Transition

January 21, 2025

  A more constructive outlook on inflation gave equity markets a boost last week. For the week, the S&P 500 Index was +2.9%, the Dow Jones Industrials +3.7%, and the NASDAQ +1.2%. The S&P 500 Index was led by the Energy, Financials, and Materials sectors, while the Health Care, Consumer Staples, and Communication Services sectors …

Job Strength

January 13, 2025

  Higher bond yields and a strong December employment report weighed on stocks last week. For the week, the S&P 500 Index was -1.9%, the Dow Jones Industrials -1.8%, and the NASDAQ -2.2%. The only three positive sectors in the S&P 500 Index for the week were the Energy, Health Care, and Materials sectors. The …

And We’re Off!

January 6, 2025

  The equity markets ended the last few days of 2024 on a down note but have shown a positive return so far in 2025. For the week, the S&P 500 Index was -0.5%, the Dow Jones Industrials -0.6%, and the NASDAQ -0.7%. The S&P 500 Index was led by the Energy, Utility, and Real …

Last Call

December 30, 2024

  Equities had a modest advance during the holiday shortened week. For the week, the S&P 500 Index was +0.7%, the Dow Jones Industrials +0.4%, and the NASDAQ +0.9%. The S&P 500 Index was led by the Energy, Health Care, and Communication Services sectors, while the Materials, Consumer Staples, and Industrial sectors lagged. The 10-year …

Evolving

December 23, 2024

  Equities declined last week after the Federal Reserve reduced its outlook for the number of interest rate reductions it plans for 2025. For the week, the S&P 500 Index was -2.0%, the Dow Jones Industrials -2.2%, and the NASDAQ -2.3%. All eleven S&P sectors declined with the Technology, Utility, and Financial sectors declining the …

Fed Finale

December 16, 2024

  The S&P 500 Index fell modestly last week. For the week, the S&P 500 was -0.8%, the Dow Jones Industrials -1.8%, and the NASDAQ +0.8%. The Communication Services, Consumer Discretionary and Technology sectors led the market, while the Materials, Utility and Health Care sectors lagged. The 10-year U.S. Treasury note yield increased to 4.398% …

Fed On Deck

December 9, 2024

  The November rally continued into the first week of December. For the week, the S&P 500 was +1.0%, the Dow Jones Industrials -0.5%, and the NASDAQ +3.3%. The Consumer Discretionary, Communication Services, and Technology sectors led the market, while the Energy, Utility, and Materials sectors lagged. The 10-year U.S. Treasury note yield decreased to …

The Shop is On

December 2, 2024

  The equity markets continued their post-election gains, turning November into the best month of the year. For the week, the S&P 500 was +1.1%, the Dow Jones Industrials +1.4%, and the NASDAQ +0.8%. The Consumer Discretionary, Health Care, and Real Estate sectors led the market, while the Energy, Technology, and Materials sectors lagged. The …

Turkey Trot

November 25, 2024

  The equity markets regained their footing last week. For the week, the S&P 500 was +1.7%, the Dow Jones Industrials +2.0%, and the NASDAQ +1.9%. The Consumer Staples, Materials, and Utility sectors led the market, while the Communication Services, Consumer Discretionary, and Technology sectors lagged. The 10-year U.S. Treasury note yield decreased to 4.418% …

Not in a Hurry

November 18, 2024

  Stocks gave back some of their post-election gains as concerns over the pace of interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve emerged based on comments from Fed Chair Jerome Powell. For the week, the S&P 500 Index was -2.0%, the Dow Jones -1.2%, and the NASDAQ -3.4%. The Financial, Energy, and Utility sectors led …