Stocks decline, Treasuries rise as investors continue to shun risk assets
28-May-19 16:20 ET
Dow -237.92 at 25347.77, Nasdaq -29.66 at 7607.32, S&P -23.67 at 2802.39
briefing.com
[BRIEFING.COM] The S&P 500 lost 0.8% on Tuesday, while U.S. Treasuries rallied, as investors continued to show little enthusiasm for risk assets. Tuesday's decline wiped out an early gain for the benchmark index and sent it back near the 2800 level as losses accelerated into the close.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (-0.9%), the Nasdaq Composite (-0.4%), and the Russell 2000 (-0.7%) also gave up early gains and finished near their session lows.
Trade progress remained elusive, while headlines continued to swirl. President Trump said on Monday he expects a deal in the future but said the U.S. is not ready for one at this moment. Investors showed a lack of buying conviction throughout the day, unraveling the rebound attempt and sending stocks lower in a steady, broad-based retreat.
The S&P 500 consumer staples (-1.8%), utilities (-1.6%), and health care (-1.4%) sectors led the market lower. The Dow Jones Transportation Average (-1.3%) was another laggard, as investors remained concerned about a protracted trade war with China. The communication services sector (+0.2%) was the lone sector to finish higher.
Demand for U.S. Treasuries remained strong, sending yields even lower, amid the trade uncertainty and negative disposition in equities. The 2-yr yield declined four basis points to 2.12%, and the 10-yr yield declined six basis points to 2.27% -- eight basis points below the yield on the 3-month bill. The U.S. Dollar Index advanced 0.3% to 97.93. WTI crude rose 0.8% to $59.11/bbl.
Shares of Advanced Micro Devices (AMD 29.03, +2.59, +9.8%), Total System (TSS 118.84, +5.39, +4.8%), and Fiat-Chrysler (FCAU 13.78, +0.93, +7.2%) bucked the broader trend on Tuesday.
AMD impressed investors with its new products. Total System confirmed its $21.5 billion merger of equals with Global Payments (GPN 148.87, -4.57, -3.0%). Fiat-Chrysler proposed a merger with Renault (RNSDF), which will reportedly give its preliminary approval, according to Bloomberg.
Reviewing Tuesday's economic data, which included the Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index for May, the FHFA Housing Price Index for March, and the S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Index for March:
- The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index increased to 134.1 in May (Briefing.com consensus 130.0) from 129.2 in April. The May reading is the highest level for the index since November 2018.
- The key takeaway from the report is that it shows consumer confidence has not been impacted yet by the increased trade tension between the U.S. and China, which includes an escalation in tariff rates on Chinese imports that could ultimately be passed along to the consumer.
- The FHFA Housing Price Index for March increased 0.1% (Briefing.com consensus 0.3%) following a revised increase of 0.4% in February (from 0.3%).
- The S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Index for March increased 2.7% (Briefing.com consensus 2.9%) following a 3.0% increase in February.
Looking ahead, investors will receive the weekly MBA Mortgage Applications Index on Wednesday.
- Nasdaq Composite +14.7% YTD
- S&P 500 +11.8% YTD
- Russell 2000 +11.5% YTD
- Dow Jones Industrial Average +8.7% YTD
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