Weekly Economic Updates

The Markets (as of market close November 23, 2018)   Trading volume may have been slower than usual during the Thanksgiving holiday week, but that didn’t stop stocks from moving downward. Tumbling oil prices, which fell to their lowest levels… Read More

The Markets (as of market close November 12, 2018)   Volatility best describes last week in the market, with all the major benchmark indexes losing value. Apparently, investors may be having trepidations about ongoing business growth and fear that the… Read More

The Markets (as of market close November 9, 2018)   Despite a fall at the end of the week, stocks rode a midweek push to finish in the black. Oil prices officially reached bear territory, hitting their largest price drop… Read More

The Markets (as of market close November 2, 2018)   Stocks posted a solid week of returns for the week, pulling all but one of the major benchmark indexes into positive territory for the year to date. A strong labor… Read More

The Markets (as of market close October 26, 2018)   The benchmark indexes suffered another sharp decline last week. All major indexes lost value, led by the Global Dow. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq would be nearing a correction… Read More

The Markets (as of market close October 12, 2018)   Despite a surge at the end of the week, stocks plummeted last week. The major benchmark indexes all lost value, led by the small caps of the Russell 2000, which… Read More

The Markets (as of market close October 5, 2018   Another tough week on Wall Street as stocks and long-term bond prices fell, pushing yields higher. While the major stock benchmark indexes lost value last week, the large caps of… Read More

The Markets (as of market close September 28, 2018)   Rising interest rates and continued trade concerns put a damper on stocks last week. While not unanticipated, the Fed raised the federal funds target rate 25 basis points and intimated… Read More

The Markets (as of market close September 21, 2018)   Performance of the benchmark indexes was a mixed bag last week. Maybe investors are becoming immune to the ongoing trade battle between the United States and China, as threats of… Read More

The Markets (as of market close September 14, 2018)   Tech and foreign stocks led the way as the market rebounded from the prior week’s decline. The prospect of renewed trade talks between China and the United States eased investor… Read More

The Markets (as of market close September 7, 2018)   Apparently, a strong labor report, which included increasing wages, couldn’t keep stocks from plummeting last week. The United States’ threat to raise tariffs on an additional $267 billion in Chinese… Read More

The Markets (as of market close August 31, 2018)   Trade concerns pushed stocks lower at the end of the week, wiping out some early-week gains. Canada and the United States haven’t yet come up with a trade agreement, and… Read More

The Markets (as of market close August 24, 2018)   Despite a week that included tariff trepidations and negative political headlines, investors celebrated last Friday as several indexes hit new highs. The S&P 500 reached its first record since January,… Read More

The Markets (as of market close August 17, 2018)   The large caps of the Dow and S&P 500 got a boost from a tentative agreement between the United States and China to settle their trade dispute by November. Strong… Read More

The Markets (as of market close August 10, 2018)   Despite the continued strength shown in corporate earnings reports, investors tempered their enthusiasm last week, sending the large caps of both the S&P 500 and the Dow downward. Ongoing tensions… Read More

The Markets (as of market close August 3, 2018)   Tech and mid-cap stocks performed best last week following strong second-quarter corporate earnings reports. Led by the Nasdaq, each of the major benchmark indexes posted gains last week, except for… Read More

The Markets (as of market close July 27, 2018)   Tech stocks and small caps took a hit last week as both the Nasdaq and Russell 2000 lost value. The large caps of both the S&P 500 and the Dow… Read More

The Markets (as of market close July 20, 2018)   Last week stocks held their own for the most part, with the Dow and S&P 500 posting marginal gains. The tech-heavy Nasdaq fell slightly, while the small caps of the… Read More

The Markets (as of market close July 13, 2018   Stocks posted gains for the second week in a row following some good corporate earnings reports. Each of the indexes listed here improved, except for the small caps of the… Read More

The Markets (as of market close July 6, 2018)   A positive labor report may have been enough to offset investor concerns about the tit-for-tat tariff war between the United States and its trade partners, as stocks posted positive returns… Read More

The Markets (as of market close June 29, 2018)   The major U.S. benchmark indexes continued to trend downward, losing value for the second week in a row. The Russell 2000 and the Nasdaq, both of which had been the… Read More

