Monthly Archives: June 2025

The Weekly Update

Week of June 23rd, 2025
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks were mixed during the holiday-shortened trading week as uncertainty over conflict in the Middle East weighed on investors.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index slipped by 0.15 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index rose by 0.21 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was flat (+0.02 percent). The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, declined 1.54 percent.

Stocks Rise, Then Slump
Stocks opened higher, and oil prices fell at the start of the week as investors hoped Middle Eastern tensions would ease.

However, as investors parsed through updates on the conflict, stocks fell over ongoing uncertainty. Conflicting statements from those involved, as well as from world leaders, contributed to the uncertainty.

Midweek, stocks rallied ahead of the Fed’s interest rate decision. Markets seemed to dismiss news that housing starts dropped unexpectedly to their lowest level in five years.

The Fed …

The Weekly Update

Week of June 16th, 2025
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks fell last week as an up-and-down mix of trade progress and anxiety, economic news, and geopolitical tensions netted out.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index slid 0.39 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index slipped 0.63 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 1.32 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, edged down 0.18 percent.

Trade, Geopolitics Dominate Sessions
Stocks largely languished for the first half of the week as investors awaited news from U.S.-China trade talks and key inflation reports.

Sentiment began to rise late Tuesday afternoon following upbeat comments about trade talks. Most of the market gains came before the U.S. and China separately announced the trade update, with little reaction when markets opened the next day.

Stocks peaked midweek, then declined despite a May report showing consumer inflation rose less than expected. Markets then trended …

The Weekly Update

Week of June 9th, 2025
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks rallied last week as investors responded to upbeat economic data and easing trade tensions.
The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index added 1.50 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index rose 2.18 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 1.17 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, picked up 0.78 percent.

S&P 500 Closes Above 6,000 (Again)
Early in the week, markets notched steady gains as investors awaited key economic indicators and monitored ongoing trade discussions. Megacap tech names—particularly AI chipmakers—led the broader market higher, as sentiment stayed bullish on prospects for a U.S.-China trade deal.

Midweek, however, concerns over tariffs and a notable decline in one megacap tech stock slowed overall market momentum. Recent conversations between the U.S. and Chinese leadership helped investors envision progress toward a trade deal between the two nations.

On Friday, stocks pushed higher …

The Weekly Update

Week of June 2nd, 2025
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks advanced over the short trading week, bolstered by a possible trade deal with the European Union (EU) and an upbeat corporate report from a mega-cap tech company that creates semiconductors used in the creation of artificial intelligence.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 1.87 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index popped 2.01 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 1.60 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, inched up 0.84 percent.

EU Trades Spark Stocks
On Monday, stocks bolted out of the gate on news that the European Union agreed to speed up trade talks with the U.S. By the end of the session, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq posted gains north of 2 percent.

Stocks fell following Wednesday’s release of minutes from the Fed meeting in May, which showed Fed officials are cautious. Some …