Stuart Financial Group Blog

Thoughts and insight on the latest retirement topics.

Market Update: July 23, 2024: Investors Shift, Anticipating Lower Interest Rates, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights Stocks were under pressure last week as investors appeared to rotate out of mega-cap tech stocks and into areas that may benefit from lower interest rates. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 1.97 percent, while Nasdaq Composite Index declined 3.65 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average bucked the downward trend, up 0.72…

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Market Update: July 16, 2024: Stocks Advance After New Inflation Data, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights Stocks advanced last week as market leadership shifted amid fresh inflation data and quarterly corporate reports starting to roll in. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index advanced 0.87 percent, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average picked up 1.59 percent. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index, which has led all year, rose 0.25 percent. The…

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Market Update: July 9, 2024: Stocks Steady in Short Holiday Trading, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights Stocks steadily advanced over the holiday week thanks to strength in mega-cap tech issues and encouraging jobs data. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 1.95 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index added 3.50 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged up a modest 0.66 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed…

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Market Update: July 2, 2024: Mixed Message From Fed Chair, Governor, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights Stocks finished the last week of June and Q2 mixed as investors digested a fresh round of economic data. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index slipped 0.08%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average also dipped 0.08 percent. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite gained 0.24 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index tracks developed overseas stock markets…

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Market Update: June 25, 2024: Stocks Rise Modestly Over Short Trading Week, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights Stocks edged higher over the four trading days last week, with the three major averages taking turns leading based on various economic and artificial intelligence (AI) news. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.45 percent–its best week since May–while the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index gained 0.61 percent. The Nasdaq Composite, which has…

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Market Update: June 18, 2024: Market Enjoys Gains, Reacting to Major Reports, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights Stocks notched a solid gain last week, driven by the Fed’s decision, May’s inflation report, and Apple’s AI-related news. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 1.58 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite picked up 3.24 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, which has lagged most of the year, slid 0.54 percent. The MSCI…

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Market Update: June 11, 2024: Solid Week Despite Mixed Reports, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights Stocks rose last week despite conflicting stories from economic reports. The Dow Jones Industrial Average inched up 0.29 percent while the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index powered ahead 1.31 percent. The Nasdaq Composite led, picking up 2.38 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index tracks developed overseas stock markets and rose 1.29 percent for the…

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Market Update: June 3, 2024: Stocks Sag on Downbeat Economic Indicators, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights Stocks edged lower in the final week of May as fresh news on economic growth and inflation failed to inspire investors. Source: YCharts.com, June 1, 2024. Weekly performance is measured from Friday, May 24, to Friday, May 31.TR = total return for the index, which includes any dividends as well as any other…

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Market Update: May 28, 2024: AI Rules Big Week for Tech Stocks, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights Last week’s stock performance was mixed, following investors’ reaction to the Fed’s May meeting minutes, while a handful of mega-cap tech companies created a buzz with their news. Source: YCharts.com, May 25, 2024. Weekly performance is measured from Monday, May 20, to Friday, May 24.TR = total return for the index, which includes…

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Market Update: May 21, 2024: Investors Anticipate Fed Rate Change, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights Stocks notched a solid gain last week in a mega-cap, tech-led rally bolstered by positive inflation news. Source: YCharts.com, May 18, 2024. Weekly performance is measured from Monday, May 13, to Friday, May 17.TR = total return for the index, which includes any dividends as well as any other cash distributions during the…

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Market Update: May 13, 2024: Stocks Rise, Anticipating Rate Cut, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights Stocks notched a solid gain last week as rate-cut expectations paced the rally as the Q1 earnings season wound down. Source: YCharts.com, May 11, 2024. Weekly performance is measured from Monday, May 6, to Friday, May 10.ROC 5 = the rate of change in the index for the previous 5 trading days.TR =…

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Market Update: May 7, 2024: Volatility, Uncertainty Rule the Week for Markets, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights Stocks notched a solid gain last week, rallying behind upbeat earnings, a dovish Fed, and mixed economic data. Source: YCharts.com, May 4, 2024. Weekly performance is measured from Monday, April 29, to Friday, May 3.ROC 5 = the rate of change in the index for the previous 5 trading days.TR = total return…

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