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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 …

Tariffs Take Markets for a Wild Ride

jmuch2025-03-12T09:23:02-05:00March 10, 2025|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: 401(k), AI, alternative investments, chicago, CPI, debt, Fed, financial planning, financial strategy, income tax brackets, Inflation, Interest Rates, investing, market volatility, markets, risk management, taxes, Trump, wealth management, wealth transfer, women|

The Weekly Update

Week of March 10th, 2025
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks continued their slide through a volatile week. U.S. trade policy drove much of the market’s movement, broadening investors’ concerns about economic growth and inflation.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index declined 3.10 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index dropped 3.45 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 2.37 percent. By contrast, the MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, rallied 2.85 percent.

Tariffs Take Effect
Big price swings and tariff uncertainty loomed over the entire week. Stocks opened lower out of the gate after the White House confirmed the planned 25 percent tariff on Mexican and Canadian goods would go forward. Soft manufacturing and construction data also put broad downward pressure on markets. Meanwhile, European stocks continued to rally on anticipated defense spending.

Stocks fell further as tariffs affected Canada, Mexico, and China. Each country announced retaliatory tariffs …

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 …

Markets Advance Amid Volatile Week

jmuch2025-03-04T09:32:43-06:00February 15, 2025|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: 401(k), AI, artificial intelligence, chicago, CPI, debt, Fed, financial planning, financial strategy, Inflation, Interest Rates, investing, market volatility, markets, retirement, retirement planning, risk management, social security, taxes, wealth management, wealth transfer, women|

The Weekly Update

Week of February 17th, 2025
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks advanced last week despite some intra-week volatility as investors showed concern about the economy’s strength.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index gained 1.47 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index picked up 2.58 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.55 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, tacked on 2.53 percent.

The Fed Is in “No Hurry”
Stocks opened the week higher, quickly discounting news that the White House would impose 25 percent tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports. Tuesday was a volatility session, punctuated by comments from Fed Chair Powell, who told lawmakers the central bank doesn’t “need to be in a hurry” to lower interior rates further.

Stocks opened lower Wednesday after a warmer-than-expected update on consumer prices. But stocks showed some resilience and rallied throughout the day. The Nasdaq managed to claw …

Markets Process Tariff Deals, New Data

jmuch2025-03-04T09:34:51-06:00February 10, 2025|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: 401(k), AI, artificial intelligence, chicago, CPI, debt, estate planning, Fed, financial planning, financial strategy, Inflation, Interest Rates, investing, market volatility, retirement, risk management, taxes, wealth management, wealth transfer, women|

The Weekly Update

Week of February 10th, 2025
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks posted modest losses last week as tariff deals, January jobs data, and Q4 corporate reports injected volatility into markets.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index slipped 0.24 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index lost 0.53 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.54 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, edged ahead 0.17 percent.

Tariffs, Q4 Reports, and Jobs
On Monday, stocks opened lower on news that tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China went into effect over the weekend. However, markets rebounded midmorning following news of a U.S.-Mexico deal that delayed new trade rules. News of a similar last-minute agreement with Canada followed.

Stocks continued their rally midweek, led by technology stocks from companies that provided upbeat Q4 corporate reports.

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq rose for the third consecutive day on Thursday, while the Dow experienced …

Black Swan Casts Shadow Over Wall Street

jmuch2025-03-03T15:34:11-06:00February 3, 2025|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: 401(k), AI, artificial intelligence, chicago, college education, CPI, debt, estate planning, Fed, financial planning, financial strategy, income taxes, Inflation, market volatility, markets, retirement, risk management, social security, taxes, wealth management, wealth transfer, women|

The Weekly Update

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

Stocks were mixed last week as investors parsed market-moving news nearly every trading day—from an unsettling AI update to White House news to Q4 corporate reports.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 1.00 percent while the Nasdaq Composite Index slid 1.64 percent. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose, picking up 0.27 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, added 0.75 percent.

A Choppy End to January
The week started on a down note with news that a Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) startup had made a breakthrough, which put pressure on a wide range of tech stocks. The tech-heavy Nasdaq fell 3 percent for the day, but the Dow Industrials ended the trading session slightly higher.

Stocks were under pressure again mid-week as investors waited on news from the Federal Reserve. The Fed voted to hold …

Shifted Policy Gears Rev Markets

jmuch2025-03-04T09:43:32-06:00January 27, 2025|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: 401(k), aging parents, AI, alternative investments, artificial intelligence, college education, CPI, debt, estate planning, Fed, financial planning, financial strategy, income tax brackets, Inflation, Interest Rates, investing, market volatility, markets, retirement, risk management, social security, taxes, wealth management, wealth transfer, women|

The Weekly Update

Week of January 27th, 2025
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks rallied last week as investors reacted positively to a handful of better-than-expected corporate earnings reports and developments out of Washington, D.C.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index gained 1.74 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index added 1.65 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.15 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, added 3.03 percent.

Flurry of News
Markets surged over the first three trading days as investors cheered a flurry of new policy announcements and executive orders following Monday’s inauguration. For example, investors responded to news that the White House trade team is considering taking a softer stance on tariffs.3
It was also a good week for Q4 company reports and other upbeat corporate news.

Markets leveled off Friday as investors were disappointed that existing home sales fell to a 30-year low. But for the week, …

Goldilocks Returns; Market Ends Week “Just Right.”

jmuch2025-03-11T12:00:33-05:00January 21, 2025|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: 401(k), AI, alternative energy, alternative investments, artificial intelligence, chicago, college education, CPI, debt, Fed, financial planning, financial strategy, income tax brackets, income taxes, 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 January 20th, 2025
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks roared back last week, fueled by upbeat Q4 corporate reports and economic news that stalled inflationary fears.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 2.91 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index advanced 2.45 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average led, picking up 3.69 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, added 2.00 percent.

Goldilocks is Back
The “Goldilocks” narrative—an economy that’s neither too hot nor too cold—made a comeback last week.

Tuesday’s Producer Price Index report showed that wholesale prices rose less than expected in December—one piece of evidence suggesting a cooling economy.

Stocks jumped out of the gate Wednesday after the December Consumer Price Index (CPI) report showed core inflation (minus volatile energy and food prices) rose less than expected. Investors also cheered Q4 reports from a handful of money center banks and positive news out …

Investors Read Inflation Risk in Job Numbers

jmuch2025-01-13T08:32:22-06:00January 13, 2025|Categories: Weekly Update|Tags: 401(k), aging parents, artificial intelligence, chicago, CPI, estate planning, Fed, financial planning, financial strategy, Inflation, insurance, Interest Rates, investing, market volatility, markets, retirement, risk management, social security, wealth management, wealth transfer, women|

The Weekly Update

Week of January 13th, 2025
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks fell for the second consecutive week as a round of fresh economic data stoked inflationary fears among investors.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index declined 1.94 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index dropped 2.34 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.86 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, slipped 0.49 percent.

Inflation Stymies Markets
Stocks rallied broadly to start the week, but two economic reports on Tuesday—job openings and the prices-paid index among service companies—raised fresh inflation concerns. Higher Treasury yields also put pressure on stocks.

Stocks flattened out on Wednesday. Investors reacted to news that most Federal Open Market Committee members agreed inflation risks had increased, per minutes from the Fed’s December meeting.

U.S. stock markets were closed Thursday in observance of President Jimmy Carter’s funeral.

On Friday, a warmer-than-expected December jobs report caused investors to …