Stuart Financial Group Blog

Thoughts and insight on the latest retirement topics.

Market Update: January 2, 2024: S&P Ends 2023 Up 26%, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights Stocks posted a slight gain last week amid a shortage of news and light holiday trading. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.76%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 added 0.49%. The Nasdaq Composite index advanced 0.32% for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, increased 1.13%.1,2,3 Source:…

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Market Update: December 26, 2023: Investors Boost Stocks Ahead of Holiday Week, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights Investor optimism and fears of missing out on future gains propelled stocks higher in the last full week of trading before year-end. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.22%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 gained 0.75%. The Nasdaq Composite index advanced 1.21% for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed…

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Market Update: December 18, 2023: Stocks Rally on Fed, Inflation News, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights Markets reacted positively last week to cooler inflation and the idea of potential rate cuts next year, adding to the gains of the market’s year-end rally. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.92%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 gained 2.50%. The Nasdaq Composite index picked up 2.85% for the week. The MSCI…

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Market Update: December 12, 2023: Stocks Spark Late Week Rally, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights A late-week, two-day rally left stocks higher, adding to November’s gains as the last month of trading for 2023 began. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was flat (+0.01%), while the Standard & Poor’s 500 gained 0.21%. The Nasdaq Composite index advanced 0.69% for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas…

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Market Update: December 5, 2023: Stocks Rise as Bond Yields Fall, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights A Friday rally turned an otherwise mixed week for stocks into a solid performance. The Dow Jones Industrial Average picked up 2.42%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 gained 0.77%. The Nasdaq Composite index rose 0.38% for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, ended marginally higher by…

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Market Update: November 28, 2023: Short Week Strong for Stocks, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights Investor enthusiasm for stocks remained strong last week, buoyed by declining bond yields in a holiday-abbreviated trading week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average picked up 1.27%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 gained 1.00%. The Nasdaq Composite index rose 0.89% for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets,…

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Market Update: November 21, 2023: November Rally Continues, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights Stocks extended their November rally last week as investors cheered lower-than-forecast inflation data. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.94%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 added 2.24%. The Nasdaq Composite index rose 2.37% for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, increased 3.36%.1,2,3 Stocks March Higher A…

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Market Update: November 14, 2023: Stocks Rally Friday; Powell Cautious On Progress, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights A powerful Friday rally left stocks higher last week, extending the market’s early November gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.65%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 advanced 1.31%. The Nasdaq Composite index jumped 2.37% higher for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, edged 0.25% higher.1,2,3…

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Market Update: November 7, 2023: Stocks Rise, Jobs Cool, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights Stocks ripped higher last week on a dramatic retreat in bond yields triggered by easing inflation and a slowing labor market. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 5.07%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 surged 5.85%. The Nasdaq Composite index rocketed 6.61% higher for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed…

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Market Update: October 31, 2023: Stocks Retreat on Cautious Earnings Reports, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights Amid a busy week of corporate earnings reports, stocks slumped on cautious earnings guidance, fears of higher interest rates, and growing anxiety over the increasing amount of Treasury bonds and notes coming to market. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 2.14%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 declined 2.53%. But the Nasdaq Composite…

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Market Update: October 24, 2023: Stocks Retreat Despite Solid Earnings, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights Rising bond yields and uncertainty over whether this was the close of the Fed’s rate-hike cycle dragged markets lower last week despite solid corporate earnings results. The Dow Jones Industrial Average sank 1.61%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 fell 2.39%. The Nasdaq Composite index, which has led for much of the year,…

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Market Update: October 17, 2023: Markets React to Turmoil in Middle East, Inflation Concerns, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights Stocks ended mixed last week amid the outbreak of hostilities in the Middle East and higher-than-expected inflation data. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.20%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 rose 0.45%. But the Nasdaq Composite index slipped 0.18% for the five trading days. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas…

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