Stock Markets Drop Their Bravado in November

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The DJI, S&P 500, NASDAQ, and TSX have been setting new record highs in each successive month on a regular basis since the early days of the pandemic. Nor did November fail to deliver success on that score once again. In the latest month, new peaks were established by the four major indices.

But towards the end of November, things took a different turn. The upward pressure on interest rates from rapid inflation is one concern that is capturing investors’ attention. Perhaps having even more of a negative impact, however, is the upsurge in coronavirus cases caused by the Delta variant. Plus, there’s the uncertainty over how spreadable and injurious to health will be the Omicron variant.

At the least, the coronavirus is making clear it won’t be easily shoved off the stage or relegated to the chorus. In different iterations, it’s going to keep demanding time in the spotlight. Worry over how this may sideline recovery has made investors wary.

By the end of November, the DJI’s closing value was -5.7% versus its earlier high. The S&P 500 was -3.7%; NASDAQ, -4.2%; and the Toronto Stock Exchange, -5.2%.

More telling, though, has been the month-to-month changes. Table 2 and Graph 4 show results for 14 indices from around the world. Only two of the 14 indices pulled off climbs from October 29th to November 30th, the Shanghai Composite (+0.5%) and NASDAQ (+0.3%).

The index with the worst record month to month in November was Hong Kong’s Hang Seng, -7.5%.

Setting aside the short-term gloom, NASDAQ continues to lead the world in year-over-year gain, at +27.4%, but it’s being closely chased by the iShares emerging markets index, +26.8%, and by the S&P 500, +26.1%.

Next in line for y/y jumps are the Russell 2000, +20.8%, and the TSX, +20.2%.

Up by a fifth, also, is STOXX Europe, +19.3%, although neither the German DAX 30 nor London’s FTSE are doing as well, +13.6% and +12.7% respectively.

Japan’s Nikkei is ahead by a humdrum +5.3% y/y.

Among the 14 international indices, the lone negative percentage change year over year belongs to the Hang Seng, -10.9%.

Importance for Construction

What’s the importance of stock market joy or sadness for construction? For consumers, there are specific surveys to reveal ‘confidence’ levels. For investors, how the stock markets are doing serves as the best gauge of their confidence in the prospects for the business community.

In turn, a good business prognosis directly impacts capital spending on machinery and equipment and, not to be forgotten, structures.

Table 1: Stock exchanges – performances of key indices – November 30, 2021

All 4 indices reached new record highs in November, but then investors' nerves became frayed over rising inflation and the arrival on the scene of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

Sources: New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), Standard and Poor’s (S & P), National Association of
Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ), Toronto Stock Exchange (TSE), and Reuters.
Table: ConstructConnect.

Graph 1: U.S. Stock Markets − November 30, 2021

As of closing Nov. 30, 2021, NASDAQ was +27.4% year over year and +27.2% compared with its 52-week low.

Latest data points are for November 30, 2021.
Red vertical lines denote Feb 2009 major ‘troughs’ for the indices.

Data sources: New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), Standard and Poor’s (S & P), National Association of
Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ), Reuters, & Yahoo.
Chart: ConstructConnect.

Graph 2: Performances of key stock market indices during latest 12 months

NASDAQ and the S&P 500 have been traversing nearly identical paths over the last 6 months. As for the other 2 indices, the TSX has been slightly outperforming the DJI since Sept.

Data sources: New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), Standard and Poor’s (S & P), National Association of
Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ), Toronto Stock Exchange (TSE) and Reuters.
Chart: ConstructConnect.

Graph 3: Performances of key stock market indices since 2008-09 downturn

As of Nov. 30, 2021 closing values, % increases of key stock market indices since their February 2009 major troughs have been: NASDAQ +1,028%; S&P 500 +521%; DJI +388%; & TSX +154%. NASDAQ's 12-year climb has been astonishing! Without question, the U.S. economy gains a tremendous advantage from the strength of its high-tech sector.

Table 2: Key Domestic & International Stock Market Indices – November 30, 2021

NASDAQ led all world markets year over year with a gain of +27.4%.

‘”Ticker symbols” are in brackets. MSCI (formerly Morgan Stanley Capital International) is a leading provider of investment decision support tools, with indices as one specialty. “iShares” is a website that specializes in “exchange-traded funds,” or ETFs, managed by BlackRock Investments LLC.

Data Source: ‘finance.yahoo.com’
Table: ConstructConnect.

Graph 4: Stock Market Performances: U.S. & Canada vs Rest of World
Year over Year as of Month-end Closings, November 30, 2021