Nikada
Momentum is back in the markets, with major indices like the Dow (DJI), S&P 500 (SP500) and Nasdaq (COMP:IND) all just 1% away from their all-time record highs. The bull run is continuing despite concerns that the Fed might hold rates higher for longer, with recent data tilting expectations toward future easing. Among those are higher-than-estimated jobless claims, rising unemployment, and slowing growth that could force the central bank's hand before it falls behind the curve.
Snapshot: It's not all bad news is good news. Results from earnings season have caused the recent rally to grow legs, while the AI frenzy continues to be featured on corporate earnings calls and in daily headlines. In fact, over 80% of S&P 500 companies have already finished reporting, with around 5% growth in Q1 earnings per share, according to FactSet. That's the largest Y/Y increase since Q2 of 2022 and would handily beat most analyst expectations.
What happened to "Sell in May"? As previously mentioned on Wall Street Breakfast, staying fully invested could "prove safer than trying to time the market in any given year." While seasonal patterns do exist and equities could face some increased risk in the summer months, they still tend to go up over the long term despite additional volatility.
SA commentary: Investing Group Leader Lawrence Fuller, who previously flagged the weak track record of the 'Sell in May and go away' adage, is back with a fresh outlook on the rest of the year. "The bears are looking in the rearview mirror today to predict what may happen tomorrow. I think this is a big mistake, as was selling stocks during the pause to refresh in April. This bull market should march on throughout the remainder of 2024."