We offer multiple ways to help you evolve your options trading strategy, be more effective with your research and analysis, and better leverage our trading platforms and tools. Choose the way you prefer to learn.

We offer multiple ways to help you evolve your options trading strategy, be more effective with your research and analysis, and better leverage our trading platforms and tools. Choose the way you prefer to learn.

Date: Tuesday, April 7, 2020

To help you navigate through these unusual market conditions, Fidelity's leaders have come together for a webcast series called, Weekly Market Insights: New Developments, What to Consider, and Top Questions Answered. Every Tuesday at 2 p.m., in under 20 minutes, they'll cover the latest market happenings, actions you might consider, and answers to common questions.

Download slides (PDF)

Date: Tuesday, April 7, 2020

To help you navigate through these unusual market conditions, Fidelity's leaders have come together for a webcast series called, Weekly Market Insights: New Developments, What to Consider, and Top Questions Answered. Every Tuesday at 2 p.m., in under 20 minutes, they'll cover the latest market happenings, actions you might consider, and answers to common questions.

Download slides (PDF)

Coming to you from their homes, Fidelity portfolio managers discuss how they are working together, leveraging decades of investment experience, and remaining focused on staying the course to help deliver the best outcome for you.

Technology can fill some of the gaps that many of us are currently experiencing with social distancing and isolation. Thinking about others can help counteract stress and anxiety. Broadening our perspective can not only lead to more rational decisions, but also a more positive outlook. Try to stay positive. Connect with those who bring you joy. Stay active. Better yet, do all 3.

Coming to you from their homes, Fidelity portfolio managers discuss how they are working together, leveraging decades of investment experience, and remaining focused on staying the course to help deliver the best outcome for you.

Bond markets have come under stress as investors have sold bonds to raise cash. The good news: The Federal Reserve has cut interest rates and instituted programs to help ensure the smooth operation of bond markets. Investment-grade bonds issued by corporations are benefitting from the Fed's moves though some issuers could face downgrades if economic activity remains curtailed. Among the hardest hit are likely to be high-yield, some BBB-rated bonds, energy industry bonds, and some municipal issues. Large-cap corporate issuers with credit ratings of BBB and above in the cable/telecommunications, defense, regulated utilites, and consumer staples sectors may now be undervalued.

In general, the bond market is volatile, and fixed income securities carry interest rate risk. (As interest rates rise, bond prices usually fall, and vice versa. This effect is usually more pronounced for longer-term securities). Fixed income securities also carry inflation risk, liquidity risk, call risk and credit and default risks for both issuers and counterparties. Lower-quality fixed income securities involve greater risk of default or price changes due to potential changes in the credit quality of the issuer. Foreign investments involve greater risks than U.S. investments, and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, and economic risks. Any fixed-income security sold or redeemed prior to maturity may be subject to loss.

Coming to you from their homes, Fidelity portfolio managers discuss how they are working together, leveraging decades of investment experience, and remaining focused on staying the course to help deliver the best outcome for you.

To help you navigate through these unusual market conditions, Fidelity's leaders have come together for a webcast series called, Weekly Market Insights: New Developments, What to Consider, and Top Questions Answered. Each week, in under 20 minutes they'll cover the latest market happenings, actions you might consider, and answers to common questions.

Download transcript (PDF) | Download slides (PDF)

We offer multiple ways to help you evolve your options trading strategy, be more effective with your research and analysis, and better leverage our trading platforms and tools. Choose the way you prefer to learn.

To help you navigate through these unusual market conditions, Fidelity's leaders have come together for a webcast series called, Weekly Market Insights: New Developments, What to Consider, and Top Questions Answered. Each week, in under 20 minutes they'll cover the latest market happenings, actions you might consider, and answers to common questions.

Download slides (PDF)

To help you navigate through these unusual market conditions, Fidelity's leaders have come together for a webcast series called, Weekly Market Insights: New Developments, What to Consider, and Top Questions Answered. Each week, in under 20 minutes they'll cover the latest market happenings, actions you might consider, and answers to common questions.

Download slides (PDF)

Coming to you from their homes, Fidelity portfolio managers discuss how they are working together, leveraging decades of investment experience, and remaining focused on staying the course to help deliver the best outcome for you.

First quarter earnings season begins in about a week, and it is likely to be a rough one. The Q1 earnings growth estimate for the S&P 500 Index is now ?6% (down from +1% in February). The dollar and credit spreads came down last week. Inflation expectations may be on the upswing as the Fed works to provide liquidity to the economy. Now that the relief rally has happened in stocks, sellers may come back, putting downward pressure on risk assets again.

COVID-19 and increased market volatility have led to many new questions from our clients. We care about how this is impacting you—and how we can help. We will continue to be here to provide up-to-date information and answers for what's on your mind.

The federal income tax deadline for filing 2019 tax returns has changed from April 15 to July 15, 2020. The deadline for making 2019 IRA and HSA contributions has also been moved to July 15, 2020. Required minimum distributions (RMDs) from some retirement accounts for 2020 have been waived. The 10% early withdrawal penalty will be waived on aggregate distributions of up to $100,000 from certain workplace retirement plans and Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAS) for COVID-19-related purposes. The individual can elect to pay the federal income tax on the distribution over 3 years or has the option to repay the distribution within a 3-year period to an eligible retirement plan. Recent legislation included several provisions aimed at helping student loan borrowers and students who receive financial aid.

Fidelity's Asset Allocation Research Team (AART) believes the US is entering an economic recession. The financial system enters this crisis in a healthier position than during 2008-2009. Still, the continued spread of the virus and the growing scope of the clampdown on public activity suggest it is too soon to forecast the length and magnitude of the contraction. Historically, during recessions, more defensive assets such as high-quality bonds tend to outperform more economically sensitive assets such as stocks. Equities have already adjusted significantly. Despite the turmoil, it remains important to focus on your long-term goals and asset mix.

We offer multiple ways to help you evolve your options trading strategy, be more effective with your research and analysis, and better leverage our trading platforms and tools. Choose the way you prefer to learn.

Jim Armstrong is a marketing director in Fidelity’s Personal Investing division. In this position, he creates educational content for workplace participants to help with retirement planning and other financial wellness topics. Formerly, Jim distinguished himself as an Emmy-winning journalist, spending 17 years as a television reporter for network affiliates around the country.

The big questions are when will the growth rate of new COVID-19 cases peak and will the fiscal and monetary policy response be enough? The significant drop in the stock market has been made significantly worse by the oil price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia, as well as forced deleveraging and a soaring dollar. Earnings estimates for the next few quarters tumbled last week, and will likely fall further in the coming weeks. While further US stock market declines are quite possible or even likely, my technical work suggests that the momentum of this decline may diminish in the weeks ahead.

There are several types of money market funds: government (including US Treasury), prime, and municipal. The Federal Reserve has cut interest rates and instituted programs to help ensure the smooth operation of the short-term credit markets that prime money market funds invest in. Fidelity manages its money market funds conservatively. All Fidelity money market funds have ample liquidity and continue to provide safety and security for our customers.