Consumer Archives - Unify Financial Advisors

Weekly Market Update – 6.3.2024

Unify Financial Advisors Weekly Market Update Last week, we saw monthly gains in consumer confidence and the home price index of 4.6% and 0.3%, respectively. Nationwide home values increased 7.4% in the last 12 months ending in March. Consumer confidence reversed a two-month decline, but inflation worries of the surveyed participants persisted. Declines in revised GDP and Personal Consumption Expendituresgave mixed signals, but stocks declined, with the S&P 500 finishing the week ...

Weekly Market Update – 3.18.2024

Last week, the market had mixed reactions to the inflation data. The Core Consumer Price Index (Core CPI) and Producer Price Index (PPI) for February exceeded expectations, registering at 0.4% and 0.6%, respectively, from the previous month. Over the past twelve months, Core CPI increased by 3.8%. The S&P 500 gained following Tuesday’s CPI data but sold off on Thursday after the hotter-than-expected PPI data, closing down -0.09% for the week. The Federal Open Market Committee ...

Weekly Market Update – 3.11.2024

Last week, I did not post a market update because I visited Nicaragua with my family. This experience left us with a deep appreciation for the Nicaraguans we met and a renewed awareness of the vast opportunities we are blessed with in the United States of America. Turning to the US economy, we observed a decline in January job openings. February employment data showed that nonfarm payrolls increased by 275K, average hourly earnings slightly increased by 0.1%, and the unemployment rate rose ...

Weekly Market Update – 1.22.2024

Last week, the December retail sales report showed strong consumer spending to finish 2023. Consumer sentiment soared this January to 78.8 from 69.7 in December. Optimism created from lower expected inflation and higher wages contributed to sentiment climbing a cumulative 29%, the largest two-month increase since 1991 as a recession ended. The S&P 500 hit an all-time high of 4840 on Friday, capping the week with a 1.19% gain. As we move into this week, the spotlight turns to the ...

Weekly Market Update – 1.16.2024

Last week, the Michigan Wolverines pounced on the Washington Huskies in the NCAA Football Championship. Their victory is analogous to how the shelter component dominated the warmer-than-expected inflation data in the December Consumer Price Index (CPI). The index component for shelter continued its rise, contributing to over half of the overall CPI increase. The owners’ equivalent rent of residences (OER) survey, which accounts for 75% of the shelter index, could overstate current ...

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 – 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 – 10.02.2023

Here’s what happened in the markets last week. The Core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) for August fell below 4% for the first time in two years. Stocks initially responded positively to Friday’s report but retreated amidst looming threats of a US Government shutdown over the weekend. However, an impending shutdown was averted as the US House and Senate passed a spending bill just hours before the scheduled shutdown at 12:01 AM on Sunday. Stocks (S&P500) and bonds(US ...

Weekly Market Update – 9.18.2023

Here’s what happened in the markets last week: Core CPI was slightly higher than expected, coming in at 0.30% month-over-month. This increase was driven primarily by a 10.6% surge in gasoline prices. The three-month annualized core CPI now stands at 2.4%, progressing towards the Fed’s long-run inflation objective of 2%. U.S. consumers continued to spend, as evidenced by stronger-than-expected retail sales growth of 0.60% month-over-month compared to an expected 0.20%. However, ...

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Tag: Consumer

Weekly Market Update – 6.3.2024

Weekly Market Update – 3.18.2024

Weekly Market Update – 3.11.2024

Weekly Market Update – 1.22.2024

Weekly Market Update – 1.16.2024

Weekly Market Update – 12.11.2023

Weekly Market Update – 11.20.2023

Weekly Market Update – 10.02.2023

Weekly Market Update – 9.18.2023

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