2017 Barron’s “The Trader” Columns and WSJ Stock Market Data
Nov 25
Market Notches New Highs—and Inspires New Fears
A deficit-boosting tax-reform package could be a catalyst for higher bond yields—which could result in a correction.
S&P 500: 2602.42
Nov 18
The Market’s Journey: Don’t Stop Believing
The S&P 500 has now gone 62 weeks without a drop of 2% or more, the longest such streak since 1965.
S&P 500: 2578.85
Nov 11
The Week the Market Disappointed Everyone
The bulls were frustrated, while the bears saw their best chance for a correction dashed. And then there’s tax reform.
S&P 500: 2582.30
Nov 4
New Highs for This Momentum-Powered Market
This year’s top-performing stocks are stretched relative to the broad market. How long can it last?
S&P 500: 2587.84
Oct 28
Stocks Surge to Highs as Tech Roars Again
The tech titans have lagged the market. But last week they returned to life, suggesting they’ll be part of the mix through year end.
S&P 500: 2581.07
Oct 21
Dow 23,000: One Slow Grind Upward
For investors, there’s little evidence to suggest that dips in the market shouldn’t be bought.
S&P 500: 2575.21
Oct 14
Tech Stocks Push S&P 500 Higher
In a relatively quiet week, tech stocks still manage to rise 1.32%, pushing the index into the black.
S&P 500: 2553.17
Oct 6
Stocks Hit New Highs, as the Bull Trots Steadily On
After another week of gains, investors aren’t getting out of this market soon. Just ahead, a record for consecutive days without a 5% selloff.
S&P 500: 2549.33
Sep 30
The Dow Notches a Strong September
The DJIA just misses a record high, but finishes the traditionally bumpy month up 2.08%.
S&P 500: 2519.36
Sep 25
U.S. stocks traded in such a narrow range last week they appeared to barely move at all. But some shares reacted to more eventful headlines.
S&P 500: 2502.22
Sep 16
Dow Hits Record Highs Four Days in a Row
September historically has been a rough month for stocks, and investors had been getting more defensive. They missed last week’s rally.
S&P 500: 2,500.23
Sep 9
Even Hurricanes Can’t Kill Off This Rally
The S&P 500, down 0.6%, still sits near its all-time high. What will it take to trigger a correction?
S&P 500: 2461.43
Sep 2
Stocks Rally as Harvey Cuts Washington Risk
The deadly hurricane makes government shutdown and a debt-ceiling battle less likely. Why Papa John’s won’t rise and DaVita will fall.
S&P 500: 2476.55
Aug 26
Stocks Rally on Renewed Talk of Tax Reform
Markets swoon on fears of a government shutdown, then revive on hopes of tax cuts and deregulation. How much damage would a shutdown wreak?
S&P 500: 2443.05
Aug 19
Stocks Stagger Again on Continuing Political Turmoil
President Trump’s statements after Charlottesville spook the markets. Still, there are few signs of a recession in the wings.
S&P 500: 2425.55
Aug 11
Stocks Fall 1.4% on North Korea Fears
The Dow Industrials suffer their biggest weekly setback since March on geopolitical worries. But geopolitics doesn’t cause recessions, or bear markets.
S&P 500: 2438.21
Aug 5
Dow Rises 1.2% to Top 22,000. So What?
The price-weighted Dow Jones Industrial Average rallies on, but other indexes tread water in a more accurate reflection of investors’ mood.
S&P 500: 2476.83
Jul 29
Boeing, Caterpillar Lift Dow to Record High
Stocks edge higher—despite worries that a correction may be just around the corner.
S&P 500: 2472.10
Jul 22
Stocks Rise on Earnings News; Nasdaq Up 1.2%
Investors focus on strong earnings gains, ignore D.C. Follies. Falling dollar helps, boosting profits 1% for every 2% decline in the buck.
S&P 500: 2472.54
Jul 15
Dovish Yellen Spurs Markets to Soar
The market believes that the probability of an interest-rate hike has lessened, says one analyst, with December the earliest date expected.
S&P 500: 2459.27
Jul 8
Stocks Gain Despite Talk of Easy Money Ending
The Fed and ECB talk up an end of stimulus. That puts the onus on corporate earnings to keep the bull market going.
S&P 500: 2425.18
Jul 1
A Game-Changing Week for Markets Sees Nasdaq Fall 2%
The Nasdaq slides 2% on indications that the world is moving away from the easy money that helped propel this eight-year bull market.
S&P 500: 2423.41
Jun 24
Nasdaq Rises 1.8% as Sector Shifts Lift Stocks
Health care and tech were the week’s big winners, while energy headed south. Biotech lifts off. Why Whirlpool looks cheap.
S&P 500: 2438.30
Jun 17
Stocks Mostly Edge Forward on Muddled Data
Industrials and utilities rose and tech continued to fall in a strange week of mostly disappointing economic data—and an interest rate hike.
