Quick Recap of the Week Stocks fell last week. Volatility increased sharply as the Federal Reserve and several other central banks met. In addition, there was much concern about the upcoming Brexit vote. This caused international stock markets to fall even more than U.S. indices did. Economic Data Retail sales and housing starts came in [...]

Quick Recap of the Week After a strong start, the stock market faltered last week. The Dow Jones was the only major index to end with a gain. The other indices suffered small losses. Economic Data On the positive side, weekly jobless claims fell while job openings rose. On the negative side, labor market conditions [...]

Quick Recap of the Week Stocks had mixed results during the holiday-shortened week. The Dow fell while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq had very small gains. Small-cap stocks had a more significant rally. Economic Data ISM Manufacturing and factory orders were better-than-expected. Chicago PMI, consumer confidence, ISM Services and construction spending came in below their forecasts. The big news [...]

Quick Recap of the Week Although trading volume was light, the stock market had a strong rally last week. Large, blue-chip stocks performed well, but small-cap and tech stocks did even better. Economic Data New home sales, durable orders and unemployment claims were better-than-expected. The odds of a June Federal Reserve interest rate hike are currently 30%. [...]

Quick Recap of the Week The S&P 500, Nasdaq and Russell 2000 moved up last week, breaking a 3-week losing streak for stocks. Economic Data Existing home sales and industrial production rose. On the negative side, the empire state manufacturing survey and Philly Fed index were worse-than-expected. TSP Funds The S Fund had the week's [...]

Quick Recap of the Week Stocks fell for the third straight week. Losses were moderate, however. The major indices continue to trade in narrow ranges. Economic Data Retail sales, consumer sentiment and job openings were better-than-expected. Jobless claims and business inventories came in below their forecasts. TSP Funds The S Fund declined the most with a 0.85% loss. [...]

Quick Recap of the Week Stocks fell for the second straight week. Small-cap, technology and international stocks were hit the hardest. Larger blue chip stocks fared better. Economic Data Data releases were mostly negative. The ISM services index came in better-than-expected. However, payrolls, jobless claims and the ISM manufacturing index were worse-than-expected. In addition, most [...]

Quick Recap of the Week Stocks fell last week. Once again, 2100 acted as a ceiling for the S&P 500. After falling to almost 2050 on Friday, the S&P 500 had a modest bounce, however. Economic Data Initial jobless claims and the Richmond manufacturing survey were better-than-expected. On the negative side, durable goods, consumer confidence and the U.S. economy's [...]

Quick Recap of the Week The stock market moved up last week. The S&P 500 touched the 2100 level for the first time since early December. Small-caps were the best performers, while tech stocks lagged the broader market. Economic Data Initial jobless claims fell to a 40+ year low. Existing home sales were also better-than-expected. On [...]

Quick Recap of the Week Stocks rallied last week. Most indices reached their highest level since late 2015. Small-caps had the biggest gains, but almost all sectors performed well. Economic Data Initial jobless claims and the Empire State manufacturing index were better-than-expected. However, retail sales, industrial production and consumer sentiment came in below their forecasts. TSP Funds [...]