Markets Finish At Record Highs As S&P 500 Gains 1.87% Over The Week

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Macro Overview

U.S. equity markets surged to record highs on Friday, October 24th, after the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report came in cooler than expected. September inflation rose 3.0% year-over-year, just below the 3.1% consensus, strengthening investor expectations for a Federal Reserve rate cut later this week. The S&P 500 (IVV) finished the day up 0.82%, driven by gains in growth-oriented sectors.

U.S. Size & Style

Large-cap growth stocks led the rally on Friday, with Large Growth (IVW) closing up 1.00%. Performance was strong across the board, as small-caps also posted solid gains; the Small Cap (IJR) rose 0.87%, indicating broad participation in the risk-on move.

Name (Ticker) 1-Day % Change WTD 1 Month 3 Month YTD 1 Year
Large Value (IVE) +0.52% 1.87% 2.53% 5.42% 11.32% 8.01%
Large Cap (IVV) +0.82% 1.92% 2.45% 7.06% 16.67% 18.42%
Large Growth (IVW) +1.00% 1.89% 2.31% 8.40% 21.24% 26.97%
Mid Value (IJJ) +0.35% 2.04% 1.11% 3.35% 5.98% 6.95%
Mid Cap (IJH) +0.56% 2.36% 1.46% 3.77% 6.88% 7.06%
Mid Growth (IJK) +0.76% 2.82% 1.77% 4.38% 7.52% 7.01%
Small Value (IJS) +0.84% 3.64% 2.83% 9.95% 5.53% 8.40%
Small Cap (IJR) +0.87% 3.02% 2.37% 8.26% 6.24% 7.47%
Small Growth (IJT) +0.71% 2.36% 1.91% 6.62% 6.84% 6.29%

U.S. Sectors & Industries

The market rally was led by rate-sensitive sectors, with Technology (XLK) jumping 1.55% and Utilities (XLU) rising 1.17%. The primary laggard was Energy (XLE), which fell 1.01%, alongside defensive sectors like Consumer Staples (XLP) (-0.33%). Standout industries included Telecom and Regional Banking, which both showed significant strength.

Sector (Ticker) 1-Day % Change WTD 1 Month 3 Month YTD 1 Year
Technology (XLK) +1.55% 3.01% 5.42% 12.46% 26.85% 28.95%
Utilities (XLU) +1.17% -0.20% 5.96% 9.13% 23.25% 15.28%
Financial (XLF) +1.08% 1.78% -0.93% 0.41% 11.02% 14.28%
Real Estate (XLRE) +0.35% 1.45% 2.60% 0.43% 7.28% -0.73%
Communication Services (XLC) +0.26% 0.53% -1.60% 6.74% 20.41% 28.97%
Industrials (XLI) +0.08% 2.10% 1.75% 1.35% 18.76% 15.85%
Health Care (XLV) -0.01% 1.93% 7.07% 8.06% 7.55% -0.52%
Consumer Discretionary (XLY) -0.30% 1.38% -0.81% 6.86% 6.62% 19.72%
Consumer Staples (XLP) -0.33% -0.80% 0.73% -2.12% 2.53% -0.64%
Materials (XLB) -0.41% 1.29% 0.03% -2.03% 7.33% -4.00%
Energy (XLE) -1.01% 2.43% -2.51% 1.59% 5.36% 1.34%

Global Thematic

Thematic performance showed a clear risk-on appetite. Crypto and blockchain-related funds dominated the top performers, with CoinShares Bitcoin Mining ETF (WGMI) soaring 10.39%. In contrast, precious metals themes lagged significantly as the risk-on move diminished their appeal, with VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) falling 1.34%.

Developed Markets ex-U.S.

Developed international markets were mixed, with the broad Dev ex-U.S. (EFA) eking out a 0.16% gain. The clear standout was South Korea (EWY), which surged 2.20%. European markets were softer, with France (EWQ) declining 0.35%.

