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Goldilocks Returns; Market Ends Week “Just Right.”

jmuch2025-03-11T12:00:33-05:00January 21, 2025|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: 401(k), AI, alternative energy, alternative investments, artificial intelligence, chicago, college education, CPI, debt, Fed, financial planning, financial strategy, income tax brackets, income taxes, 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 January 20th, 2025
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks roared back last week, fueled by upbeat Q4 corporate reports and economic news that stalled inflationary fears.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 2.91 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index advanced 2.45 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average led, picking up 3.69 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, added 2.00 percent.

Goldilocks is Back
The “Goldilocks” narrative—an economy that’s neither too hot nor too cold—made a comeback last week.

Tuesday’s Producer Price Index report showed that wholesale prices rose less than expected in December—one piece of evidence suggesting a cooling economy.

Stocks jumped out of the gate Wednesday after the December Consumer Price Index (CPI) report showed core inflation (minus volatile energy and food prices) rose less than expected. Investors also cheered Q4 reports from a handful of money center banks and positive news out …

Powell Signal Leaves Investors Cold

jmuch2024-12-23T10:04:49-06:00December 23, 2024|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: 401(k), AI, artificial intelligence, chicago, CPI, debt, estate planning, Fed, financial planning, Inflation, insurance, Interest Rates, investing, investment, market volatility, markets, retirement, risk management, social security, taxes, wealth management|

The Weekly Update

Week of December 23rd, 2024
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks were under pressure last week as the Fed Chair’s hawkish comments unsettled investors ahead of the holiday season.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average received the hardest hit, falling 2.25 percent. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index lost 1.98 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index dropped 1.78 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, retreated an eye-catching 3.38 percent.

No Santa Yet
Divergence marked the start of the week as megacap tech stocks rallied while the Dow Industrials fell for the eighth-straight session—its longest losing streak since 2018.

Following its scheduled December meeting, the Fed announced it was cutting short-term rates by a quarter point, as widely expected. However, Fed Chair Jerome Powell also signaled fewer rate reductions next year. “From here, it’s a new phase and we’re going to be cautious about further cuts,” he said …

Pre-Holiday Optimism Lifts Markets

jmuch2024-11-25T06:21:34-06:00November 25, 2024|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: AI, artificial intelligence, Fed, financial strategy, Inflation, Interest Rates, investing, markets, net zero emissions, retirement, risk management, taxes, wealth management, wealth transfer, women|

The Weekly Update

Week of November 25th, 2024
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks advanced last week, powering ahead with pre-holiday optimism despite geopolitical tensions and two disappointing Q3 corporate updates.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 1.68 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index gained 1.73 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average led, picking up 1.96 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, was flat (-0.05 percent).

Stock Push Ahead
Stocks showed mixed results during the first half of the week due to geopolitical tensions that boosted precious metals and put pressure on Treasury yields.

The Dow Industrials jumped out in front midweek and never looked back. Disappointing earnings on Tuesday from a large box retailer held back some gains in the broader S&P 500. A mixed Q3 update report from the nation’s leading AI chipmaking company also tempered gains a bit.

Year-end optimism, especially around consumers driving a healthy …

Stocks Surge Post-Election; Fed Cuts Quarter Point

jmuch2024-11-11T10:23:55-06:00November 11, 2024|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: AI, chicago, CPI, estate planning, Fed, financial planning, financial strategy, Inflation, Interest Rates, investing, market volatility, markets, retirement, risk management, social security, taxes, wealth management, women|

The Weekly Update

Week of November 11th, 2024
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks surged higher last week, fueled by the Fed’s rate cut decision and post-election enthusiasm as investors looked to future policy impacts of a Republican-controlled Senate and executive branch. (The House of Representatives still remains officially undecided.)

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index spiked 4.65 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index gained 5.74 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 4.61 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, was basically flat (down 0.02 percent).

Stocks Extend Rally on Election News
It was a shaky start to the week for stocks as investors anxiously awaited election results and the Fed’s interest-rate decision.

