FX.co ★ Wall Street Week: Key Events and Forecasts for the Days Ahead

At the end of the day on the New York Stock Exchange, the Dow Jones index increased by 0.34%, reaching a new record level, while the S&P 500 rose by 0.12%. The NASDAQ Composite Index, on the contrary, decreased by 0.07%.

Among the stocks included in the Dow Jones index, Caterpillar Inc (NYSE:CAT) stood out with a gain of 5.65 points (1.61%) to 356.37. JPMorgan Chase & Co (NYSE:JPM) shares rose 2.38 points (1.18%) to end at 204.85. Also worth noting is Boeing Co (NYSE:BA), whose shares rose 2.03 points (1.11%) to close the day at 184.99.

On the other hand, Amgen Inc (NASDAQ:AMGN) shares were down 2.25 points (0.71%) to end the day at 312.47. Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC) rose 0.20 points (0.62%) to close at 31.83, while Verizon Communications Inc (NYSE:VZ) fell 0.20 points (0.50%). ), ending the session at 40.05.

Among the growth leaders among the components of the S&P 500 index are shares of Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO), which rose by 4.82%, reaching 166.14, shares of Freeport-McMoran Copper & Gold Inc (NYSE:FCX), which increased by 4 .25% to 54.25, and Chubb Ltd (NYSE:CB), up 3.60% to 274.43.

Meanwhile, Paramount Global Class B (NASDAQ:PARA) shares fell 4.91% to close at 12.02. Dollar Tree Inc (NASDAQ:DLTR) fell 3.29% to end the day at 117.31, while Lam Research Corp (NASDAQ:LRCX) fell 3.27% to finish at 912.07.

In Friday trading on the NASDAQ Composite stock exchange, shares of Fangdd Network Group Ltd (NASDAQ:DUO) showed significant growth, soaring by 309.76%, reaching a price of 1.68. Also, FLJ Group Ltd (NASDAQ:FLJ) rose 223.59% to finish the day at 1.55, and Jeffs Brands Ltd Unit (NASDAQ:JFBR) rose 109.03% to finish the day at 0. .65.

At the same time, Blue Star Foods Corp (NASDAQ:BSFC) saw a significant decline of 45.19% to close at 0.08. SINTX Technologies Inc (NASDAQ:SINT) shares fell 39.29% to close at 0.09. Heart Test Laboratories Inc Unit (NASDAQ:HSCS) fell 38.37% to close at 6.97.

On the New York Stock Exchange, the number of stocks whose prices increased (1,570) outnumbered the number of stocks that closed lower (1,256), while 85 stocks remained unchanged. On the NASDAQ stock exchange, the situation was less favorable: here shares of 1,790 companies lost value, 1,570 showed growth, and 125 remained at the same level.

Freeport-McMoran Copper & Gold Inc (NYSE:FCX) shares hit a new high, rising 4.25% or 2.21 points to finish the day at 54.25. Chubb Ltd (NYSE:CB) also set a record, rising 3.60% or 9.55 points to close at 274.43.

JPMorgan Chase & Co (NYSE:JPM) shares hit a high, rising 1.18% or 2.38 points to finish at 204.85. While Heart Test Laboratories Inc Unit (NASDAQ:HSCS) shares fell to a record low, losing 38.37% or 4.34 points to end the day at 6.97.

The CBOE Volatility Index, a measure of market expectations based on S&P 500 options trading, fell 3.46% to a three-year low of 11.99.

Gold futures for June delivery rose 1.46%, or 34.85, to $2.00 a troy ounce. WTI crude oil futures prices for June rose 0.95%, or 0.75, to close at $79.98 a barrel. Brent crude futures for July delivery rose 0.80%, or 0.67, to $83.94 a barrel.

On the Forex market, EUR/USD remained virtually unchanged, rising just 0.05% to hit 1.09, while USD/JPY rose 0.20% to hit 155.68.

The U.S. dollar index, which measures its value against a basket of foreign currencies, advanced slightly by 0.02% to close at 104.37.

Historical data indicates that the current recovery in the US stock market, which led to record highs this week, may continue into the future.

A slowdown in economic growth eased inflation concerns in May, spurring the three major US stock market indexes to hit all-time highs. The S&P 500, which lost more than 4% in April, is now up 11% year-to-date.

Market analysts who study historical data note that stocks tend to rise faster after corrections of comparable magnitude, and often continue to rise even after recovering lost ground.

Following this pattern, the current recovery could herald further gains in stock prices. After past 5% declines in the S&P 500, the subsequent average gain has been 17.4%, according to Keith Lerner, co-chief investment officer at Truist Advisory Services. At the close of trading on Friday, the index was already up nearly 7% from its April lows.

Investors are also expressing increased optimism about the economy's prospects for a so-called "soft landing" as well as forecasts for strong corporate profits, which could fuel further gains in stock prices.

Market activity will be tested on Wednesday when Nvidia (NVDA.O), whose shares have jumped on a wave of interest in artificial intelligence, reports its quarterly financial results.

Investors will also focus on durable goods data and consumer sentiment next week, expecting to see further evidence of slowing economic growth that could support the case for interest rate cuts this year.

Sam Stovall, chief investment strategist at CFRA, noted that momentum plays a significant role in determining how different market segments will perform post-recovery. He pointed out that the S&P 500 sectors that led during the market's post-correction recovery outperformed the overall market 68% of the time. Stovall analyzed 35 market advances since 1990.

Stovall's main takeaway is: "After recovering from a correction, it is important to allow your leaders to continue moving higher."

The most recent market recovery was led by the technology (.SPLRCT), utilities (.SPLRCU) and real estate (.SPLRCR) sectors, which posted gains of 11.3%, 10.1% and 7.9%, respectively.

Currently, all 11 S&P 500 sectors are ahead of their 200-day moving averages, said Willie Delwiche, an independent investment strategist and business professor at Lutheran College of Wisconsin.

Delwiche found that when at least nine sectors beat these trend indicators, the average annual return of the S&P 500 index reaches 13.5%.

However, a number of external factors can disrupt this growth. For example, despite recent data pointing to slowing inflation and tepid labor market growth, weak signs of a sustained cooling in the economy could reignite fears of an overheated economy, which could force the Federal Reserve to maintain high interest rates or even raise them.

Despite the positive economic signals, Federal Reserve officials are not yet inclined to change their plans to cut rates, which many investors expect to begin this year.

It's also worth noting that many stocks are highly valued, with the S&P 500 trading at a forward P/E ratio of 20.8, well above the historical average of 15.7, according to LSEG Datastream.

Banking strategists advise focusing on possible short-term sell-offs, given that ultimately the economic context will be decisive. They predict the S&P 500 could rise about 4% to 5,500 over the course of the year.