The major U.S. stock indexes closed lower on Wednesday as the first quarter of 2022 is nearing completion. Inflation, the uncertainty of cease fire talks between Russia and Ukraine, and the rising cost of commodities are impacting the markets. The S&P 500 fell 0.63% to close at 4602.45. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 0.19% to close at 3522.81 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite ticked down 1.21% to close at 14442.27.
Economic Reports
ADP employment report saw a decline in March from 486,000 to 455,000. Economists had estimated an even larger drop down to 450,000.
Real GDP (SAAR) for the fourth quarter was 6.9%.
Real gross domestic income (SAAR) for quarter four was 5.1%, in comparison to 6.4% the previous quarter.
Real corporate profits (SAAR) went down from 8.0% in the third quarter to -4.0% in the fourth quarter.
Markets
The SP 500 is down by 0.63% to close at 4602.45. The index is down 3.28% over five days, up 4.92% over one month, down 3.98% over three months and up 15.85% over one year.
The trailing P/E is 24.78 compared to 44.66 one year ago and estimated future P/E 19.85. Dividend yield is currently 1.39 compared with 1.48 one year ago.
Leading stocks were PSX up 4.76%, VLO up 3.95%, PAYX up 3.29%, MPC up 2.66% and ANTM up 2.33%.
Trailing stocks were PVH down 6.54%, ETSY down 5.85%, MHK down 5.69%, MTB down 5.37% and IPGP down 5.31%.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average went down 0.19% to close at 35228.81. The DOW is up 2.53% over five days, up 3.95% over one month, down 3.45% over three months and up 6.81% over one year.
The trailing P/E is 19.56 compared with 33.48 year ago and an estimated future P/E of 18.14. The current dividend yield is 2.00% compared with 1.81 one year ago.
Leading stocks were UNH up 1.98%, WMT up 1.79%, JNJ up 1.04%, MRK up 1.02% and TRV up 0.95%.
Trailing stocks were HD down 2.91%, CRM down 2.87%, V down 1.83%, INTL down 1.57% and GS down 1.20%.
The NASDAQ composite went down 1.21% and closed at 14442.27. NASDAQ is down 3.73% over five days, up 5.02% over one month, down 8.40% over 3 months and up 9.02% over one year.
Leading stocks were DRCT up 60.47%, HILS up 39.04%, ADGI up 30.39%, MULN up 28.94% and ISIG up 27.28%.
Trailing stocks were AKBA down 66.02%, REVB down 38.32%, CALA down 34.95%, FSRD down 32.44%, and SDIG down 32.00%.
The MidCap SP400 went down by 1.48% to close at 2732.60. The SP400 is up 2.56% for the past 5 days, up 1.98% for the past month, down 4.05% for the past 3 months and up 4.73% over the past year.
Leading stocks were MLKN up 5.09%, MSM up 3.93% and YETI up 3.61%.
Trailing stocks were RH down 13.33%, CNXC down 11.47% and RUN down 8.38%
The SmallCap SP600 is down by 1.84% to close at 1332.35. The SP600 is up 1.55% for the past 5 days, up 0.45% for the past month, down 5.43% for the past 3 months and up 0.99% over the past year.
Leading stocks were AMBC up 10.54%, PBF up 7.76% and TVTY up 5.21%.
Trailing stocks were BBBY down 16.47%, CONN down 10.50% and BIG down 9.57%.
The CBOE VIX is up by 2.28% and closed at 19.33. The VIX is down 17.99% over five days, down 37.12% over one month, up 14.04% over three months and down 0.36% over one year.
On the New York stock exchange 1420 stocks advanced and 1906 declined, while on Nasdaq 1579 advanced and 3132 declined.
There were 120 new 52 week highs and 25 new 52 week lows on NYSE with 78 new highs and 83 new lows on NASDAQ.
The 2 year Treasury note yield is 2.290% and 10 year is 2.336%. The 10-year yield is down 3.7% over five days, up 49.3% over one month, up 82.8% three months ago, and up 66.2% one year ago.
SP500 Sector Performance % Change:
Energy +1.17
Utilities +0.84
Health Care +0.22
Consumer Staples +0.15
Industrials -0.15
Materials -0.33
Communication Services -0.55
Real Estate -0.57
Financials -0.71
Information Technology -1.36
Consumer Discretionary -1.51
Energy has been up 0.50% over five days, up 6.82% over one month, up 39.00% over three months and up 59.55% over one year.
Consumer Discretionary has been up 3.34% over five days, up 6.29% over one month, down 8.01% over three months and up 11.25% over one year.