Three important developments occurred recently in the world of federal student loans: the U.S. Supreme Court blocked an executive order offering loan cancellation to certain borrowers; Congress set an expiration date for the payment moratorium that has been in effect since March 2020; and new student loan interest rates have been set for the 2023–2024 […]
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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 […]
Read MoreThe 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, […]
Read MoreIs This Bull Timid or Ready to Charge?
On June 8, 2023, the S&P 500 index closed at 4,293.93, just over 20% higher than its lowest recent closing value of 3,577.03 reached on October 12, 2022.1 According to a common definition of market cycles, this indicated that the benchmark index was officially in a bull market after a bear market that began in January […]
Read MoreThe 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 […]
Read MoreCongress Tells Treasury to Expect SECURE 2.0 Technical Fixes
In late May 2023, Congress sent a letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel saying that it will introduce legislation to correct several technical errors in the SECURE 2.0 Act. The letter, signed by Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Mike Crapo (R-ID), chair and ranking member of the Senate Finance […]
Read MoreThe 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, […]
Read MoreThe 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. […]
Read MoreFiscal Responsibility Act of 2023
The Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, signed into law on June 3, 2023, suspends the federal debt ceiling until January 2025. The legislation also includes a number of spending cuts. It is estimated to reduce federal budget deficits by about $1.5 trillion over the 2023-2033 period relative to the May 2023 baseline projections, according to […]
Read MoreThe 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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