Weekly Economic Update: DOW Hits 30,000 Milestone; Janet Yellen Nomination for Secretary of Treasury
Presented by David Nicholas
December 1st, 2020
Weekly Market Update
In this week’s recap: Dow Jones Industrial Average hits 30,000 milestone in response to promising vaccine news and lessening political uncertainty; former Fed chair Janet Yellen nominated as Secretary of the Treasury.
The Week on Wall Street
Stocks surged last week, ignited by another COVID-19 vaccine announcement, encouraging economic data, and the easing of political uncertainty.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.21%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 added 2.27%. The Nasdaq Composite index, which has led all year, gained 2.96%. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, climbed 1.54%.1,2,3
DOW Breaks 30,000
For the third consecutive week, markets opened on Monday to yet another announcement of a potential COVID-19 vaccine.
Stock prices found additional support on news that President-elect Biden would be nominating Janet Yellen, the former Chair of the Federal Reserve, to be Secretary of the Treasury. Investors reacted well to the choice, encouraged by her previously voiced support for greater fiscal stimulus and relieved that a candidate less antagonistic to the industry was selected.
Positive momentum continued into the following day, driving the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500 index, and the Russell 2000 to record high levels, with the Dow closing above the 30,000 milestone.4
Stocks eased off their highs in pre-Thanksgiving trading, though they recovered some of those losses on Friday, as the S&P 500 and NASDAQ Composite closed with fresh record highs.5
A Microcosm of the Economy
The economic outlook has been difficult to figure out due to conflicting signals. One day it’s a historic jump in economic growth; another day it’s a record high in new COVID-19 infections. Last week was a good illustration of this. Reports of healthy consumer spending, a solid rise in durable goods orders, and sales of new homes remaining near almost-14-year highs were balanced by a jump in new jobless claims, a decline in household income, and new state and local COVID-related restrictions.6
Last week investors chose to see the glass half full and look past the near-term challenges the economy faces.
Tip of the Week
Self-employed? Have your accountant look at your balance sheet and profit-and-loss statement before 2020 ends. Some tax-saving strategies may come to mind, and an up-to-date set of books means less work for your tax preparer.
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CITATIONS:
1. The Wall Street Journal, November 27, 2020
2. The Wall Street Journal, November 27, 2020
3. The Wall Street Journal, November 27, 2020
4. CNBC, November 24, 2020
5. The Wall Street Journal, November 27, 2020
6. The Wall Street Journal, November 25, 2020
