Fed Happy Talk Breaks Bad News Streak
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 …
