The Daily Money: Markets react to Election 2024

Good morning! It’s Daniel de Visé with your Daily Money, post-election markets edition.

U.S. stocks staged a post-election rally last week, notching record highs, with the Dow and S&P 500 posting their best weekly performance of the year. The S&P 500 and Dow were both about 4.7% higher for the week, and on track for their best week since November 2023, Medora Lee reports.

As the stock market rose, the bond market fell

As a New York Times writer noted the other day, stock investors are optimists, while bond investors are pessimists.

As stocks roared to record highs in the wake of news of Donald Trump’s election triumph, the bond market sank. On Wednesday, the yield on 10-year Treasury bonds rose to 4.479%, a four-month high. A higher bond yield means a declining bond market: Bond prices fall as yields rise.

While stock traders rejoiced, bond traders voiced unease with Trump’s fiscal plans. 

Does the 60/40 rule have a future?

Here's more on stocks and bonds.

The 60/40 rule is a fundamental tenet of investing. It says you should aim to keep 60% of your holdings in stocks, and 40% in bonds. 

Stocks can yield robust returns, but they are volatile. Bonds serve as a buffer when stock prices fall. 

The 60/40 rule is one of the most familiar principles in personal finance. Yet, not long ago, much of the investment community walked away from it. 

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About The Daily Money

Each weekday, The Daily Money delivers the best consumer and financial news from USA TODAY, breaking down complex events, providing the TLDR version, and explaining how everything from Fed rate changes to bankruptcies impacts you.

Daniel de Visé covers personal finance for USA Today.