Stuart Financial Group Blog

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…

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…

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…

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…

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 =…

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…

Market Insights Stocks staged a choppy comeback last week as investors cheered positive earnings, led by mega-cap tech stocks. The rally came to pass despite fresh data showing a slowing economy and increasing inflationary pressures. Source: YCharts.com, April 27, 2024. Weekly performance is measured from Monday, April 22, to Friday, April 26.ROC 5 = the…

Market Insights Stocks fell for a third straight week, as Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s mixed but upbeat message could not offset the anxiety caused by the Middle East conflict. Source: YCharts.com, April 20, 2024. Weekly performance is measured from Monday, April 15, to Friday, April 19.ROC 5 = the rate of change in the index…

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,…

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 =…

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…

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…