April 3, 2017
With the first quarter of 2017 now behind us, we have seen the three major indexes all gain more than 4.5% so far this year.[1] In fact, the NASDAQ just experienced its best quarter since 2013 due to tech stocks driving growth.
(Download to Read More)
April 10, 2017
The first quarter of 2017 is now behind us, and although we won’t have complete economic data for a while, we do know that domestic stocks had a solid start to the year. Last week, major indexes took a pause from some recent gains and began the second quarter of 2017 with less than thrilling performance. The S&P 500 lost 0.30%, the Dow was down 0.03%, the NASDAQ gave back 0.57%, and the MSCI EAFE declined 0.72%.[1] For this week’s update, we’re going to examine what happened to markets in the first quarter.
(Download to Read More)
April 17, 2017
Last week, major indexes experienced losses for the second week in a row, with the S&P 500 falling 1.21%, the Dow giving back 1.01%, the NASDAQ dropping 1.26%, and the MSCI EAFE declining 0.14%.
(Download to Read More)
April 24, 2017
Domestic stocks posted losses on Friday, April 21, largely due to investor concerns about the French election.[1] Despite these daily losses, U.S. indexes broke their two-week losing streak, with the S&P 500 adding 0.85%, the Dow gaining 0.46%, and the NASDAQ increasing 1.82%. International stocks in the MSCI EAFE grew by 0.18%.
(Download to Read More)
February 6, 2017
Political headlines continued to fill the news last week, and while domestic markets declined during mid-week trading, they rebounded on Friday, February 3.[1] Overall, the week showed only modest movement, as the S&P 500 added 0.12%, the NASDAQ was up 0.11% to end at a record high, and the MSCI EAFE grew by 0.01%.[2] The Dow was down by 0.11% but still managed to end above 20,000 after dipping below this benchmark between Tuesday and Thursday.
(Download to Read More)
February 7, 2017
Once again, domestic markets reached record highs last week. The S&P 500 was up by 0.69% and the NASDAQ increased by 0.12%.[1] With its 0.96% week-over-week growth, the Dow has posted gains for 11 straight days and is currently experiencing its longest record streak since 1987.[2] On the other hand, international equities in the MSCI EAFE lost ground, dropping by 0.25% for the week.
(Download to Read More)
February 13, 2017
The political world has presented many topics of conversation lately. But one discussion has been relatively quiet: tax reform. Last week, however, the president announced that a “phenomenal” tax plan is forthcoming, and domestic markets responded by reaching record highs.[1] In fact, we saw positive market performance even before the announcement, as the S&P 500 and Dow posted new records two days in a row, while the NASDAQ reached record highs every day except Monday.[2] By Friday, the Dow was up 0.99%, the NASDAQ added 1.19%, and the S&P 500 capped its fourth consecutive week of gains to increase by 0.81%.[3] On the other hand, the MSCI EAFE languished this week, posting a 0.03% loss.
(Download to Read More)
February 21, 2017
Another week, another round of record highs. Despite concerns about how France’s upcoming presidential election could affect the European Union’s stability, U.S. stocks ended the week up yet again.[1] The S&P 500 gained 1.51%, the Dow added 1.75%, and the NASDAQ increased 1.82% – growth that represents record highs for all three indexes.[2] International equities in the MSCI EAFE also posted positive returns, with 0.78% growth for the week.
(Download to Read More)
January 9, 2017
The first trading week of 2017 is over, and during this time, all three major domestic indexes hit record highs. The DOW reached 19,999.63 in intra-day trading on Friday, January 6 – just 0.37 away from achieving 20,000 for the first time.[1] On the same day, the S&P 500 and NASDAQ both closed at record highs. For the week, the S&P 500 was up 1.70%, the Dow gained 1.02%, and the NASDAQ added 2.56%. [2] International stocks in the MSCI EAFE increased by 1.77%.
(Download to Read More)
January 23, 2017
A new presidential era began last Friday with Donald Trump’s inauguration, and the market reaction was far more restrained than its response to his election. For weeks after the presidential election, we saw markets defy expectations and post significant gains. In fact, the Dow grew by over 1,500 points between November 8 and December 12.
(Download to Read More)
January 30, 2017
After a brief pause during inauguration week, stocks continued to climb last week. The S&P 500 added 1.03%, the NASDAQ was up 1.90%, and the MSCI EAFE increased by 1.29%.[1] The Dow also grew, adding 1.34%, ending the week above while hitting 20,000 for the first time ever.
(Download to Read More)
June 5, 2017
Last week, the S&P 500, Dow, and NASDAQ closed at all-time record highs.[1] The S&P 500 rose 0.96%, the Dow gained 0.6%, and the NASDAQ grew by 1.54%.[2] Meanwhile, the MSCI EAFE gained 1.64% for the week.
