Stuart Financial Group Blog

Thoughts and insight on the latest retirement topics.

Market Update: October 10, 2023: Stocks Rally After Strong Jobs Report, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights A Friday rally overcame a shaky week, sending stocks mostly higher. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.30% for the week. Meanwhile, the Standard & Poor’s 500 gained 0.48%, and the Nasdaq Composite index added 1.60% for the five trading days. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, fell 2.37%.1,2,3…

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Market Update: October 3, 2023: Bond Yields Rise; Government Shutdown Looms, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights Rising bond yields and government shutdown fears left stocks in mostly negative territory for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.34%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 slipped 0.74%. The Nasdaq Composite index was flat (+0.06%) for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, fell 1.95%.1,2,3…

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Market Update: September 26, 2023: Stocks End Summer with Gloomy News, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights Rising bond yields and fears of a government shutdown hammered stocks last week, with technology shares bearing the brunt of the retreat. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.89%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 dropped 2.93%. The Nasdaq Composite index tumbled 3.62% for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed…

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Market Update: September 19, 2023: Stocks Stand Still, Awaiting Fed, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights Stocks ended the week roughly where they began as investors digested a mixed set of new economic data. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.12%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 slipped 0.16%. The Nasdaq Composite index fell 0.39% for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, added…

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Market Update: September 12, 2023: Will the Fed Raise Interest Rates?, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights Concerns that the Fed may raise interest rates soured investor sentiment, sending stocks lower in a holiday-shortened trading week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.75%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 declined 1.29%. The Nasdaq Composite index dropped 1.93% for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets,…

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Market Update: September 5, 2023: September Stocks Open In Positive Territory, Plus SFG News and Events

Market Insights Falling bond yields–spurred by weak economic data–helped lift stocks to weekly gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 1.43%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 gained 2.50%. The Nasdaq Composite index increased 3.25% for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, picked up 2.71%.1,2,3 Stocks Rise on Slowing…

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Market Update: August 29, 2023: Stocks Retreat; Powell Talk Goes Hawk, Plus SFG News and Events

Stocks posted gains for the week to close out a stellar month, aided by positive economic data and reports that all major banks had passed the Federal Reserve’s annual stress test. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 2.02%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 rose 2.35%. The Nasdaq Composite index added 2.19%. The MSCI EAFE…

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Market Update: August 22, 2023: Stocks Weather Summer Storm of News and Indicators, Plus SFG News and Events

Stocks extended their August declines last week as higher yields and weak economic data out of China soured investor sentiment. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 2.21%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 retreated 2.11%. The Nasdaq Composite index backtracked 2.59% for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, slumped…

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Market Update: August 15, 2023: Summertime Blues for the Markets, Plus SFG News and Events

Positive inflation data failed to lift stocks from their August doldrums last week as economic data and a ratings downgrade soured investor sentiment. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.62%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 slipped 0.31%. The Nasdaq Composite index fell 1.90% for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas…

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Market Update: August 8, 2023: Stocks Raise White Flag to Bad News, Plus SFG News and Events

Stocks retreated last week as bond yields increased following the Treasury\’s announcement indicating “a larger-than-expected funding need” and a downgrade in the federal government’s debt rating. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 1.11%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 shed 2.27%. The Nasdaq Composite index lost 2.85% for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which…

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Market Update: August 1, 2023: Stocks Jump After Inflation Gauge Cools, Plus SFG News and Events

A Friday surge pushed stocks solidly into positive territory last week, ignited by cooling in an inflation gauge closely tracked by the Federal Reserve. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 0.66%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 climbed 1.01%. The Nasdaq Composite index rose 2.02% for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed…

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Market Update: July 25, 2023: Stocks Advance and Retreat on Mixed News, Plus SFG News and Events

Stocks moved to the rhythm of earnings season last week, initially rising on positive earnings surprises and faltering later in the week on key earnings disappointments. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.08%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 added 0.69%. The Nasdaq Composite Index slumped 0.57% for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which…

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