Understanding Your Tolerance for Market Risk
March of 2020 was a good reminder that market risk can’t be taken lightly. Have you ever had your tolerance for market risk measured? If you haven’t, now may be a good time. Take a look at our recent article that explains why https://bit.ly/31fQkau.
The Weekly Update
Week of August 3rd, 2020
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®
The Week on Wall Street
Stocks were mixed last week amid a busy week of earnings, some troubling economic data, and seemingly little progress on a new fiscal stimulus package.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.16%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 increased by 1.73%. The Nasdaq Composite Index surged 3.69% for the week. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed stock markets overseas, dipped 0.75%.
Stocks Buffeted by Crosswinds
Stocks rode a roller coaster last week, reacting to a conflicting stream of corporate events and economic data.
Investors were optimistic on Monday about the ability of mega-cap technology companies to thrive in an uncertain economy, but worried on Tuesday about pending Congressional testimony involving the CEOs of these firms.
On the economic front, a strong June durable goods orders report on Monday bolstered investor sentiment. But the optimism faded on a …
The Weekly Update
Week of July 27th, 2020
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®
The Week on Wall Street
Stocks slipped in the final days of trading last week on higher jobless claims and rising tensions in the U.S.-China relationship.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.76%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 dipped 0.28%. The Nasdaq Composite Index dropped 1.33% for the week. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed stock markets overseas, rose 1.24%.
Stocks Lose Momentum
Stocks marched higher to begin the week on progress with a COVID-19 vaccine and a string of upbeat corporate quarterly reports. Firming oil prices and the passage of a fiscal stimulus bill by the European Union also helped buoy investors’ spirits.
Market sentiment, however, turned negative after Thursday morning’s report of an uptick in new unemployment claims, which suggested a possible slowdown in hiring. The market was led lower by the technology sector ahead of quarterly reports …
The Weekly Update
Week of July 20th, 2020
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®
The Week on Wall Street
Stocks were mixed last week as investors reacted to positive economic data, progress on a COVID-19 vaccine, and the continued nationwide increase in COVID-19 cases.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 2.29%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 rose by 1.25%. But the Nasdaq Composite Index dropped 1.08% for the week. The mega-cap technology companies saw some profit-taking last week, sending the Nasdaq Composite to its first loss in three weeks. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed stock markets overseas, ended 2.19% higher.
Stocks Find a Way Higher
After a Monday rally melted away on news that California was rolling back its reopening plans amid rising infections, a new earnings season began on a hopeful note. Stocks posted back-to-back daily gains on the strength of positive earnings surprises from a few money center banks and …
CTS Financial Group: Good Reads
Summer has finally arrived! And while it doesn’t quite look like any summer we’ve had before, we’re excited to finally get a moment to jump into our summer reads. Take a look at some of the books we’ve read and loved and some of the books we can’t wait to start. https://bit.ly/ctsgoodreads
The Weekly Update
Week of July 13th, 2020
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®
The Week on Wall Street
Stock prices notched solid gains last week, looking past an increase in COVID-19 cases and any potential economic concerns raised by the trend.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 0.96%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 climbed 1.76%. The Nasdaq Composite Index bounded 4.01% higher for the week. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed stock markets overseas, gained just 0.07%.
Virus Concerns
Stocks experienced a volatile week as investors negotiated the crosswinds of encouraging overseas economic data with an accelerating number of COVID-19 cases in several states. Ongoing support of the financial markets by the Federal Reserve appeared to offset any concerns about an economic rebound.
The big technology companies continued to shine, leading the Nasdaq Composite to multiple new record highs. News of positive trial results for a potential COVID-19 treatment boosted stocks on …
The Weekly Update
Week of July 6th, 2020
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®
The Week on Wall Street
In a holiday-shortened week, stock prices turned higher as encouraging economic data outweighed an increase in COVID-19 cases and a rollback in economic re-openings.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 3.25%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 increased by 4.02%. The Nasdaq Composite Index gained 4.62% for the week. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed stock markets overseas, picked up 0.22%.
The Quarter in Brief
As a new quarter begins, we look back on an eventful second quarter for households and investors alike – a quarter in which the economy took a mighty hit, while the stock market soared. Complying with stay-at-home orders, Americans abruptly cut back on discretionary spending, traveling, and commuting, resulting in a dire scenario for some industries. Unemployment rose as business revenue declined. Fundamental economic indicators saw big swings, and on …
Happy Independence Day
The Weekly Update
Week of June 29th, 2020
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®
The Week on Wall Street
A jump in COVID-19 cases dampened investor enthusiasm last week, sending stock prices lower on worries that rising infections could derail the economic recovery.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average slumped 3.31%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 retreated 2.86%. The Nasdaq Composite Index lost 1.90% for the week. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed stock markets overseas, declined 1.28%.
A Rocky Week for Stocks
Investors began the week overlooking a jump in COVID-19 cases in some early reopening states, sending stocks higher and powering the NASDAQ Composite to close above 10,000 and establish a new record high on successive days. But the market quickly reversed course as investors reacted to data showing a troubling spike in nationwide COVID-19 cases.
In Thursday’s trading, stocks opened lower but then rallied late in the day on no apparent news. …
The Weekly Update
Week of June 22nd, 2020
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®
The Week on Wall Street
Stocks moved higher last week on news of more Federal Reserve market support and diminished concerns that new COVID-19 cases might lead to another economic shutdown.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.04%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 gained 1.86%. The Nasdaq Composite Index jumped 3.73% for the week. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, increased 1.88%.
Investor Sentiment
News on Monday that the Fed would be expanding its bond-buying program to include the debt of individual companies sparked a sharp jump in stocks. The momentum gained through the week as investors focused on positive economic signals, especially with retail sales. A midweek report of an effective COVID-19 treatment for critically ill patients boosted investor optimism.
Market sentiment also was helped by talk of more fiscal stimulus and a report that China …
