Last Week on Wall Street
The S&P 500 avoided a third straight weekly loss, rising 0.7% and bringing its year-to-date gains to 25% with two trading days remaining in 2024.
The benchmark equity index ended Friday’s session at 5,970.84, up from last week’s close of 5,930.85. The S&P 500 closed at an all-time high of 6,090.3 on Dec. 6. Tuesday will be the last trading day of the year.
“Investor sentiment is high entering 2025 as several of the 2024 positive trends that remain in place were bolstered by November (US presidential) election results, which ignited pro-growth policy expectations,” D.A. Davidson said in a Friday note to clients. “This sets up conditions for equity prices to move higher if the US economy sustains growth above 2% and corporate earnings grow above 10%.”
The effect of a so-called “Santa Claus” rally in the US stock market could reverse early next year amid the prospect of new trade policies or tariffs under the incoming Trump administration, Saxo Bank said in a report published this week. The Santa rally refers to the tendency for stock markets to move higher during the last week of December and the first two trading days of January.
US markets were closed Wednesday for Christmas. Retail sales increased more than expected during the holiday season and came in above last year’s growth pace, according to preliminary data from a Mastercard (MA) report.
Among sectors, energy and health care were the best performers for the week, rising more than 1% each. Only consumer staples and materials posted losses.
In health care news, the US Food and Drug Administration said it is proposing a rule to set up and require standardized testing techniques to detect asbestos in cosmetic products that contain talc.
The technology sector’s 0.9% weekly rise was aided by several major chip stocks, with Broadcom (AVGO) soaring 9.5% and artificial intelligence chip darling Nvidia (NVDA) rising 1.7%
The financials sector also posted a 0.9% gain for the week. Certain US bank and business groups filed a lawsuit against the Federal Reserve over alleged “flawed” stress-testing framework.
Consumer discretionary rose 0.5%, aided by a 4.9% jump in coffee chain Starbucks (SBUX) as employees returned to work Wednesday after a five-day strike. Electric vehicle maker Tesla (TSLA) logged a 2.5% weekly gain.
Within consumer staples, the US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau sued retail giant Walmart (WMT) and financial technology company Branch Messenger on allegations that they forced delivery drivers to use costly deposit accounts to get paid. Walmart registered a 0.6% weekly decline.
Next week’s economic calendar will feature the Institute for Supply Management and S&P Global’s US manufacturing sector data for December. Reports on pending homes sales for November and house price data for October are also due next week. Markets will be closed Wednesday for New Year’s Day.
Source: YCharts, MT Newswire
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 may contain 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 or Blog 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: Markets Recover [Dec. 30-2024]
Last Week on Wall Street
The S&P 500 avoided a third straight weekly loss, rising 0.7% and bringing its year-to-date gains to 25% with two trading days remaining in 2024.
The benchmark equity index ended Friday’s session at 5,970.84, up from last week’s close of 5,930.85. The S&P 500 closed at an all-time high of 6,090.3 on Dec. 6. Tuesday will be the last trading day of the year.
“Investor sentiment is high entering 2025 as several of the 2024 positive trends that remain in place were bolstered by November (US presidential) election results, which ignited pro-growth policy expectations,” D.A. Davidson said in a Friday note to clients. “This sets up conditions for equity prices to move higher if the US economy sustains growth above 2% and corporate earnings grow above 10%.”
The effect of a so-called “Santa Claus” rally in the US stock market could reverse early next year amid the prospect of new trade policies or tariffs under the incoming Trump administration, Saxo Bank said in a report published this week. The Santa rally refers to the tendency for stock markets to move higher during the last week of December and the first two trading days of January.
US markets were closed Wednesday for Christmas. Retail sales increased more than expected during the holiday season and came in above last year’s growth pace, according to preliminary data from a Mastercard (MA) report.
Among sectors, energy and health care were the best performers for the week, rising more than 1% each. Only consumer staples and materials posted losses.
In health care news, the US Food and Drug Administration said it is proposing a rule to set up and require standardized testing techniques to detect asbestos in cosmetic products that contain talc.
The technology sector’s 0.9% weekly rise was aided by several major chip stocks, with Broadcom (AVGO) soaring 9.5% and artificial intelligence chip darling Nvidia (NVDA) rising 1.7%
The financials sector also posted a 0.9% gain for the week. Certain US bank and business groups filed a lawsuit against the Federal Reserve over alleged “flawed” stress-testing framework.
Consumer discretionary rose 0.5%, aided by a 4.9% jump in coffee chain Starbucks (SBUX) as employees returned to work Wednesday after a five-day strike. Electric vehicle maker Tesla (TSLA) logged a 2.5% weekly gain.
Within consumer staples, the US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau sued retail giant Walmart (WMT) and financial technology company Branch Messenger on allegations that they forced delivery drivers to use costly deposit accounts to get paid. Walmart registered a 0.6% weekly decline.
Next week’s economic calendar will feature the Institute for Supply Management and S&P Global’s US manufacturing sector data for December. Reports on pending homes sales for November and house price data for October are also due next week. Markets will be closed Wednesday for New Year’s Day.
Source: YCharts, MT Newswire
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 may contain 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 or Blog 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
Recent Posts
Last Week on Wall Street: Markets Cheer U.S/.E.U. Trade Talks [June 2-2025]
Beyond the S&P 500: Opportunities for Diversification
U.S. Credit Downgrade: Hype vs. Reality
Subscribe to Our Blog
Shareholder | Chief Investment Officer