Blog

Weekly Market Insights: Lower inflation lifts spirits in uneven week.

Mark Loop, CFP®, AIF®

Monday, April 17, 2023

The combination of an improving inflation outlook resulted in a week of uneven, albeit positive, performance, in which cyclical and financial stocks rallied while technology, real estate, and utilities lagged. The Dow Jones...

Weekly Market Insights: Hiring Cools; Recession Fears Rise.

Mark Loop, CFP®, AIF®

Monday, April 10, 2023

Stocks ended a shortened week of trading mixed amid revived recession fears on Wall Street triggered by weak economic data.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.63%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 slipped 0.10%. The Nasdaq...

Weekly Market Insights: Banking Crisis Fears Dim; Markets Rally

Mark Loop, CFP®, AIF®

Monday, April 3, 2023

Stocks rallied last week on receding fears of a widening banking crisis, led by resurging investor interest in technology and communication services names.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 3.22%, while the Standard & Poor’s...

Weekly Market Insights: Mixed Message Provokes Volatility

Mark Loop, CFP®, AIF®

Monday, March 27, 2023

Modest gains in major market indices masked sharp volatility amid the uncertainty arising from mixed messages emanating from public officials and revived banking fears. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.18%, while the Standard...

Weekly Market Insights: Markets Cautious After Banking Woes; Awaiting Fed Reaction

Mark Loop, CFP®, AIF®

Monday, March 20, 2023

Amid the reverberations of two U.S. banks being taken over by regulators and the spread of uncertainty to European banks, stocks trended higher last week on the strength of the technology sector.The Dow Jones Industrial Average was...

Weekly Market Insights: Bad News Gives Markets a One-Two Punch

Mark Loop, CFP®, AIF®

Monday, March 13, 2023

Stocks tumbled last week as investors reconsidered their interest rate expectations after Fed Chair Powell’s Congressional testimony that rates may need to go higher. Stocks also were rattled when a west coast bank was placed...

Weekly Market Insights: Fed’s Reassurance Boosts Stocks.

Mark Loop, CFP®, AIF®

Monday, March 6, 2023

A late-week surge, triggered by reassuring Fed-speak, propelled stocks higher last week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.75%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 advanced 1.90%. The Nasdaq Composite index picked up 2.58% for...

Weekly Market Insights: FOMC Says Inflation is Still Too High

Mark Loop, CFP®, AIF®

Monday, February 27, 2023

Concerns over a firmer monetary policy were heightened by fresh economic data, touching off a climb in bond yields and a slide in stock prices last week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average skidded 2.99%, while the Standard & Poor’s...

Weekly Market Insights: Mixed Results As Interest Rate Concerns Grow

Mark Loop, CFP®, AIF®

Tuesday, February 21, 2023

Growing concerns about further interest rate hikes, prompted by fresh economic data, reversed early-week gains and left stocks mixed for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.13%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...

Weekly Market Insights: Mixed Feelings and Mixed Earnings

Mark Loop, CFP®, AIF®

Monday, February 13, 2023

Stocks drifted lower as a week of mixed earnings reports and resurgent worries over Fed monetary policy dragged on investor sentiment. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.17%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 declined...

Weekly Market Insights: Powell: Inflation Heading in the Right Direction

Mark Loop, CFP®, AIF®

Monday, February 6, 2023

Stocks were mixed last week following better-than-expected corporate reports and increasing optimism over a slowdown in interest rates.The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged lower, slipping -0.15%. The Standard & Poor’s 500 rose...

Weekly Market Insights: Earnings and Data Tell Two Different Stories on Near Future.

Mark Loop, CFP®, AIF®

Monday, January 30, 2023

Stocks added to their early 2023 gains amid a busy stream of mixed corporate earnings results and conflicting economic data.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.81%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 added 2.47%. The Nasdaq...

Weekly Market Insights: Mixed Results Following Weak Economic Data

Mark Loop, CFP®, AIF®

Monday, January 23, 2023

Stocks showed mixed results last week as recession fears resurfaced in response to weak economic data and a tepid start to a new corporate earnings season.  The Dow Jones Industrial Average skidded 2.70%, while the Standard &...

Weekly Market Insights: Inflation Cools, Stocks Warm Up

Mark Loop, CFP®, AIF®

Tuesday, January 17, 2023

Stocks rallied last week thanks to fresh confirmation of inflation’s cooling trend and growing optimism that an inflation slowdown may provide the Fed with space to ease up on future rate hikes.The Dow Jones Industrial Average...

Weekly Market Insights: New Year's Rally in Reply to Positive Economic News

Mark Loop, CFP®, AIF®

Monday, January 9, 2023

A strong Friday rally triggered by fresh signs of moderating inflation pushed stocks into positive territory to begin the new year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.46%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 advanced 1.45%....

Weekly Market Insights: Erratic Holiday Trading Leaves Stocks in Doldrums

Mark Loop, CFP®, AIF®

Wednesday, January 4, 2023

In a holiday-shortened week, erratic trading left stocks marginally down for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.17%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 slipped 0.14%. The Nasdaq Composite index fell 0.30%. The MSCI...

Weekly Market Insights: Recession Concerns, Fed Talk Keep Stocks Cold

Mark Loop, CFP®, AIF®

Monday, December 19, 2022

Hawkish comments by the Fed and weak economic data heightened investors’ recession concerns and sent stocks lower last week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.66%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 retreated 2.08%. The...

Weekly Market Insights: Stocks Slide on Recession Concerns

Mark Loop, CFP®, AIF®

Monday, December 12, 2022

Recession fears and concerns that the Fed may consider a longer rate-hike cycle sent stocks lower for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 2.77%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 fell 3.37%. The Nasdaq Composite index...

