Last Week on Wall Street
Stocks rose last week despite mixed signals on inflation as investors kept one eye on the Fed’s September meeting.
The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index advanced 0.99%, while the Nasdaq Composite Index added 0.83%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.79%. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, increased 2.37%.1,2
Third Gain in Four Weeks
Stocks posted modest losses to start the week as investors braced for July consumer inflation reports. The White House’s executive order on Monday extending the tariff deadline for China by 90 days failed to move markets in the other direction.3
Stocks then staged a two-day rally following the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, which showed July inflation held steady over the prior month—beating expectations. The inflation news led some investors to move into small-cap stocks, with the Russell 2000 Index of small-cap stocks rising 5% over Tuesday and Wednesday.4
However, markets slipped Thursday as investors dug into the Producer Price Index (PPI) for July, which showed wholesale inflation hit a 3-year high last month; this was the third weekly gain in the past four weeks for each of the three major averages; the S&P and Nasdaq advanced four of the last five weeks.5,6,7
A Mixed Inflation Story
Inflation continues to give mixed signals, which can unsettle investors who anticipate the Fed adjusting rates at its September meeting.
Last week’s CPI report showed that “headline” (retail) inflation held steady. Stocks rose in response, even though core inflation—excluding volatile food and energy prices—was hotter than economists expected.
Two days later, the PPI report revealed that inflation began to creep into wholesale prices in July. Stocks fell in response as investors processed the conflicting reports.8,9
This Week: Key Economic Data
Monday: Homebuilder Confidence Index.
Tuesday: Housing Starts. Building Permits. Federal Reserve Official Michelle Bowman speaks.
Wednesday: Minutes from Fed’s FOMC July Meeting. Federal Reserve Official Christopher Waller and Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic speak.
Thursday: Weekly Jobless Claims. Services & Manufacturing PMI Composite. Existing Home Sales. Leading Economic Indicators. 30-Year TIPS (Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities) Auction. Fed Balance Sheet. Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic speaks.
Friday: Fed Chair Jerome Powell speaks.
Source: Investors Business Daily – Econoday economic calendar; August 15, 2025 – The Econoday economic calendar lists upcoming U.S. economic data releases (including key economic indicators), Federal Reserve policy meetings, and speaking engagements of Federal Reserve officials. The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and may not materialize. The forecasts also are subject to revision.
This Week: Companies Reporting Earnings
Monday: Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (PANW)
Tuesday: The Home Depot, Inc. (HD)
Wednesday: The TJX Companies, Inc. (TJX), Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (LOW), Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI)
Thursday: Walmart Inc. (WMT), Intuit Inc. (INTU)
Source: Zacks, August 15, 2025 – Companies mentioned are for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of the securities. Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your own goals, time horizon, and tolerance for risk. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost. Companies may reschedule when they report earnings without notice.
Concerns or questions about how your investment portfolio will hold up in the current market environment? Contact Financial Synergies today.
We are a boutique, financial advisory and total wealth management firm with over 35 years helping clients navigate turbulent markets. To learn more about our approach to investment management please reach out to us. One of our seasoned advisors would be happy to help you build a custom financial plan to help ensure you accomplish your financial goals and objectives. Schedule a conversation with us today.
More relevant articles by Financial Synergies:
Blog Disclosures
This content, which contains security-related opinions and/or information, is provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon in any manner as professional advice, or an endorsement of any practices, products or services. There can be no guarantees or assurances that the views expressed here will be applicable for any particular facts or circumstances, and should not be relied upon in any manner. You should consult your own financial advisors as to legal, business, tax, and other related matters concerning any investment.
The commentary in this “post” (including any related blogs, videos, and social media) reflects the personal opinions, viewpoints, and analyses of the Financial Synergies Wealth Advisors, Inc. employees providing such comments, and should not be regarded as the views of Financial Synergies Wealth Advisors, Inc. or its respective affiliates or as a description of advisory services provided by Financial Synergies Wealth Advisors, Inc. or performance returns of any Financial Synergies Wealth Advisors, Inc. client.
Any opinions expressed herein do not constitute or imply endorsement, sponsorship, or recommendation by Financial Synergies Wealth Advisors, Inc. or its employees. The views reflected in the commentary are subject to change at any time without notice.
Nothing on this website constitutes investment or financial planning advice, performance data or any recommendation that any particular security, portfolio of securities, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person. It also should not be construed as an offer soliciting the purchase or sale of any security mentioned. Nor should it be construed as an offer to provide investment advisory services by Financial Synergies Wealth Advisors, Inc.
Any mention of a particular security and related performance data is not a recommendation to buy or sell that security. Financial Synergies Wealth Advisors, Inc. manages its clients’ accounts using a variety of investment techniques and strategies, which are not necessarily discussed in the commentary. Investments in securities involve the risk of loss. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Any charts provided here or on any related Financial Synergies Wealth Advisors, Inc. personnel content outlets are for informational purposes only, and should also not be relied upon when making any investment decision. Any indices referenced for comparison are unmanaged and cannot be invested into directly. As always please remember investing involves risk and possible loss of principal capital; please seek advice from a licensed professional. Any projections, estimates, forecasts, targets, prospects and/or opinions expressed in these materials are subject to change without notice and may differ or be contrary to opinions expressed by others. Information in charts have been obtained from third-party sources and data, and may include those from portfolio securities of funds managed by Financial Synergies Wealth Advisors, Inc. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, Financial Synergies Wealth Advisors, Inc. has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation. All content speaks only as of the date indicated.
Financial Synergies Wealth Advisors, Inc. is a registered investment adviser. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Financial Synergies Wealth Advisors, Inc. and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. Investments in securities involve the risk of loss. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
See Full Disclosures Page Here
Last Week on Wall Street: Investors React to Mixed Signals [Aug. 18-2025]
Last Week on Wall Street
Stocks rose last week despite mixed signals on inflation as investors kept one eye on the Fed’s September meeting.
