Did you know the S&P 500 did really well in the first quarter of 2024? It gained over 10%1. This shows the stock market is strong and positive for investors. The Nasdaq and the Dow Jones also gained, showing a good trend for all1.
The S&P 500 hit new all-time highs and closed at 5,321.41 for the quarter. This shows the market is doing very well and might keep growing. Investors are watching the S&P 500 closely to see how their own investments are doing1. They like to use dividend growth strategies and index funds to follow the S&P 500’s good results1.
In the first quarter, the Information Technology sector did best. It made a lot of profits1. Other sectors like Communications, Energy, Financials, and Industrials also did well, gaining between 10% and 15%1. But the Real Estate sector lost a little1.
Over 60% of stocks are trading above their moving averages, showing strong confidence1. Recent surveys also show people think the market will keep going up for the next six months1. Also, 52-week high data from the week ending 12/20/2023 supports that most investors feel positive1.
The market is doing well overall, especially the S&P 500. Most sectors are strong, and people have trust in the market’s growth. There’s optimism for a positive economy trend without a recession23. This is a good time for investors to look for opportunities and grow their money1.
This quarter’s S&P 500 performance is a good sign for the stock market. It’s important for investors to follow key indicators and analysis. This information can guide their decisions and lead to success123.
Key Highlights of the S&P 500 Performance
The S&P 500 Index had a great month in May. It went up by 4.80%. By the end of May, it had gained 10.64% for the year4.
The Dow Jones did well too, but not as much. It grew by 2.30% in May. Its total growth for the year was 2.64%5.
For May, the S&P MidCap 400 rose by 4.26%. Now it has gone up by 7.24% for the year5. The S&P SmallCap 600 did even better. It gained 4.87% in May, but this year, it’s only up by 0.86%5.
The best sector in May was Information Technology. It grew by a big 9.95%. Unfortunately, the Energy sector went down by 0.97%5.
At the end of May, the S&P 500 hit a new high. It closed at 5,321.41. This shows that people are feeling good about the stock market5.
The Federal Reserve’s choices and key economy signs were important too. Things like inflation and job growth affected the market in May5.
Sector Analysis and Market Breadth
The S&P 500 Quarterly review tracks different sector performances. In Q2, sectors like consumer discretionary and health care saw small increases. But, industrials, materials, and energy faced challenges. This6 performance shift put more emphasis on info tech, communication, and utilities. AI and chip stocks are doing well, and the Magnificent Seven are making slow gains. Q2’s earnings will heavily impact the US stock market.
The market breadth, or how many S&P 500 stocks are above their 200-day moving averages, dropped a bit. Even though overall market performance is good, individual stocks are consolidating. The S&P 500 might find support at 5,260, according to daily chart data.
It’s key to look at how sectors have been doing when planning investments. In May, IT did the best, jumping 9.95%. Energy was the only sector to dip, showing a decrease of 0.97%. This7 breakdown helps investors see where they might find opportunities or risks.
Stock buybacks are still a big deal in the market. In Q1, $237 billion was spent on buybacks. The top 20 S&P 500 companies made up more than half of that spending. Goldman Sachs sees this number climbing to $925 billion in 2021 and over $1 trillion by 2025. This8 points out how buybacks shape market directions and influence how investors feel.
Source Links
- Q1 2024 PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW – Spartan Capital Securities – https://spartancapital.com/q1-2024-performance-overview/
- Q1 2024 Market Review and Update – https://orw-d.com/blogs/insights/q1-2024-market-review-and-update
- Preview – https://www.mycenturybank.com/assets/files/eOOskoc8/Quarterly_Market_Insight.pdf
- S&P 500 Index: What It’s for and Why It’s Important in Investing – https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/sp500.asp
- S&P 500 today: SPX is up 15.08% YTD – https://www.usatoday.com/money/blueprint/investing/s-and-p-500-today-06-25-2024/
- Taking Stock: S&P 500 Quarterly Performance and Market Breadth Observations – https://www.dailyfx.com/news/taking-stock-s-p-500-quarterly-performance-and-market-breadth-observations-20240624.html
- U.S. Equities Market Attributes May 2024 – Commentary | S&P Dow Jones Indices – https://www.spglobal.com/spdji/en/commentary/article/us-equities-market-attributes/
- Buybacks Are Back – RIA – https://realinvestmentadvice.com/buybacks-are-back/
