Quick Recap of the Week After March's big rally, stocks fell moderately last week. International stocks performed better than domestic stocks due to a falling U.S. Dollar. Economic Data The ISM services index and jobless claims were better-than-expected. On the negative side, factory orders and auto inventories came in below their forecasts. TSP Funds The [...]

Quick Recap of the Week Stocks rallied last week. Technology and small-cap stocks had the best performances, though large-cap stocks also did well. On a monthly basis, stocks had their best performance since October. Economic Data Pending home sales, consumer confidence, the Chicago purchasing managers index and nonfarm payrolls (new jobs) came in above their [...]

Quick Recap of the Week The stock market had a modest loss last week. Sectors like health care and technology held up relatively well, while small-cap stocks took a beating. Economic Data Gross domestic product, jobless claims and new home sales were better-than-expected. Existing home sales and durable goods orders came in below expectations. TSP [...]

Quick Recap of the Week Stocks moved up again last week. The main driver was the Federal Reserve. They didn't raise interest rates at their meeting on Wednesday. The Fed anticipates two more rate hikes this year--not four as they previously said. This "dovish" language pushed stocks higher towards the end of the week. Economic [...]

Quick Recap of the Week Stocks were in slightly negative territory until Friday. The S&P 500 had trouble moving past the 2000 price level. As we indicated last week, this was a clear resistance area. However, the major stock indices had large gains on Friday. They're now at their highest levels since early January. Economic Data Jobless claims and [...]

Quick Recap of the Week Stocks rose for the third straight week. It ended with the S&P 500 closing a fraction below 2000 on Friday. So far, stocks haven't run into resistance since they began recovering in mid-February. However, the key price level of 2000 could be a major test. Economic Data Employment data was better-than-expected, as was [...]

Quick Recap of the Week Stocks rose for a second straight week. All of the major U.S. stock indices had gains. Economic Data There were many economic data releases. On the positive side, gross domestic product, durable goods orders, home sales, consumer sentiment and the Case-Shiller Home Price Index were better-than-expected. Coming in below expectations were [...]

Quick Recap of the Week The holiday-shortened week was a good one for stocks. All of the major indices moved higher. Small-caps and tech stocks were the best performers. Economic Data Industrial production and jobless claims were better-than-expected. On the downside, housing starts and the Empire State Manufacturing Survey were worse-than-expected. TSP Funds The S [...]

Quick Recap of the Week After dropping sharply most of the week, stocks had a strong rally on Friday. For the week, the major indices closed with modest losses. Economic Data On the positive side, retail sales and jobless claims were better-than-expected. However, consumer sentiment fell while business inventories rose (not a good sign). TSP [...]

Quick Recap of the Week After rising for two straight weeks, stocks fell. Falling oil prices and weakness in the tech sector were the main causes. The major indices fell between 1.6% (Dow) and 5.4% (Nasdaq). Economic Data On the positive side, the unemployment rate fell while the PMI Manufacturing Index rose. However, factory orders declined, [...]