Market insights and analysis

U.S. equity markets posted gains in all three indexes last week. The S&P 500 went up 1.41%, the NASDAQ Composite gained 1.13%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 1.43%.

Jerry Wagner’s recent article, which focused on New Year’s resolutions and Flexible Plan Investments’ approach to goals-based investing, caught my attention.

Last week, the stock market continued its upward trend, buoyed by positive economic and inflation news. The Russell 2000 small-capitalization index rose 1.75%, the S&P 500 Index gained 1.06%, the NASDAQ Composite increased by 0.94%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up by 0.65%.

U.S. equity markets posted gains in all three indexes last week. The S&P 500 went up 1.07%, the NASDAQ Composite rose 0.94%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average went up 0.65%.

Last week, the gold spot price lost 0.54% and the U.S. Dollar Index gained 0.14%. The Gold Bullion Strategy Fund (QGLDX) decreased by 0.62% for the week.

In December, 21 exchange-traded products (“ETPs”) were added to the ETF Deathwatch list and 37 were removed, bringing the total to 500.

Most major stock market indexes finished higher last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.7%, the S&P 500 Index rose 1.1%, and the NASDAQ Composite climbed 2.3%. The Russell 2000 small-capitalization index lost 0.5%.

I visited New York City a few years ago. I sat for over an hour as the plane was prepared and de-iced in the middle of what seemed to be unending snowfall. As I watched the snowflakes dance about outside my window, I was struck by their quick and random movements.

U.S. equity markets posted gains in all three indexes last week. The S&P 500 increased by 1.19%, the NASDAQ Composite gained 2.26%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.76%.

Last week, the gold spot price decreased by 0.96% and the U.S. Dollar Index increased by 0.86%. The Gold Bullion Strategy Fund (QGLDX) went down 0.95% for the week.

It’s mid-January, and people are still talking about New Year’s resolutions. Although setting goals for the new year was a big deal when I was a kid, I have not thought much about it in the last couple of decades or so.

The final quarter of 2023 saw global equity markets riding a wave of optimism. Central to this was the growing belief that interest rates, which the Federal Reserve hiked to combat inflation, might soon be cut. The U.S. stock market exemplified this trend, as evidenced by surges in the major indexes such as the S&P 500.

U.S. equity markets posted gains in all three indexes last week. The S&P 500 gained 1.87%, the NASDAQ Composite rose 3.09%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average went up by 0.35%. Seven of the 11 sectors were up last week; Information Technology, which posted the best return, was up 4.87%.

Last week, the gold spot price increased by 0.18% and the U.S. Dollar Index fell by 0.01%. The Gold Bullion Strategy Fund (QGLDX) went up by 0.14% for the week.

Regardless of location or team loyalty, I think a part of us all resonates with the Detroit Lions’ recent win over the Minnesota Vikings. That victory not only concluded Detroit’s regular season with an impressive 12-5* record, tying its best performance set in 1991, but it also marked the team’s first NFC North division win since 1993.

The major U.S. stock market indexes were down last week. The Russell 2000 small-capitalization index fell 3.75%, the NASDAQ Composite was down 3.25%, the S&P 500 decreased by 1.52%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.59%.

U.S. equity markets posted losses in all three indexes last week. The S&P 500 was down 1.50%, the NASDAQ Composite was down 3.23%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average went down 0.56%.

Last week, the gold spot price decreased by 0.85% and the U.S. Dollar Index gained 1.06%. The Gold Bullion Strategy Fund (QGLDX) lost 0.99% for the week.

When I sat down to write this article, my wife was beginning to take down the Christmas decorations. She loves Christmas and tries to make our home as festive as possible for the holidays. When they all come down in January, it is a bit depressing.

The major U.S. stock indexes posted mixed performance last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.81%, the S&P 500 Index gained 0.32%, the NASDAQ increased by 0.12%, and the Russell 2000 small-cap index declined by 0.34%.

Last week, the gold spot price was up 0.48% and the U.S. Dollar Index was down 0.36%. The Gold Bullion Strategy Fund (QGLDX) was up 0.46% for the week.

U.S. equity markets posted gains in all three indexes last week. The S&P 500 increased by 0.34%, the NASDAQ Composite went up 0.17%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.81%.

In November, 22 exchange-traded products (“ETPs”) were added to the ETF Deathwatch and 22 were removed, keeping the total at 516.

The performance of gold has been one of the more interesting asset-class stories of 2023.

