Market volatility continues. Stocks slid on Friday, April 13, but still held on to gains for the week.[1] The S&P 500 increased 1.99%, the Dow added 1.79%, and the NASDAQ was up 2.77%.[2] International stocks in the MSCI EAFE also...
Read MoreMarket volatility continues. Stocks slid on Friday, April 13, but still held on to gains for the week.[1] The S&P 500 increased 1.99%, the Dow added 1.79%, and the NASDAQ was up 2.77%.[2] International stocks in the MSCI EAFE also...
Read MoreDomestic stocks lost ground last week as trade war concerns continued to rattle investors. With these declines, the Dow officially moved back into correction territory.[1] For the week, the S&P 500 lost 1.43%, the Dow dipped 0.95%,...
Read MoreMarkets were closed on March 30 for Good Friday, but in the four days of trading, stocks recovered some of this year's losses.[1] For the week, the S&P 500 added 2.09%, the Dow gained 2.67%, and the NASDAQ increased by 1.03%.[2]...
Read MoreMarkets experienced significant declines last week. The S&P 500 lost 5.95%, the Dow dropped 5.66%, and the NASDAQ declined 6.54%.[1] With these losses, all 3 domestic indexes had their worst weekly performance in more than 2 years.[2]...
Read MoreMarkets were up on Friday, but domestic stocks lost ground for the week as political turmoil and potential trade wars weighed on investors' minds.[1] The S&P 500 dropped 1.24%, the Dow gave back 1.54%, and the NASDAQ decreased 1.04%...
Read MoreDomestic stocks leapt ahead last week as the latest jobs report inspired renewed confidence in our economic standing. The S&P 500 added 3.54%, and the Dow gained 3.25%.[1] The NASDAQ erased its losses from February's market correction...
Read MoreVolatility continued last week as markets posted their 1st weekly loss in 3 weeks.[1] Despite some recovery on Friday, the S&P 500 dropped 2.04%, the NASDAQ slipped 1.12%, and the Dow lost 3.05% for the week.[2] Internationally, the...
Read MoreLast week, the Presidents' Day holiday meant markets were only open for 4 trading days, and during that time, we received comparatively few economic reports. Nonetheless, major domestic indexes showed considerable volatility and...
Read MoreMarkets rebounded last week, posting sizable gains and moving back into positive territory for the year. All three domestic indexes experienced their largest weekly growth in years, despite losing some ground on Friday after news of...
Read MoreAfter months of relative calm, market fluctuations are causing many investors to wonder what is happening to the economy. Last week, the S&P 500 lost 5.16%, the Dow dropped 5.21%, and the NASDAQ declined 5.06%.[1] The MSCI EAFE also...
Read MoreAfter 4 straight weeks of gains, the markets have slipped. As of Friday, the S&P 500 lost 3.85%, the Dow dropped 4.12%, and the NASDAQ decreased by 3.53%.[1] International stocks in the MSCI EAFE also took a 2.78% hit.[2] Domestically...
Read MoreStocks had an impressive week yet again, as each of the domestic indexes reached record highs and gained at least 2%.[1] The S&P 500 added 2.23%, the Dow increased 2.09%, and the NASDAQ grew 2.31%.[2] International stocks in the MSCI...
Read MoreWe're only a few weeks into 2018, and stocks are showing quite a strong performance so far. Last week, major domestic indexes posted gains yet again, with all 3 up at least 5% this year. By Friday, the S&P 500 had added another 0.86%,...
Read MoreDomestic markets continued their strong start to 2018, posting gains across the board for their 2nd week. The S&P 500 added 1.57% and closed at a new record high on Friday. The index just posted its best 10-day beginning to a year...
Read MoreThe first week of 2018 is behind us, and across the globe, stocks experienced a strong start to the year. International stocks in the MSCI EAFE gained 2.44% last week.[1] In the U.S., our major indexes also leapt forward, hitting a...
Read MoreIn the final trading days of a strong 2017, U.S. indexes lost some ground. During the holiday-shortened week, the S&P 500 dropped by 0.36%, the Dow lost 0.14%, and the NASDAQ gave back 0.81%.[1] A selloff toward the end of the day on...
Read MoreAs we headed into the long holiday weekend, the markets continued to climb as tax reform moved forward.up>[1] For the week, the S&P 500 closed up 0.29%, the Dow rose 0.43%, and the NASDAQ gained 0.35%.[2] International stocks in the...
