Relief Rally

The equity market saw a welcome relief rally on Friday but closed lower for the week. For the week, the S&P 500 Index was -2.2%, the Dow Jones Industrials -3.0%, and the NASDAQ -2.4%. The S&P 500 Index was led by the Energy, Utility, and Financial sectors, while the Consumer Staples, Consumer Discretionary, and Communication […]

Swings

Uncertainty caused by new policies such as lower government spending and tariffs to shape trade has weighed on the equity markets. For the week, the S&P 500 Index was -3.1%, the Dow Jones Industrials -2.3%, and the NASDAQ -3.2%. All sectors in the S&P 500 Index were lower for the week with the smallest declines […]

Out Like a Lamb

Despite a strong showing on Friday, the S&P 500 Index closed lower for both the week and month. For the week, the S&P 500 Index was -1.0%, the Dow Jones Industrials +1.0%, and the NASDAQ -3.4%. The S&P 500 Index was led by the Financial, Real Estate, and Health Care sectors, while the Technology, Communication […]

Follow the Money

The S&P 500 Index experienced both a new all-time high and its worst down day of the year last week. For the week, the S&P 500 Index was -1.6%, the Dow Jones Industrials -2.5%, and the NASDAQ -2.2%. The S&P 500 Index was led by the Utility, Health Care, and Energy sectors, while the Consumer […]

Information Flow

Equity markets rebounded last week as investors continue to absorb new information on the economy, government spending, and proposed tariffs at rapid speed. For the week, the S&P 500 Index was +1.5%, the Dow Jones Industrials +0.6%, and the NASDAQ +2.5%. The S&P 500 Index was led by the Technology, Communication Services, and Consumer Staples […]

Love in the Time of Tariffs

Mexico and Canada made border security concessions to avoid tariffs going into effect, but more tariff proposals may be looming for other countries. For the week, the S&P 500 Index was -0.2%, the Dow Jones Industrials -0.5%, and the NASDAQ +0.1%. The S&P 500 Index was led by the Consumer Staples, Real Estate, and Energy […]

Trade Offs

Concerns about Chinese AI competition, a Federal Reserve policy meeting, a mix of earnings reports, and news on tariffs led to a volatile week.  For the week, the S&P 500 Index was -1.0%, the Dow Jones Industrials +0.3%, and the NASDAQ -1.2%. The S&P 500 Index was led by the Communication Services, Consumer Staples, and […]

Action

The S&P 500 Index hit a new high last week before closing lower on Friday. For the week, the S&P 500 Index was +1.8%, the Dow Jones Industrials +2.2%, and the NASDAQ +1.6%. The S&P 500 Index was led by the Communication Services, Health Care, and Industrial sectors, while the Energy, Materials, and Consumer Discretionary […]

Transition

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 lagged. […]

Job Strength

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 Real […]