Weekly Market Commentary

All data is for the week ended June 26, 2021
 

Stocks

All major stock indices were in positive territory last week.  In the US, the S&P 500 was up 2.76% and the Dow Jones Industrial Index was up 3.44%.  The overseas markets were positive as well, with international developed (MSCI EAFE) up 1.51% and emerging markets up 1.42%.1 
 

Fixed Income

The 10-year US treasury rate rose 9 basis points in the last week, closing at 1.54%.  As a result, bond prices were slightly lower for the week with the US aggregate bond index down 0.41%.2,1
 

Commodities

Oil prices continued the recent strong rally with WTI crude closing the week at $74.05.  Oil prices are now up over 50% year to date as demand for energy has recovered.  Oil prices are now back to levels last seen in October 20183
 

Economic Data

The US Federal Reserve released the results for the annual stress tests of the 23 largest banks in the US.  As expected, all banks were “well above” minimum capital required levels during a hypothetical economic downturn.  As a result of passage, several of these large institutions will be able to increase dividends or conduct additional share repurchases.4
 

Company News5
 

Darden (DRI), a G50 holding, rose 10.8% after reporting earnings that exceeded expectations.  Total sales increased over 79% year over year as Darden begins to compare against COVID shutdown results in 2020.6
 

Splunk (SPLK), a G33 and Contrarian Choice holding, rose 9.41% after releasing information that Silver Lake Partners, a global leader in technology investing, will make a $1 billion investment to support the continued transformation of the business.7
 

Did you know…

The world’s smallest reptile was first reported in 2021.  A tiny chameleon discovered in northern Madagascar measured just 28.9 millimeters, according to the January 2021 issue of Scientific Reports. 
 

Mariann Montagne, CFA

Portfolio Manager
 

Sources:

JPMorgan Weekly Market Recap 6.28.21

US Treasury

Stockcharts.com

CNBC 6.24.21

5 All weekly changes in company stock prices: Stockcharts.com

Darden Press Release 6.24.21

Splunk Press Release 6.22.21

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