retirement planning Archives - CTS Financial Group

U.S./China Tariff Truce Tames Markets

jmuch2025-05-19T09:14:43-05:00May 19, 2025|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: 401(k), aging parents, AI, alternative investments, artificial intelligence, bonds, chicago, college education, CPI, debt, equities, estate planning, Fed, financial, financial planning, financial strategy, fixed income, gifting, income tax brackets, income taxes, Inflation, insurance, Interest Rates, investing, investment, market volatility, markets, PPI, retirement, retirement planning, risk, risk management, social security, stocks, tariff, taxes, taxes volatility, Trump, wealth management, wealth transfer, women|

The Weekly Update

Week of May 19th, 2025
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks roared higher last week, powered by upbeat trade news and tame inflation reports.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 5.27 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index spiked 7.15 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 3.41 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, increased 0.80 percent.

S&P, Dow Erase YTD Losses
Stocks pushed higher on Monday as investors cheered weekend news that the U.S. and China temporarily agreed to back off steep reciprocal tariffs.

Then, a mild inflation report for April—the slowest annualized Consumer Price Index (CPI) reading in four years—boosted markets on Tuesday. Tech stocks powered the rally as the S&P 500 closed trading in the green for the year.

Markets closed the week with modest gains, largely looking past weak consumer sentiment data released on Friday.

Friday was the Dow’s turn to erase year-to-date losses …

Fed Talk Calms Volatility for the Week

jmuch2025-05-12T08:20:11-05:00May 12, 2025|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: 401(k), aging parents, AI, alternative investments, artificial intelligence, bonds, chicago, college education, CPI, debt, equities, estate planning, Fed, financial, financial planning, financial strategy, fixed income, gifting, income tax brackets, income taxes, Inflation, insurance, Interest Rates, investing, investment, market volatility, markets, PPI, retirement, retirement planning, risk, risk management, social security, stocks, tariff, taxes, taxes volatility, Trump, wealth management, wealth transfer, women|

The Weekly Update

Week of May 12th, 2025
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks were mixed last week as volatility dropped despite ongoing trade concerns and the Federal Reserve’s update on short-term rates.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.16 percent, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index lost 0.47 percent. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index slipped 0.27 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, fell 0.37 percent.

Stocks Go Sideways
Stocks dropped on Monday, ending the S&P 500’s 9-day winning streak as the trade anxiety weighed on investors.

Sentiment picked up midweek, however. In a widely expected move, the Fed held short-term interest rates steady but warned of lingering uncertainty around tariffs’ effects on inflation and unemployment.

On Thursday, the U.S.-U.K. trade deal sparked a slight rally, but stocks flattened as the week ended. Investors appeared to be risk-averse with U.S.-China trade talks scheduled for the weekend.

The Fed Fans Out
The …

Positive Indicators Lift Stocks into May

jmuch2025-05-04T15:56:47-05:00May 4, 2025|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: 401(k), aging parents, AI, alternative investments, artificial intelligence, bonds, chicago, college education, CPI, debt, equities, estate planning, Fed, financial, financial planning, financial strategy, fixed income, gifting, income tax brackets, income taxes, Inflation, insurance, Interest Rates, investing, investment, market volatility, markets, PPI, retirement, retirement planning, risk, risk management, social security, stocks, tariff, taxes, taxes volatility, Trump, wealth management, wealth transfer, women|

The Weekly Update

Week of May 5th, 2025
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks pushed higher last week as investors cheered the White House’s constructive comments on trade, upbeat Q1 corporate reports, and an encouraging jobs report.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index gained 2.92 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index rose 3.42 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 3.00 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, advanced 2.56 percent.

Longest Winning Streak in 20 Years
During the first two trading days, stocks increased as investors responded favorably to White House comments on tariff deals.

Then midweek—on the last day of the month—fresh data showed the economy contracted by 0.3 percent in Q1—the first decline in gross domestic product (GDP) in three years. Stocks initially fell on the news but staged a stunning recovery to add a seventh day to the S&P 500’s and Dow Industrial’s winning streaks.

