Dow Jones Set for a Disastrous Week as Coronavirus Relief Package Hits Roadblock
The Dow and broader U.S. stock market could be headed for another difficult week as President Trump's coronavirus stimulus bill hits a roadblock. | Image: Bryan R. Smith / AFP
- The Dow Jones Industrial Average is set for another poor week as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi expresses dissatisfaction with a key relief package.
- JPMorgan strategist says the lack of an immediate, large-scale stimulus package could cause further capitulation in the market.
- Major institutions like Morgan Stanley and BofA are predicting a 2008-style recession in the first half of 2020.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) closed with a 4.6% drop on Friday despite the Federal Reserve and the Treasury’s willingness to introduce major stimulus. The Dow could be set for another week of under-performance as the massive coronavirus relief package sees an abrupt roadblock.
On Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., House Speaker Nancy Pelosi emphasized she isn’t convinced by the Trump administration’s proposed $2 trillion coronavirus relief package , stating “from my standpoint, we’re apart.”
The package, which White House Economic Advisor Larry Kudlow says is equivalent to 10% of the economic output of the U.S. , was expected to alleviate significant pressure from the markets in the coming days.
JPMorgan: lack of aggressive fiscal policy will hurt stock market
In a note to clients, JPMorgan chief U.S. equity strategist Dubravko Lakos-Bujas said that a failure to implement an aggressive fiscal policy in the immediate term could result in a “broader capitulation of equities.”
The Dow Jones has already broken below the 20,000 level, and there exists little to no technical support between 19,174 and 18,300.
Fiscal policies may not prevent a further downtrend in the Dow Jones, as the selloff has been driven primarily by fear concerning the spread of coronavirus.
Strategists like Chantico Global founder Gina Sanchez said that only a reduction in the number of new coronavirus cases would result in an extended recovery.
But, large stimulus packages could slow down the stock market’s rate of correction as government and health officials ramp up efforts to contain the virus outbreak.
If the stock market is pricing in a seamless introduction of the $2 trillion stimulus package, a delay in implementation could result in increased selling pressure on the Dow Jones.
Earlier this week, President Trump said that Democrats and Republicans are working on a package to combat the negative economic impact the coronavirus pandemic:
“I’ve spoken directly or indirectly to everybody many, many times…I think the Democrats and the Republicans are going to come up with a package that’s going to be really something.”
Financial institutions don’t see a major Dow Jones recovery by 2021
Like Lakos-Bujas, who predicted the S&P 500 to recover to its previous high at around 3,400 by early 2021, major financial institutions are struggling to see a strong rebound in the Dow before year’s end.
Bank of America (BofA) warned that a “collapse” in the U.S. economy in the second quarter of this year is to be expected, explaining that it forecasts the unemployment rate to double in the upcoming months.
Morgan Stanley has said that it sees a 2008-style recession playing out in the first half of the year, based on projected levels of unemployment, low cash buffer of small businesses, and the downtrend of the stock market.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of CCN.com.
