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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…
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…
Market Update: January 23, 2024: Big Win For Big Tech, Plus SFG News and Events
Market Insights Stocks finished higher last week, with big tech again leading amid lingering uncertainty over how continued economic strength would influence the Fed’s rate decision. Source: YCharts.com, January 20, 2024. Weekly performance is measured from Monday, January 15, to Friday, January 19.ROC 5 = the rate of change in the index for the previous…
Market Update: January 17, 2024: Investors Begin to See the Light in Upbeat Week, Plus SFG News and Events
Market Insights Stocks pushed higher last week, led by big tech names and boosted by December inflation reports that were mixed but positive enough to shore up investor confidence in Fed rate cuts this year. Source: YCharts.com, January 13, 2024. Weekly performance is measured from Monday, January 8, to Friday, January 12. ROC 5 =…
Market Update: January 9, 2024: Investors Enter 2024 in Doubtful Mood, Plus SFG News and Events
Market Insights Stocks retreated in the first trading week of 2024, struggling a bit after a celebratory end to last year as investors second-guessed Fed signals and fretted over lingering inflation concerns. Source: YCharts.com, January 6, 2024. Weekly performance is measured from the close of trading on Friday, December 29, to Friday, January 5, close….
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:…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…