Tag: economy
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What Just Happened: The Fed’s First Rate Cut of 2025 & What Comes Next
On September 17, 2025, the U.S. Federal Reserve reduced its benchmark interest rate by a quarter-percentage point, moving it to a range of 4.00%–4.25%, from its prior higher range. This is the first time rates have been cut in 2025. Along with the cut, the Fed signaled there will likely be two more rate…
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Weekly Market Update: May 20 – June 8, 2025
Over the past three weeks, markets have navigated a mix of shifting trade dynamics, economic signals, and returning volatility—yet overall, equities held their ground while bonds, commodities, and currencies reflected a cautiously optimistic backdrop. Stock markets showed resilience. The S&P 500 ETF (SPY) recently hit $601, hovering near record highs, even as trade-related headlines caused…
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Weekly Market Update: April 28 – May 5, 2025
It was a mixed week across the financial markets as investors processed fresh economic data, rising interest rates, and ongoing tariff tensions between the U.S. and China. The S&P 500 ended the week slightly higher, closing around 5,650, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average also posting modest gains. However, the Nasdaq slipped as technology stocks…
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Weekly Market Update: April 21–27, 2025
Stocks Rally Worldwide Markets had a strong week. • S&P 500 rose 4.6%, Nasdaq surged 6.7%, and the Dow gained 2.5% as investors cheered strong earnings and hopes of easing trade tensions. • Global stocks also moved higher: Europe’s DAX jumped nearly 5%, and Asia’s Nikkei and Hang Seng climbed over 2.5% each. • Gains…
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Weekly Market Update: April 7–13, 2025
Stock Markets Bounce Back U.S. stocks rebounded sharply this week after a rocky start. The S&P 500 rose about 5.7%, the Dow gained 5%, and the Nasdaq jumped 7.3%—marking their best week in months. Early losses were caused by concerns over rising tariffs and a potential trade war with China. However, a midweek announcement from…
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Current Inflation Data – Costs on the Rise (But Slowing)
Inflation has been a hot topic over the past couple of years, and we want to update you on where things stand now. The latest data show that inflation is still present but has been gradually cooling off. In February, the annual inflation rate in the U.S. was 2.8%, which is a slight dip from…
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Tariffs Going Into Effect April 2 – What to Know
You may have heard that a new set of tariffs is scheduled to go into effect on April 2. These tariffs are essentially taxes on certain imported goods as part of ongoing trade policy changes. Let’s break down what this means in plain English: •What are the tariffs and why now? These new tariffs are…
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Recent Market Pullback – Stay the Course
By now you’ve probably seen headlines about the recent pullback in the stock market. Yes, U.S. stocks have slid off their highs over the past few weeks amid trade war news and recession worries. In fact, many large tech companies have seen significant declines (the top 7 tech giants collectively lost nearly $2 trillion in…
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Market Update – January 21, 2025
National Economic Overview The U.S. economy continues to navigate a complex landscape marked by rising bond yields and market concentration. In 2025, two primary risks have emerged for investors: elevated bond yields and a concentrated market index. The shift from an era of low interest rates to one characterized by higher rates and looser fiscal…
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Navigating Year-End Market Trends: What We Think Investors Can Expect and How to Prepare for the Remainder of 2024
As 2024 concludes, investors should monitor trends such as stabilizing inflation, a resilient job market, and growing interest in ESG investments. Key strategies include rebalancing portfolios, focusing on long-term goals, and diversifying across asset classes. Staying informed and consulting a financial planner can enhance decision-making in a fluctuating market.