S&P 500: 2433.15
Jun 10
Tech Wreck Sends Nasdaq Down 1.8%
Investors dumped tech stocks like yesterday’s trash. Oh, and blue chips hit a record high.
S&P 500: 2431.77
Jun 5
Inside the Market’s Magical Mystery Rally
Stocks still seem to be a reasonable investment. What alternative do investors have?
S&P 500: 2439.07
May 27
What Bad News? Markets Surge Despite It All
The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite both hit record highs, as stocks remain impervious to blaring headlines and disappointing data.
S&P 500: 2415.82
May 20
Strong Profits Help Stocks Rebound From D.C. Woes
New probe into Trump administration shakes Wall Street, but earnings power quick comeback.
S&P 500: 2381.73
May 13
Dow Dips 0.5% as Stocks Shrug Off Scandal
Comey who? The events roiling Washington struck the market as “background noise,” as another yawner of a week was notched.
S&P 500: 2390.90
May 06
Stocks Ignore the Headlines and Hit Highs
Shrugging off shenanigans in Washington, stocks just kept advancing. Even health-care stocks rose after the House repeal of Obamacare.
S&P 500: 2399.29
Apr 29
Profit Gains Lift Dow 1.9; Nasdaq Rises 2.3%
Strong profit reports and rising earnings forecasts are driving stocks higher. McDonald’s, Ingersoll-Rand surprise on the upside.
S&P 500: 2384.20
Apr 22
Despite Worries, Stocks Regain Momentum
Market breaks out of two-week losing streak, driven by a small number of large stocks.
S&P 500: 2348.69
Apr 15
Stocks Slip 1% on Week, as Geopolitical Worries Grow
Investors take cover in safer sectors in a holiday-shortened week after Syria bombing and ahead of French elections.
S&P 500: 2328.95
Apr 8
Stocks Shrug Off Company News, Falling 0.3% on Week
Dow falls seven points, ignoring disappointing car sales, weak payrolls.
S&P 500: 2355.54
Apr 1
Dow Rises 4.6% in Sixth Straight Up Quarter
Trump stocks have faded, but tech shares are on the rise, helping to propel the market averages. Why oil companies are leaving Canada.
S&P 500: 2362.72
Mar 25
Stocks Weather D.C. Chaos; Dow Slips Just 1.5%
Is this the most hated bull market ever? Energy stocks could move higher. Why mall REITs may be the next investor nightmare.
S&P 500: 2343.98
Mar 18
Stocks Sidestep Trouble After Fed Rate Hike
Instead of causing markets to tumble, the Federal Reserve’s rate boost fueled their rise instead.
S&P 500: 2378.25
Mar 11
Major Indexes Suffer Their First Loss in Weeks
Just because the market is overdue for a correction doesn’t mean it will get one, says one strategist.
S&P 500: 2372.60
Mar 4
Another Week, Another Dow Milestone
The major market indexes all rose for the week, after President Trump addressed Congress, and data were strong enough to alleviate fears of a Fed rate hike.
S&P 500: 2383.12
Feb 25
Stocks Squeeze Out Gains, Hitting New Records
With a last-minute dash, the Dow managed to get into winning territory for the week. Strong economic data and doubts about the Fed helped.
S&P 500: 2367.34
Feb 18
Washington Turmoil Can’t Deter New Market Highs
The stock market seems to be responding more to solid economic data and less to the hijinks of the Trump White House.
S&P 500: 2351.16
Feb 11
Trump Talks, Market Listens, Up 0.8% on Week
After meandering, stocks jump when President Trump vows to offer a “phenomenal” tax plan.
S&P 500: 2316.10
Feb 4
Dow Holds On to 20,000—by the Skin of Its Teeth
Trump whipsaws the market, then comes to its rescue. But don’t assume next move is up. Plus, insurers, value stocks, retail woes.
S&P 500: 2297.42
Jan 28
Market Breaks Dow 20,000 and Asks, What’s Next
The Trump election has released animal spirits. But a plethora of questions remain, from protectionism to deregulation to tax policy.
S&P 500: 2294.69
Jan 21
Stocks Fall As Trump Takes Power
Stocks fall on the week as investors try to figure out what comes next. Plus, why Disney is a sale, and bank earnings could jump.
S&P 500: 2271.31
Jan 14
Stocks Grow Weary of the Trump Trade
The Nasdaq was up 1% for the week, though most market measures were flat or down. Expect more volatility as the new administration tries striking deals and the president continues his Twitter campaign.
S&P 500: 2274.64
Jan 7
No Cigar Yet: Dow Stops Short of 20,000
Should we worry that the Dow can’t quite make the magic number? Probably not: Time seems to be on the market’s side. Also, why stock shoppers shouldn’t skip Macy’s.
S&P 500: 2276.98