Country (Ticker) 1-Day % Change WTD 1 Month 3 Month YTD 1 Year
Dev ex-U.S. (EFA) +0.16% 0.56% 2.66% 4.60% 27.87% 22.27%
Australia (EWA) -0.04% 0.97% 2.68% 2.26% 15.65% 7.95%
Canada (EWC) +0.51% 1.11% 1.19% 8.24% 27.00% 25.16%
France (EWQ) -0.35% -0.27% 3.92% 3.94% 28.57% 20.93%
Germany (EWG) +0.10% 0.51% 0.85% -2.60% 32.86% 28.62%
Hong Kong (EWH) +0.90% 1.04% 1.57% 2.54% 31.25% 24.68%
Japan (EWJ) +0.34% 0.61% 2.04% 7.77% 23.94% 25.66%
Netherlands (EWN) +0.07% 0.44% 2.86% 9.23% 34.18% 25.76%
South Korea (EWY) +2.20% 3.99% 15.01% 25.56% 80.88% 53.95%
Switzerland (EWL) -0.09% -1.14% 4.79% 3.63% 26.65% 14.63%
U.K. (EWU) +0.42% 1.69% 3.46% 4.93% 28.78% 22.48%

Emerging Markets

Emerging markets showed strength, with the Emerging (EEM) benchmark rising 0.66%. Thailand (THD) was a top performer, gaining 1.95%, while Mexico (EWW) was a notable laggard, dropping 0.98%.

Country (Ticker) 1-Day % Change WTD 1 Month 3 Month YTD 1 Year
Emerging (EEM) +0.66% 1.70% 3.73% 10.95% 33.02% 25.26%
Brazil (EWZ) +0.03% 2.59% -1.84% 12.35% 37.87% 14.49%
China (MCHI) +0.62% 1.90% -0.11% 9.01% 39.01% 33.48%
India (INDA) -0.46% 0.11% 3.36% 0.83% 3.55% -0.90%
Indonesia (EIDO) 0.00% 5.78% 3.51% 2.75% 1.69% -13.83%
Malaysia (EWM) +0.16% -0.04% 1.42% 5.72% 6.95% 5.19%
Mexico (EWW) -0.98% -1.15% -1.65% 7.43% 42.15% 29.60%
South Africa (EZA) +0.39% -0.35% 5.18% 17.57% 57.36% 38.49%
Taiwan (EWT) +1.17% 2.14% 4.58% 11.94% 28.44% 23.45%
Thailand (THD) +1.95% 3.95% 3.18% 8.65% 3.32% -4.72%

Fixed Income

In response to the soft inflation data and firming bets of a Fed rate cut, credit-sensitive assets rallied. Convertible (CWB) bonds jumped 1.29% and Taxable High Yield (HYG) gained 0.27%. The core Taxable Core (AGG) fund rose 0.10% as Treasury yields ticked lower.

Category (Ticker) 1 Day WTD 1 Month 3 Month YTD 1 Year
Taxable Core (AGG) +0.10% 0.18% 1.33% 3.92% 7.48% 6.44%
Taxable Core Enhanced (IUSB) +0.11% 0.17% 1.26% 3.79% 7.50% 6.70%
Taxable Multisector (PYLD) +0.07% 0.41% 0.94% 3.67% 8.60% 9.36%
Taxable Ultrashort (BIL) +0.03% 0.09% 0.33% 1.07% 3.43% 4.34%
Taxable Short-Term (BSV) +0.08% 0.04% 0.65% 2.04% 5.43% 5.65%
Taxable Long Term (BLV) +0.07% 0.44% 2.66% 7.15% 9.32% 5.67%
Government Short (SPTS) +0.03% 0.03% 0.53% 1.69% 4.39% 4.97%
Government Intermediate (SPTI) +0.10% 0.07% 1.00% 3.04% 7.37% 6.33%
Government Long (SPTL) +0.04% 0.29% 2.80% 7.16% 8.31% 3.94%
Inflation Protected (TIP) -0.01% 0.26% 0.81% 2.86% 7.77% 6.20%
Corporate (SPIB) +0.15% 0.21% 0.84% 2.99% 7.49% 7.30%
Taxable High Yield (HYG) +0.27% 0.45% 0.38% 2.27% 7.63% 8.26%
Bank Loans (BKLN) +0.19% 0.58% 0.29% 1.39% 4.99% 6.55%
Preferred Stock (PFF) +0.41% 0.73% -0.22% 3.25% 5.75% 2.24%
Convertible (CWB) +1.29% 0.84% 3.22% 9.28% 20.78% 22.51%
Mortgage Backed (MBS) +0.20% 0.17% 1.32% 4.47% 8.15% 7.31%
International USD (BNDX) -0.14% -0.04% 1.02% 1.96% 3.45% 3.94%
International (IGOV) 0.00% -0.28% 0.21% -0.16% 10.65% 6.02%
Emerging USD (EMB) +0.29% 0.57% 1.24% 5.53% 12.49% 11.58%
Emerging (EMLC) +0.12% 0.04% 0.49% 2.37% 15.67% 11.98%
Municipal Short (SUB) -0.01% -0.25% -0.23% 0.53% 2.78% 3.28%
Municipal Intermediate (MUB) +0.07% 0.17% 1.45% 4.81% 3.43% 3.90%
Municipal Long (MLN) +0.20% 0.14% 2.08% 8.25% 2.12% 3.24%
Municipal High Yield (HYD) 0.00% 0.25% 1.21% 5.70% 1.84% 2.64%

