Monday,
October 23, 2023
Market recap
Dow Jones
33,127.28
-286.89 (-0.86%)
S&P 500
4,224.16
-53.84 (-1.26%)
Nasdaq
12,983.81
-202.37 (-1.53%)
Top Story
Everyone worried thereād be a recession in the U.S. this year. But as Americans keep their wallets open and credit cards handy, strong spending has kept the party going. Hereās what's ahead for Wall Street this week, including Q3 GDP data.
• All the major indices finished the week sharply in the red, with the Nasdaq recording the worst performance. Interest rates will be higher for longer, as Fed Chairman Jerome Powell seemed to reiterate again last week, which weighed on the market.
• American Express topped expectations and announced record quarterly results, carried by strong spending and demand for its high-fee credit cards. However, it increased its provisions for credit losses by 58%, reinforcing concerns about a slowing economy. American Express shares finished 5.3% lower Friday.
• Solar product manufacturer SolarEdge plunged after announcing substantial cancellations and project extensions in Europe, indicating waning demand. The company significantly lowered its Q4 revenue estimates, sending its shares 27% lower. Several other solar stocks fell as well, bringing the Invesco Solar ETF down more than 6%.
• Itās a slow start to a busy week with the Chicago Fed National Activity Index, and earnings reports from Bank of Hawaii and Cleveland-Cliffs.
Student loans are a big responsibility for job starters to take on. This week we will explore three ways to manage your new student loan payment, but today we will focus on deferment. Deferment allows eligible borrowers to postpone payments on federal student loans for a set amount of time.
Who can qualify: There are various reasons why you may be eligible for deferment, including economic hardship, unemployment, military service, certain medical treatments, and a graduate fellowship.
Federal student loan borrowers who are currently enrolled in an eligible school at least half-time usually have their federal student loans automatically placed in in-school deferment. If this isn't happening, you can request it.
How to make the request: Reach out to your student loan servicer to make the request ā this usually involves filling out a form. Be prepared to show proof that you meet the eligibility requirements for the deferment.
Some private lenders also offer deferment, so be sure to inquire about what they offer and eligibility requirements.
Don't forget about interest: Interest doesnāt generally accrue on subsidized federal loans during the set deferment period.
However, it will accrue on an unsubsidized federal loan during the pause.
That means that any unpaid interest accruing during the temporary pause may be added to the principal balance of a loan later on.
Other news that caught our eye
Amazon Pharmacy is testing drone delivery for medication in College Station, Texas. The drone-powered system promises a delivery time of 60 minutes or less.
Costcoās CEO Craig Jelinek plans to step down at the end of this year. Jelinek will be replaced by Ron Vachris, the companyās current president, who started at Costco 40 years ago as a forklift driver.
Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic said he doesnāt believe we should expect any interest rate cuts until late 2024. He added that he believes rates are sufficiently restrictive where they are and no further increases are needed. However, Bostic is not a voting member of the FOMC.
X ā formerly Twitter ā will have two subscription tiers: a cheaper ad-supported tier and a pricier ad-free membership.
CVS has stopped selling decongestants containing only phenylephrine, after a recent FDA review ruled the ingredient is ineffective when taken orally.
Financial planner tip of the day
"A bond is basically loaning someone ā a government, company, or municipality ā money. Bonds can provide a steady stream of income, which includes interest payments and initial investment. However, bonds are riskier than cash. Bond issuers can default, and the yields in the long-term arenāt as high as other investments."
Brian Walsh, CFPĀ® at SoFi