Good morning from beautiful Carlsbad, California! It’s Monday, April 28, 2025, and I’m excited to bring you this week’s market update.
Today, the markets are starting off relatively flat. The Nasdaq has slipped slightly, while the S&P 500 is up just a bit. Interest rates are also down modestly. But make no mistake — this could turn out to be a very important week for markets, with a flood of economic data and earnings reports on the horizon.
What to Watch This Week
Tuesday: Consumer Confidence and JOLTS Report
The week kicks off with Consumer Confidence data and the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS), released at 7:00 AM Pacific (10:00 AM Eastern). These reports offer insight into the mindset of consumers and the strength of the labor market. They’re important — but not the main event.
Wednesday: Major Data Drops
Wednesday will bring some of the week’s most significant numbers:
ADP Employment Report — a preview of the private sector job market.
Personal Income figures — showing how much money Americans are earning.
PCE Index (Personal Consumption Expenditures) — a major inflation measure watched closely by the Federal Reserve.
Expectations: PCE is forecast to be up 2.2% year-over-year but flat month-over-month, a sign that inflation might be stabilizing.
First Quarter GDP Estimate — Analysts expect the economy to have grown by 0.4% during the first quarter, a slowdown from late 2024 but still in positive territory.
Thursday: Construction Spending and Auto Sales
We'll also get updates on construction activity and the pace of auto sales — both valuable indicators of economic health.
Friday: The Big Jobs Report
The week closes with the highly anticipated Nonfarm Payrolls Report:
Forecast: 130,000 new jobs added in April.
Unemployment Rate: Expected at 4.2%.
This report could heavily influence market sentiment heading into May.
Tech Earnings Could Move Markets
Adding to the drama, several major tech companies are scheduled to report earnings this week. Their commentary on the state of the economy — and business outlooks — could impact markets as much as the economic data itself.
No Predictions — Just Careful Watching
With so much important information being released, I won’t be making any bold market predictions this week. It's a time to stay flexible, pay close attention, and look for clues about where the economy and markets may be headed.
Special Announcement: Reporting from the NYSE!
This Friday, I’ll be sharing a special report from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange! I’m excited for the opportunity and will update you directly from Wall Street — stay tuned for my Friday report.
The weather looks promising in New York, so it should be a great experience.
We're Here to Help
If you’d like to review your financial strategy, discuss market developments, or simply catch up, feel free to reach out. We’re always happy to help you plan for the future or review your current approach.
📞 Call: (760) 310-1029
📧 Email: John@MarketCapitalManagement.com
Wishing you a wonderful spring week in Carlsbad — let’s hope for good news ahead!