Stocks Snap Four-Week Win Streak

Published Friday, August 19, 2022 at: 8:18 PM EDT

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The stock market declined -1.3% Friday and -1.2% from a week ago, snapping a four-week win streak.  Inflation cooled in July and may even have peaked but that does not mean the worst of the financial economic turbulence is behind us, and it’s prudent to expect current conditions to worsen.  

Here’s perspective on current financial economic conditions, if you’re a retirement investor or building a legacy.    

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The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) has a long history of plunging a few months before a recession, and that is precisely what the LEI is doing now, as is shown in the blue line in this chart. 

The LEI decreased by four-tenths of 1% in July 2022 to 116.6, after declining by seven-tenths of 1%in June. The LEI was down by -1.6% over the six-month period from January to July 2022, a reversal from its +1.6% growth over the previous six months. 

“The US LEI declined for a fifth consecutive month in July, suggesting recession risks are rising in the near term,” said Conference Board economist, Ataman Ozyildirim. “Consumer pessimism and equity market volatility as well as slowing labor markets, housing construction, and manufacturing new orders suggest that economic weakness will intensify and spread more broadly throughout the US economy.” 

The Conference Board projects the US economy will not expand in the third quarter and could tip into a short, mild recession by the end of 2022 or early 2023.  

Long-term investors must always strive to deploy assets fully mindful that the timing of the next stock market decline or surge is virtually impossible to predict. However, predicting that the U.S. will grow once more after the current turbulence subsides is easier to forecast, partly because the U.S. has a history of recovering from recessions. If you are investing for retirement or to build a legacy, these long-term economic fundamentals should drive your investment strategy. 

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If the Federal Reserve raises lending rates by +75 basis-points on September 28, as it previously indicated it would, then the yield curve will be inverted. That means 90-day Treasury Bills would yield more than 10-year Treasury Bonds. Inverted yield curves, in modern history, consistently have been followed within months by a recession and bear market. 

Uncertainty about inflation and Fed tightening may continue to eat into the month-long gains that preceded this week’s loss, until the next Fed policy meeting September 20-21. This bear market may not be over.  

The Standard & Poor’s 500 stock index closed this Friday at 4,228.48. The index lost -1.3% from Thursday and is down -1.2% from last week. The index is up +61.6% from the March 23, 2020, bear market low and down -12.6% from the January 3rd all-time high. 

​The Standard & Poor's 500 (S&P 500) is an unmanaged group of securities considered to be representative of the stock market in general. It is a market-value weighted index with each stock's weight proportionate to its market value. Index returns do not include fees or expenses. Investing involves risk, including the loss of principal, and past performance is no guarantee of future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. 


Nothing contained herein is to be considered a solicitation, research material, an investment recommendation, or advice of any kind, and it is subject to change without notice. Any investments or strategies referenced herein do not take into account the investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any specific person. Product suitability must be independently determined for each individual investor. Tax advice always depends on your particular personal situation and preferences. You should consult the appropriate financial professional regarding your specific circumstances. The material represents an assessment of financial, economic and tax law at a specific point in time and is not intended to be a forecast of future events or a guarantee of future results. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. Actual results, performance, or achievements may differ materially from those expressed or implied. Information is based on data gathered from what we believe are reliable sources. It is not guaranteed as to accuracy, does not purport to be complete, and is not intended to be used as a primary basis for investment decisions. This article was written by a professional financial journalist for Advisor Products and is not intended as legal or investment advice.

This article was written by a professional financial journalist for Advisor Products and is not intended as legal or investment advice.

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