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 […]

Evolving

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 least […]

Fed Finale

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% at […]

The Shop is On

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 10-year […]

Labor Force

Labor news had an impact on markets last week. The port workers went on strike on Tuesday and then back to work on Friday, and the September labor market report was well above expectations. Stocks labored most of the week before a relief rally on Friday. For the week, the S&P 500 was +0.3%, the […]

Cut Day

Stocks rallied back last week in anticipation of an easing in monetary policy to be announced this week. For the week, the S&P 500 was +4.1%, the Dow was +2.6%, and the NASDAQ was +6.0%. Within the S&P 500 Index, the Technology, Consumer Discretionary, and Communication Services sectors led the market. The Energy, Financial, and […]

Dog Days

The rotation continued last week with small cap stocks outpacing large cap stocks, especially in the technology sector. The Russell 2000 Index was +3.5% for the week, while the Dow was the only positive major average +0.8% and the S&P 500 fell 0.8% and the NASDAQ fell 2.6%. Within the S&P 500 Index, the Utilities, […]

Fundamental Victory

Stocks snapped their three-week losing streak on several strong earnings reports. For the week, the S&P 500 Index was +2.7%, the Dow was +0.7%, and the NASDAQ was +4.0%. Within the S&P 500 Index, the Technology, Consumer Discretionary, and Industrial sectors led the advance, while the Materials, Health Care, and Communication Services sectors trailed. The […]