Quick Recap of the Week Stocks moved up modestly in a holiday-shortened trading week. They began the week by opening higher on Tuesday. After that, it was mostly choppy, back-and-forth action. Economic data was mixed. Weekly jobless claims and the Fed's Labor Market Conditions Index were better-than-expected. Consumer sentiment and wholesale inventories came in below [...]

Quick Recap of the Week It was another wild week for the financial markets. Stocks fell, but were a bit less volatile than the previous week. As for economic data, the employment change, retail sales and consumer sentiment were worse-than-expected. Initial jobless claims were better than their forecast, however. As for the TSP funds, the [...]

Quick Recap of the Week The stock market had a modest gain last week after some very volatile trading. The week began with continuing concerns about China. Most stock indices opened on Monday with losses between 5% to 10%. After six straight days of losses, stocks had large gains on Wednesday and Thursday. Small-cap stocks [...]

Quick Recap of the Week The stock market fell hard last week. Global economic concerns were the main driver. China's stock market continued to drop. Several events in Greece also caused concern. Despite this, there was some encouraging economic data. Both housing starts and refinance applications were better-than-expected. The Philly Fed Index also came in [...]

Quick Recap of the Week Stocks moved up slightly last week, despite a mid-week scare. China's currency fell sharply on Tuesday and Wednesday, sparking fears in global markets. The U.S. markets managed to recover, however. As for the TSP, the C and S Funds both had gains of 0.73%. The F Fund fell 0.14%, while [...]

Quick Recap of the Week The stock market began the new month on a cautious note. The major indices all fell, with small-cap stocks getting hit the hardest. Economic data was mostly negative. Employment numbers came in at their forecasted levels. Car sales were unusually strong. However, consumer spending, manufacturing, construction spending and factory orders [...]

Quick Recap of the Week Stocks moved up last week after bottoming out on Monday. Economic news was mixed. Durable goods, home prices and the Chicago purchasing manager index were better-than-expected. Consumer confidence hit a 10-month low, however. Pending home sales and the gross domestic product also came in below expectations. As for the TSP [...]

Quick Recap of the Week Stocks fell last week. The loss was fueled mostly by corporate earnings reports. Investors were disappointed by results from Apple, IBM, Caterpillar and several other firms. Economic data was mixed. Initial jobless claims and existing home sales were better-than-expected, while new home sales came in below expectations. As for the [...]

Quick Recap of the Week Stocks moved up last week. An agreement in Greece allowed the troubled nation to receive rescue funds. While this is only a short-term fix, it was enough to push stocks higher as the week began. Corporate earnings reports also drove the markets. Overall, results were mixed. However, some big technology stocks, including [...]

Quick Recap of the Week Stocks moved up slightly in very volatile trading last week. Once again, Greece took the center stage. The week began with the Greeks voting "no" to a proposed bailout from creditors. Later in the week, China's stock market fell sharply, bringing down other markets throughout the world. Stocks rebounded after [...]