Market Week: March 24, 2025
The Markets (as of market close March 21, 2025)
Wall Street saw a weekly gain for the for the first time in four weeks. Fed forecasts of two more interest rate cuts this year (see below) helped renew investor confidence. Each of the benchmark indexes closed higher last week, led by the Dow, which gained over 1.0%. All 11 of the S&P market sectors advanced, led by financials, health care, industrials, and informational technology. Bond values rose higher, dragging yields to their lowest levels in more than two weeks. Despite ticking lower at the end of the week, gold prices rose over 1.2%. Considered a safe-haven asset, gold prices have enjoyed 16 record highs this year, reaching an all-time peak of $3,057.21 per ounce on Thursday. Since January 2024, the price of gold has risen nearly 45.0%, or about $1,000.00 per ounce.
Market Week: March 17, 2025
The Markets (as of market close March 14, 2025)
Wall Street saw momentum ebb and flow throughout last week, with stocks ultimately closing lower for the fourth week in a row. Investors were influenced by growing uncertainty over inflation and tariffs. Despite a strong close to the week, the overall decline in equities has been notable. In less than a month, the benchmark indexes moved into correction territory at a rapid pace. Bond yields rose from 4.21% at the start of the week to 4.30% last Friday. Crude oil prices ticked higher by week’s end as geopolitical uncertainty, particularly over the Ukraine war, continued to weigh on supply and demand concerns.
Market Week: March 10, 2025
The Markets (as of market close March 7, 2025)
Stocks suffered through their worst week since September, with each of the benchmark indexes listed here falling more than 2.3% with the exception of the Global Dow, which gained less than 1.0%. Investors faced trade tensions, policy uncertainty, and a slightly weaker-than-expected jobs report. Each of the market sectors declined last week, with the exception of health care. Information technology dropped more than 7.4%. Last Friday, reassurance from Fed Chair Jerome Powell that the economy remained solid helped quell some of the angst among investors, which helped push bond yields higher at week’s end. Crude oil prices rallied on Friday but not enough to prevent a weekly decline of over 4.0%.
Market Week: March 3, 2025
The Markets (as of market close February 28, 2025)
The markets experienced a volatile week, ultimately closing mostly lower. Among the indexes listed here, only the Dow managed to eke out a weekly gain. The week ended with stocks posting gains, despite a tense meeting between President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. Investors wrestled with the uncertain economic impact of President Trump’s proposed tariffs, inflationary pressures that refuse to subside, and geopolitical turmoil. Treasury yields declined as bond prices rose. Crude oil prices dipped lower. The dollar index rose, while gold prices declined.
Market Week: February 24, 2025
The Markets (as of market close February 21, 2025)
Wall Street saw stocks close lower last week as investors soured on risk following the release of weaker-than-expected economic data and inflation worries. Each of the benchmark indexes ended the week in the red. Among the market sectors, consumer discretionary and communication services underperformed. Bond prices moved higher on increased demand, dragging yields lower. Crude oil prices declined for the third straight week. The dollar index ticked lower, while gold prices advanced.
Market Week: February 10, 2025
The Markets (as of market close February 7, 2025)
The markets closed lower last week as investors reacted to the possibility of additional tariffs from the Trump administration, the potential for rising inflation, a weak earnings report from a major Megacap, and a lower-than-expected jobs report. Of the indexes listed here, only the Global Dow managed to eke out a weekly gain. The remaining indexes closed lower, led by the Dow and the NASDAQ. Ten-year Treasury yields rebounded last Friday, but not enough to keep from ending last week lower. Crude oil prices declined nearly 3.5%, primarily due to increasing trade tensions, particularly with China.
Market Week: January 20, 2025
The Markets (as of market close January 17, 2025)
Stocks closed higher last week, despite a few shaky days. Each of the benchmark indexes listed here posted gains, led by the Russell 2000 and the Dow. Consumer discretionary stocks outperformed along with energy, financials, materials, and industrials. Investor sentiment improved following favorable inflation data and solid earnings from major banks. Crude oil prices increased for the fourth straight week, primarily driven by concerns of new U.S. sanctions against Russian oil producers, which raised worries of tighter global oil supplies. The dollar index declined, snapping a six-week rally.
Market Week: January 13, 2025
The Markets (as of market close January 10, 2025)
Stocks fell sharply last week as favorable economic data furthered sentiment that the Federal Reserve would keep interest rates elevated for a longer period of time this year. Each of the benchmark indexes lost value with only energy and health care advancing, while the remaining market sectors ended the week in the red. Crude oil prices rose to levels not seen since October as new sanctions against Russia’s oil sector raised concerns of global supply disruptions. Ten-year Treasury yields ended the week at their highest levels in 14 months. The dollar index closed at its strongest rate since 2022. Gold prices climbed above $2,700.00 per ounce, extending gains for the fourth straight session.
Market Week: January 6, 2025
The Markets (as of market close January 3, 2025)
A rise in values last Friday wasn’t enough to prevent stocks from closing generally lower last week. Each of the benchmark indexes declined to start the new year, with the exception of the Russell 2000. Among the market sectors, only energy, utilities, real estate, and health care advanced, while consumer discretionary fell the furthest. Ten-year Treasury yields ended the week where they began. Crude oil prices reached a two-month high, driven by cold weather in Europe and the U.S. coupled with growing optimism over increasing Chinese demand. The dollar remained near its highest levels in two years as investors banked on continuing U.S. economic resilience and fewer interest rate cuts. Gold prices rose following a dip in prices the previous week.
Market Week: December 9, 2024
The Markets (as of market close December 6, 2024)
A stronger-than-expected jobs report (see below) helped drive stocks mostly higher last week and raise optimism of an interest rate cut when the Federal Reserve meets later in December. Consumer discretionary, communication services, and information technology helped drive the market, which was otherwise tempered by downturns in energy, utilities, real estate, and materials. Long-term bond prices were relatively stable, with yields on 10-year Treasuries slipping 2.0 basis points from the prior week’s closing mark. Crude oil prices declined on demand fears despite OPEC+’s decision to extend production cuts until the end of 2026. The dollar inched higher, while gold prices dipped lower.
A surge in tech shares and large-cap stocks drove the NASDAQ (1.0%) and the S&P 500 (0.24%) to record highs last Monday. Along with information technology, other sectors outperforming were communication services and consumer discretionary. The Global Dow gained 0.1%, while the Dow (-0.3%) declined. The small caps of the Russell 2000 ended the day essentially unchanged. Yields on 10-year Treasuries inched up to 4.19%. Crude oil prices settled at $68.09 per barrel. The dollar climbed 0.6%, partially rebounding from a 1.7% decline the previous week. Gold prices fell 0.7% to $2,661.60 per ounce.