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

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