Read MoreDomestic markets were up last week as tax reform became more likely. On Friday, multiple previously undecided Senators announced they would back the combined House and Senate bill, and stocks reacted by hitting new record highs.[1]...
Read MoreAs the holiday season progresses, the markets continue to impress. Last week, many energy, financial, and industrial sector stocks helped drive performance.[1] Hitting record highs yet again, the S&P gained 0.35%, and the Dow jumped 0...
Read MoreMarkets went for a wild ride last week - especially on Friday. In fact, on December 1, the S&P 500 had its largest fluctuations since the day after the 2016 presidential election.[1] Nonetheless, two of the major domestic markets hit...
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Domestic stock performance varied last week, with the S&P 500 and Dow losing ground for the 2nd straight week, while the NASDAQ posted gains.[i] By Friday, the S&P 500 had dropped 0.13%, the Dow gave back 0.27%, and the NASDAQ gained...
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After posting gains every week since September, U.S. stocks declined by market’s close on Friday. The S&P 500 and Dow ended their longest stretch of weekly increases since 2013, and the NASDAQ ended its own 6-week streak.[i] By...
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Once again, the markets ended the week in positive territory—and all 3 major domestic indexes hit new record highs. The S&P 500 added 0.26%, and the Dow was up 0.45%, with both indexes notching their 8th straight week of sgrowth...
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Another week, another round of positive market performance. The 3 major domestic indexes again ended the week with gains and new record highs. The S&P 500 rose 0.23% and marked a 7th-straight week of increases—its longest string...
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Last week, all 3 major U.S. markets hit record highs once again.[i] The Dow added 2.00% to notch both intraday and closing records, the S&P 500 rose 0.86%, and the NASDAQ gained 0.35%.[ii] International stocks in the MSCI EAFE dipped...
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Last Friday, all 3 major domestic indexes continued their streak of weekly gains and record highs. The S&P 500 added 0.15%, and the Dow was up 0.43%. Meanwhile, both indexes posted their 5th weekly gain in a row. In addition, the S&P...
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This Monday, October 9, marks the 10-year anniversary of the S&P 500’s highest point before the Great Recession. While the ensuing decade has provided quite a rocky road for the markets at times, the recovery is undeniable.[i]...
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Before we begin our usual weekly commentary, we wanted to take a moment to honor the victims of Sunday’s terrible attack in Las Vegas. Though details are still scarce, it is the most devastating mass shooting in U.S. history....
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Domestic indexes were mixed last week, as the Dow gained 0.36%, the S&P 500 eked out a 0.08% increase, and the NASDAQ lost 0.33%.[i] International stocks in the MSCI EAFE added a solid 0.68%.[ii] Three stories that have dominated...
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After briefly stumbling the week of September 4, domestic indexes notched significant gains last week and hit record highs. By Friday, the S&P 500 exceeded 2,500 for the first time, the Dow closed at its highest level ever, and the...
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Last week, the markets closed for Labor Day, and in the subsequent four trading days, all three domestic indexes gave back some recent gains. The S&P 500 declined 0.61%, the Dow lost 0.86%, and the NASDAQ slid 1.17%.[i] International...
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Last week gave a number of things for both investors and non-investors to think—and worry—about. From North Korea’s missiles to Hurricane Harvey’s devastation to an unemployment uptick, the headlines were busy....
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After several weekly losses, the major domestic indexes all ended in positive territory on Friday, August 25. The S&P 500 gained 0.72%, the Dow was up 0.64%, and the NASDAQ added 0.79% for the week.[i] International stocks in the MSCI...
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From domestic unrest to international terrorism, last week provided many headlines that could easily rattle the markets. While we did see days with volatility and declines, the major indexes remained relatively flat.[i] For the week,...
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Last week, rising tension between North Korea and the U.S. rattled the world’s markets. As the two countries traded tough words, concerns escalated and markets reacted emotionally to the news.[i] Though stress is building...
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Another week of economic performance brought more news that the markets continue their bullish streak. After eight consecutive record-high closings, the Dow rose above 22,000 for the first time ever and finished the week up 1.20%.[i]...
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Last week, markets marched ahead within a busy reporting week. The Dow rose 1.16% to close Friday on another new high.[i] The S&P 500 notched a record high during the week, despite closing the week slightly down 0.02%.[ii] Meanwhile,...
