U.S. Stocks Showing Significant Downturn After Seeing Early Strength
Stocks moved mostly higher in early trading on Friday but showed a significant downturn over the course of the session. The major averages pulled back well off their early highs and into negative territory.

After reaching record intraday highs, the Nasdaq slid 126.08 points or 0.7 percent to 17,732.60 and the S&P 500 fell 22.39 points or 0.4 percent to 5,460.48. The narrower Dow posted a more modest loss, edging down 45.20 points or 0.1 percent to 39,118.86.

For the week, the Nasdaq rose by 0.2 percent but the Dow and the S&P 500 both edged down by 0.1 percent. However, the Nasdaq and the S&P 500 posted substantial gains for the first half.

The early strength on Wall Street came following the release of a Commerce Department report showing readings on consumer price inflation in the month of May came in line with economist estimates.

The report said the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index came in unchanged in May after rising by 0.3 percent in April, while the annual rate of growth slowed to 2.6 percent from 2.7 percent.

The core PCE price index, which excludes food and energy prices, inched up by 0.1 percent in May after climbing by an upwardly revised 0.3 percent in April.

The annual rate of growth by core prices also slowed to 2.6 percent in May from 2.8 percent in April, in line with economist estimates.

While the data initially generated renewed optimism about the outlook for interest rates, buying interest waned over the course of the session.

The subsequent pullback by the markets may have reflected a negative reaction to a turnaround by treasury yields, which initially moved lower following the release of the data but subsequently rebounded firmly into positive territory.

Treasury yields advanced as some analysts pointed out that pace of consumer price growth remains well above the Federal Reserve’s 2.0 percent target and suggested the latest data is not likely to convince the central bank to accelerate its plans to lower rates.

“While an improvement from trends earlier this year, the elevated inflation readings in yesterday’s revised GDP data indicate persistent pricing pressures,” said John Lynch, Chief Investment Officer for Comerica Wealth Management.

“The expected number of rate cuts for this year have steadily declined, but traders continue to ignore the Fed’s higher for longer stance,” he added. “Since the fed funds rate remains higher than nominal GDP growth, we believe the Fed will need to cut 1-2 times over the next six months. Any hope for further accommodation, absent recession, is likely misguided.”

Sector News

Despite the pullback by the broader markets, networking stocks continued to see substantial strength on the day, with the NYSE Arca Networking Index surging by 2.4 percent to a four-month closing high.

Infinera (INFN) led the sector higher, spiking by 15.8 percent after the telecom equipment maker agreed to be acquired by Noka (NOK) for $2.3 billion.

Considerable strength also remained visible among banking stocks, as reflected by the 2.3 percent jump by the KBW Bank Index.

Steel, transportation and semiconductor stocks also saw notable strength, while utilities and computer hardware stocks moved to the downside.

Other Markets

In overseas trading, stock markets across the Asia-Pacific region moved mostly higher during trading on Friday, Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index climbed by 0.6 percent, while China’s Shanghai Composite Index advanced by 0.7 percent.

Meanwhile, the major European markets are turning in a mixed performance on the day. While the French CAC 40 Index is down by 0.5 percent, the U.K.’s FTSE 100 Index is up by 0.2 percent and the German DAX Index is up by 0.5 percent.

In the bond market, treasuries came under pressure over the course of the session after seeing initial strength. Subsequently, the yield on the benchmark ten-year note, which moves opposite of its price, climbed 5.5 basis points to 4.343 percent after hitting a low of 4.261 percent.

Looking Ahead

The monthly jobs report is likely to be in the spotlight next week, although remarks by Fed Chair Jerome Powell may also attract attention along with reports on manufacturing and service sector activity.

Nonetheless, overall trading activity may be somewhat subdued due to the Independence Day holiday next Thursday.