financial literacy

The Weekly Update

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

Stocks ended the week slightly lower as mixed economic data led to some profit-taking by investors ahead of the holiday weekend.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index edged down 0.10 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index slipped 0.19 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 0.19 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, skidded 1.53 percent.

Stocks Rise, Then Falter
Stocks initially rose but then took a breather as investors continued to process Fed Chair Powell’s comments from the Fed’s annual symposium.

Stocks regained momentum midweek as investors waited for the Q2 corporate report from the nation’s most influential artificial intelligence (AI) company. The AI chip maker posted results Wednesday night, with a mixed reception in after-hours trading. On Thursday, the stock rallied, which helped the S&P 500 close above 6500 for the first time.

On Friday, the …

The Weekly Update

Week of August 25th, 2025
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks were mixed last week despite a powerful Friday rally sparked by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, who opened the door to adjusting short-term interest rates.
The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index picked up 0.27 percent while the Nasdaq Composite Index lost 0.58 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.53 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, increased 0.80 percent.

All Eyes on Powell
Stocks traded in a narrow band to start the week as investors awaited fresh economic data and comments from Fed officials at their annual symposium in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
After a big retailer reported quarterly results on Tuesday and gave encouraging guidance, stocks pushed higher. But markets took a breather later in the day as pressure on megacap tech and chipmakers led the Nasdaq and the broader market lower.
The S&P 500 and …

The Weekly Update

Week of August 18th, 2025
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks rose last week despite mixed signals on inflation as investors kept one eye on the Fed’s September meeting.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index advanced 0.94 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index added 0.81 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.74 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, increased 2.16 percent.

Third Gain in Four Weeks
Stocks posted modest losses to start the week as investors braced for July consumer inflation reports. The White House’s executive order on Monday extending the tariff deadline for China by 90 days failed to move markets in the other direction.

Stocks then staged a two-day rally following the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, which showed July inflation held steady over the prior month—beating expectations. The inflation news led some investors to move into small-cap stocks, with the Russell …

The Weekly Update

Week of August 11th, 2025
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks rebounded last week as investor optimism for a September rate adjustment and strong Q2 corporate results overcame the rollout of fresh tariffs.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 2.43 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index gained 3.87 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 1.35 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, increased 2.77 percent.

Stocks Gyrate
Stocks pushed higher to start the week, with major averages gaining between 1.3 percent and 2 percent—their best day since May. Investors seemed more optimistic for a rate move after the weaker-than-expected July jobs report.

Stocks rose again midweek after the White House confirmed a mega-cap tech company would invest $500 billion more in domestic manufacturing. News of additional tariffs on India was greeted with a muted reaction from investors.

The updated tariffs previously announced by the White House …

The Weekly Update

Week of August 4th, 2025
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks fell last week as investors assessed progress on trade negotiations, new U.S. tariffs, and fresh data on the U.S. economy.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 2.36 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index declined 2.17 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 2.92 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, lost 2.95 percent.

Action-Packed Week
Stocks largely went sideways over the first half of the week as investors waited for more Q2 corporate results, fresh economic data, and the Fed decision.

The U.S.-E.U. trade agreement announced over the weekend had a muted impact on the market as the week began. Stocks then retreated as China trade talks appeared to stall, with the Dow declining the most of the three major averages through midweek.

Stocks gained on Wednesday morning after the latest gross domestic product (GDP) report …

The Weekly Update

Week of July 28th, 2025
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Expectation-beating Q2 results from several companies, trade updates, and investor optimism for more trade agreements pushed market averages to solid gains.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index advanced 1.46 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index added 1.02 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.26 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, gained 2.16 percent.

Earnings, Trade Lift Markets
Stocks showed mixed results the first couple of days last week. Optimism around the Q2 corporate reporting season gave way to mostly positive market reaction as the actual corporate reports started to roll in. The S&P 500 edged ahead to two record closes despite pressure on chipmakers.

Trade negotiations took center stage midweek after the White House announced an agreement with Japan. Stocks extended the rally after news that the U.S. and European Union were approaching an agreement. …