Weekly Market Insights – Monday, July 13, 2026
Stocks largely advanced over a V-shaped week as the AI trade, led by chip stocks, pushed the S&P 500 and Nasdaq averages higher amid renewed conflict.
The Grind Continues: A Review of the First Half of 2026 for the Economy and Markets
Another day, another “A”. That was the motto in our household growing up. Despite the cheeky and easy-going feel of the phrase, getting to that result was anything but simple. Getting good grades, even for those who make it seem effortless, requires a lot of hard work behind the scenes. This sentiment is relayed by all those who achieve success from invention: “I am a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it” – Thomas Jefferson; to sport – “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard” – coach Tim Notke; and even to country music “It costs a lot of money to look this cheap” – Dolly Parton.
Weekly Market Insights – Monday, July 6, 2026
Markets posted a solid gain during a holiday-shortened trading week, with investors responding positively to continued diplomatic progress in the Middle East.
Weekly Market Insights – Monday, June 29, 2026
The stock market closed mixed this week as declining oil prices boosted the Dow Jones Industrial Average, while AI stock valuation concerns weighed on the S&P 500 and Nasdaq.
Weekly Market Insights – Monday, June 22, 2026
Stocks posted solid gains over a shortened trading week as a landmark U.S.-Iran nuclear agreement rattled oil markets and the Federal Reserve held interest rates steady.
Weekly Market Insights – Monday, June 15, 2026
Stocks advanced last week as concerns over inflation eased, while investor optimism grew around Middle East diplomatic progress and the largest IPO on record.
Weekly Market Insights – Monday, June 8, 2026
U.S. stocks declined last week, pressured by rising oil prices that stoked inflation fears and a stronger-than-expected May jobs report that reignited concerns over Federal Reserve interest rate policy.
Excluding Food and Energy (Maybe Not Energy)
The April 2026 Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers (CPI-U) reached 3.8%, the highest since May 2023. The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation measure, Core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index reached 3.3%, the highest since November 2023. While these readings are certainly lower than the inflation seen during the post-pandemic easy money flood, for Core PCE, they are higher than most readings going back to the first Gulf War.
Weekly Market Insights – Monday, June 1, 2026
May closed on a high note as markets posted record gains during a shortened post-Memorial Day trading week. Easing inflation, falling oil prices, and growing optimism over a potential Middle East peace deal all combined to push stocks to new heights — capping the month with a strong finish across all major indexes.
Weekly Market Insights – Tuesday, May 26, 2026
Markets climbed last week on two tailwinds: sustained investor appetite for artificial intelligence plays and mounting speculation that a Middle East peace deal could be imminent.