The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index advanced 0.99%, while the Nasdaq Composite Index added 0.83%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.79%. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, increased 2.37%.1,2
Third Gain in Four Weeks
Stocks posted modest losses to start the week as investors braced for July consumer inflation reports. The White House’s executive order on Monday extending the tariff deadline for China by 90 days failed to move markets in the other direction.3
Stocks then staged a two-day rally following the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, which showed July inflation held steady over the prior month—beating expectations. The inflation news led some investors to move into small-cap stocks, with the Russell 2000 Index of small-cap stocks rising 5% over Tuesday and Wednesday.4
However, markets slipped Thursday as investors dug into the Producer Price Index (PPI) for July, which showed wholesale inflation hit a 3-year high last month; this was the third weekly gain in the past four weeks for each of the three major averages; the S&P and Nasdaq advanced four of the last five weeks.5,6,7
A Mixed Inflation Story
Inflation continues to give mixed signals, which can unsettle investors who anticipate the Fed adjusting rates at its September meeting.
Last week’s CPI report showed that “headline” (retail) inflation held steady. Stocks rose in response, even though core inflation—excluding volatile food and energy prices—was hotter than economists expected.
Two days later, the PPI report revealed that inflation began to creep into wholesale prices in July. Stocks fell in response as investors processed the conflicting reports.8,9
This Week: Key Economic Data
Monday: Homebuilder Confidence Index.
Tuesday: Housing Starts. Building Permits. Federal Reserve Official Michelle Bowman speaks.
Wednesday: Minutes from Fed’s FOMC July Meeting. Federal Reserve Official Christopher Waller and Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic speak.
Thursday: Weekly Jobless Claims. Services & Manufacturing PMI Composite. Existing Home Sales. Leading Economic Indicators. 30-Year TIPS (Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities) Auction. Fed Balance Sheet. Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic speaks.
Friday: Fed Chair Jerome Powell speaks.
Source: Investors Business Daily – Econoday economic calendar; August 15, 2025 – The Econoday economic calendar lists upcoming U.S. economic data releases (including key economic indicators), Federal Reserve policy meetings, and speaking engagements of Federal Reserve officials. The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and may not materialize. The forecasts also are subject to revision.
This Week: Companies Reporting Earnings
Monday: Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (PANW)
Tuesday: The Home Depot, Inc. (HD)
Wednesday: The TJX Companies, Inc. (TJX), Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (LOW), Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI)
Thursday: Walmart Inc. (WMT), Intuit Inc. (INTU)
Source: Zacks, August 15, 2025 – Companies mentioned are for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of the securities. Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your own goals, time horizon, and tolerance for risk. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost. Companies may reschedule when they report earnings without notice.
Concerns or questions about how your investment portfolio will hold up in the current market environment? Contact Financial Synergies today.
We are a boutique, financial advisory and total wealth management firm with over 35 years helping clients navigate turbulent markets. To learn more about our approach to investment management please reach out to us. One of our seasoned advisors would be happy to help you build a custom financial plan to help ensure you accomplish your financial goals and objectives. Schedule a conversation with us today.
More relevant articles by Financial Synergies:
Blog Disclosures
This content, which contains security-related opinions and/or information, is provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon in any manner as professional advice, or an endorsement of any practices, products or services. There can be no guarantees or assurances that the views expressed here will be applicable for any particular facts or circumstances, and should not be relied upon in any manner. You should consult your own financial advisors as to legal, business, tax, and other related matters concerning any investment.
The commentary in this “post” (including any related blogs, videos, and social media) reflects the personal opinions, viewpoints, and analyses of the Financial Synergies Wealth Advisors, Inc. employees providing such comments, and should not be regarded as the views of Financial Synergies Wealth Advisors, Inc. or its respective affiliates or as a description of advisory services provided by Financial Synergies Wealth Advisors, Inc. or performance returns of any Financial Synergies Wealth Advisors, Inc. client.
Any opinions expressed herein do not constitute or imply endorsement, sponsorship, or recommendation by Financial Synergies Wealth Advisors, Inc. or its employees. The views reflected in the commentary are subject to change at any time without notice.
Nothing on this website constitutes investment or financial planning advice, performance data or any recommendation that any particular security, portfolio of securities, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person. It also should not be construed as an offer soliciting the purchase or sale of any security mentioned. Nor should it be construed as an offer to provide investment advisory services by Financial Synergies Wealth Advisors, Inc.
Any mention of a particular security and related performance data is not a recommendation to buy or sell that security. Financial Synergies Wealth Advisors, Inc. manages its clients’ accounts using a variety of investment techniques and strategies, which are not necessarily discussed in the commentary. Investments in securities involve the risk of loss. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Any charts provided here or on any related Financial Synergies Wealth Advisors, Inc. personnel content outlets are for informational purposes only, and should also not be relied upon when making any investment decision. Any indices referenced for comparison are unmanaged and cannot be invested into directly. As always please remember investing involves risk and possible loss of principal capital; please seek advice from a licensed professional. Any projections, estimates, forecasts, targets, prospects and/or opinions expressed in these materials are subject to change without notice and may differ or be contrary to opinions expressed by others. Information in charts have been obtained from third-party sources and data, and may include those from portfolio securities of funds managed by Financial Synergies Wealth Advisors, Inc. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, Financial Synergies Wealth Advisors, Inc. has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation. All content speaks only as of the date indicated.
Financial Synergies Wealth Advisors, Inc. is a registered investment adviser. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Financial Synergies Wealth Advisors, Inc. and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. Investments in securities involve the risk of loss. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
See Full Disclosures Page Here
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