The Markets (as of market close June 22, 2018)   The benchmark indexes closed flat to lower last week amid fears that trade penalties will hurt domestic companies’ exports. Only the Russell 2000 closed the week ahead of its prior… Read More

The Markets (as of market close June 15, 2018)   Market gains achieved earlier in the week were given back by last Friday as investors appeared to react to China’s retaliatory tariffs on American exports. The deteriorating relationship between the United States… Read More

The Markets (as of market close June 8, 2018)   As the Group of Seven (G7) summit kicked off last Friday, and speculation of tensions mounting between the United States and its trade partners, stocks closed the week on a… Read More

The Markets (as of market close June 1, 2018)   Last Friday’s strong jobs report provided the impetus for a strong finish to the week, as the indexes were able to recoup some of their early week losses. The small-cap Russell… Read More

The Markets (as of market close May 25, 2018)   Domestic indexes rose last week despite sinking energy stocks and geopolitical uncertainties. Oil prices plunged, pulling energy shares down following indications that OPEC was planning to increase production. The United… Read More

The Markets (as of market close May 18, 2018)   Small and mid caps outperformed large caps during moderate trading last week. The small cap Russell 2000 was the only index posting notable weekly gains and edged closer to the… Read More

The Markets (as of market close May 11, 2018)   Boosted by higher oil shares and rebounding tech stocks, the major benchmark indexes advanced markedly for the first time in several weeks. Gains were enough to push each of the indexes… Read More

The Markets (as of market close May 4, 2018)   Despite a closing rally last Friday, large caps closed the week down from the prior week. The tech-heavy Nasdaq and the small caps of the Russell 2000 fared better with… Read More

The Markets (as of market close April 27, 2018)   An avalanche of corporate earnings reports impacted the market last week. There were some lackluster corporate earnings statements to prompt investors to exercise caution, resulting in a relatively flat week… Read More

The Markets (as of market close April 20, 2018)   Favorable first-quarter earnings reports helped push stocks higher for the second consecutive week. Led by the small caps of the Russell 2000, each of the major benchmark indexes posted gains by… Read More

The Markets (as of market close April 13, 2018)   Surging energy stocks led a market rebound last week as each of the major benchmark indexes posted gains. Although stocks closed higher by week’s end, volatility continued to be the… Read More

Weekly Economic Update April 9, 2018 The Markets (as of market close April 6, 2018)   In reaction to the news on new tariffs being levied on China, stocks fell last week, stripping away the previous week’s gains. Last week,… Read More

Weekly Economic Update April 2, 2018 The Markets (as of market close March 29, 2018)    All major stock indexes posted weekly gains last week, as stocks recovered from the prior week’s steep losses. The S&P 500 and Dow posted… Read More

Weekly Economic Update March 26, 2018 The Markets (as of market close March 23, 2018)   Volatility is the catchword when describing the market lately. According to forward looking reports, we can expect continued price fluctuation in the S&P 500… Read More

Weekly Economic Update March 19, 2018 The Markets (as of market close March 16, 2018)   Market volatility has been fueled, at least in the short term, by investor concerns of accelerating inflation. Last week’s Consumer Price Index, retail sales,… Read More

Weekly Economic Update March 12, 2018 The Markets (as of market close March 9, 2018)   Last week’s jobs report appears to have quelled investor fears, at least for the time being.  The Major indexes posted impressive weekly gains, led… Read More

Weekly Economic Update March 5, 2018 The Markets (as of market close March 2, 2018)   Trade wars: That was the ominous phrase that spooked many investors toward week’s end, as the federal government announced plans to implement a tariff… Read More

Weekly Economic Update February 26, 2018 The Markets (as of market close February 23, 2018)   For the second week in a row, stocks closed the week ahead. Major benchmark indexes ended the holiday-shortened week with marginal gains, led by… Read More

Weekly Economic Update February 20, 2018 The Markets (as of market close February 16, 2018)   Stocks rebounded last week following a tumultuous few weeks of significant losses. Led by the Nasdaq, each of the benchmark indexes listed here posted… Read More

Weekly Economic Update February 12, 2018 The Markets (as of market close February 9, 2018)   Volatility has returned to the global equity markets and has triggered a continued selloff over the past week few weeks. The Dow Jones Industrial… Read More