Weekly Market Insights: Easing on Rate Hikes and Job Numbers Cheer Markets

Mark Loop, CFP®, AIF®

Monday, December 5, 2022

Stocks ended higher last week as investors navigated the crosscurrents of a potential easing in future rate hikes and continued strength in the labor market.The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged 0.24% higher, while the Standard &...

Weekly Market Insights: Fed Talks Turkey on Lower Rates, Boosting Markets

Mark Loop, CFP®, AIF®

Monday, November 28, 2022

Growing optimism that the Fed may be ready to ease future interest rate hikes sent stocks higher in a quiet trading week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.78%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 added 1.53%. The Nasdaq...

Weekly Market Insights: Markets Down Ahead of Thanksgiving Holiday

Mark Loop, CFP®, AIF®

Monday, November 21, 2022

The stock market edged lower last week as it digested a crosscurrent of conflicting economic data and contrasting comments from Fed officials.The Dow Jones Industrial Average was flat (-0.01%), while the Standard & Poor’s 500...

Weekly Market Insights: Cooling Inflation Brings Market Gains

Mark Loop, CFP®, AIF®

Monday, November 14, 2022

A cooling inflation number ignited a powerful rally on Thursday, sending stocks to strong gains for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 4.15%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 added 5.90%. The Nasdaq Composite index...

Weekly Market Insights: Stocks Slip After Powell Comments

Mark Loop, CFP®, AIF®

Monday, November 7, 2022

Hawkish comments by Fed Chair Jerome Powell, following the announcement of another 75 basis points interest rate hike last week, cast a pall over financial markets, sending yields higher and stocks lower.The Dow Jones Industrial...

Weekly Market Insights: Plenty of Treats for Wall Street This Week

Mark Loop, CFP®, AIF®

Monday, October 31, 2022

Stocks overcame poor earnings results from some of America’s largest companies to post gains last week as investors cheered positive earnings surprises, easing inflation and a rebound in economic growth.The Dow Jones Industrial...

Weekly Market Insights: Wall Street Flips the Script & Enjoys a Rally.

Mark Loop, CFP®, AIF®

Monday, October 24, 2022

A positive start to a new earnings season and late-week hopes for a near-term easing in Fed rate hikes lifted investors’ spirits and powered stocks to gains for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 4.89%, while the...

Weekly Market Insights: Volatility Reigns; Inflation Remains Unchecked.

Mark Loop, CFP®, AIF®

Monday, October 17, 2022

Stocks were mixed last week amid wide intra- and inter-day price swings, as technology shares bore the brunt of the downdraft.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.15% for the week. Meanwhile, the Standard & Poor’s 500...

Weekly Market Insights: Boost Early in Week Keeps Markets Ahead

Mark Loop, CFP®, AIF®

Monday, October 10, 2022

A powerful two-day stock rebound cemented a positive week for investors as a new trading month began.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.99%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 added 1.51%. The Nasdaq Composite index increased 0...

Weekly Market Insights: Markets Upbeat, Despite Gloomy Inflation Talk

Mark Loop, CFP®, AIF®

Monday, September 12, 2022

In a holiday-shortened week of trading, stocks posted healthy gains despite more tough talk on monetary policy from Fed officials.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.66%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 gained 3.65%. The...

Weekly Market Insights: Markets Tap Brakes, But Hold Fast Against Downbeat News

Mark Loop, CFP®, AIF®

Tuesday, August 23, 2022

Stocks tumbled on Friday, sending stocks to a weekly loss after an otherwise quiet August week of trading.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped -0.16%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 lost 1.21%. The Nasdaq Composite index...

Weekly Market Insights: Stocks Have Warmer Week as Inflation Cools

Mark Loop, CFP®, AIF®

Monday, August 15, 2022

An improving inflation outlook buoyed investors’ spirits last week, helping lift stocks to solid gains.The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 2.92%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 rose 3.26%. The Nasdaq Composite index...

Weekly Market Insights: Mixed Week For Markets; Jobs On The Rise

Mark Loop, CFP®, AIF®

Wednesday, August 10, 2022

Stocks turned in a mixed performance last week as investors struggled with headlines suggesting that the Fed was unlikely to soon ease up on its current monetary tightening policy.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.13%, while...

Undaunted by another Fed rate hike and news of a contracting economy, the stock market rallied last week on better-than-expected corporate earnings.The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased 2.97%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...

Stagflation: What Is It and Should You Care?

Mark Loop, CFP®, AIF®

Tuesday, July 26, 2022

Phew, what a roller coaster we’ve all been riding. There’s so much going on in the world right now, and a lot of it is less-than-happy news. Understandably, most of us have nagging worries about what’s going on in the...

It’s natural to think “defense” during a bearish market season. But why not mix in some “offense” with your defense? Here are three moves we can discuss together that may be helpful during the current...

Few investors should have been surprised when the Federal Reserve raised interest rates after its May meeting.Throughout April, Fed Chair Jerome Powell and several Fed Governors talked about the need to keep raising short-term rates to...

With inflation hovering near 40-year highs, some investors are looking for alternative ways to weather the storm. For many, a Series I Savings Bond is just the ticket. I Bonds give investors a rate of return plus inflation protection...

Recently, you may have seen some headlines talking about an “inverted yield curve” and what it may mean for the economy.  An inverted yield curve is just one indicator of the economy’s possible direction, so...

Lately, the "Great Resignation" has led many Americans to leave their jobs for other opportunities, while others have chosen a different path: early retirement. We can all understand looking for a more suitable place of work, but some...

The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report was recently released and confirmed what economists anticipated: consumer inflation has risen 7.9% over the past year, the largest spike since 1982— none of which is a surprise for...

May is a month to celebrate the older Americans in our country and honor their lives and the accomplishments they still have ahead of them.Older Americans Month was established in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy to bring awareness to...