Financial News Archives - Page 6 of 7 - Unify Financial Advisors

Weekly Market Update – 1.2.2024

Last week, US stock markets posted gains for the ninth consecutive week, capping off an impressive year for stocks and bonds. The S&P 500 finished the year up 26.29%, just shy of its January 2022 record. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 16.18%, topping 37000 for the first time. Bond markets reversed their losses going into October and finished the year up 5.53%. The 2023 stock and bond returns defied the doom and gloom many anticipated at the beginning of the year. Disciplined ...

Weekly Market Update – 12.25.23

Christmas came early for stock and bond investors this year. Last week, US stocks posted gains for the 8th consecutive week, a cumulative gain of 14.93% over these eight weeks. Also, consumer confidence rose, initial jobless claims were slightly below expectations, and both Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) and Core PCE for November fell short of forecasts. PCE decreased by 0.01% month-over-month and is up 2.6% from November last year. As a result of the lower inflation data, economist ...

Weekly Market Update – 12.18.2023

Last week’s economic data and news were positively received. A cooler Producer Price Index (PPI), a dovish pivot by the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), and strong retail sales propelled stocks and bonds higher. The S&P 500 gained 2.53%, while bonds saw a 2.16% increase. November’s Core Consumer Price Index (CPI) was slightly higher at 0.3%, compared to 0.2% in October, excluding volatile food and energy prices. Shelter costs were the primary contributors to Core ...

Weekly Market Update – 12.11.2023

Last week, US stocks added to their gains, with small-cap stocks leading the way. The Russell 2000, which represents smaller US companies, was up 1% last week and 5.10% for the year. In comparison, the S&P 500 returned 0.24% last week and 21.81% for the year. Small-cap stocks tend to outperform large-cap stocks in bull markets, during economic recoveries, and amidst accommodative monetary policies such as lower interest rates. Last week’s job data indicated a tighter labor market, ...

Weekly Market Update – 12.4.2023

Last week, bulls pushed the U.S. market near its 2023 peaks, with the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones 30 gaining 0.83% and 2.60%, respectively. Bonds also rallied as yields fell, with the U.S. Aggregate Bond Index gaining 2.04%. After five consecutive winning weeks, the broader U.S. market started Monday about 4% below all-time highs amid abundant hope for interest rate cuts by mid-2024. Attention is now turning to crucial jobs data this week. The October Job Openings and Labor Turnover ...

Weekly Market Update – 11.27.2023

Last week, all major global stock indexes posted positive gains over four trading days, with the Dow Jones leading the way at 1.29 percent. Consumer sentiment rose to 61.3 but remains pessimistic. Minutes from the FOMC meeting in November supported the market’s expectations that the Federal Reserve is done raising rates. The Committee shifted to a cautious tone regarding rates, with all participants agreeing that they were in a position to proceed carefully. This week, new home sales ...

Weekly Market Update – 11.20.2023

Last week, the S&P 500 registered a 2.31% gain, marking a three-week upward trend in stocks. Interest rates fell in response to moderate inflation data and decreased consumer spending, signaling a promising yet cautious economic scenario. In its recent earnings report, Walmart beat expectations and shared insightful observations on inflation and consumer behavior during its earnings call. The company noted deflation in most grocery categories, excluding beef, dry, and canned goods, and ...

Weekly Market Update – 11.13.2023

Last week, upbeat corporate earnings and a decrease in jobless claims helped the S&P 500 gain 1.35%, contributing to a two-week cumulative gain of 7.23%. Impressively, this two-week gain represents 43% of the S&P 500’s total annual gain of 16.60%, underscoring the challenge of market timing. Instead, successful long-term investing requires a planned and disciplined approach. This week, attention returns to inflation. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for October reports tomorrow, ...

Weekly Market Update – 11.06.2023

Last week, the markets rallied on the Department of the Treasury’s announcement that they will need to borrow less than previously estimated and Fed Chair Powell’s comments following their second straight pause on interest rates. The S&P 500 saw its best week in almost a year, gaining 5.88%. Bonds also rallied on the week, gaining 1.99%. Last week’s market action exemplified why long-term investors should stay invested. After almost three months of negative stock and bond ...

Weekly Market Update – 10.30.2023

The U.S. economy grew at a 4.9% annual pace in the third quarter, much higher than expected and more than double that in the second quarter. Consumer spending helped the strong growth, a strong labor market, and solid consumer finances will continue to support consumer spending. At this week’s meeting, the Fed is expected to keep interest rates the same, as the recent surge in long-term bond yields is helping convince policymakers that there is less need for further hikes. While the ...

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Category: Financial News

Weekly Market Update – 1.2.2024

Weekly Market Update – 12.25.23

Weekly Market Update – 12.18.2023

Weekly Market Update – 12.11.2023

Weekly Market Update – 12.4.2023

Weekly Market Update – 11.27.2023

Weekly Market Update – 11.20.2023

Weekly Market Update – 11.13.2023

Weekly Market Update – 11.06.2023

Weekly Market Update – 10.30.2023

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