Weekly Economic Update February 5, 2018 The Markets (as of market close February 2, 2018) Whether it was the start of a market correction or just a blip in what otherwise has been an almost nine-year bull run, equities suffered… Read More

Weekly Economic Update January 29, 2018 The Markets (as of market close January 26, 2018) Major stock market indexes continue to set records, as the S&P 500 broke its 14th record in January. Favorable corporate earnings reports, a congressional stopgap… Read More

Weekly Economic Update January 22, 2018 The Markets (as of market close January 19, 2018) Corporate earnings season entered its second week with generally favorable results, which likely drove equities last week, led by the Dow and Nasdaq, which continue… Read More

Weekly Economic Update January 8, 2018 The Markets (as of market close January 5, 2018) The first week of 2018 saw equities enjoy a strong start to the New Year. Less than a year after breaking the 20000 mark, the… Read More

Weekly Economic Update January 2, 2018 The Markets (as of market close December 29, 2017) While 2017 surely was a strong year for equities overall, the last week of the year was lackluster. The major benchmark indexes posted week-over-week losses,… Read More

Weekly Economic Update December 26, 2017 The Markets (as of market close December 22, 2017) Last week saw moderate trading and lukewarm gains. The small caps of the Russell 2000 outperformed the Dow and S&P 500, while the Global Dow… Read More

Weekly Economic Update December 18, 2017 The Markets (as of market close December 15, 2017) The major stock market indexes closed last week in the black, led by the Nasdaq and the Dow, both of which climbed over 1.00%. Stocks… Read More

Weekly Economic Update December 11, 2017 The Markets (as of market close December 8, 2017) Last week proved to be a mixed bag of market returns as the large caps of the Dow and S&P 500 posted moderate gains, while… Read More

Weekly Economic Update December 4, 2017 The Markets (as of market close December 1, 2017) Equities surged for much of last week until an abrupt decline midday last Friday culled some of the earlier gains. Nevertheless, of the major indexes, only the… Read More

Weekly Economic Update November 27, 2017 The Markets (as of market close November 24, 2017) Stocks rebounded last week in spite of the market shutting down for the Thanksgiving holiday. The major benchmark indexes posted weekly gains, led by the Russell 2000,… Read More

Weekly Economic Update November 20, 2017 The Markets (as of market close November 17, 2017) Last week saw a mixed bag of returns as the large caps of the Dow and S&P 500 lost value for the second consecutive week,… Read More

Weekly Economic Update November 13, 2017 The Markets (as of market close November 10, 2017) Trepidation over delays on proposed tax reform took a toll on large cap stocks last week, ending what had been a good run of consecutive… Read More

Weekly Economic Update November 6, 2017 The Markets (as of market close November 3, 2017) Last week large cap and tech stocks performed well, while small caps took quite a hit. The S&P 500 closed the week posting gains for… Read More

Weekly Economic Update October 30, 2017 The Markets (as of market close October 27, 2017) Strong third-quarter corporate earnings and an expanding gross domestic product helped push the S&P 500 and Nasdaq, and to some extent the Dow 30, higher… Read More

Weekly Economic Update October 23, 2017 The Markets (as of market close October 20, 2017) As we all know, the Dow reached 23000 for the first time in its history. Strong corporate earnings and the anticipation of Congress reaching a… Read More

Weekly Economic Update October 16, 2017 The Markets (as of market close October 13, 2017) Once again the major stock market indices, except for the Russell 2000, increased last week.  The large caps of the Dow and S&P 500 enjoyed… Read More

Weekly Economic Update October 9, 2017 The Markets (as of market close October 6, 2017) Equities continued to surge last week as the major benchmark indexes posted notable gains – despite a late Friday downturn. Only the Global Dow failed to increase… Read More

Weekly Economic Update October 3, 2017 The Markets (as of market close September 29, 2017) The large caps of the Dow and S&P 500 closed last week with moderate gains, while small caps of the Russell 2000 enjoyed substantial gains…. Read More

Weekly Economic Update September 25, 2017 The Markets (as of market close September 22, 2017) The equity markets ended last week mixed, with the large caps of the S&P 500 and Dow posting modest gains, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq fell… Read More

Weekly Economic Update September 18, 2017   The Markets (as of market close September 15, 2017) Stocks followed the prior week’s plunge by surging ahead last week.  The small caps of the Russell 2000 led the way, followed by the… Read More

