Monthly Archives: April 2026

The Weekly Upate

Week of April 27th, 2026
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks were mixed last week as investors gauged potential outcomes of the Middle East conflict amid an ongoing ceasefire.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 0.55 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index advanced 1.50 percent. By contrast, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.44 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, declined 2.75 percent.

Mixed Markets As Investors Look Ahead
Stocks began the week lower after tensions in the Middle East escalated over the weekend. They remained under pressure through Tuesday’s close as Wednesday’s expiration of the ceasefire loomed.

Markets opened higher on Wednesday as investors cheered a ceasefire extension, while solid Q1 corporate earnings results boosted market momentum. Oil prices rose above $100/barrel, and all three major stock averages closed higher, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq logging new all-time highs.

The S&P and Nasdaq recovered …

The Weekly Update

Week of April 20th, 2026
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks rallied last week as investor enthusiasm increased for an end to the war in the Middle East and hopes of a resumption of normal global trade.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 4.54 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index picked up 6.84 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 3.19 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, increased 2.15 percent.

Shift to “Risk-On” from “Risk-Off”
Stocks continued to ride the hopeful sentiment of a ceasefire at the start of last week, with all three averages advancing. The S&P 500 has recouped all its losses since the start of the war.

Momentum accelerated through midweek as investors shifted from “risk-off” to “risk-on.” The White House signaled that the war was “very close to over” amid reports that further talks were under discussion.

At Wednesday’s close, the S&P …

The Weekly Update

Week of April 13th, 2026
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Hope won out over fear last week as investors set their sights on a Middle East ceasefire holding and optimistic prospects for the Strait of Hormuz reopening.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 3.56 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index picked up 4.68 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 3.04 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, increased 4.52 percent.

Ceasefire Optimism
Stocks opened the week to modest gains, with the S&P 500 rising for the fourth consecutive trading day. Investors warily eyed the U.S.-imposed April 7 deadline for Iran to allow the free flow of oil and commerce through the Strait of Hormuz or risk further attacks on its energy infrastructure.

Stocks opened lower Tuesday but recovered late in the session on news that Pakistan asked the U.S. to push its deadline out by …