Monthly Archives: July 2026

The Weekly Update

Week of July 27th, 2026
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks ended last week down as Q2 corporate results, Middle East developments, and the chips trade took investors for a choppy ride.

The Nasdaq Composite Index was under the most pressure, falling 2.13 percent. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index lost 0.61 percent, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.38 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, rose 0.35 percent.

A Volatile Week
After a sluggish start on Monday, stocks rebounded on Tuesday as the chips trade led the markets higher, as investors turned their attention to Q2 corporate earnings results.

Then stocks stalled midweek as oil prices and bond yields rose and investors digested some initial Q2 reports. The S&P 500 ended just below the flatline, while the Dow went sideways and the Nasdaq posted a modest loss.

Stocks opened lower Thursday as mixed corporate updates …

The Weekly Update

Week of July 20th, 2026
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Stocks fell last week as the chip-stock trade entered a selloff phase, despite upbeat news on inflation.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 1.55 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index declined 2.90 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.93 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, lost 0.80 percent.

Chip Stocks Under Pressure
Renewed tensions in the Middle East gripped investors as the week kicked off. Stocks slid broadly as oil prices climbed.

On Tuesday, investors cheered news of the first drop in consumer inflation in six years. The following day, an unexpected drop in wholesale inflation prompted investors to rethink the Fed’s next move on short-term interest rates.

But on Thursday, the S&P 500 opened lower as chip stocks dragged the broader market lower once again.

As the week wrapped up, the S&P lost over 1 …

The Weekly Update

Week of July 13th, 2026
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

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 Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 1.23 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index advanced 1.74 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.50 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, lost 1.42 percent.

Tech-Led Rise Past Geopolitical Concerns
Stocks rose to start the week, with the Dow hitting another record close and the Nasdaq climbing more than 1 percent as investors shook off valuation concerns that plagued AI stocks over the past few weeks.

The Dow hit a new intraday high on Tuesday before its two-day slide, along with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq, through the week’s lows midday Wednesday. That said, the Nasdaq eked out a slight gain on …

The Weekly Update

Week of July 6th, 2026
By Christopher T. Much, CFP®, AIF®

Markets notched a solid gain over a shortened trading week as investors cheered ongoing diplomatic efforts in the Middle East.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 1.77 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index advanced 2.12 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 1.97 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, gained 1.81 percent.

Q2 Ends with Fireworks
Stocks opened higher to start the week, climbing on weekend news regarding the U.S. and Iran.3
On the second day of trading, the rally narrowed with chip stocks leading the way. The Nasdaq rose more than 3.5 percent and the S&P 500 2 percent in the first two days of the week.

But as July began, markets pivoted as investors rotated out of some AI and tech names. The Dow hit a new intraday high before pulling back a bit. …