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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 …

The Weekly Update

Week of March 30th, 2026
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks ended a challenging week lower as investors’ attention shifted from updates on ceasefire talks to concerns about the economic impact of a protracted conflict.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index lost 2.12 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index fell 3.23 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 0.90 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, ended the week flat (-0.05 percent).

Challenging Week
Stocks opened higher to start the week as fresh optimism for a resolution to the Middle East conflict permeated market sentiment, and no further news on Iraq’s force majeure declaration appeared to help momentum. Both the Dow Industrials and S&P 500 booked their best day since early February as the White House reported “very good and productive conversations” to end hostilities.

Markets were under pressure on Tuesday but staged a recovery rally midweek …

The Weekly Update

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

Markets Dizzied by Rapid Reports
Another volatile week unfolded as rapid developments in the Middle East and public comments from leaders on the conflict see-sawed markets, leaving investors struggling to keep up with updates.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index lost 1.89 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index fell 2.07 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 2.11 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, dropped 2.01 percent.

Under Pressure
Stocks rebounded to start the week while oil prices eased. Investors kept one eye on potential bargains and the other on the Middle East conflict. Reports of a coalition of countries possibly joining to escort tankers out of the Persian Gulf also gave investors something to cheer.

Stocks continued their rebound as investors cautiously awaited more developments in the conflict. Markets largely looked past attacks on tanker ships …

The Weekly Update

Week of March 16th, 2026
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks logged a third-straight down week as investors digested the latest news out of the Middle East, navigated more volatility, and mulled the latest economic data.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index declined 1.60 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index lost 1.26 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.99 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, slid 2.28 percent.

Middle East
Markets got a volatile start to the week, with stocks falling and oil prices rising as commercial maritime traffic heading out of the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz remained at a virtual standstill. But stocks rebounded late in the day after the White House said the conflict may end sooner than expected.

Stocks dropped at Tuesday’s opening bell but mostly recovered after word spread that a group of countries, including the U.S., were …

The Weekly Update

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

Stocks fell last week as investors assessed the implications of a fresh Middle East conflict while digesting mixed reports on the jobs market.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 2.02 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index slid 1.24 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 3.05 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, lost 6.62 percent.

Middle East Conflict
Stocks opened lower on the first trading day as investors reacted to news of military action in the Middle East. However, the decline was short-lived as investors “bought the dip.” All three major averages recovered or nearly recovered from their intraday lows by Monday’s close.

Stocks opened lower again on Tuesday as the markets mulled over the possibility of a protracted conflict. However, afternoon comments from the White House—promising to provide risk insurance and U.S. Navy escorts …

The Weekly Update

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

Stocks fell last week amid concerns about artificial intelligence (AI) and a warmer-than-expected reading of wholesale inflation.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 0.44 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index declined 0.95 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 1.27 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, rose 1.22 percent.

AI Disruption
Markets began the week under pressure as investors’ fears of AI disruption spread to a wide variety of industries. On Monday, a new research report circulated across trading floors, suggesting that AI could influence the broader economy and affect the unemployment rate.

Stocks bounced back over the next two sessions as investors saw opportunity in an oversold AI trade. The relief rally included software and cybersecurity stocks, as well as AI-related technology shares more broadly. The rally gained momentum, spurred on by a prominent …

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 …