Consumer Price Index Archives - Unify Financial Advisors

Blog

Weekly Market Update – 3.17.2025

Markets continued their downward trend last week, with the S&P 500 declining 2.27%. Investors navigated ongoing uncertainty surrounding inflation, tariffs, and the economy. On Thursday, the S&P 500 entered correction territory from the highs set in February but is only down 4.13% for the year following Friday’s rally.  Inflation slowed in February, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rising 0.2% for the month and 2.8% year-over-year. The Producer Price ...
Read more...

Weekly Market Update – 3.10.2025

Last week, the S&P 500 declined 3.10%. The employment report showed that employment rose by 151,000 in February, just missing expectations for 159,000. The unemployment rate ticked up 0.10% to 4.1%, and wage growth continued with a 0.3% monthly increase and a 4.0% annual increase in average hourly earnings. Stocks are off to a volatile start this week, with the S&P 500 down 2.7% today and 4.59% for the year. Bonds have been the bright spot, gaining 0.48% today and ...
Read more...

Weekly Market Update – 2.17.2025

Markets closed higher last week despite mixed economic signals, including weaker retail sales and ongoing tariff concerns. The S&P 500 posted a 1.47% gain, with information technology and consumer staples leading the rally, while consumer discretionary and financials lagged. Treasury yields edged lower, and crude oil prices remained volatile amid supply concerns. Inflation remains a key concern. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.5% in January, marking the largest monthly ...
Read more...

Weekly Market Update – 2.10.2025

Unify Financial Advisors Weekly Market Update The S&P 500 declined 0.24% last week. Declines in US equity indexes and gains in international equity indexes could be attributed to tariff expectations. US equity valuations are elevated, while non-US equity valuations are low relative to historical averages. Home bias investing is the tendency to invest in domestic companies for comfort. Click here for information and a short video on home bias investment implications. Inflation data ...
Read more...

Weekly Market Update – 1.20.2025

Last week, the stock market saw a strong rebound following cooler-than-expected inflation data from December’s Consumer Price Index (CPI), easing concerns about potential interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve this year. The S&P 500 rose 2.91%, erasing its losses for the year. Additionally, major banks reported earnings that exceeded expectations. The rally in both stock and bond markets reinforces the importance of staying invested over the long term. As the saying goes, ...
Read more...

Weekly Market Update – 1.13.2025

Last week, solid job numbers were a case of good news is bad news for the markets, with the S&P 500 declining by (1.94%). Job creation and openings support economic growth but can prompt the Federal Reserve (Fed) to maintain higher rates for longer to fulfill its dual mandate of maximum employment and price stability. As long-term investors, we prefer a strong jobs market and cautious Fed over a weak jobs market and easy Fed policy. The latter is usually in response to a poor economy ...
Read more...

Weekly Market Update – 12.16.2024

Last week, warm November inflation readings for CPI and PPI put downward pressure on stocks and bonds, with the S&P 500 declining 0.61% and longer-term yields increasing 0.25%. Rent inflation has been stubborn since the pandemic, but last week’s underlying data for rents showed their weakest pace in over three years, suggesting further progress on inflation.  Investors will focus on retail sales and the FOMC rate decision this week. The CME ...
Read more...

Weekly Market Update – 12.9.2024

Last week, consumer discretionary, communication services, and information technology stocks saw gains, which were tempered by declines in energy, utilities, real estate, and materials. The S&P 500 gained 0.99%, and the Russell 1000 growth gained 3.64%. Friday’s labor report showed strong November hiring and upward revisions for September. The strong hiring and an increase in the employment rate from 4.1% to 4.2% should keep the Fed on course to cut rates by 0.25% on ...
Read more...

Weekly Market Update – 11.18.2024

Last week, stocks shrugged off upbeat economic data from the October CPI and retail sales reports. Instead, the S&P 500 closed (2.05%) lower on hawkish comments from Fed Chair Jerome Powell and rising treasury yields. Probabilities for a 0.25% December rate cut swung wildly last week and currently stand at 62%. This week, the focus is on the housing sector. The report on housing starts for October is out on Tuesday. In September, the number of housing starts and ...
Read more...

Weekly Market Update – 11.11.2024

Last week, investors reacted to the election results and the FOMC’s 0.25% rate cut, driving U.S. stocks to new record highs. The S&P 500 gained 4.69% on the week. ForecastEx contracts accurately predicted the outcome of the presidential election and various other races.   This week, we will get the latest inflation data for October, which includes the Consumer Price Index (CPI)and Producer Price Index (PPI). CPI is expected to remain unchanged ...
Read more...