Stuart Financial Group Blog

Thoughts and insight on the latest retirement topics.

Market Update: March 18, 2024: Second Week of Stock Retreat, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights Stocks fell for the second straight week on inflation concerns despite a report on consumer prices that was initially well received by investors. Source: YCharts.com, March 16, 2024. Weekly performance is measured from Monday, March 11, to Friday, March 15.ROC 5 = the rate of change in the index for the previous 5…

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Market Update: March 12, 2024: Markets Take a Breather After Mixed Week, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights Stocks were down for the week as investors appeared to take some profits and traders parsed Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s Congressional testimony. Source: YCharts.com, March 9, 2024. Weekly performance is measured from Monday, March 4, to Friday, March 8.ROC 5 = the rate of change in the index for the previous 5 trading…

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Market Update: March 5, 2024: Tech and AI Lead Another Advancing Week, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights Stocks extended their tech-led advance last week as signs of a resilient and still-enthusiastic consumer boosted momentum. Source: YCharts.com, March 2, 2024. Weekly performance is measured from Monday, February 26, to Friday, March 1.ROC 5 = the rate of change in the index for the previous 5 trading days.TR = total return for…

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Market Update: February 27, 2024: Stocks Hit New Highs on AI’s Promise, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights Stocks vaulted to new heights last week on the back of an artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductor company, marking investors’ belief that AI has the potential to transform the U.S. economy. Source: YCharts.com, February 24, 2024. Weekly performance is measured from Friday, February 16 to Friday, February 23.ROC 5 = the rate of change…

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Market Update: February 20, 2024: Market Retreats on Inflation, Economic Reports, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights Stocks fell last week as investors reacted to disappointing inflation updates and other economic reports that fell short of estimates. Source: YCharts.com, February 17, 2024. Weekly performance is measured from Monday, February 12, to Friday, February 16.ROC 5 = the rate of change in the index for the previous 5 trading days.TR = total…

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Market Update: February 13, 2024: S&P Hits Record High, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights The stock market experienced solid gains last week, concluding the trading week on a positive note, thanks to robust corporate reports and favorable inflation news; this propelled the S&P 500 Index to achieve a new record high at the end of the week. Source: YCharts.com, February 10, 2024. Weekly performance is measured from…

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Market Update: February 6, 2024: Investors Move Past Mixed Fed Message, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights Stocks pushed higher last week as investors cheered mega-cap tech corporate reports and a better-than-expected employment report. Source: YCharts.com, February 3, 2024. Weekly performance is measured from Monday, January 29, to Friday, February 2.ROC 5 = the rate of change in the index for the previous 5 trading days.TR = total return for…

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Market Update: January 30, 2024: Excitement Around Big Tech Continues, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights Stocks continued their upward climb last week as excitement around big tech continued; positive economic reports stoked investors’ belief that the Federal Reserve has pulled off a soft landing. Source: YCharts.com, January 27, 2024. Weekly performance is measured from Monday, January 22, to Friday, January 26.ROC 5 = the rate of change in…

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Market Update: January 23, 2024: Big Win For Big Tech, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights Stocks finished higher last week, with big tech again leading amid lingering uncertainty over how continued economic strength would influence the Fed’s rate decision. Source: YCharts.com, January 20, 2024. Weekly performance is measured from Monday, January 15, to Friday, January 19.ROC 5 = the rate of change in the index for the previous…

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Market Update: January 17, 2024: Investors Begin to See the Light in Upbeat Week, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights Stocks pushed higher last week, led by big tech names and boosted by December inflation reports that were mixed but positive enough to shore up investor confidence in Fed rate cuts this year. Source: YCharts.com, January 13, 2024. Weekly performance is measured from Monday, January 8, to Friday, January 12.  ROC 5 =…

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Market Update: January 9, 2024: Investors Enter 2024 in Doubtful Mood, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights Stocks retreated in the first trading week of 2024, struggling a bit after a celebratory end to last year as investors second-guessed Fed signals and fretted over lingering inflation concerns. Source: YCharts.com, January 6, 2024. Weekly performance is measured from the close of trading on Friday, December 29, to Friday, January 5, close….

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Market Update: January 2, 2024: S&P Ends 2023 Up 26%, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights Stocks posted a slight gain last week amid a shortage of news and light holiday trading. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.76%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 added 0.49%. The Nasdaq Composite index advanced 0.32% for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, increased 1.13%.1,2,3 Source:…

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