Stuart Financial Group Blog

Thoughts and insight on the latest retirement topics.

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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Weekly Update: June 15, 2026 | Peace Talks and Moonshot IPO Rescue the Week

Stocks moved higher last week as inflation jitters gave way to investor enthusiasm over Middle East diplomatic efforts and the largest-ever initial public offering (IPO). The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 0.65 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index advanced 0.70 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.66 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which…

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Weekly Update: June 8, 2026 | Markets Stumble, But the Jobs Picture Stays Bright

Stocks slumped last week as investors winced over the potential for oil-shock inflation and concerns that strong jobs data could lead to higher interest rates. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.32 percent, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index dropped 2.59 percent. The Nasdaq Composite Index fell 4.68 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks…

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Weekly Update: June 1, 2026 | Inflation Cools, Stocks Soar, Month Ends Strong

The post-Memorial Day holiday trading week was short but potent as stocks delivered more record gains while confidence grew that a peace deal would materialize. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index advanced 1.43 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index gained 2.39 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 0.90 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which…

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Weekly Update: May 25, 2026 | Markets Shrug Off Chip Worries, Finish Strong

Stocks bounced back last week as enthusiasm for the AI trade continued and rumors of a Middle East peace agreement bolstered investor optimism. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index advanced 0.88 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index edged ahead 0.45 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 2.13 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks…

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