Shifted Policy Gears Rev Markets
The Weekly Update
Week of January 27th, 2025
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®
Stocks rallied last week as investors reacted positively to a handful of better-than-expected corporate earnings reports and developments out of Washington, D.C.
The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index gained 1.74 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index added 1.65 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.15 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, added 3.03 percent.
Flurry of News
Markets surged over the first three trading days as investors cheered a flurry of new policy announcements and executive orders following Monday’s inauguration. For example, investors responded to news that the White House trade team is considering taking a softer stance on tariffs.3
It was also a good week for Q4 company reports and other upbeat corporate news.
Markets leveled off Friday as investors were disappointed that existing home sales fell to a 30-year low. But for the week, …