(Download to Read More)
June 12, 2017
Markets last week were mixed with leading tech stocks falling dramatically as some investors pulled profits.[1] The NASDAQ took the biggest hit, finishing 1.55% down on the week – its worst week of the year. [2] Meanwhile, the Dow rose 0.31% for the week, notching another record close on Friday.[3] The S&P 500 fell 0.30%, and the MSCI EAFE closed the week down 1.22%.
(Download to Read More)
June 19, 2017
Markets remained mixed last week as the Dow closed at another record high, while the NASDAQ fell and the S&P 500 held steady.[1] By Friday, the Dow gained 0.52%, the NASDAQ fell -0.92%, and the S&P 500 gained a slight 0.05%.[2] Meanwhile, the MSCI EAFE remained virtually unchanged from last week, down only -0.002%.
(Download to Read More)
June 26, 2017
Last week, markets kept relatively quiet despite the continuing drop in oil prices. The S&P 500 rose by 0.21%, the Dow increased by 0.05%, and the NASDAQ – the week’s best performer – jumped 1.84%.[1] Internationally, the MSCI EAFE fell by 0.20%.[2] Asian markets remained relatively mixed while European markets were down modestly.
(Download to Read More)
March 6, 2017
On Wednesday, March 1, the three major domestic indexes all had their best performance in 2017 and reached record highs yet again.[1] In fact, the S&P 500 hit 2,400 for the first time ever on the same day the Dow went above 21,000 for the first time.[2] While the markets cooled slightly on Thursday and Friday, all three indexes were up for the week. The S&P 500 added 0.67%, the Dow increased by 0.88%, and the NASDAQ was up 0.44%.[3] International equities in the MSCI EAFE also grew, adding 0.39% for the week.
(Download to Read More)
March 13, 2017
After at least four consecutive weeks of growth, the three major domestic indexes all lost ground this week. The S&P 500 was down 0.44%, the Dow lost 0.49%, and the NASDAQ declined 0.15%.[1] Meanwhile, international stocks in the MSCI EAFE grew by 0.38%.[2] week.
(Download to Read More)
March 20, 2017
For the fifth time in six weeks, domestic stock indexes ended last week in positive territory. The S&P 500 gained 0.24%, the NASDAQ added 0.67%, and the Dow eked out a 0.06% increase.[1] International equities in the MSCI EAFE grew by a sizable 1.99%.
(Download to Read More)
March 27, 2017
Last week, all four of the indexes we discuss in these market updates saw their performance stumble. The S&P 500 lost 1.44%, the Dow was down 1.52%, the NASDAQ gave back 1.22%, and the MSCI EAFE declined 0.07%.[1] On Tuesday, March 21, the S&P 500 and Dow recorded 1% declines for the first time since Oct. 11, 2016.[2]
(Download to Read More)
May 1, 2017
Stocks continued their advance on generally strong earnings reports this week despite the GDP report showing a slow first quarter economy. The S&P 500 rose 1.51%, the Dow gained 1.91%, and the NASDAQ added 2.32%.[1] On Tuesday, the NASDAQ posted record highs as it closed over 6,000 for the first time.[2] Internationally, the MSCI EAFE was up 2.97%.
(Download to Read More)
May 8, 2017
Last week, stocks rose but floated within a narrow trading range. By Friday, however, both the S&P 500 and the NASDAQ reached record highs.[1] For the week, the S&P 500 gained 0.63%, the Dow finished up 0.32%, and the NASDAQ rose 0.88%.[2] The MSCI EAFE added 1.7%.
(Download to Read More)
May 15, 2017
Markets tuned out noise from Washington last week and continued to focus on economic fundamentals. Mildly rebounding retail sales and strong consumer sentiment seem to point toward a modestly stronger second quarter.[1]
(Download to Read More)
May 22, 2017
Early last week, both the S&P and NASDAQ recorded all time highs before tumbling along with the Dow as political concerns rose.[1] By Friday, though, the markets had largely rebounded and steadied. The S&P 500 closed the week down 0.38%, the Dow saw a 0.44% loss, and the NASDAQ reported a 0.61% decline.[2] The MSCI EAFE reported up 0.79% for the week.[3]
(Download to Read More)
May 30, 2017
The markets marched ahead last week with the S&P 500 and the NASDAQ reporting all-time records, albeit just slightly above previous highs.[1] The S&P rose 1.43% over last week, while the NASDAQ was up 2.08%.[2] The Dow gained 1.32% and the MSCI EAFE gained 0.14% for the week.[3] Volatility subsided as the CBOE Volatility Index, which gauges fear in the market, fell to 9.8 at the end of the week.
(Download to Read More)