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Markets Slip as Q1 Reports Arrive

jmuch2025-04-21T11:07:13-05:00April 21, 2025|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: 401(k), AI, alternative investments, artificial intelligence, chicago, college education, CPI, debt, estate planning, Fed, financial, financial planning, financial strategy, gifting, income tax brackets, income taxes, Inflation, insurance, Interest Rates, investing, investment, market volatility, markets, PPI, retirement, retirement planning, risk management, social security, tariff, taxes, Trump, wealth management, women|

The Weekly Update

Week of April 21st, 2025
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

U.S. stocks slipped over the shortened trading week as Q1 corporate reports started to roll in.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index dropped 1.50 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index fell 2.62 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 2.66 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, added 4.19 percent.

U.S. Stocks Slide
Stocks started the four-day week with modest gains. Trade volatility subsided as several money center banks reported Q1 numbers at or above expectations.

Stocks trended lower midweek after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell expressed concern that tariffs would likely “move us further away from our goals”—including keeping inflation in check.

Stocks were mixed on the week’s last trading day as traders evaluated White House news that trade deals were progressing with Japan, China, and the European Union. The S&P 500 ended the day higher, but …

Rally Caps Volatile Week

jmuch2025-04-14T14:41:42-05:00April 14, 2025|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: 401(k), AI, alternative investments, artificial intelligence, chicago, college education, CPI, debt, Fed, financial, financial planning, financial strategy, gifting, income tax brackets, income taxes, Inflation, insurance, Interest Rates, investing, investment, market volatility, markets, PPI, retirement, retirement planning, risk management, social security, state planning, tariff, taxes, Trump, wealth management, women|

The Weekly Update

Week of April 14th, 2025
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks ended the week with a strong gain as traders continued to focus on tariff talks while appearing to overlook upbeat news on inflation.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 5.70 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index gained 7.29 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average picked up 4.95 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, increased by 0.72 percent.

Stocks Rebound
Stocks rallied on Monday after a report surfaced that the administration was considering a 90-day pause on tariffs. But when the White House clarified its position, sellers stepped in.

On Tuesday, prices jumped at the next opening bell after the Treasury Secretary said the U.S. was open to tariff negotiations with trading partners. The rally stalled and reversed on news the administration was adjusting tariffs on Chinese imports.

After the White House announced a 90-day pause …

Markets React to White House Tariffs

jmuch2025-04-11T10:20:35-05:00April 7, 2025|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: 401(k), AI, alternative investments, artificial intelligence, chicago, college education, CPI, debt, estate planning, Fed, financial, financial planning, financial strategy, gifting, income tax brackets, income taxes, Inflation, insurance, Interest Rates, investing, investment, market volatility, markets, PPI, retirement, retirement planning, risk management, social security, taxes, Trump, wealth management, women|

The Weekly Update

Week of April 7th, 2025
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks fell broadly last week as domestic and foreign markets reacted to the White House’s tariffs.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index declined 9.08 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index fell 10.02 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 7.86 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, lost 7.39 percent.

Under Pressure
Stocks rallied the first half of the week as markets tried to anticipate the potential impact of tariffs previously announced by the White House.

Soon after the closing bell on Wednesday, President Trump’s new tariffs surprised markets. Global markets reacted to the news overnight.

Markets opened lower on Thursday, and the selling continued through Friday. Treasuries rallied in a flight to quality as investors moved to the sidelines. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note closed Friday at 4.0 percent. Bond yields generally fall when …

Fed Happy Talk Breaks Bad News Streak

jmuch2025-03-24T06:51:46-05:00March 24, 2025|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: 401(k), AI, alternative investments, artificial intelligence, chicago, college education, CPI, debt, estate planning, Fed, financial, financial planning, financial strategy, gifting, income tax brackets, income taxes, Inflation, insurance, Interest Rates, investing, investment, market volatility, markets, PPI, retirement, retirement planning, risk management, social security, taxes, Trump, wealth management, women|

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 …

Rough Week for Stocks, with Slight Friday Rally

jmuch2025-03-17T09:44:19-05:00March 17, 2025|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: 401(k), aging parents, alternative investments, artificial intelligence, chicago, college education, CPI, debt, Fed, financial planning, financial strategy, income tax brackets, Inflation, Interest Rates, investing, market volatility, PPI, retirement, risk management, social security, taxes, Trump, wealth management, women|

The Weekly Update

Week of March 17th, 2025
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Investors endured another volatile, whipsaw week as ongoing trade talks and White House comments about the economy unsettled investors.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index declined 2.27 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index dropped 2.43 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 3.07 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, lost 0.95 percent.

