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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 …

Investors Read Inflation Risk in Job Numbers

jmuch2025-01-13T08:32:22-06:00January 13, 2025|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: 401(k), aging parents, artificial intelligence, chicago, CPI, estate planning, Fed, financial planning, financial strategy, Inflation, insurance, Interest Rates, investing, market volatility, markets, retirement, risk management, social security, wealth management, wealth transfer, women|

The Weekly Update

Week of January 13th, 2025
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks fell for the second consecutive week as a round of fresh economic data stoked inflationary fears among investors.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index declined 1.94 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index dropped 2.34 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.86 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, slipped 0.49 percent.

Inflation Stymies Markets
Stocks rallied broadly to start the week, but two economic reports on Tuesday—job openings and the prices-paid index among service companies—raised fresh inflation concerns. Higher Treasury yields also put pressure on stocks.

Stocks flattened out on Wednesday. Investors reacted to news that most Federal Open Market Committee members agreed inflation risks had increased, per minutes from the Fed’s December meeting.

U.S. stock markets were closed Thursday in observance of President Jimmy Carter’s funeral.

On Friday, a warmer-than-expected December jobs report caused investors to …

Stocks Decline Slightly as New Year Dawns

jmuch2025-01-06T09:48:26-06:00January 6, 2025|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: 401(k), alternative investments, artificial intelligence, chicago, CPI, debt, estate planning, Fed, financial planning, financial strategy, Inflation, insurance, Interest Rates, investing, market volatility, markets, retirement, risk management, taxes, wealth management, wealth transfer, women|

The Weekly Update

Week of January 6th, 2025
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks edged lower last week despite a powerful end-of-week rally.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index lost 0.48 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index slid 0.51 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.60 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, dropped 0.90 percent.

Selling Then Buying
Stocks were under pressure right out of the gate on Monday for no apparent reason other than worries over the loss of year-end momentum. By the end of trading on Monday, markets recovered some losses, but the selling picked up again on Tuesday.

After being closed for the New Year’s holiday, stocks opened higher for the first trading day of 2025. But sellers gained the upper hand by the end of trading. On Friday, Investors perked up with tech stocks leading a recovery rally that erased most of the week’s …

Holiday Spending Up

jmuch2024-12-30T10:10:07-06:00December 30, 2024|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: 401(k), artificial intelligence, chicago, CPI, debt, estate planning, Fed, financial planning, financial strategy, income tax brackets, insurance, Interest Rates, investing, market volatility, markets, retirement, social security, wealth management, wealth transfer, women|

The Weekly Update

Week of December 30th, 2024
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks notched a slight gain over the holiday week. A tech-driven rally in the first half of the week was clawed back in the second half as investors took profits following the market holiday.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index advanced 0.67 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index rose 0.76 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.35 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, rose 1.54 percent.

Ho-Ho, Then No-Go
Stocks rallied during the first half of a shortened holiday trading week. Holiday cheer won out despite news of declining consumer confidence in December, a drop in durable goods, and new home sales reporting below expectations.

The “Santa rally” lost its ho-ho-go after the midweek holiday. Megacap technology stocks led markets down on Friday, giving back most of the gains from the first half of the …

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 …

Mixed Data, Mixed Results

jmuch2024-12-16T08:42:48-06:00December 16, 2024|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: 401(k), alternative investments, artificial intelligence, chicago, estate planning, Fed, financial planning, financial strategy, Inflation, Interest Rates, investing, market volatility, markets, retirement, retirement planning, risk management, taxes, wealth management, wealth transfer, women|

The Weekly Update

Week of December 16th, 2024
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks finished the week mixed, bookending losses around midweek gains as investors digested fresh inflation data.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index slipped 0.64 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index ticked up 0.34 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 1.82 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, slid 1.48 percent.

Up and Down Week
Stocks fell broadly over the first part of the week. Leading chipmakers who produce semiconductors for artificial intelligence applications were under pressure after Chinese regulators announced an antimonopoly investigation.

Investors breathed a sigh of relief Wednesday morning following news that consumer inflation in November was in line with expectations. Mega-cap tech stocks led the rally, with the Nasdaq closing above 20,000 for the first time. Meanwhile, the Dow fell as healthcare stocks came under pressure.

Stocks remained in the trading range for the …

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 Retreat on Jobs and Election Concerns

jmuch2024-11-04T14:45:53-06:00November 4, 2024|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: artificial intelligence, chicago, CPI, estate planning, financial planning, Inflation, insurance, Interest Rates, investing, market volatility, markets, retirement, retirement planning, risk, risk management, social security, sustainability, wealth management, wealth transfer, women|

The Weekly Update

Week of November 4th, 2024
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks slid last week as mixed economic data and strong-but-not-spectacular Q3 corporate reports failed to inspire investors.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 1.36 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index declined 1.50 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged down 0.15 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, slid 0.96 percent.

Q3 Reports Uninspired
Stocks rallied early Wednesday after the gross domestic product report showed a strong economy that appeared on the path to a soft landing. However, stocks moved lower throughout the day as investors digested mixed Q3 reports from a few mega-cap tech names.

Stocks were under more pressure Thursday as disappointing outlooks for some key tech companies pulled the market down. A softer-than-expected jobs report on Friday unsettled investors, but stocks picked up as the day progressed, and attention shifted to how the …

Stocks Mixed Ahead of Election

jmuch2024-10-28T05:11:01-05:00October 28, 2024|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: artificial intelligence, chicago, CPI, debt, estate planning, financial planning, Inflation, Interest Rates, investing, market volatility, markets, risk management, social security, taxes, wealth management, wealth transfer, women|

The Weekly Update

Week of October 28th, 2024
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks were mixed last week as fresh economic data points and election-related uncertainty slowed market momentum.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 0.96 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index rose 0.16 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 2.68 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, slid 2.30 percent.

Nasdaq Leads
Stocks were mixed for the first half of the week as investors geared up for a steady stream of Q3 reports. The 10-year Treasury yield continued to trend higher, which caught the attention of some traders.
Markets fell Wednesday morning with news that existing home sales fell to a 14-year low in October; still slowed by higher interest rates, sales are on track for their worst year since 1995. Also, pre-election jitters remained an undertow with traders.

News that durable goods orders rose in September buoyed …

Rate Cut Momentum; D.C. Averts Shutdown

jmuch2024-10-01T10:18:53-05:00October 1, 2024|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: artificial intelligence, chicago, financial planning, Inflation, Interest Rates, investing, market volatility, markets, retirement, risk management, social security, taxes, wealth management, women|

The Weekly Update

Week of September 30th, 2024
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks moved higher last week, continuing to build on the momentum generated after the Federal Reserve decided to cut short-term rates by 0.50 percent.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index gained 0.59 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.95 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.62 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, gained an eye-catching 3.53 percent.

Congress Passes Spending Bill
Stocks started the week tepidly but in the green, as investors mostly shrugged off Tuesday’s weak consumer confidence report. Then, at midweek, markets put on the brakes as investors appeared to take profits after a four-day winning streak.

On Thursday, markets rallied on the news that the final Q2 gross domestic product estimate showed the economy increased at an annual rate of 3.0 percent. Then Friday, the PCE, or Personal Consumption and Expenditures Index, …