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Last week, the Dow, S&P 500, and NASDAQ again hit record highs. The midweek peaks fell by Friday, though market performance remained strong.[i] By week’s end, the Dow dropped 0.27%, and the S&P 500 and NASDAQ dipped on Friday...
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Last Friday, stocks closed on more record highs. The S&P 500 rose 1.41% and the Dow climbed 1.04%—both closing at new peaks.[i] The NASDAQ reported a 2.58% gain and the MSCI EAFE posted a 2.38% increase.[ii] Despite continuing...
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As the country celebrated the Fourth of July last week, the markets experienced some volatility, though they finished a bit flat overall.[i] The Dow fell then rose to close the week up 0.30%.[ii] The S&P 500 climbed a modest 0.07% for...
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As Q2 ended, markets hit a six-week volatility high.[i] While the tech sector declined during the week, consumer discretionary and industrial sectors drove stocks higher on Friday.[ii] On Friday, the tech-heavy NASDAQ slumped 1.99%...
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Monday, June 26, 2017
Last week, markets kept relatively quiet despite the continuing drop in oil prices. The S&P 500 rose by 0.21%, the Dow increased by 0.05%, and the NASDAQ—the week’s best performer—jumped 1.84%.[i] Internationally,...
Read MoreMarkets remained mixed last week as the Dow closed at another record high, while the NASDAQ fell and the S&P 500 held steady.[1] By Friday, the Dow gained 0.52%, the NASDAQ fell -0.92%, and the S&P 500 gained a slight 0.05%.[2]...
Read MoreLocal Financial Advisor Ali Swofford Attends 2017 MDRT Annual Meeting Prestigious Meeting Provides Educational Opportunities for Leading Financial Professionals PARK RIDGE, ILL. – Aleen “Ali” Swofford, PhD, CLU, ChFC...
Read MoreMarkets last week were mixed with leading tech stocks falling dramatically as some investors pulled profits.[1] The NASDAQ took the biggest hit, finishing 1.55% down on the week - its worst week of the year.[2] Meanwhile, the Dow rose...
Read MoreLast week, the S&P 500, Dow, and NASDAQ closed at all-time record highs.[1] The S&P 500 rose 0.96%, the Dow gained 0.6%, and the NASDAQ grew by 1.54%.[2] Meanwhile, the MSCI EAFE gained 1.64% for the week.[3] Despite strong equity...
Read MoreThe markets marched ahead last week with the S&P 500 and the NASDAQ reporting all-time records, albeit just slightly above previous highs.[1] The S&P rose 1.43% over last week, while the NASDAQ was up 2.08%.[2] The Dow gained 1.32%...
Read MoreEarly last week, both the S&P and NASDAQ recorded all time highs before tumbling along with the Dow as political concerns rose.[1] By Friday, though, the markets had largely rebounded and steadied. The S&P 500 closed the week down 0...
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Thursday, April 20, 2017
Why use a local, independent financial advisor? Accessibility & Convenience Even simple tasks can become a hassle when your advisor lives out of state. Everyday activities like making additional deposits, processing withdrawals, or...
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Friday, February 24, 2017
Celebrating Today we celebrate the 100th birthday of long-time client, Mary Elizabeth Parker, who is still as sharp as a tack. I had the good fortune of being able to be part of her birthday celebrations yesterday and she was...
Read MoreFinancial Triage for the Suddenly Single Whether you have become solely in charge of your financial future by death or divorce, the decisions you are faced with are likely to seem overwhelming. The flood of emotions you are...
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Monday, January 2, 2017
Hammering Down Taxable Income By: Craig Hammer January 2017 The New Year is here! I hope 2016 was a prosperous one for you. It seems like the year just started and now it’s over. The sights and sounds of the holiday season will...
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Wednesday, December 7, 2016
2016 Charitable Giving Tips This is the season to give thanks and to share our many blessings with those less fortunate. You can open your heart and be tax efficient as well. Here are a few simple ideas that you might consider before...
Read MoreALI SWOFFORD ACHIEVES TOP OF THE TABLE MDRT Membership is exclusive to world’s leading financial professionals Knoxville, Tn – Ali Swofford has qualified for Top of the Table of the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) again....
Read MoreLocal Financial Advisor Aleen Swofford Presents at MDRT Annual Meeting Prestigious Meeting Provides Educational Opportunities for Leading Financial Professionals PARK RIDGE, ILL. – Aleen Swofford, CLU, ChFC, of Swofford Financial...
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