Market insights and analysis

In a market environment where trends are shifting quickly and uncertainty remains elevated, it’s no surprise that more investors looking for ways to navigate the chaos are asking me about active management.

Equity markets rallied last week, extending a nine-day winning streak—the longest since April 2009. The S&P 500 rose 2.94%, the NASDAQ Composite rose 3.43%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 3.00%, and the small-cap Russell 2000 added 3.24%.

U.S. equity markets posted gains in all three indexes last week. The S&P 500 gained 2.94%, the NASDAQ Composite rose 3.43%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 3%.

Last week, the gold spot price fell 2.39% and the U.S. Dollar Index rose 0.56%. The Gold Bullion Strategy Fund (QGLDX) decreased by 2.25% for the week.

Markets have a way of reminding us that smooth sailing isn’t always the norm. We’ve recently seen one of those reminders.

The first quarter of 2025 took investors on a roller-coaster ride, marked by sharp reversals and heightened uncertainty.

U.S. equity markets posted gains in all three indexes last week. The S&P 500 increased by 4.60%, the NASDAQ Composite gained 6.74%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.52%.

Last week, the gold spot price went down 0.21% and the U.S. Dollar Index gained 0.1%. The Gold Bullion Strategy Fund (QGLDX) fell 0.47% for the week.

In March, 94 exchange-traded products (“ETPs”) were added to the ETF Deathwatch list and 39 were removed, bringing the total to 765 ETPs.

In Michigan, the seasons change fairly predictably—spring, summer, autumn, and winter. But in the markets, the only predictable season right now is volatility.

The major U.S. stock market indexes were mostly down last week. The Russell 2000 returned 1.11%, the S&P 500 returned -1.49%, the NASDAQ Composite returned -2.62%, and the Dow returned -2.66%.

U.S. equity markets posted losses in all three indexes last week. The S&P 500 went down 1.49%, the NASDAQ Composite decreased by 2.62%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 2.66%.

Last week, the gold spot price gained 2.76% and the U.S. Dollar Index went down 0.73%. The Gold Bullion Strategy Fund (QGLDX) increased by 2.7% for the week.

With economic and market uncertainty a prevailing theme this year, it’s fitting that April 2025 marks the 22nd anniversary of National Financial Literacy Month—“a time dedicated to promoting financial education and empowerment,” notes Money Fit.

The major U.S. stock market indexes were up last week. The S&P 500 increased by 5.73%, the NASDAQ Composite was up 7.30%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 4.97%, and the Russell 2000 small-capitalization index rose 1.83%.

U.S. equity markets posted gains in all three indexes last week. The S&P 500 rose 5.73%, the NASDAQ Composite was up by 7.30%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average went up by 4.97%.

Last week, the gold spot price gained 6.56% and the U.S. Dollar Index lost 2.84%. The Gold Bullion Strategy Fund (QGLDX) was up by 6.35% for the week.

Have you ever found a forgotten sandwich in the back of your fridge? Although it began as a delicious creation, over time, it transformed into something ... well, let’s say it wouldn’t make the cut on any cooking show.

Equity markets broadly retreated last week. The S&P 500 fell 9.05%, the NASDAQ Composite lost 9.99%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined by 7.82%, and the small-cap Russell 2000 dropped 9.64%.

U.S. equity markets posted losses in all three indexes last week. The S&P 500 fell 9.05%, the NASDAQ Composite decreased by 9.99%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 7.82%.

Last week, the gold spot price went down 1.52% and the U.S. Dollar Index fell 0.98%. The Gold Bullion Strategy Fund (QGLDX) lost 1.77% for the week

In 2019, my wife, Abby, and I spent a few weeks in England, taking in many of its historical landmarks: Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, and the National Gallery.

The major U.S. stock market indexes were down last week. The Dow returned -0.96%, the S&P 500 returned -1.52%, the Russell 2000 returned -1.62%, and the NASDAQ Composite returned -2.59%.

U.S. equity markets posted losses in all three indexes last week. The S&P 500 lost 1.52%, the NASDAQ Composite was down 2.59%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.96%.

Last week, the gold spot price rose 2.08% and the U.S. Dollar Index fell 0.04%. The Gold Bullion Strategy Fund (QGLDX) increased by 2.01% for the week.

In February, 174 exchange-traded products (“ETPs”) were added to the ETF Deathwatch list and 37 were removed, bringing the total up to 701 ETPs.