Q1 corporate …

Markets React to Positive Trade Talk

jmuch2025-04-28T08:30:30-05:00April 28, 2025|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: 401(k), aging parents, AI, alternative energy, alternative investments, artificial intelligence, chicago, college education, CPI, debt, estate planning, Fed, financial, financial planning, financial strategy, gifting, income tax brackets, income taxes, Inflation, insurance, Interest Rates, investing, investment, market volatility, markets, PPI, retirement, retirement planning, risk, risk management, social security, tariff, taxes, Trump, wealth management, wealth transfer, women|

The Weekly Update

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

Stocks pushed higher last week, spurred by the White House’s reassuring comments that progress was being made with trade talks.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index gained 4.59 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index picked up 6.73 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lagged, adding 2.48 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, increased by 2.86 percent.

Markets Rally
Markets opened the week lower as investors continued to fret about China trade tensions. But sentiment quickly shifted.

Stocks rebounded Tuesday following news that the administration intended to de-escalate tensions with China over tariffs. The rally extended through two more consecutive sessions as investors responded favorably to reassuring comments from the administration.

Markets also were encouraged after the president said he had “no intention” of firing the Fed Chair Powell. They also liked hearing Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s comments …

Markets Slip as Q1 Reports Arrive

jmuch2025-04-21T11:07:13-05:00April 21, 2025|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: 401(k), AI, alternative investments, artificial intelligence, chicago, college education, CPI, debt, estate planning, Fed, financial, financial planning, financial strategy, gifting, income tax brackets, income taxes, Inflation, insurance, Interest Rates, investing, investment, market volatility, markets, PPI, retirement, retirement planning, risk management, social security, tariff, taxes, Trump, wealth management, women|

The Weekly Update

Week of April 21st, 2025
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

U.S. stocks slipped over the shortened trading week as Q1 corporate reports started to roll in.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index dropped 1.50 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index fell 2.62 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 2.66 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, added 4.19 percent.

U.S. Stocks Slide
Stocks started the four-day week with modest gains. Trade volatility subsided as several money center banks reported Q1 numbers at or above expectations.

Stocks trended lower midweek after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell expressed concern that tariffs would likely “move us further away from our goals”—including keeping inflation in check.

Stocks were mixed on the week’s last trading day as traders evaluated White House news that trade deals were progressing with Japan, China, and the European Union. The S&P 500 ended the day higher, but …

Rally Caps Volatile Week

jmuch2025-04-14T14:41:42-05:00April 14, 2025|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: 401(k), AI, alternative investments, artificial intelligence, chicago, college education, CPI, debt, Fed, financial, financial planning, financial strategy, gifting, income tax brackets, income taxes, Inflation, insurance, Interest Rates, investing, investment, market volatility, markets, PPI, retirement, retirement planning, risk management, social security, state planning, tariff, taxes, Trump, wealth management, women|

The Weekly Update

Week of April 14th, 2025
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks ended the week with a strong gain as traders continued to focus on tariff talks while appearing to overlook upbeat news on inflation.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 5.70 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index gained 7.29 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average picked up 4.95 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, increased by 0.72 percent.

Stocks Rebound
Stocks rallied on Monday after a report surfaced that the administration was considering a 90-day pause on tariffs. But when the White House clarified its position, sellers stepped in.

On Tuesday, prices jumped at the next opening bell after the Treasury Secretary said the U.S. was open to tariff negotiations with trading partners. The rally stalled and reversed on news the administration was adjusting tariffs on Chinese imports.

After the White House announced a 90-day pause …

Markets React to White House Tariffs

jmuch2025-04-11T10:20:35-05:00April 7, 2025|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: 401(k), AI, alternative investments, artificial intelligence, chicago, college education, CPI, debt, estate planning, Fed, financial, financial planning, financial strategy, gifting, income tax brackets, income taxes, Inflation, insurance, Interest Rates, investing, investment, market volatility, markets, PPI, retirement, retirement planning, risk management, social security, taxes, Trump, wealth management, women|

The Weekly Update

Week of April 7th, 2025
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks fell broadly last week as domestic and foreign markets reacted to the White House’s tariffs.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index declined 9.08 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index fell 10.02 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 7.86 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, lost 7.39 percent.

