Weekly Market Commentary
Transition
A more constructive outlook on inflation gave equity markets a boost last week. For the week, the S&P 500 Index was +2.9%, the Dow Jones Industrials +3.7%, and the NASDAQ +1.2%. The S&P 500 Index was led by the Energy, Financials, and Materials sectors, while the Health Care, Consumer Staples, and Communication Services sectors lagged. The 10-year U.S. Treasury note yield decreased to 4.610% at Friday’s close versus 4.767% the previous week. Retail inflation, as
Job Strength
Higher bond yields and a strong December employment report weighed on stocks last week. For the week, the S&P 500 Index was -1.9%, the Dow Jones Industrials -1.8%, and the NASDAQ -2.2%. The only three positive sectors in the S&P 500 Index for the week were the Energy, Health Care, and Materials sectors. The Real Estate, Technology, and Financial sectors saw the biggest downside. The 10-year U.S. Treasury note yield increased to 4.767% at Friday’s
And We’re Off!
The equity markets ended the last few days of 2024 on a down note but have shown a positive return so far in 2025. For the week, the S&P 500 Index was -0.5%, the Dow Jones Industrials -0.6%, and the NASDAQ -0.7%. The S&P 500 Index was led by the Energy, Utility, and Real Estate sectors, while the Materials, Consumer Discretionary, and Consumer Staples sectors lagged. The 10-year U.S. Treasury note yield decreased to 4.885%
Last Call
Equities had a modest advance during the holiday shortened week. For the week, the S&P 500 Index was +0.7%, the Dow Jones Industrials +0.4%, and the NASDAQ +0.9%. The S&P 500 Index was led by the Energy, Health Care, and Communication Services sectors, while the Materials, Consumer Staples, and Industrial sectors lagged. The 10-year U.S. Treasury note yield increased to 4.623% at Friday’s close versus 4.530% the previous week. There has been a lull in
Evolving
Equities declined last week after the Federal Reserve reduced its outlook for the number of interest rate reductions it plans for 2025. For the week, the S&P 500 Index was -2.0%, the Dow Jones Industrials -2.2%, and the NASDAQ -2.3%. All eleven S&P sectors declined with the Technology, Utility, and Financial sectors declining the least and the Energy, Real Estate, and Materials sectors declining the most. The 10-year U.S. Treasury note yield increased to 4.530%
Fed Finale
The S&P 500 Index fell modestly last week. For the week, the S&P 500 was -0.8%, the Dow Jones Industrials -1.8%, and the NASDAQ +0.8%. The Communication Services, Consumer Discretionary and Technology sectors led the market, while the Materials, Utility and Health Care sectors lagged. The 10-year U.S. Treasury note yield increased to 4.398% at Friday’s close versus 4.149% the previous week. The Federal Reserve’s final meeting of the year is scheduled for Tuesday and