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John Hancock: Weekly Market Recap Week Ended May 2

May 6, 2025

Resilient labor market

U.S. stock indexes rose on Friday after an employment report exceeded most economists’ expectations for the second month in a row. The economy generated 177,000 new jobs in April, above consensus expectations for around 130,000. The unemployment rate held steady at 4.2%.

 

Another upgrade

Nearly three-quarters of the way through earnings season, the latest batch of reports prompted analysts to lift their overall expectations again. As of Friday, first-quarter earnings for S&P 500 companies were expected to rise an average of 12.8%, based on reports already released and forecasts for companies that haven’t yet reported, according to FactSet. Two weeks earlier, the projected earnings growth rate was 7.0%.

 

Maintaining momentum

The major U.S. indexes posted weekly gains of around 3% as stocks extended the previous week’s positive trend. For the S&P 500, Friday’s gain marked the ninth positive day in a row―that index’s longest such streak since November 2004.

 

Fed ahead

It’s widely expected that the U.S. Federal Reserve will keep interest rates unchanged again when it concludes a two-day meeting on Wednesday. However, rate cuts could still be coming; Friday’s prices in interest rate futures markets implied that most investors were expecting at least three quarter-point rate cuts by year end, according to CME Group’s FedWatch tool.

 

SOURCE: https://www.jhinvestments.com/weekly-market-recap#market-moving-news

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RISK: There are risks involved with investing, including loss of principal. Current and future portfolio holdings are subject to risks as well. Diversification may not protect against market risk. There is no assurance the goals of the strategies discussed will be met. International investments may involve risk of capital loss from unfavorable fluctuation in currency values, from difference in generally accepted accounting in principles or from economic or political instability in other nations. Emerging markets involve heightened risks related to the same factors as well as increased volatility and lower trading volume. Bonds and bond funds will decrease in value as interest rates rise. These and other risks are described more fully in the fund’s prospectus. CREDIT RISK: The issuer of a fixed income security may not be able to make interest and principal payments when due. The lower the credit rating of a security, the greater the risk of default on its obligation.

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