Under Pressure
Stocks rallied the first half of the week as markets tried to anticipate the potential impact of tariffs previously announced by the White House.

Soon after the closing bell on Wednesday, President Trump’s new tariffs surprised markets. Global markets reacted to the news overnight.

Markets opened lower on Thursday, and the selling continued through Friday. Treasuries rallied in a flight to quality as investors moved to the sidelines. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note closed Friday at 4.0 percent. Bond yields generally fall when …

Fed Happy Talk Breaks Bad News Streak

jmuch2025-03-24T06:51:46-05:00March 24, 2025|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: 401(k), AI, alternative investments, artificial intelligence, chicago, college education, CPI, debt, estate planning, Fed, financial, financial planning, financial strategy, gifting, income tax brackets, income taxes, Inflation, insurance, Interest Rates, investing, investment, market volatility, markets, PPI, retirement, retirement planning, risk management, social security, taxes, Trump, wealth management, women|

The Weekly Update

Week of March 24th, 2025
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks notched a solid gain last week as upbeat comments from the Fed helped stocks snap their four-week losing streak.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 0.51 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index picked up 0.17 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average led, gaining 1.20 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, rose 0.75 percent.

A Solid Week
Stocks opened the week higher despite weaker-than-expected retail sales. On Tuesday, stocks pulled back on disappointing economic data and renewed Middle East tensions.

Stocks roared higher Wednesday as investors looked forward to the Federal Reserve’s meeting. As widely expected, the Fed kept rates steady, but Fed Chair Powell’s comments buoyed investors’ spirits.

Stocks dipped Thursday and opened lower on Friday, but investors showed some confidence by pushing prices higher into Friday’s close.

The Fed Stays Positive
Amid all the market turbulence …

Tariff Talk Returns, Volatility Close Behind

jmuch2025-03-13T19:34:02-05:00March 3, 2025|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: 401(k), chicago, college education, CPI, Fed, financial strategy, Inflation, Interest Rates, investing, investment, market volatility, markets, retirement, retirement planning, risk, risk management, social security, sustainability, taxes, wealth management, wealth transfer, women|

The Weekly Update

Week of March 3rd, 2025
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks were mixed last week as investor concerns over inflation and trade policy combined to produce another volatile trading week.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.95 percent, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index lost 0.98 percent. Meanwhile, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index dropped an eye-catching 3.47 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, lost 1.03 percent.

Trade Talk
The week began under pressure after the White House said 25 percent tariffs on Mexico and Canada would begin after the 30-day pause ends in early March.

On Tuesday, S&P and Nasdaq stocks continued their slide on news that consumer confidence weakened more than expected. Concerns about inflation and tariffs merged with investors fretting over economic growth and global trade. It was the fourth straight day of declines for the S&P 500 and Nasdaq. The Dow, however, …

New Indicators Rattle Investors

jmuch2025-03-04T09:36:00-06:00February 24, 2025|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: 401(k), AI, artificial intelligence, chicago, college education, CPI, debt, Fed, financial planning, financial strategy, income tax brackets, Inflation, insurance, Interest Rates, investing, market volatility, markets, PPI, retirement, retirement planning, risk management, social security, tariff, taxes, Trump, wealth management, wealth transfer, women|

The Weekly Update

Week of February 24th, 2025
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks fell last week as concerns about sticky inflation and the pace of economic growth rattled investors.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index declined 1.66 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index dropped 2.51 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also fell 2.51 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, was essentially flat (+0.04 percent).

S&P 500 Hits New High, Then Slips
Following the Presidents’ Day holiday, stock prices were largely range-bound on Tuesday despite some intraday volatility. Then stocks edged higher, shaking off some new tariff talk and disappointing housing starts data. The S&P 500 marked its third record close of the year on Wednesday.

On Thursday, stocks were under pressure from the start of trading after a weaker-than-expected outlook from a mega-retailer. The update reinforced some concerns that the economy may be slowing. The selling accelerated …