The Markets (as of market close January 3, 2020) A strong start last week for the benchmark indexes listed here was wiped out by rising tensions in the Middle East. Only the Nasdaq was able to close slightly higher last week as the other benchmark indexes listed here closed the week in the red. Both the Dow and S&P 500 lost value, as did the Global Dow. The small caps of the Russell 2000 had the worst week-over-week performance, falling about 0.50%. On the other hand, oil, go

The Markets (as of market close December 27, 2019) The holiday spirit, coupled with renewed optimism on the trade front, helped propel stocks higher last week. The tech-heavy Nasdaq outperformed the other benchmark indexes listed here, crossing the 9000 plateau for the first time ever. News that the signing of the Phase One trade agreement between the United States and China is imminent helped boost investors' spirits during the holiday-shortened week. However, details of the

The Markets (as of market close December 13, 2019) Positive developments finally arrived in the ongoing trade war between the United States and China. Last Friday, President Trump announced phase one of a trade deal with China. The president indicated that he would forgo the imposition of tariffs scheduled for December 15 and reduce existing tariffs on about $120 billion of Chinese imports. According to the president's tweets, China has agreed to make large purchases of targe

The Markets (as of market close December 6, 2019) Market performance was uneven last week, culminating in some of the benchmark indexes closing in the black while a few lost value by week's end. A strong jobs report and guarded optimism that progress will continue toward a resolution to the U.S./China trade war helped push stocks higher. The S&P 500 closed up less than 0.25%, while the small caps of the Russell 2000 gained over 0.50%. The Dow fell slightly, as did the tech-he

The Markets (as of market close November 29, 2019) The holiday-shortened week was a good one for investors as they were encouraged by the growing likelihood of "phase one" in the resolution of the trade war between China and the United States. The large caps of the Dow and S&P 500 reached record highs earlier in the week as did the tech stocks of the Nasdaq, although the Dow lost some momentum following turkey day. By the close of the markets on Friday, the Russell 2000 had s

The Markets (as of market close November 22, 2019) The large caps of the Dow and S&P 500 surged last week. The Dow reached 28000 for the first time in its history while the S&P 500 posted solid gains for the sixth consecutive week. Investors continued to be bullish on hopes that a trade deal between the United States and China is on the horizon. The tech stocks of the Nasdaq also climbed last week while the small-cap Russell 2000 and the Global Dow dropped back. Year-to-date,

The Markets (as of market close November 15, 2019) The large caps of the Dow and S&P 500 surged last week. The Dow reached 28000 for the first time in its history while the S&P 500 posted solid gains for the sixth consecutive week. Investors continued to be bullish on hopes that a trade deal between the United States and China is on the horizon. The tech stocks of the Nasdaq also climbed last week while the small-cap Russell 2000 and the Global Dow dropped back. Year-to-date,

The Markets (as of market close November 8, 2019) The Dow hit a new record high last week, and each of the benchmark indexes listed here posted solid gains as investors received encouraging news on the trade front. Both the United States and China sent signals out that an initial trade agreement would be signed in the near future, marking the first phase of the trade deal between the economic giants. As money flowed into stocks, long-term bond prices fell, pushing yields high

The Markets (as of market close November 1, 2019) A better-than-expected jobs report and strong third-quarter earnings from some major companies drove stock prices higher for the fourth consecutive week. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq reached closing highs while the other benchmark indexes listed here posted solid returns. The small caps of the Russell 2000 recorded the largest weekly gain, followed by the Nasdaq, the S&P 500, the Dow, and the Global Dow. Long-term bond prices ro

The Markets (as of market close October 25, 2019) Solid corporate earnings reports and encouraging signs on the trade war front spurred stocks higher last week. The S&P 500 reached its second highest closing value by last Friday, while the Dow is nearing a record high. Word came from government officials last Friday that progress had been made in negotiations with China on the first phase of a potential trade agreement between the two economic giants. Of the indexes listed he