Mixed Stocks; Inflation and Consumers Adjust
The Weekly Update
Week of July 21st, 2025
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®
Stocks were mixed last week, battling through tariff talk while responding to upbeat quarterly corporate reports and a trove of updates on the economy.
The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 0.59 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index added 1.51 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average decreased 0.07 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, skidded 0.46 percent.
Economic News
All three major market averages posted modest gains to start the week as investors appeared to shrug off tough talk on trade from the White House over the weekend.
Stocks mostly fell after news that inflation warmed up a bit last month albeit in line with economists’ expectations. A narrow, chip-led rally developed after a megacap chipmaker said it received assurances from the White House of its ability to sell products in China, pushing the Nasdaq modestly …