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

Forefront’s Market Notes: October 28th, 2024 ­ Stocks were mixed last week as fresh economic data points and election-related uncertainty slowed market momentum. ­ The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 0.96 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index rose 0.16 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 2.68 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks...Read More

Forefront’s Market Notes: October 21st, 2024 ­ Stocks posted modest gains last week, with quarterly earnings season in full swing and the election on the horizon. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index increased 0.85 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index rose 0.80 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 0.96 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index,...Read More

Forefront’s Market Notes: October 14th, 2024 ­ Stocks advanced last week despite mixed inflation data, lurching oil prices, and lingering anxiety about the Middle East. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index gained 1.11 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 1.13 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average picked up 1.21 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which...Read More

Forefront’s Market Notes: October 7th, 2024 ­ Stocks were essentially unchanged last week as geopolitical tensions added some volatility to an otherwise quiet trading week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average was flat (+0.09 percent), while the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index ticked up 0.22 percent. The Nasdaq Composite also was flat (+0.10 percent). The MSCI EAFE...Read More

Forefront’s Market Notes: September 30th, 2024 ­ Stocks moved higher last week, continuing to build on the momentum generated after the Federal Reserve decided to cut short-term rates by 0.50 percent.The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index gained 0.59 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.95 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.62 percent. The...Read More

Forefront’s Market Notes: September 23rd, 2024 ­ Stocks moved higher last week after the Federal Reserve’s half-point rate cut, bolstered by multiple data points supporting a cooling but still strong economy and decelerating inflation. ­ The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index gained 1.36 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 1.49 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average...Read More