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The Weekly Update

Week of June 22nd, 2020
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

The Week on Wall Street
Stocks moved higher last week on news of more Federal Reserve market support and diminished concerns that new COVID-19 cases might lead to another economic shutdown.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.04%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 gained 1.86%. The Nasdaq Composite Index jumped 3.73% for the week. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, increased 1.88%.

Investor Sentiment
News on Monday that the Fed would be expanding its bond-buying program to include the debt of individual companies sparked a sharp jump in stocks. The momentum gained through the week as investors focused on positive economic signals, especially with retail sales. A midweek report of an effective COVID-19 treatment for critically ill patients boosted investor optimism.

Market sentiment also was helped by talk of more fiscal stimulus and a report that China …

The Weekly Update

Week of June 15th, 2020
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

The Week on Wall Street
Investor sentiment turned negative last week, amid an increasing number of COVID-19 cases in states where reopening has been underway as well as a subdued economic forecast from the Federal Reserve.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 5.55%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 lost 4.78%. The Nasdaq Composite Index slipped 2.30% for the week. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed stock markets overseas, fell 3.10%.

Reality Bites
The optimism that drove stock prices higher these past several weeks slipped away on reports of a jump in COVID-19 cases, which sparked worries of a second wave slowing the economic recovery. The Federal Reserve’s forecast for the economy further dampened investor sentiment.

The week started upbeat with “reopening” stocks, e.g., financials, transportation, retailers, travel and leisure, and industrials, leading the way higher. But the momentum was soon …

The Weekly Update

Week of June 8th, 2020
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

The Week on Wall Street
A positive jobs report sent stocks soaring last Friday, capping a solid week as evidence of a global economic recovery outweighed concerns over civil unrest and tensions with China.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 6.81%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 advanced 4.91%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index lagged, climbing 3.42%. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed stock markets overseas, gained 5.52%.

Stocks March Higher
Despite multiple headwinds, stocks rode a wave of optimism over economic recovery and were encouraged by signs that a feared spike in COVID-19 had not occurred.

Firming oil prices and positive global manufacturing data helped boost stocks during the week. The market continued to be led by industry sectors that were most battered in the March decline, as price advances slowed in growth-oriented stocks, primarily technology names.

After a pause on …

The Weekly Update

Week of June 1st, 2020
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

The Week on Wall Street
The shortened week, which began with a powerful two-day rally of trading, was enough to drive the markets into another week of solid gains.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 3.75%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 advanced 3.01%. The Nasdaq Composite Index climbed 1.77% for the week. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed stock markets overseas, gained 6.18%.

Rising Optimism
Returning from Memorial Day weekend, stocks surged on rising optimism over economic re-opening, declines in new infections, and progress in the development of a vaccine.

Stocks continued their march higher, lifted by signs that the White House and Congress may be working together to put together another stimulus package. But the momentum lost steam, in part due to news of China’s vote to override Hong Kong’s autonomy. Comments by President Trump on the last day …

The Weekly Update

Week of May 26th, 2020
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

The Week on Wall Street
Upbeat comments by the Federal Reserve Chairman and more signs of an economic turnaround combined to help fuel a powerful rally in the stock market last week.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 3.29%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 advanced 3.20%. The Nasdaq Composite index climbed 3.44% for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, gained 3.87%.

Stocks Cheer Fed Support
The markets surged higher to open the week, buoyed by a Sunday night “60 Minutes” interview with Fed Chair Jerome Powell, who said that the Federal Reserve would do everything necessary to support economic recovery. Rising oil prices and more states lifting restrictions added to the overall improving investor outlook.

After a day digesting those gains, stocks moved another leg higher on strong earnings from big retailers and growing optimism …

Remember and Honor

We are fortunate to live in a country protected by courageous men and women who fought for this nation’s freedom and we are grateful to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Best wishes on Memorial Day from CTS Financial Group.

The Weekly Update

Week of May 18th, 2020
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

The Week on Wall Street
Stocks drifted lower last week, weighed down by Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell’s unsettling comments on the economy and signs of renewed tensions with China.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 2.65%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 retreated 2.26%. The Nasdaq Composite Index slipped 1.17% for the week. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed stock markets overseas, slid 3.66%.

Stocks Pull Back
Stocks moved lower throughout most of last week on worries that the emerging economic reopening might accelerate the spread of COVID-19. Comments by Fed Chair Powell added to the downside pressure when he expressed concern about the path ahead for the U.S. economy.

The stock market managed to find some firmer footing, posting a strong gain on Thursday. Stocks rallied again on Friday, overcoming headlines that suggested a souring relationship with China and …

The Weekly Update

Week of May 11th, 2020
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

The Week on Wall Street
Despite a historic downturn in employment, stocks managed to climb higher last week as investors were emboldened by the pace of economic re-openings, both here and abroad.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 2.56%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 advanced 3.50%. The Nasdaq Composite Index jumped 6.00% for the week. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, slipped 1.09%.

Tech Stocks Power NASDAQ
Last week’s trading was driven by a crosscurrent of emotions — worries about weak corporate earnings, the pace of business re-openings, coupled with optimism over the pickup in economic activity and progress on developing a vaccine.

Stocks posted back-to-back daily gains to end the week despite troubling employment data. Perhaps the headline of the week was that the technology-heavy NASDAQ Composite Index moved into positive territory year-to-date.

A “Silver Lining” in …