Stuart Financial Group Blog

Thoughts and insight on the latest retirement topics.

Market Update: July 5, 2023 Economy Continues Upward Trend, Plus SFG News and Events

Stocks posted gains for the week to close out a stellar month, aided by positive economic data and reports that all major banks had passed the Federal Reserve’s annual stress test. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 2.02%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 rose 2.35%. The Nasdaq Composite index added 2.19%. The MSCI EAFE…

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Market Update: June 27, 2023 Stocks Take Summer Break, Month Remains Strong, Plus SFG News and Events

Stocks took a breather last week as investors digested the previous week’s surge and the month-to-date solid gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.67%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 fell 1.39%. The Nasdaq Composite index dropped 1.44% for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, tumbled 2.00%.1,2,3  …

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Market Update: June 21, 2023 Stocks Climb After Fed Pause, Plus SFG News and Events

Stocks climbed last week as reassuring inflation data boosted investor hopes that the rate-hike cycle was nearing an end amid fresh economic data pointing to continued economic resilience. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.25%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 picked up 2.58%. The Nasdaq Composite index gained 3.25% for the week. The MSCI…

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Market Update: June 13, 2023 Markets March into Positive Territory Continues, Plus SFG News and Events

A late-week rally sent stocks into positive territory, with the S&P 500 index closing just shy of the 4,300 mark. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.34%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 added 0.39%. The Nasdaq Composite index improved 0.14% for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, rose…

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Market Update: June 6, 2023 Debt Deal Relieves Market Worries, Plus SFG News and Events

Stocks surged higher in the closing days of a holiday-shortened trading week, ignited by a political resolution on raising the debt ceiling and a strong employment report. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.02%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 advanced 1.83%. The Nasdaq Composite index gained 2.04% for the week. The MSCI EAFE index,…

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Market Update: May 30, 2023 Debt Talks Optimism Keeps Eyes on D.C., Plus SFG News and Events

Markets moved in sync last week with perceived movement in debt ceiling talks, weakening early in the week and then surging on news of progress. A solid quarterly report and guidance from a mega-cap technology company helped with enthusiasm. Overall, the markets were mixed, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average down 1.00%, while the Standard…

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Market Update: May 23, 2023 Despite Stall, Debt Deal Optimism Cheers Markets, Plus SFG News and Events

Stocks rallied last week, propelled by growing optimism over reaching a deal on raising the debt ceiling and avoiding a technical debt default by the U.S. The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged 0.38% higher, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 gained 1.65%. The Nasdaq Composite index advanced 3.04% for the week. The MSCI EAFE index,…

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Market Update: May 16, 2023 Attention Turns to the Debt Ceiling, Plus SFG News and Events

Stocks were mixed last week as good inflation news was offset by mounting debt ceiling concerns and rekindled regional banking fears. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.11%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 slipped 0.29%. The Nasdaq Composite index rose 0.40% for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets,…

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Market Update: May 9, 2023 Friday Rally Trims Losses; CPI Report Next Week, Plus SFG News and Events

A Friday rebound, triggered by a big tech company’s earnings beat and a strong jobs report, shaved much of the week’s accumulated losses. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.24%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 lost 0.80%. The Nasdaq Composite Index was flat (+0.07%) for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed…

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Market Update: May 2, 2023 Stocks Rally As Attention Shifts to Fed’s May Meeting, Plus SFG News and Events

Strong earnings from several mega-cap technology companies offset renewed regional banking jitters and weak economic data, leaving stocks higher for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.86%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 added 0.87%. The Nasdaq Composite index rose 1.28% for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock…

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Market Update: April 25, 2023 Stocks Show Small Losses After Mixed Week, Plus SFG News and Events

Stocks remained resilient last week amid mixed earnings reports, hawkish Fed-speak, and lingering recession fears, closing out the five trading days with small losses. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.23%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 lost 0.10%. The Nasdaq Composite index fell 0.42% for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed…

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Market Update: April 18, 2023 Lower Inflation Lifts Spirits in Uneven Week, Plus SFG News and Events

The combination of an improving inflation outlook resulted in a week of uneven, albeit positive, performance, in which cyclical and financial stocks rallied while technology, real estate, and utilities lagged. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.20%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 rose 0.79%. The Nasdaq Composite index increased 0.29% for the week. The…

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