Monthly Archives: February 2026

The Weekly Update

Week of February 23rd, 2026
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks ended a choppy four-session run in the green, with tech-led momentum earlier in the week prevailing over news of a slowing economy, sticky inflation, and geopolitical tensions.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index advanced 1.07 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index rallied 1.51 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average inched up 0.25 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, rose 0.75 percent.

Focus on Tech
Stocks kicked off the shortened trading week with a yawn as continuing investor angst over AI disruption in the software industry kept gains modest.

But tech-led market momentum picked up—including gains from lesser-known names—as investors digested minutes from the Fed’s January meeting.

Stocks then came under pressure as investors fretted over geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and concerns about private credit in the financial sector.

Markets rallied on Friday after the Supreme …

The Weekly Update

Week of February 17th, 2026
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks fell last week as investors reacted to mixed economic data and concerns over signs of broadening AI disruption of business models.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 1.39 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index declined 2.10 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 1.23 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, rose 1.92 percent.

AI Disruption Fears
Big tech started last week back in the driver’s seat, leading the Nasdaq and S&P 500 to modest gains as investors appeared cautiously optimistic about the economy and Q4 corporate reports.

Stocks slid modestly on Tuesday after December retail sales were flat, sparking some anxiety about the economy. Investors also fretted about the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on financial stocks.

A stronger-than-expected jobs report initially sparked a rally midweek, but momentum quickly faded as investors dug deeper into …

The Weekly Update

Week of February 9th, 2026
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks were mixed last week, with broad gains on Monday and Friday bookending midweek selling pressure as investors digested earnings results from more than 100 S&P 500 companies.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index ended the week roughly where it started, slipping 0.10 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index declined 1.84 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.50 percent. By contrast, the MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, rose 0.49 percent.

Dow 50,000

Stocks bounded out of the gate on Monday with the Dow leading a broad rise across all three major averages. Markets rose in anticipation of a big week for Q4 corporate reports.

Market sentiment quickly changed on Tuesday as anxious investors appeared to rotate out of technology names and into cyclical areas of the economy more likely to rebound with an improving economy.

News on …

The Weekly Update

Week of February 2nd, 2026
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks were mixed last week as investors navigated Q4 corporate results, a widely expected Fed decision, and a handful of economic reports.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 0.34 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index edged down 0.17 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.42 percent. By contrast, the MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, rose 1.22 percent.

S&P 500 Touches 7,000
The S&P 500 and Nasdaq advanced early in the week as investors looked ahead to the Fed meeting and corporate results from several large companies.

On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve decided to keep interest rates steady, as widely expected. Market reaction was muted, with all three major averages little changed by the close. Disappointing earnings results from one megacap tech firm, announced after the market closed on Wednesday, unsettled investors and dragged the Nasdaq …