Forefront’s Market Notes January 13th, 2025 ­ Stocks fell for the second consecutive week as a round of fresh economic data stoked inflationary fears among investors. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index declined 1.94 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index dropped 2.34 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.86 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index,...Read More

Forefront’s Market Notes January 6th, 2025 ­ Stocks edged lower last week despite a powerful end-of-week rally. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index lost 0.48 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index slid 0.51 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.60 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, dropped 0.90 percent.1,2...Read More

Forefront’s Market Notes: December 23rd, 2024 ­ Stocks were under pressure last week as the Fed Chair’s hawkish comments unsettled investors ahead of the holiday season. The Dow Jones Industrial Average received the hardest hit, falling 2.25 percent. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index lost 1.98 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index dropped 1.78 percent....Read More

Forefront’s Market Notes: December 16th, 2024 ­ Stocks finished the week mixed, bookending losses around midweek gains as investors digested fresh inflation data. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index slipped 0.64 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index ticked up 0.34 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 1.82 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks...Read More

Forefront’s Market Notes: December 9th, 2024 ­ Stocks were mixed during the first trading week of December. Technology stocks led, while the widely followed Dow Jones Industrial Average struggled.  ­ The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index picked up 3.34 percent while the Dow Industrials lost 0.60 percent. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index added 0.96 percent....Read More

Forefront’s Market Notes: December 2nd, 2024 ­ Stocks posted solid gains over a short and busy holiday week as investors parsed fresh economic data, comments on potential future trade policy, and a few Q3 reports from technology companies.The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index gained 1.06 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index advanced 1.13 percent. The...Read More

Forefront’s Market Notes: November 25th, 2024 ­ Stocks advanced last week, powering ahead with pre-holiday optimism despite geopolitical tensions and two disappointing Q3 corporate updates.  The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 1.68 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index gained 1.73 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average led, picking up 1.96 percent. The MSCI EAFE...Read More

Forefront’s Market Notes: November 18th, 2024 ­ Stocks fell last week as the postelection rally lost momentum amid an inflation uptick and cautious comments from Fed officials.The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 2.08 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index declined 3.15 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.24 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index,...Read More

Forefront’s Market Notes: November 11th, 2024 ­ Stocks surged higher last week, fueled by the Fed’s rate cut decision and post-election enthusiasm as investors looked to future policy impacts of a Republican-controlled Senate and executive branch. (The House of Representatives remains undecided.)The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index spiked 4.65 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index...Read More

Forefront’s Market Notes: November 4th, 2024 ­ Stocks slid last week as mixed economic data and strong-but-not-spectacular Q3 corporate reports failed to inspire investors.The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 1.36 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index declined 1.50 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged down 0.15 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks...Read More