Extreme weather can take many forms—powerful storms, earthquakes, tornadoes. One moment, stability seems certain; the next, nature reminds us of its unpredictability.

The major U.S. stock market indexes were up last week. The S&P 500 increased by 0.53%, the NASDAQ Composite was up 0.18%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.21%, and the Russell 2000 small-capitalization index rose 0.65%.

U.S. equity markets posted gains in all three indexes last week. The S&P 500 went up 0.53%, the NASDAQ Composite gained 0.18%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average went up 1.21%.

Last week, the gold spot price increased by 1.27% and the U.S. Dollar Index was up 0.36%. The Gold Bullion Strategy Fund (QGLDX) was up 1.17% for the week.

Whether we are watching an exciting come-from-behind victory on the gridiron in the fall, a walk-off home run at a summer baseball game, or an exciting quadrennial relay race at the Olympics, the same pattern seems to unfold with regularity: Someone rushes off ahead of the pack, leads at the halfway mark, and then fades at the finish, being passed by an early lagging competitor.

Equity markets broadly retreated last week. The S&P 500 fell 2.23%, the NASDAQ Composite lost 2.40%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 2.98%, and the small-cap Russell 2000 declined 1.45%.

U.S. equity markets posted losses in all three indexes last week. The S&P 500 fell 2.23%, the NASDAQ Composite lost 2.40%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average decreased by 2.98%.

Last week, the gold spot price rose 2.58% and the U.S. Dollar Index fell 0.12%. The Gold Bullion Strategy Fund (QGLDX) gained 2.62% for the week.

With reports flowing in from spring training camps, and a hint of nicer weather recently in the Northeast, many people are anticipating the start of a new Major League Baseball season.

The major U.S. stock market indexes were down last week. The Dow returned -2.33%, the S&P 500 returned -3.06%, the NASDAQ Composite returned -3.43%, and the Russell 2000 returned -4.01%.

U.S. equity markets posted losses in all three indexes last week. The S&P 500 fell 3.06%, the NASDAQ Composite decreased 3.43%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average decreased 2.33%.

Last week, the gold spot price was up 1.79% and the U.S. Dollar Index lost 3.51%. The Gold Bullion Strategy Fund (QGLDX) rose 1.95% for the week.

In today’s financial landscape, identifying clear market trends has become increasingly challenging. The recent performance of the “Magnificent Seven” stocks—Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet (Google), Amazon, Nvidia, Tesla, and Meta (Facebook)—illustrates this complexity.

The major U.S. stock market indexes were mixed last week. The S&P 500 decreased by 0.95%, the NASDAQ Composite was down 3.45%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.01%, and the Russell 2000 small-capitalization index fell 1.44%.

U.S. equity markets posted gains in one of the three indexes last week. The S&P 500 lost 0.95%, the NASDAQ Composite lost 3.45%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.01%.

Last week, the gold spot price went down 2.66% and the U.S. Dollar Index gained 0.94%. The Gold Bullion Strategy Fund (QGLDX) lost 2.82% for the week.

In January, 24 exchange-traded products (“ETPs”) were added to the ETF Deathwatch list and 15 were removed, bringing the list total up to 564 ETPs.

In the 1976 Olympics, gymnast Nadia Comaneci made history by scoring the first-ever perfect 10.0 in Olympic gymnastics.

Stocks made new highs early in the week but ended with losses after a two-day decline. The S&P 500 fell 1.7%, the NASDAQ Composite dropped 2.5%, and the Russell 2000 tumbled 3.7%.

U.S. equity markets posted losses in all three indexes last week. The S&P 500 lost 1.63%, the NASDAQ Composite fell 2.49%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average went down 2.48%.

Last week, the gold spot price rose by 1.86% and the U.S. Dollar Index fell by 0.09%. The Gold Bullion Strategy Fund (QGLDX) was up 1.84% for the week.

Proactive Advisor Magazine has had the privilege of interviewing dozens of financial advisers and wealth managers across the U.S. over the past 11 years. Not surprisingly, retirement planning—and its investment implications—is a topic we frequently discuss.

Equity markets moved higher last week. The S&P 500 gained 1.52%, the NASDAQ Composite rose 2.60%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.65%, and the small-cap Russell 2000 inched 0.05% higher.

U.S. equity markets posted gains in all three indexes last week. The S&P 500 increased by 1.52%, the NASDAQ Composite gained 2.60%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.65%.