Market rotation helps Dow to a 743-point one day gain to close at a record high. Russell 2000 and crypto benefit

Broad market Bull run

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at a record high Tuesday 16th July 2024, rallying 743 points for its biggest one-day increase in more than a year, as the bull run appeared to broaden.

The small cap-focused Russell 2000 also rose for the fifth straight day, rising 3.5% fast closing in on a new record high as the money continues to rotate from tech stocks.

Russell 2000 index one year chart

The Dow Jones finished at 40,954, marking an increase of 1.85% for the day. It has experienced consistent daily gains since the previous week, culminating in an overall rise of over 4% over the past five trading days. The closing value on Tuesday 16th July 2024 represents the largest single-day gain since June 2023.

Dow one year chart as at: 16th July 2024

The market saw an uptick amidst a broader rally, driven by the news that June retail sales exceeded expectations, strong earnings reports to date, and the expectation of a benchmark interest rate reduction by the Federal Reserve in September.

Positive remarks from the Federal Reserve about potential interest rate cuts are bolstering market sentiment. Additionally, the buzz surrounding Trump’s re-election campaign and the recent assassination attempt on Trump at one of his election rallies seem to be influencing market movements as well.

However, Donald Trump reportedly said Taiwan should pay the U.S. for defence, in an interview with Bloomberg Businessweek published on Tuesday 16th July 2024. His comment had a negative impact on chip and tech stocks.

Crypto is enjoying the market rotation as more money is being ploughed back into cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin jumped from a low point in July 2024 of just below $56,000. Altcoins are also enjoying a mini-recovery.

Bitcoin benefitting from markets rotation – one year chart

Gold gains again to hit new record high!

Gold price

Gold prices climbed to $2,482 per ounce, hitting an all-time high. 

Gold prices continued to peak at new record highs Tuesday and Wednesday 15th and 16th July 2024.

On Monday 15th July 2024, Powell reportedly said the Fed won’t wait for inflation to reach the central bank’s 2% target before it begins cutting, due to the ‘lag’ in policy effects. He reportedly said the Fed is looking for ‘greater confidence’ that inflation will return to the 2% level. The monthly inflation rate dipped in June 2024 – the first time in over four years.

The price increase has been aided by encouraging comments from the Federal Reserve that it will now more likely cut interest rates in September 2024 following comments from Fed Chair Jerome Powell.

And that has given market investors and traders more confidence. According to the CME FedWatch tool, traders are convinced the FOMC will cut rates by September 2024.

As interest rates fall, gold usually becomes more appealing compared to fixed-income assets such as bonds and general savings accounts.

One year gold chart to 17th July 2024 (am)