The Federal Reserved lowered short-term interest rates by 0.25% and equity markets responded with gains. For the week, the S&P 500 Index was +1.2%, the Dow Jones Industrials +1.1%, and the NASDAQ +2.2%. The Communication Services, Technology, and Consumer Discretionary sectors led the S&P 500 Index for the week, while the Consumer Staples, Real …
Here Comes the Fed
Markets were buoyed last week by economic data that could favor a reduction in interest rates at the upcoming Federal Reserve meeting. For the week, the S&P 500 Index was +1.6%, the Dow Jones Industrials +1.0%, and the NASDAQ +1.9%. The Technology, Utility, and Energy sectors led the S&P 500 Index for the week, …
Cool Jobs
For last week, the S&P 500 Index was +0.4%, the Dow Jones Industrials -0.3%, and the NASDAQ +1.0%. The Communication Services, Consumer Discretionary, and Consumer Staples sectors led the S&P 500 Index for the week, while the Energy, Financials, and Utility sectors lagged. The 10-year U.S. Treasury note yield decreased to 4.089% at Friday’s …
Labor Data
The equity markets posted a gain for August. It was the fourth straight monthly gain for the S&P 500 Index and the fifth straight for the NASDAQ. For last week, the S&P 500 Index was -0.1%, the Dow Jones Industrials -0.1%, and the NASDAQ +0.9%. The Energy, Financials, and Communication Services sectors led the …
Dovish Shift
Friday’s speech from Fed Chair Jerome Powell rallied the S&P 500 Index to a gain for the week as expectation for a September interest rate cut rose. For the week, the S&P 500 Index was +0.3%, the Dow Jones Industrials +1.6%, and the NASDAQ -0.9%. The Energy, Real Estate, and Financial sectors led the …
The Iced Tea Leaves
The market bounced back last week on generally upbeat earnings reports across several sectors. For the week, the S&P 500 Index was +2.4%, the Dow Jones Industrials +1.4%, and the NASDAQ +3.7%. The Technology, Consumer Discretionary, and Communication Services sectors led the S&P 500 Index for the week, while the Energy, Health Care, and …
Financial Planning for Retirees
What is Financial Planning? Financial planning is a comprehensive and custom process of managing your money to achieve financial security and to meet financial goals. Strategies are implemented to optimize wealth accumulation and minimize your tax liability while implementing risk mitigation strategies to protect your assets and achieve your financial goals. Financial planning considers: …
Grinding
The enactment of tariffs on countries that have not yet reached a trade deal and a weaker employment report for July sent stocks lower. For the week, the S&P 500 Index was -2.3%, the Dow Jones Industrials -2.9%, and the NASDAQ -2.2%. The Utility, Communication Services, and Consumer Staples sectors led the S&P 500 …
Dog Days
Stocks remained near all-time highs, buoyed by a trade deal announcement with Japan. For the week, the S&P 500 Index was +1.5%, the Dow Jones Industrials +1.3%, and the NASDAQ +0.9%. The Health Care, Materials, and Industrial sectors led the S&P 500 Index for the week, while the Consumer Staples, Technology, and Utility sectors …
Earnings Focus
Stocks remained near all-time highs during the first week of the quarterly earnings reporting period. For the week, the S&P 500 Index was +0.6%, the Dow Jones Industrials -0.1%, and the NASDAQ +1.3%. The Technology, Utility, and Industrial sectors led the S&P 500 Index for the week, while the Energy, Health Care, and Materials …