Weekly Market Comment

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• Publié par: Eslau
• Nombre de lectures: 11
• Langue: English

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September 19, 2011

The Week Gary Thayer, Chief Macro Strategist Sentiment improves as policymakers address problems The U.S. stock market rallied last week as concerns about the European debt crisis eased slightly. European debt problems remain a longterm threat to the global economy but at least for now, central bankers have agreed to ease a dollar shortage. This reduces the risk of a nearterm liquidity crisis. A week ago investor sentiment was very negative.The Europeans have been trying to address At the beginning of last week, the U.S. stockGreece’s debt burdens for several years. The goal market was testing the early August lows whilehas been to work through the problems over time. several European stock markets were making newHowever, when investors fear that the problems 2011 lows. This stock market weakness showedare getting more severe, a liquidity crisis can that investors were reducing risks by decreasing develop on top of the longterm funding problems. exposure to European debt problems.Of course, a liquidity crisis can aggravate the long Unfortunately, reducing investments in Europeterm problems, reducing the chances of working reduces the supply of dollars to European financialthrough those problems. institutions. This drop in funding could have created a liquidity crisis if policymakers had notFor example, as investors reduce their exposure to acted. The good news is policymakers recognizedEuropean debt problems, firms that are dependent the increasing risk of a liquidity crisis and movedon investments from foreign investors need to find to diffuse it. As the week progressed, sentimentother sources of funding. If a gradual rebalancing improved and the stock markets rallied again.of investments away from risk turns into a wave of  liquidations,then European financial institutions The weakness in the stock market during the pastmay not have enough liquidity to meet the demand three months shows that many investors continuefor funds. In order to prevent a liquidity shortage, to worry about another financial crisis. In 2008,central banks in Europe and the United States, defaults on housing loans created losses for U.S.pledged late last week to provide dollar loans to financial institutions. Today, investors’ concernsoffset the reduced funding from investors trying to are focused on European debt problems, especiallyreduce exposure to European problems. Greek debt.The 2008 experience showed that there can be two parts to a financial crisis. The firstThis pledge to provide dollars does not resolve the part is the longterm solvency problem created bylongterm European debt problems, but it does highdebt levels and the potential losses on loans.reduce the risk of the longterm problems The second is the potential for a neartermcascading into an immediate crisis when U.S. liquidity problem created by investors trying toinvestors are reducing exposure to European avoid the longerterm problems.financial institutions.

Please see page 3 of this report for Important Disclaimers

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The Week

September 19, 2011

source: HaverAnal ticsWellsFar o Past performance is not a guarantee of future results This week’s chart looks at the S&P 500 during thethe ECB to cut interest rates at its next policy past few years. The recovery in the U.S. stock meeting in early October. Moreover, the Federal market during the past week is an encouragingReserve could provide more support to the U.S. sign that markets are stabilizing after the shock toeconomy by extending the maturity of the confidence this summer. In addition, the upturn insecurities that it holds in its portfolio. This decision the stock market this past week suggests that thecould come on Wednesday of this week. fear of a financial crisis and recession has decreased as policymakers offset the neartermIn summary, it is too early to declare that the funding shortages.downturn in the stock market this summer is  behindus. However, the reversal in sentiment this In addition to providing increased dollar funding,past week suggests that investors are slightly less the European Central Bank (ECB) has indicatedworried about a financial crisis because central that inflationary pressures are decreasing asbanks are taking action to address the European economic activity slows. This opens the door forfunding problems and the slowdown in the global economy.

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The Week

September 19, 2011

Important Information, Risk Factors and Disclaimers: Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. The S&P 500 Index consists of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation. It is a market value weighted index with each stock's weight in the Index proportionate to its market value. An index is not managed and is unavailable for direct investment. Investing in foreign securities presents certain unique risks not associated with domestic investments, such as currency fluctuation and political and economic changes.This may result in greater price volatility. Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name for certain broker/dealer affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company; other broker/dealer affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company may have differing opinions than those expressed in this report. Contact your Financial Advisor if you would like copies of additional reports.

Investment and Insurance Products:NOT FDIC InsuredNO Bank GuaranteeMAY Lose Value Information provided in this report is for educational and illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as individualized investment advice. The investment or strategy discussed may not be suitable for all investors. Investors must make their own decisions based on their specific investment objectives and financial circumstances. The Standard & Poor’s indexes are unmanaged, weighted indexes of stocks providing a broad indicator of price movement. Individual investors cannot directly purchase an index. Wells Fargo Advisors is the trade name used by two separate registered brokerdealers: Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, and Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC, Members SIPC, nonbank affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company.First Clearing, LLC Member SIPC is a registered broker dealer and nonbank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. ©2011 Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC. All rights reserved.09113054 Page 3 of 3