Weekly Economic Update September 11, 2017 The Markets (as of market close September 8, 2017) Retail gas prices surged as Hurricane Harvey forced refineries to shut down, leading to curtailed petroleum shipments. Higher gas prices cut into investors’ pockets, prompting… Read More

Weekly Economic Update September 5, 2017 Last Week’s Economic Headlines  The latest report on the second-quarter gross domestic product proved to be very solid, as the GDP climbed to 3.0% – 0.4 percentage point higher than the first estimate. The… Read More

Weekly Economic Update August 28, 2017 The Markets (as of market close August 25, 2017)   Amid a scarcity of economic data and the lightest trading levels of the year, stocks managed to end the week in positive territory. The… Read More

Weekly Economic Update August 21, 2017 The Markets (as of market close August 18, 2017)   Last week saw domestic and global conflicts heighten investors’ concerns, pushing stocks lower in what was a slow week for trading. The Dow lost… Read More

Weekly Economic Update August 14, 2017 The Markets (as of market close August 11, 2017) Investors may have been disturbed by the rising tensions between the United States and North Korea last week, resulting in a shift from stocks to long-term… Read More

Weekly Economic Update August 7, 2017 The Markets (as of market close August 4, 2017)   Last week ended with a mixed bag of stock market performances. The Dow, influenced by a favorable jobs report and strong corporate quarterly earnings, surged… Read More

Weekly Economic Update July 31, 2017 The Markets (as of market close July 28, 2017)   Stock indexes were mixed, despite a rise in energy stocks following Saudi Arabia’s promise to cut back oil production. Technology shares fell, which hampered both… Read More

Weekly Economic Update July 24, 2017 The Markets (as of market close July 21, 2017)   Favorable corporate earnings reports helped boost the stock market last week.  Low inflation may be influencing investors to move away from Treasuries, as yields fell… Read More

Weekly Economic Update July 17, 2017 The Markets (as of market close July 14, 2017) With consumer prices holding steady, inflation appears to be stagnant, which bodes well for the Fed holding interest rates at their current level. This may have… Read More

Weekly Economic Update July 10, 2017 The Markets (as of market close July, 7, 2017) Stocks ended last week higher, despite falling energy shares. The Dow and S&P 500 rose last Friday on the heels of June’s strong labor report. Of the other… Read More

Weekly Economic Update July 3, 2017 The Markets (as of market close June 30, 2017) Last week was not a positive one for equity investors. In a week of heavy trading, the Dow and S&P 500 each lost value and the… Read More

Weekly Economic Update June 26, 2017 The Markets (as of market close June 23, 2017) A drop in energy shares is keeping the large cap indexes of the S&P 500 and Dow in check, although both benchmarks posted moderate weekly gains…. Read More

Weekly Economic Update June 19, 2017 The Markets (as of market close June 16, 2017) The Fed raised interest rates based on what it perceived as favorable labor and economic reports, inflation is definitely receding and the housing market has stalled…. Read More

Weekly Economic Update June 12, 2017 The Markets (as of market close June 9, 2017) The major indexes produced mixed results last week. The large-cap Dow gained a little, while the small-cap Russell 2000 jumped over 1.0% by last week’s… Read More

Weekly Economic Update May 22, 2017 The Markets (as of market close May 19, 2017)   A rally late last week pulled equities higher, but not enough to overcome a midweek tumble. Only the Global Dow posted a slight gain… Read More

Both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq reached record highs last week. Only the Russell 2000 ended the week in negative territory. While the economic news last week was mixed, a strong labor report was apparently enough to offset stagnant price… Read More

The Markets (as of market close April 28, 2017)   Better-than-expected quarterly corporate earnings reports, a sign of sustained strength for many large companies, have pushed stocks higher, especially in the tech heavy NASDAQ.  All benchmarks had a positive week… Read More

The Markets (as of market close April 21, 2017)   Better-than-expected earnings reports for the first quarter helped push stocks higher last week.  The small-cap Russell 2000, which had fallen below its end-of-year closing value, jumped 2.57% for the week… Read More

The Markets (as of market close April 14, 2017)   With the United States and many global markets closed for Good Friday, stocks ended the short trading week lower. Trading volumes were low for much of the week, as investors may… Read More