The Markets (as of market close July 14, 2023)

Wall Street enjoyed a positive week of returns, with each of the benchmark indexes posting solid gains, despite a marginal downturn at the end of last week. The financial sector began releasing quarterly updates last Friday as investors focused on the state of the banking industry. A few major banks reported increasing profits in the […]

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The Markets (as of market close July 7, 2023)

Stocks fell for the second straight week, with each of the benchmark indexes losing ground. The Dow led the declines, followed by the Global Dow, the Russell 2000, the S&P 500, and the Nasdaq. Although the employment report for June (see below) showed a moderate decline in the number of new jobs added, wages continued […]

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The Markets (as of market close June 30, 2023)

Stocks moved higher last week as favorable inflation data added to investor hopes that the Federal Reserve would relax its monetary policy, despite Fed Chair Powell’s statement that at least two more rate hikes are in the offing prior to the end of the year. The small caps of the Russell 2000 performed the best, […]

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The Markets (as of market close June 23, 2023)

Recession fears sent stocks lower during the holiday-shortened week. Each of the benchmark indexes listed here closed in the red, with the small caps of the Russell 2000 and the Global Dow losing over 2.50%. The downturn ended a three-week rally for the Dow, a five-week winning streak for the S&P 500, and an eight-week […]

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The Markets (as of market close June 16, 2023)

Stocks advanced for the third straight week, as each of the benchmark indexes listed here climbed higher. Inflationary pressures may finally be subsiding, according to the latest data (see below). In addition, the Federal Reserve held interest rates at their current range following their meeting last week, although there are indications that at least one, […]

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The Markets (as of market close June 9, 2023)

Stocks closed another week higher, with each of the benchmark indexes listed here posting gains. With last week’s advance, the Nasdaq has risen for seven consecutive weeks, while the S&P 500 hit its highest level since August 2022. The S&P 500 is more than 20% above its October 2022 low, putting it in bull territory. […]

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The Markets (as of market close June 2, 2023)

Stocks began the week on a downturn, but rallied later to end last week higher. Each of the benchmark indexes listed here posted solid weekly gains, led by the Russell 2000, followed by the Nasdaq, the Dow, the S&P 500, and the Global Dow. Investors began the week concerned that the debt ceiling agreement between […]

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The Markets (as of market close May 26, 2023)

Wall Street ended last week with mixed returns. The Nasdaq and the S&P 500 were pushed higher by tech shares and artificial intelligence (AI) stocks. The Global Dow, the Dow, and the Russell 2000 closed in the red. Ten-year Treasury yields rose 11.0 basis points, as they drew closer to their 2022 year-end values. For […]

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The Markets (as of market close May 19, 2023)

Most of last week, investors seemed to react to negotiations concerning the debt ceiling. Despite a lackluster ending to the week, stocks closed generally higher. Tech shares climbed nearly 4.0%, while consumer discretionary stocks also posted gains. Overall, each of the benchmark indexes listed here ended last week higher, led by the Nasdaq, followed by […]

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The Markets (as of market close May 12, 2023)

Stocks trended lower last week, with only the Nasdaq able to eke out a gain. Investors remained pensive as they await negotiations on the debt ceiling. With roughly 92% of the S&P 500 companies having reported first-quarter earnings thus far, results appear headed down 2.5% from last year. This follows a 4.6% drop in fourth-quarter […]

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