Stuart Financial Group Blog

Thoughts and insight on the latest retirement topics.

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…

Read More...

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…

Read More...

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…

Read More...

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…

Read More...

Weekly Update: May 18, 2026 | Inflation Bites, But Wall Street Bites Back

Stocks were mixed last week as investors fretted over hot inflation reports, which offset the move in chipmaker stocks. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 0.13 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index edged down 0.08 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.17 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets,…

Read More...

Weekly Update: May 11, 2026 | Stocks Rise with Upbeat News

Stocks rose last week as peace talks picked up while investors cheered better-than-expected economic news and Q1 corporate results.  The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index advanced 2.33 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index rose 4.51 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged up 0.22 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets,…

Read More...

Weekly Update: May 4, 2026 | S&P, Nasdaq Have Best Month in 5 Years

Stocks advanced last week as investors moved past stalled progress in Middle East peace talks and refocused on corporate earnings. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 0.91 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index climbed 1.12 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average moved up 0.55 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock…

Read More...

Weekly Update: April 27, 2026 | Mixed Week After Ceasefire

Stocks were mixed last week as investors gauged potential outcomes of the Middle East conflict amid an ongoing ceasefire. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 0.55 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index advanced 1.50 percent. By contrast, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.44 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock…

Read More...

Weekly Update: April 20, 2026 | Records Fall as S&P 500 Tops 7,100

Stocks rallied last week as investor enthusiasm built for an end to the war in the Middle East and hopes of a resumption of normal global trade.   The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 4.54 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index picked up 6.84 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 3.19 percent. The…

Read More...

Weekly Update: April 13, 2026 | Ceasefire News Cheers Wall Street

Hope won out over fear last week as investors set their sights on a Middle East ceasefire holding and optimistic prospects for the Strait of Hormuz reopening. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 3.56 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index picked up 4.68 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 3.04 percent. The MSCI…

Read More...

Weekly Update: April 6, 2026 | Stocks Rise on Hopes of Middle East Calm

Stocks rose over the short trading week on fresh hopes for a quick end to the Middle East conflict, while March job growth was unexpectedly strong. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index picked up 3.36 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index gained 4.44 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 2.96 percent. The MSCI EAFE…

Read More...

Weekly Update: March 30, 2026 | Wall Street Reacts to Middle East Conflict

Stocks ended a challenging week lower as investors’ attention shifted from updates on ceasefire talks to concerns about the economic impact of a protracted conflict. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index lost 2.12 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index fell 3.23 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 0.90 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which…

Read More...