Markets Stem Losses
Stocks opened the week lower as investors reacted to the president’s weekend comments about the economy. Then, U.S. and Canadian leaders traded additional tariff threats, riling up anxious investors.3,4
Stocks rebounded midweek after a cooler-than-expected Consumer Price Index (CPI) report eased growing inflation concerns.

The broad market slide resumed Thursday, but better-than-expected February wholesale inflation data helped buffer losses. The S&P 500 ended Thursday in correction territory—10 percent below its February 19 record close.

Markets pushed higher Friday, clawing back some losses for …

New Indicators Rattle Investors

jmuch2025-03-04T09:36:00-06:00February 24, 2025|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: 401(k), AI, artificial intelligence, chicago, college education, CPI, debt, Fed, financial planning, financial strategy, income tax brackets, Inflation, insurance, Interest Rates, investing, market volatility, markets, PPI, retirement, retirement planning, risk management, social security, tariff, taxes, Trump, wealth management, wealth transfer, women|

The Weekly Update

Week of February 24th, 2025
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks fell last week as concerns about sticky inflation and the pace of economic growth rattled investors.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index declined 1.66 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index dropped 2.51 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also fell 2.51 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, was essentially flat (+0.04 percent).

S&P 500 Hits New High, Then Slips
Following the Presidents’ Day holiday, stock prices were largely range-bound on Tuesday despite some intraday volatility. Then stocks edged higher, shaking off some new tariff talk and disappointing housing starts data. The S&P 500 marked its third record close of the year on Wednesday.

On Thursday, stocks were under pressure from the start of trading after a weaker-than-expected outlook from a mega-retailer. The update reinforced some concerns that the economy may be slowing. The selling accelerated …

Solid Gains for Thanksgiving Week

jmuch2024-12-02T05:45:52-06:00December 2, 2024|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: chicago, CPI, estate planning, financial planning, financial strategy, Inflation, insurance, Interest Rates, investing, investment, market volatility, markets, PPI, retirement, retirement planning, risk, risk management, social security, taxes, wealth management, wealth transfer, women|

The Weekly Update

December 2nd, 2024
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks posted solid gains over a short and busy holiday week as investors parsed fresh economic data, comments on potential future trade policy, and a few Q3 reports from technology companies.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index gained 1.06 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index advanced 1.13 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.39 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, added 2.02 percent.

Rally Extends
Stocks staged a broad-based rally to start the week as investors reacted to the nominee for Secretary of the Treasury. Small-cap stocks continued their month-to-date surge as the Russell 2000 Index rose to an all-time high. News that consumer confidence rose in November appeared to contribute to gains.

Then stocks took a pre-Thanksgiving pause as investors digested economic data. Also, disappointing Q3 updates from two computer hardware manufacturers weighed on the tech …

Soft Jobs Data, Inflation on Deck, the Fed’s next move.

jmuch2024-09-09T10:01:03-05:00September 9, 2024|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: chicago, CPI, Fed, financial planning, Inflation, Interest Rates, investing, market volatility, PPI, retirement, risk management, wealth management|

The Weekly Update

Week of September 9th, 2024
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks fell last week as soft economic data rattled investors focused on the Fed’s next move with interest rates.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 2.93 percent, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index dropped 4.25 percent. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite fell 5.77 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, declined 2.91 percent.

Economic Data Unsettles Investors
The four-day trading week got off to a rough start as weak manufacturing data reawakened recessionary fears. All three major averages were down for the first session after the Labor Day holiday. For many, it was reminiscent of August 5, when stocks tumbled as recession worries unsettled investors.3

Attention shifted to Friday’s jobs report as stocks traded narrowly. Markets initially reacted positively to news that job growth rebounded slightly, and unemployment ticked down. However, selling pressure increased as the trading …