The major U.S. stock market indexes continued to rise last week, driven by a combination of positive factors and investor confidence.

U.S. equity markets posted gains in all three indexes last week. The S&P 500 rose 2.49%, the NASDAQ Composite rose 2.85%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.92%.

Last week, the gold spot price gained 0.75% and the U.S. Dollar Index fell 1.4%. The Gold Bullion Strategy Fund (QGLDX) went up 0.71% for the week.

December is a great month. It offers a time for both personal and professional reflection on the past year.

The major U.S. stock market indexes were up last week. The Russell 2000 small-capitalization index rose 0.98%, the NASDAQ Composite was up 0.69%, the S&P 500 increased by 0.21%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.01%.

U.S. equity markets posted gains in all three indexes last week. The S&P 500 rose 0.21%, the NASDAQ Composite was up 0.69%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.01%.

Last week, the gold spot price fell 3.26% and the U.S. Dollar Index gained 0.72%. The Gold Bullion Strategy Fund (QGLDX) was down 3.36% for the week.

I love to meet with clients. Like the bite of a cold wind on a frosty December morning in the Midwest, a meeting with a client can bring an adviser back to the concerns of actual people trying to survive in a real economy.

The major U.S. stock indexes rose last week. The Russell 2000 small-capitalization index jumped 3.05%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 2.42%, the S&P 500 increased by 0.77%, and the NASDAQ added 0.38%.

U.S. equity markets posted gains in all three indexes last week. The S&P 500 gained 0.77%, the NASDAQ Composite rose 0.38%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 2.42%.

Last week, the gold spot price gained 3.57% and the U.S. Dollar Index decreased by 0.13%. The Gold Bullion Strategy Fund (QGLDX) was up 3.39% for the week.

With tax season on the horizon, investors may be starting to think about the most beneficial—and tax-efficient—ways to make charitable donations.

The major U.S. stock market indexes pushed higher again last week. The S&P 500 gained 1.0%, the NASDAQ rose 0.9%, and the Russell 2000 small-capitalization index climbed 0.5%.

U.S. equity markets posted gains in all three indexes last week. The S&P 500 rose 1%, the NASDAQ Composite was up 0.89%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.27%.

Last week, the gold spot price went up 1.01% and the U.S. Dollar Index was down 0.49%. The Gold Bullion Strategy Fund (QGLDX) was up 1.04% for the week

Stock market warnings and concerns have always been a big part of the financial press. And I get it; no one likes to lose money.

The major U.S. stock market indexes were up last week due to a confluence of positive factors and investor confidence. The Russell 2000 small-capitalization index rose 5.42%, the NASDAQ Composite increased by 2.37%, the S&P 500 Index was up by 2.24%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.94%.

U.S. equity markets posted gains in all three indexes last week. The S&P 500 increased by 2.24%, the NASDAQ Composite rose 2.37%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 1.94%.

Last week, the gold spot price increased by 2.09% and the U.S. Dollar Index fell 1.84%. The Gold Bullion Strategy Fund (QGLDX) went up 2.35% for the week.

For the month of October, the ETF Deathwatch increased to 516 exchange-traded products (“ETPs”): 31 ETPs were added to the list, and 35 were removed. Thirty products were removed due to delisting, while five products were removed due to improved health.

Investors are so different. They pursue different goals. They react differently to changes in the financial marketplace. Some are aggressive. Some are conservative. Sometimes they are very concerned with risk, and other times they seem able to ignore it.

The major U.S. stock market indexes were mixed last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.65%, the Russell 2000 small-capitalization index dropped 3.15%, the S&P 500 increased by 1.31%, and the NASDAQ Composite was up 2.37%.

U.S. equity markets posted gains in all three indexes last week. The S&P 500 rose 1.31%, the NASDAQ Composite was up 2.37%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.65%.

Last week, the gold spot price lost 2.63% and the U.S. Dollar Index increased 0.8%. The Gold Bullion Strategy Fund (QGLDX) went down 2.91% for the week.

I used to refer to “the elephant in the room” when discussing a significant issue that most investors seemed to overlook. However, my phrasing changed around 2000 when an enlightening study, building on previous research by Ulric Neisser and Robert Becklen from 1975, was completed at Harvard.

The major U.S. stock indexes made substantial gains last week. The Russell 2000 small-capitalization index jumped 7.56%, the NASDAQ advanced 6.61%, the S&P 500 gained 5.85%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 5.07%.