On Election Day, stocks rallied broadly before polling places closed. After the election was called early the next morning, stocks opened higher and climbed throughout the trading session. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to …

Sixth Week of Gains on Wall Street

jmuch2024-10-21T10:15:54-05:00October 21, 2024|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: AI, alternative investments, chicago, CPI, debt, estate planning, financial planning, Inflation, Interest Rates, investing, market volatility, markets, retirement, risk management, taxes, wealth management, women|

The Weekly Update

Week of October 21st, 2024
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks posted modest gains last week, with quarterly earnings season in full swing and the election on the horizon.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index increased 0.85 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index rose 0.80 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 0.96 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, fell 0.31 percent.

Six in a Row
Stocks bolted out of the gate as the week began. The S&P 500 and the Dow Industrials hit record highs, with the Dow crossing 43,000 for the first time.

Midweek, the news of stronger-than-expected retail sales report contributed to overall market momentum. Retail sales rose a seasonally adjusted 0.4 percent in September, topping economists’ forecasts.

As the week wrapped up, the technology sector helped fuel a rally that pushed the S&P and Nasdaq to another record high. It was the sixth …

The Future Of Artificial Intelligence And Machine Learning

jmuch2025-03-25T10:30:58-05:00February 28, 2024|Categories: Resource Center|Tags: AI, artificial intelligence, machine learning|

The Future Of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are rapidly advancing technologies that are transforming industries and reshaping how we live and work. While AI refers to computer systems capable of performing tasks that require human-like intelligence, ML is a subset focused on developing algorithms that allow systems to improve over time. These technologies are currently revolutionizing sectors such as healthcare, finance, retail, and transportation. For example, AI aids in medical diagnostics, while ML is used to predict customer behavior in retail and assist with fraud detection in finance.

Despite their potential, AI and ML face several challenges, including issues with accuracy, bias, and ethical concerns such as data privacy and decision-making in critical areas. Additionally, the financial cost of advancing these technologies is significant, though investment continues to grow. As AI and ML evolve, their impact on industries will expand, with predictions …

The Rise Of Drone Delivery And Robotics

jmuch2025-03-25T11:40:06-05:00February 28, 2024|Categories: Resource Center|Tags: AI, artificial intelligence, drones, robotics|

The Rise Of Drone Delivery And Robotics

Amazon, Domino’s, and Google share a common focus on cutting-edge technologies like drone delivery and robotics, designed to boost efficiency and improve customer service. These innovations are increasingly vital for businesses to meet growing consumer demands. Drone delivery offers benefits like faster service, reduced delivery times, and lower costs, while also providing environmental advantages by reducing reliance on traditional delivery vehicles. Similarly, robotics helps minimize human errors, increase speed, and optimize resources, all while cutting labor costs and enabling round-the-clock operations.

Major companies have already embraced these technologies. Domino’s has tested pizza deliveries with drones in New Zealand and developed autonomous delivery vehicles. Amazon’s Prime Air aims to reduce delivery times with drones, and Google’s Wing program offers small-package drone deliveries across multiple countries. Additionally, companies like Walmart and Lowe’s are using robots for inventory tracking and shelf stocking, allowing human workers to …

Harnessing The Power of AI: Balancing Innovation and Regulation

jmuch2025-03-25T11:58:41-05:00February 28, 2024|Categories: Resource Center|Tags: AI, artificial intelligence, innovation, regulation|

Harnessing The Power of AI: Balancing Innovation and Regulation

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming industries and redefining modern conveniences, with applications ranging from healthcare to automotive, retail, and finance. AI’s integration has revolutionized practices by introducing innovative solutions and enhancing efficiency. In healthcare, AI-driven diagnostics are detecting diseases with greater accuracy, while in the automotive sector, autonomous vehicles are improving safety. Retail has seen AI optimizing customer experiences, such as personalized recommendations and smarter inventory management, all contributing to AI’s growing influence across industries.

Despite its advantages, AI also presents significant challenges. Privacy concerns, ethical dilemmas, job displacement, and algorithmic biases are all pressing issues that need to be addressed. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into sectors like finance and logistics, its ability to analyze vast datasets is improving decision-making but also raising concerns about data security and fairness. The ethical use of AI, particularly in areas like surveillance …