Schaeffer's Top Stock Picks for '25

U.S. Markets Suffered Sharp String of Losses This Week

None of the major indexes managed to secure a win all week

Deputy Editor
Jan 21, 2022 at 1:10 PM
facebook X logo linkedin


It was a tough holiday-shortened week for the U.S. markets, as rising Treasury yields weighed on sentiment. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) closed Tuesday with a staggering 543-point drop, while the S&P 500 (SPX) and Nasdaq (IXIC) fell as well. The next two days were much of the same, with the Dow securing its fifth-straight triple-digit loss on Thursday, and the other two benchmarks marking their third-straight losses. At this point on Friday, all three benchmarks are lower, and headed for their worst weekly losses since 2020, as Netflix (NFLX) earnings disappoint.

Bank Earnings in Focus

Several bank names reported earnings this week. Goldman Sachs' fourth-quarter earnings miss dragged the Dow on Tuesday morning, sending other bank stocks lower as well, including Bank of America (BAC), ahead of its own report. The following day, Morgan Stanley (MS) entered the spotlight, after the company reported better-than-expected earnings due to its recent flood of mergers and acquisitions. Meanwhile, smaller financial stock Regions Financial (RF) was rattled by its earnings miss. 

News Story of the Week

On Tuesday, word came that blue-chip name Microsoft (MSFT) is acquiring Activision Blizzard (ATVI) for $68.7 billion in cash, or $95 per share, which was a 45% premium to ATVI's Friday close. This is the biggest deal in the video game sector's history, and provided headwinds for Sony Group (SONY). Meanwhile, According to a column in the Financial Times, Electronic Arts (EA) could be the next gaming stock to watch. 

Blue-Chip Earnings Next Week

As the first month of 2022 comes to a close, there will be a flood of economic data to unpack. Plus, there will be plenty of blue-chip earnings to look forward to as, 3M (MMM), American Express (AXP), Apple (AAPL), Boeing (BA), IBM (IBM), Intel (INTC), Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), and McDonald's (MCD) are all set to release their quarterly reports. In the meantime, Schaeffer's Senior Quantitative Analyst Rocky White explains the American Association of Individual Investors (AAII) survey, after it sounded a bearish alarm

 
 

You have the chance to join one of Bernie's most exclusive programs, complete access at HUGE savings!

As we prepare for a new administration to take the reins in Washington, the near-term market landscape is rife with uncertainty.

The Federal Reserve has already hinted at the turbulence ahead, lowering its interest rate outlook for 2025.

Meanwhile, breakthroughs in artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and other transformative sectors have unlocked incredible profit potential.

But these opportunities are fleeting, and timing is everything. That's where Quick-Hit Trader comes in.

Quick-Hit Trader is designed for precision and speed, getting you in and out of the market in a flash. While other investors scramble to navigate volatile conditions, you'll have access to expertly curated trades that leverage these rapid shifts to deliver explosive profits in short order.

This is your chance to capitalize on the fast-moving market like never before. Are you ready to make your move?