This roundup of top financial news for the week presented by Matt Glova and the LifeTime Asset Management team:
Month-End Market Update, January 31, 2025
Quick Highlights:
1. Markets Rally in January — Markets rebounded in January after mixed results in December.
2. Bonds Rise as Interest Rates Fall — Falling long-term interest rates caused bonds to rise.
3. Healthy Economic Backdrop — The economic updates released in January showed continued healthy economic growth.
4. Risks Ahead — Investors should prepare for potential risks ahead.
5. Solid Outlook Despite Policy Uncertainty — We believe the most likely path forward is for continued market appreciation and economic growth.
Click here to read the full monthly market report published January 31, 2025.
Weekly Market Update, January 27, 2025
Economic data was mixed, with stronger-than-expected existing home sales and relatively stable jobless claims. The LEI and the U.S. services sector showed mild signs of softening. International markets fared well on a softer U.S. dollar and better-than-feared tariff policy. Bonds were little changed.
Click here to read the full weekly market report published January 27, 2025.
Weekly Market Update, January 21, 2025
PPI and CPI were lighter than expected to start the year, offering support for fixed income and equity markets. Retail sales were a bit softer than expected but home builder sentiment beat expectations. Softer-than-expected inflation fueled a rally in equities and stocks. Strong bank earnings and a softening dollar helped value stocks outperform growth equities despite a large drop in rates. Bonds rallied on the heels of better-than-expected PPI and CPI reports.
Click here to read the full weekly market report published January 21, 2025.
Weekly Market Update, January 13, 2025
The Fed and consumers noted increased concerns regarding inflation. A strong ISM Services index and employment report revealed that the economy continued to show strength despite the Fed issuing multiple rate cuts in the final four months of 2024. Inflation concerns caused small-caps and growth stocks to sell off as investors expect the Fed to do less in 2025. Bonds also sold off on fresh inflation concerns.
Click here to read the full weekly market report published January 13, 2025.
Weekly Market Update, January 6, 2025
We saw mostly positive data across multiple industries during the holiday-shortened week. Construction spending, which remained flat in November, is worth watching. Equity markets remained risk-averse to start the year amid questions on policy and inflation. The yield curve continued to steepen after the Federal Reserve (Fed) indicated it would keep rates elevated in 2025.
Click here to read the full weekly market report published January 6, 2025.
Quarter-End Market Update, December 31, 2024
Quick Highlights:
1. Mixed Month for Markets — December was a mixed month for equity markets.
2. Bonds Fall as Federal Reserve Updates Guidance— Rising interest rates caused bond prices to fall at year-end.
3. Positive Economic Updates — The economic updates released in December showed continued economic growth.
4. Risks to Monitor — Markets face a number of risks both domestically and abroad.
5. Positive Outlook for the New Year — We believe the most likely path forward is for continued market appreciation and economic growth.
Click here to read the full monthly market report published December 31, 2024.