The Markets (as of market close May 31, 2019) Treasury yields fell to their lowest level in 2019, gold prices soared, oil prices fell, trade tensions wore on investors' nerves, and stocks fell again last week. Mounting trade tensions between the United States and China, an ongoing saga that has lasted for over a year, may have finally pushed investors to abandon stocks for bonds and precious metals such as gold and silver. Each of the benchmark indexes listed here fell over 2

The Markets (as of market close May 24, 2019) With last week's loss, the Dow suffered its longest weekly losing streak since 2011. Trade tensions between the United States and China seem to be taking a toll on investors' patience. Each of the benchmark indexes listed here also posted weekly losses. Money moved to bonds, pushing prices higher and yields lower. Tech stocks were particularly hard-hit last week, as were energy stocks. Year-to-date, each of the benchmarks are stil

The Markets (as of market close May 17, 2019) Investors were heading for the hills early last week as stocks suffered their worst day on Monday following China's announcement that it would impose an additional $60 billion in retaliatory tariffs on U.S. imports. Stocks for several companies with direct ties to China were hit particularly hard. The markets rebounded, but not enough to overcome the poor start early in the week. Helping to ease investors' concerns over trade tens

The Markets (as of market close May 3, 2019) Stocks "labored" for much of last week only to rally following a strong employment report. That report, coupled with the Fed holding interest rates steady, gave investors the confidence to stay in the "game" a little longer. Other than the Dow, each of the benchmark indexes listed here posted moderate gains by week's end, led by the Russell 2000. While the Nasdaq bumped up a little less than a quarter of a point last week, it was e

The Markets (as of market close April 26, 2019) The S&P 500 and Nasdaq reached record highs last week on the heels of an unexpectedly strong GDP report. Tech shares got a boost from strong quarterly earnings reports from a major player in that sector. Of the benchmark indexes listed here, only the Dow and the Global Dow failed to post gains by the end of the week. The small caps of the Russell 2000 rebounded by gaining over 1.50%, while the S&P 500 closed the week up 1.20%. F

The Markets (as of market close April 19, 2019) Stocks moved very little during the holiday-shortened week (markets were closed in observance of Good Friday). The large caps of the Dow inched up a little over 0.5%, while the S&P 500 dropped less than 0.1%. With light trading, the Cboe Volatility Index® fell to an eight-month low last week. Favorable earnings reports helped push industrial shares higher, offset by dipping health-care stocks. The yield on 10-year Treasuries sta

The Markets (as of market close April 12, 2019) Trading was fairly light last week as investors await the start of quarterly corporate earnings reports. With several large corporations reporting lower-than-expected profits, investors may be leery of this round of earnings results. However, better-than-expected earnings were reported by a few banking giants last Friday, which should help the market kick off the week on a positive note. While investors watch for more earnings r

The Markets (as of market close April 5, 2019) Stocks marked a second consecutive week of solid gains, led by the small caps of the Russell 2000 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq. The S&P 500 recorded seven consecutive days of gains through last Friday — the longest such streak since 2017. Once again, investors heard positive rhetoric relative to a trade deal with China. This time, President Trump announced that an "epic" deal could be in the not-too-distant future. Long-term bond pr

The Markets (as of market close March 29, 2019) Stocks rebounded last week to close the final week of March and the first quarter of 2019 in the black. Each of the benchmark indexes listed here gained over 1.0% for the week, except the Global Dow, which inched ahead less than 0.2%. Year-to-date, the tech-heavy Nasdaq leads the way, followed by the small caps of the Russell 2000, the S&P 500, the Dow, and the Global Dow. Technology shares jumped, as did energy stocks, on the h

The Markets (as of market close March 22, 2019) Last week started well for investors as stock indexes continued to climb on the heels of the prior week's robust performance. However, reports of a weakening global economy prompted a sell-off last Friday, plunging each of the benchmark indexes listed here lower. With a pronouncement from the Federal Reserve that it is hesitant to raise interest rates for fear of slowing domestic economic growth further, investors sold stocks an