Stocks fell again last week as investors see more risk from the war in Ukraine and rising inflation.
The S&P 500 slid 2.9 percent between Friday, March 4, and Friday, March 11. It was the fourth decline in the last five weeks, miring the index at levels from mid-June. The Nasdaq-100 was down 3.9 percent, continuing to underperform as investors shed high-multiple growth stocks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also dropped for the fifth straight week, its longest losing streak in almost three years.
Concerns about the consumer and profits weighed on sentiment last week as investors considered the recent spike in commodity markets. The University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment report fell more than expected to a 10-year low as Americans worried about higher gasoline prices. They also see personal finances worsening because of inflation.
The Consumer Price Index rose at its sharpest rate in four decades in February. It mostly covered the period before historic jumps in energy, metals and foodstuffs. Will inflation accelerate even more in future readings?
| Biggest Gainers in the S&P 500 Last Week | |
| Baker Hughes (BKR) | +13% |
| Quanta Services (PWR) | +13% |
| Schlumberger (SLB) | +10% |
| Caterpillar (CAT) | +10% |
| Halliburton (HAL) | +10% |
That mix of factors caused Goldman Sachs to issue two bearish notes on Friday. First, economist Jan Hatzius lowered his forecast for gross domestic product from 2 percent to 1.75 percent and said a recession is getting more likely. Second, market strategist David Kostin trimmed his price target for the S&P 500 for the second time in a month. (He’s now modeling 4,700 by yearend, down from 4,900 last month and 5,100 earlier in the year.)
Fed Hike This Week?
The Federal Reserve has indicated it will raise interest rates by 25 basis points on Wednesday, its first hike since December 2018. (On Friday, CME’s FedWatch tool showed a 60 percent chance of rates increasing by 150 basis points in 2022. That’s up from 50 percent one week earlier.)
While traders will closely watch the event, Chairman Jerome Powell may not say much new. For one thing, the central bank is only starting several well-telegraphed rate hikes. For another, the geopolitical situation (and commodity markets) could change dramatically by the next Fed meeting on May 4.
Automobiles were one of the earliest products to experience sharp inflation. CNBC reported last week that industry insiders expect car production to fall by more than 1 million units because of disruptions resulting from the Ukraine crisis. That’s in addition to lingering bottlenecks from the semiconductor shortage.
Another impact of the difficult macro environment is the yield curve, which last week hit its flattest reading since March 2020. That’s potentially bad news for banks and financials that profit from the difference between short- and long-term interest rates.
Energy, Gold Advance
Energy stocks, including both oil drillers and solar companies, were some of the top gainers last week. Gold and silver miners also rose. Most other sectors declined, led by Chinese companies and software makers.
Airlines slid as fuel costs soared. Semiconductors struggled amid worries about neon shortages (also because of Ukraine). Consumer staples were the single worst performing sector as inflation squeezed profit outlooks at companies like Lamb Weston (LW) and ConAgra (CAG).
Charting the S&P 500
The S&P 500 continues to struggle against a falling trendline that began in January. It failed to hold 4290 last week, potentially turning an old support level from early October into new resistance. Traders could focus on the narrowing price range into the Fed meeting on Wednesday.
The 50-day moving average is also on the verge of sliding under the 200-day moving average. That so-called “Death Cross” is a potentially sign of the longer-term trend turning bearish.
The Week Ahead
Aside from the Fed meeting on Wednesday, this week also features important housing news.
Today is relatively quiet but tomorrow brings the producer price index of wholesale inflation.
| Biggest Decliners in the S&P 500 Last Week | |
| Etsy (ETSY) | -20% |
| Fortinet (FTNT) | -17% |
| Seagate Technology (STX) | -15% |
| Align Technology (ALGN) | -14% |
| Lamb Weston (LW) | -14% |
Wednesday morning features begins with retail sales, followed by NAHB’s homebuilder index and crude-oil inventories. The Fed releases its monetary-policy statement at 2 p.m. ET, followed by Powell’s press conference 30 minutes later. Homebuilder Lennar (LEN) reports earnings after the close.
Thursday brings housing starts, building permits and initial jobless claims. FedEx (FDX) issues results in the postmarket.
Friday is quadruple-witching day, when volumes typically rise as derivatives expire. Existing-home sales are also due.