Commodities

Commodities were broadly lower, with Agriculture (DBA) falling 1.23%. Precious metals also pulled back as part of the risk-on rotation, with Gold (GLD) down 0.34%. Energy was relatively flat, with WTI Crude Oil (USO) slipping 0.15%.

Commodity (Ticker) 1-Day % Change WTD 1 Month 3 Month YTD 1 Year
Broad Commodities (DJP) -0.49% 1.53% 3.79% 4.12% 13.49% 12.76%
Energy (DBE) -0.03% 5.99% -1.49% -1.40% 2.80% 5.58%
WTI Crude Oil (USO) -0.15% 7.65% -4.20% -3.82% -3.14% 0.16%
Brent Crude Oil (BNO) +0.20% 6.89% -3.93% -2.23% -0.53% 0.71%
Natural Gas (UNG) +0.31% 9.27% 4.94% -6.42% -22.84% -9.43%
Gasoline (UGA) -0.13% 4.86% -1.42% 4.51% 2.30% 4.33%
Precious Metals (DBP) -0.53% -3.01% 9.80% 21.30% 54.75% 46.68%
Gold (GLD) -0.34% -2.95% 9.96% 21.67% 55.92% 49.34%
Silver (SLV) -0.43% -6.38% 10.47% 23.95% 67.07% 43.34%
Platinum (PPLT) -1.24% 0.03% 8.80% 14.02% 76.11% 55.18%
Palladium (PALL) -1.11% -1.76% 18.07% 15.42% 55.99% 22.52%
Industrial Metals (DBB) +0.42% 3.10% 6.19% 9.31% 14.59% 8.82%
Copper (CPER) +0.57% 2.50% 6.36% -12.66% 25.56% 15.33%
Agriculture (DBA) -1.23% 0.19% -1.15% 1.49% 0.00% 11.58%
Corn (CORN) -0.31% 0.43% -0.59% 0.26% -6.15% -2.95%
Soybeans (SOYB) -0.03% 1.97% 2.74% 1.85% 3.60% 2.55%
Wheat (WEAT) 0.00% 1.48% -1.67% -8.26% -14.73% -21.11%
Sugar (CANE) -1.56% -3.59% -7.92% -13.13% -16.62% -25.66%

Cryptocurrency

Digital assets participated in the risk-on rally, with Ethereum (ETHA) leading the major assets with a 1.78% gain, followed by Bitcoin (IBIT) which rose 0.43%.

Asset (Ticker) 1-Day % Change WTD 1 Month 3 Month YTD 1 Year
Bitcoin (IBIT) +0.43% 3.90% -2.47% -7.14% 18.44% 61.64%
Multi-Coin (NCIQ) +0.75% 3.44% -4.52% -6.54%
Solana (SOLZ) +1.00% 5.91% -10.73% -2.77%
Ethereum (ETHA) +1.78% 2.66% -5.56% 4.69% 17.48% 54.34%

What to Watch Today

Investors are starting the week of October 27th focused on the 8:30 AM ET release of September’s U.S. Durable Goods Orders. The consensus forecast is for a 0.3% rise, a significant slowdown from the 2.9% jump seen in August. The “ex-transportation” number, which is less volatile and often seen as a cleaner gauge of business investment, is also expected to be muted. This report will be weighed against last Friday’s soft inflation data as investors try to anticipate the Federal Reserve’s tone at its policy meeting later this week.

For a deeper dive into the data, access today’s full Daily ETF Data Pack.

This material is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. All investments, including ETFs, involve risk, including the possible loss of principal. Investors should consider their investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses carefully before investing.

This analysis was developed by the team at ETF Action. We leverage advanced AI tools to assist in the drafting and refinement of our content, based on our expert prompts, direction, and final review.