%. UBS: Investors are concerned about competition among grocers.

All S&P Utility stocks are above 50-day MA, less than 10% of Info Tech names are

Beyond "Big Six:" Why Choose Non-Cyclical Sector ETFs?

Consumer Sector Update for 04/23/2024: HIBB, KMB, PEP, XLP, XLY

Is First Trust Consumer Staples AlphaDEX ETF (FXG) a Strong ETF Right Now?

Top high growth investment ratio stocks from each sector - GS

Goldman Sachs analysts listed the top stocks in each sector with the highest growth investment ratio. Analysts said they forecast capex and R&D growth to slow from about 10% in 2023 to about 7% in 2024. Growth investment ratio is defined as a company's capex less depreciation plus R&d as a share of its cash flow.

Goldman’s buybacks basket: Buyback growth will be 13% in 2024

Goldman’s buybacks basket: Buyback growth will be 13% in 2024. Goldman Sachs analysts rebalanced their “buybacks basket” as 2024 buyback growth is forecasted to be 13%. S&P 500 (SP500) cash spending grew by 4% to $3.4T last year.