March 2025 - CTS Financial Group

Investors React To Tariff News

jmuch2025-04-12T10:41:29-05:00March 31, 2025|Categories: Weekly Update|

The Weekly Update

Week of March 31st, 2025
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks moved lower last week as investors reacted to tariff news and inflation — swinging from exuberance to disappointment.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 1.53 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index retreated 2.59 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 0.96 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, declined 1.29 percent.

An Up and Down Week
Stocks started the week with a sharp rally after the White House said it may “give a lot of countries breaks” on reciprocal tariffs. The positive momentum continued into Tuesday, with the Nasdaq and S&P 500 outpacing the Dow.

Then, midweek, news that the White House was planning additional tariffs on all cars made outside the U.S. rattled markets.

On Friday, investors reacted to a warmer-than-expected inflation report and lower consumer sentiment, putting further pressure on stocks as the …

Fed Happy Talk Breaks Bad News Streak

jmuch2025-03-24T06:51:46-05:00March 24, 2025|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: 401(k), AI, alternative investments, artificial intelligence, chicago, college education, CPI, debt, estate planning, Fed, financial, financial planning, financial strategy, gifting, income tax brackets, income taxes, Inflation, insurance, Interest Rates, investing, investment, market volatility, markets, PPI, retirement, retirement planning, risk management, social security, taxes, Trump, wealth management, women|

The Weekly Update

Week of March 24th, 2025
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks notched a solid gain last week as upbeat comments from the Fed helped stocks snap their four-week losing streak.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 0.51 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index picked up 0.17 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average led, gaining 1.20 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, rose 0.75 percent.

A Solid Week
Stocks opened the week higher despite weaker-than-expected retail sales. On Tuesday, stocks pulled back on disappointing economic data and renewed Middle East tensions.

Stocks roared higher Wednesday as investors looked forward to the Federal Reserve’s meeting. As widely expected, the Fed kept rates steady, but Fed Chair Powell’s comments buoyed investors’ spirits.

Stocks dipped Thursday and opened lower on Friday, but investors showed some confidence by pushing prices higher into Friday’s close.

The Fed Stays Positive
Amid all the market turbulence …

Rough Week for Stocks, with Slight Friday Rally

jmuch2025-03-17T09:44:19-05:00March 17, 2025|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: 401(k), aging parents, alternative investments, artificial intelligence, chicago, college education, CPI, debt, Fed, financial planning, financial strategy, income tax brackets, Inflation, Interest Rates, investing, market volatility, PPI, retirement, risk management, social security, taxes, Trump, wealth management, women|

The Weekly Update

Week of March 17th, 2025
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Investors endured another volatile, whipsaw week as ongoing trade talks and White House comments about the economy unsettled investors.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index declined 2.27 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index dropped 2.43 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 3.07 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, lost 0.95 percent.

Markets Stem Losses
Stocks opened the week lower as investors reacted to the president’s weekend comments about the economy. Then, U.S. and Canadian leaders traded additional tariff threats, riling up anxious investors.3,4
Stocks rebounded midweek after a cooler-than-expected Consumer Price Index (CPI) report eased growing inflation concerns.

The broad market slide resumed Thursday, but better-than-expected February wholesale inflation data helped buffer losses. The S&P 500 ended Thursday in correction territory—10 percent below its February 19 record close.

Markets pushed higher Friday, clawing back some losses for …

Tariffs Take Markets for a Wild Ride

jmuch2025-03-12T09:23:02-05:00March 10, 2025|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: 401(k), AI, alternative investments, chicago, CPI, debt, Fed, financial planning, financial strategy, income tax brackets, Inflation, Interest Rates, investing, market volatility, markets, risk management, taxes, Trump, wealth management, wealth transfer, women|

The Weekly Update

Week of March 10th, 2025
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks continued their slide through a volatile week. U.S. trade policy drove much of the market’s movement, broadening investors’ concerns about economic growth and inflation.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index declined 3.10 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index dropped 3.45 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 2.37 percent. By contrast, the MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, rallied 2.85 percent.

Tariffs Take Effect
Big price swings and tariff uncertainty loomed over the entire week. Stocks opened lower out of the gate after the White House confirmed the planned 25 percent tariff on Mexican and Canadian goods would go forward. Soft manufacturing and construction data also put broad downward pressure on markets. Meanwhile, European stocks continued to rally on anticipated defense spending.

Stocks fell further as tariffs affected Canada, Mexico, and China. Each country announced retaliatory tariffs …

Tariff Talk Returns, Volatility Close Behind

jmuch2025-03-13T19:34:02-05:00March 3, 2025|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: 401(k), chicago, college education, CPI, Fed, financial strategy, Inflation, Interest Rates, investing, investment, market volatility, markets, retirement, retirement planning, risk, risk management, social security, sustainability, taxes, wealth management, wealth transfer, women|

The Weekly Update

Week of March 3rd, 2025
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks were mixed last week as investor concerns over inflation and trade policy combined to produce another volatile trading week.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.95 percent, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index lost 0.98 percent. Meanwhile, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index dropped an eye-catching 3.47 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, lost 1.03 percent.

Trade Talk
The week began under pressure after the White House said 25 percent tariffs on Mexico and Canada would begin after the 30-day pause ends in early March.

On Tuesday, S&P and Nasdaq stocks continued their slide on news that consumer confidence weakened more than expected. Concerns about inflation and tariffs merged with investors fretting over economic growth and global trade. It was the fourth straight day of declines for the S&P 500 and Nasdaq. The Dow, however, …

Monthly Archives: March 2025

Investors React To Tariff News

Fed Happy Talk Breaks Bad News Streak

Rough Week for Stocks, with Slight Friday Rally

Tariffs Take Markets for a Wild Ride

Tariff Talk Returns, Volatility Close Behind