Stuart Financial Group Blog

Thoughts and insight on the latest retirement topics.

Weekly Update: September 7th, 2026 | Mixed Week for Markets, Mixed Signals from Fed

Stocks were mixed last week as markets continued to navigate geopolitical concerns and new signals about short-term interest rates. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index edged up 0.09 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index rose 0.40 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.27 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets,…

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Weekly Update: August 31, 2026 | Stocks Upbeat on AI; Warsh: “Less is More.”

Stocks rebounded last week as falling bond yields and upbeat AI-related corporate reports rekindled positive market sentiment despite the Fed Chair’s slightly hawkish speech. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index gained 0.49 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index rose 0.85 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.53 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks…

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Weekly Update: August 24, 2026 | Stocks Slip; Attention Shifts to Bonds

Stocks declined last week as global investors fretted about oil-supply-induced inflation. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index declined 1.43 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index slid 2.05 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.85 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, lost 0.40 percent.1,2 Bond Yields Up, Stocks Under Pressure…

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Weekly Update: August 17, 2026 | Inflation Cools Again; S&P Up Third Week

Stocks were mixed over a sleepy summer week, as cooling inflation lifted markets while sluggish retail sales nipped at investor sentiment. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index added 0.36 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index edged up 0.14 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 0.56 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas…

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Weekly Update: August 10, 2026 | Stocks Have Best Week in Four Months

Stocks bolted ahead last week as investors cheered the last big week of Q2 corporate reports and a Friday jobs update that put the spotlight on the Fed’s next move with short-term rates. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index advanced 3.57 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index gained 5.19 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average…

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Weekly Update: August 4, 2026 | Stocks Rally After Fed Hold

Stocks pushed through another volatile summer week as diverging Q2 corporate reports and the Fed’s rate decision whipsawed prices. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 1.05 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index advanced 1.59 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 1.04 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, increased…

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Weekly Update: July 27, 2026 | Earnings Season Arrives; Investors Take a Breath

Stocks ended last week down as Q2 corporate results, Middle East developments, and the chips trade took investors for a choppy ride. The Nasdaq Composite Index was under the most pressure, falling 2.13 percent. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index lost 0.61 percent, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.38 percent. The MSCI EAFE…

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Weekly Update: July 20, 2026 | Inflation Retreats; Chips Stumble

Stocks fell last week as the chip-stock trade entered a selloff phase, despite upbeat news on inflation. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 1.55 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index declined 2.90 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.93 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, lost 0.80 percent.1,2…

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Weekly Update: July 13, 2026 | Chip Rally Lifts the Week

Stocks largely advanced over a V-shaped week as the AI trade, led by chip stocks, pushed the S&P 500 and Nasdaq averages higher amid renewed conflict. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 1.23 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index advanced 1.74 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.50 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index,…

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Weekly Update: July 6, 2026 | Markets Close Quarter Strong, Shrug Off Weak Jobs Report

Markets notched a solid gain over a shortened trading week as investors cheered ongoing diplomatic efforts in the Middle East. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 1.77 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index advanced 2.12 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 1.97 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets,…

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Weekly Update: June 29, 2026 | Tech Steps Back. Banks, Healthcare, and Industrials Step Forward

Stocks ended mixed as falling oil prices helped lift the Dow Industrials, while concerns about AI valuation put pressure on the broader market. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 1.95 percent while the Nasdaq Composite Index skidded 4.60 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.60 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed…

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Weekly Update: June 22, 2026 | U.S.-Iran Agreement Sends Oil Tumbling, Stocks Rising

Stocks rose over the shortened trading week as investors digested developments in the Middle East while the Fed held short-term rates steady. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 0.93 percent through Thursday’s close, while the Nasdaq Composite Index gained 2.43 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 0.71 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks…

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