Author: OneAscent

US stocks continued to move higher last week on the news of positive initial results from Pfizer regarding their COVID-19 vaccine. The S&P 500 index traded up 2% for the week, pushing the year-to-date return to 13% and moving the index to near all-time highs.

After nearly a week of counting votes in swing states, Joe Biden, was declared the winner of the 2020 Presidential Election. Biden gained the victory Saturday morning when a close race in Pennsylvania was called in his favor, pushing his candidacy above the required 270 Electoral College vote threshold.

The US Presidential Election is now just over a week away, and investors have been closely tracking the polls for an indication of what to potentially expect from Washington for the next four years. The charts below highlight that Democratic candidate, Joe Biden, is still significantly favored over Donald Trump, though Trump’s odds have been increasing modestly since late September.

US equity markets, as measured by the S&P 500 index, were flat last week as investors monitored initial third quarter earnings results from companies and tracked the progress toward additional fiscal stimulus from Washington. During the weekend, House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, gave the White House until Tuesday to reach a deal with Democrats, and she has been in active discussions with Treasury Secretary, Steven Mnuchin, to work through areas of disagreement.

US equity markets, as measured by the S&P 500 index, advanced nearly four percent last week as investors closely monitor the negotiations in Washington regarding additional fiscal stimulus to support individuals negatively impacted by the pandemic . The 2020 Presidential election is now only three weeks away, and Democratic candidate, Joe Biden, has opened up a sizable lead in many polls.

US equity markets, as measured by the S&P 500 index, were fairly flat (down 0.6%) again for a third straight week as the flow of economic data was relatively light. This week, investors will receive the September employment report on Friday, which will provide a glimpse into the pace of rehiring as the economic impact from the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the US.

US equity markets, as measured by the S&P 500 index, were flat last week as the record-breaking rally took a pause. This week, we will receive fresh data on US retail sales, housing starts and the sentiment of homebuilders.