Stuart Financial Group Blog

Thoughts and insight on the latest retirement topics.

Market Update: April 16, 2024: Stocks Startled By Inflation, Conflict, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights Stocks fell last week as investors sorted through conflicting inflation reports and assessed geopolitical tensions. Source: YCharts.com, April 13, 2024. Weekly performance is measured from Monday, April 8, to Friday, April 12.ROC 5 = the rate of change in the index for the previous 5 trading days.TR = total return for the index,…

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Market Update: April 9, 2024: Fed Comments Stir the Pot for Stocks, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights Stocks dropped last week as investors focused on “what’s next” for interest rates after mixed comments from multiple Fed officials. Source: YCharts.com, April 6, 2024. Weekly performance is measured from Monday, April 1, to Friday, April 5.ROC 5 = the rate of change in the index for the previous 5 trading days.TR =…

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Market Update: April 2, 2024: Stocks Narrowly Higher, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights Stocks were narrowly higher for the week as investors digested mixed economic news about consumer confidence. All three of the major averages posted gains for Q1 2024. Source: YCharts.com, March 30, 2024. Weekly performance is measured from Friday, March 22, to Thursday, March 28.ROC 5 = the rate of change in the index…

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Market Update: March 26, 2024: Fed Talk Boosts Stocks, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights Stocks posted their best week of the year, sparked by news that the dovish Fed decided to keep rates steady and signaled three rate cuts were still possible this year. Source: YCharts.com, March 23, 2024. Weekly performance is measured from Monday, March 18, to Friday, March 22.ROC 5 = the rate of change…

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Market Update: March 18, 2024: Second Week of Stock Retreat, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights Stocks fell for the second straight week on inflation concerns despite a report on consumer prices that was initially well received by investors. Source: YCharts.com, March 16, 2024. Weekly performance is measured from Monday, March 11, to Friday, March 15.ROC 5 = the rate of change in the index for the previous 5…

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Market Update: March 12, 2024: Markets Take a Breather After Mixed Week, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights Stocks were down for the week as investors appeared to take some profits and traders parsed Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s Congressional testimony. Source: YCharts.com, March 9, 2024. Weekly performance is measured from Monday, March 4, to Friday, March 8.ROC 5 = the rate of change in the index for the previous 5 trading…

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Market Update: March 5, 2024: Tech and AI Lead Another Advancing Week, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights Stocks extended their tech-led advance last week as signs of a resilient and still-enthusiastic consumer boosted momentum. Source: YCharts.com, March 2, 2024. Weekly performance is measured from Monday, February 26, to Friday, March 1.ROC 5 = the rate of change in the index for the previous 5 trading days.TR = total return for…

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Market Update: February 27, 2024: Stocks Hit New Highs on AI’s Promise, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights Stocks vaulted to new heights last week on the back of an artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductor company, marking investors’ belief that AI has the potential to transform the U.S. economy. Source: YCharts.com, February 24, 2024. Weekly performance is measured from Friday, February 16 to Friday, February 23.ROC 5 = the rate of change…

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Market Update: February 20, 2024: Market Retreats on Inflation, Economic Reports, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights Stocks fell last week as investors reacted to disappointing inflation updates and other economic reports that fell short of estimates. Source: YCharts.com, February 17, 2024. Weekly performance is measured from Monday, February 12, to Friday, February 16.ROC 5 = the rate of change in the index for the previous 5 trading days.TR = total…

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Market Update: February 13, 2024: S&P Hits Record High, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights The stock market experienced solid gains last week, concluding the trading week on a positive note, thanks to robust corporate reports and favorable inflation news; this propelled the S&P 500 Index to achieve a new record high at the end of the week. Source: YCharts.com, February 10, 2024. Weekly performance is measured from…

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Market Update: February 6, 2024: Investors Move Past Mixed Fed Message, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights Stocks pushed higher last week as investors cheered mega-cap tech corporate reports and a better-than-expected employment report. Source: YCharts.com, February 3, 2024. Weekly performance is measured from Monday, January 29, to Friday, February 2.ROC 5 = the rate of change in the index for the previous 5 trading days.TR = total return for…

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Market Update: January 30, 2024: Excitement Around Big Tech Continues, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights Stocks continued their upward climb last week as excitement around big tech continued; positive economic reports stoked investors’ belief that the Federal Reserve has pulled off a soft landing. Source: YCharts.com, January 27, 2024. Weekly performance is measured from Monday, January 22, to Friday, January 26.ROC 5 = the rate of change in…

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