U.S. Markets: The major U.S. indexes ended the week lower in a second week of light holiday trading. Consumer staples and materials shares fell the most, while the consumer discretionary sector remained resilient. The Dow Jones Industrial Average pulled back -0.2% to 33,147, while the technology-heavy NASDAQ Composite ended down -0.3% to 10,466. By market cap, the large cap S&P 500 ticked down a scant -0.1%, while the mid cap S&P 400 pulled back 0.2% and the small cap Russell 2000 finished the week essentially flat.

U.S. Economic News:  The number of Americans filing for first-time unemployment benefits ticked up last week, but remained near historically low levels.  The Labor Department reported initial jobless claims rose by 2,000 to 216,000 last week.  Economists had expected a reading of 220,000.  Twenty-seven of the 53 states and U.S. territories that report jobless claims showed an increase last week.  Only Massachusetts posted an increase of more than 1,000 (1,433).  Still, the consensus view remains that rising job layoffs are a matter of when, not if.  Economist Thomas Simons of Jefferies wrote, “We expect that claims are going to trend higher over time, but only gradually so.”  Meanwhile, continuing claims, which counts the number of people already receiving benefits, remained basically unchanged at 1.67 million.

U.S. Markets:  U.S. stocks pulled back for a second week as fears intensified over rising interest rates.  Nearly every sector within the index reported sharp losses with the exception of energy shares.  The Dow Jones Industrial Average retreated -556 points finishing the week at 32,920, a decline of -1.7%.  The technology-heavy NASDAQ Composite fell a further -2.7% after last week’s -4% drop.  By market cap, the large cap S&P 500 and S&P 400 mid cap index each pulled back -2.1% and the small cap Russell 2000 finished the week down -1.9%.

U.S. Markets:  The major U.S. equity indexes ended the week higher, supported by the possibility that the Federal Reserve may slow its pace of interest rate hikes.  Growth stocks outperformed their value counterparts in the S&P 500 Index, while the technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index posted solid gains.  The Dow Jones Industrial Average ticked up 0.2% to 34,430 while the NASDAQ rose 2.1% to 11,462.  By market cap, the large cap S&P 500 added 1.1% last week, while the mid cap S&P 400 and small cap Russell 2000 gained 0.6% and 1.3% respectively.

U.S. Markets: The major U.S. stock indexes managed gains during the holiday-shortened week, with the benchmark S&P 500 index finishing above the 4000 level for the first time in two months. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added over 600 points last week closing at 34,347, a gain of 1.8%. The technology-heavy NASDAQ Composite tacked on 0.7% closing at 11,226. By market cap, the large cap S&P 500 rose 1.5%, while the mid cap S&P 400 and Russell 2000 each gained 1.9% and 1.1% respectively.

U.S. Markets:  Most of the major U.S. indexes gave back a portion of last week’s strong gains and closed modestly lower.  Growth stocks lagged value-oriented shares and the energy sector underperformed as European oil and natural gas inventories reached near-peak levels.  The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the week flat at 33,746.  The technology-heavy NASDAQ Composite retraced -1.6% finishing the week at 11,146.  By market cap, the large cap S&P 500 retreated -0.7%, while the mid cap S&P 400 declined -0.8% and the small cap Russell 2000 fared the worst ending the week down -1.8%.

U.S. Markets:  The major U.S. indexes recorded strong gains this week as investors celebrated cooler inflation data suggesting the Federal Reserve may slow the pace of interest rate hikes.  The benchmark S&P 500 index recorded its best week since June hitting its best intraday level in two months.  The Dow Jones Industrial Average rallied over 1300 points to 33,748—a gain of 4.1%.  The technology-heavy NASDAQ Composite surged 8.1% to 11,323.  By market cap, the large cap S&P 500 rose 5.9%, while the mid cap S&P 400 added 5.3% and the small cap Russell 2000 finished the week up 4.6%.

U.S. Markets:  Stocks fell after the Federal Reserve dashed market hopes for an impending “pivot” in monetary policy—a slowing or pause in rate hikes.  The technology-heavy NASDAQ Composite was hit particularly hard as growth stocks declined more than value stocks, and many tech bellwethers had largely disappointing earnings reports.  The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended the week at 32,403, a decline of -1.4%.  The NASDAQ shed over 627 points falling to 10,475—a decline of -5.6%.  By market cap, the large cap S&P 500 retreated -3.3%, while the mid cap S&P 400 fell -1.2% and the small cap Russell 2000 ended the week down -2.5%.

U.S. Markets:  Major U.S. stock benchmarks managed a second consecutive week of across-the-board gains as investors reacted to a busy calendar of third-quarter earnings reports.  The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged over 1700 points finishing the week at 32,862—a gain of 5.7%.  The technology-heavy NASDAQ Composite lagged the other benchmarks with a 2.2% gain.  By market cap, the large cap S&P 500 finished the week up 4%, while the mid cap S&P 400 index added 5.3% and the small cap Russell 2000 surged 6% to lead all others.

U.S. Markets: U.S. stocks regained upward momentum as investors reacted to better-than-expected earnings reports from some prominent companies and hints that the Federal Reserve may moderate its pace of interest rate hikes. The benchmark S&P 500 index enjoyed its best gain in nearly four months, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average marked its third consecutive week of gains rallying over 1448 points to close at 31,083—a gain of 4.9%. The technology-heavy NASDAQ Composite rose 5.2%, while the S&P 500 added 4.7%. The mid cap S&P 400 and small cap Russell 2000 rose 3.0% and 3.6%, respectively.