Author: Ramsay Capital Group

Weekly Market Insights | Volatile Week Ends on Positive Note

Stocks declined over an unusually volatile week as midterm results shifted control of Congress and markets responded.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index declined 2.68 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index dropped 3.37 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.94 percent lower. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, slid 1.95 percent.^1,2

A Volatile Week

Stocks were mixed to start the week, kicking off November with a continued rotation out of technology stocks in favor of more defensive names.^3,4

Markets then jumped midweek as investors believed a decisive midterm election result would help reduce political uncertainty risk. Economically sensitive stocks led the rally, while chip stocks and other tech names trailed. The Dow Industrials rose over 3 percent—its best day in more than 1½ years.⁵

But stocks were under steady pressure on Thursday, with tech leading all three major market averages down. Investors continued to rotate out of the AI trade as anxiety grew about what’s next. The Nasdaq dropped 5½ percent while the S&P 500 slid 4.4 percent.⁶

The week wrapped on a positive note with markets pushing higher on Friday as investors cheered a better-than-expected jobs report, which helped buoy investor sentiment.⁷

AI Anxiety

So why did markets rally the day after midterm election results were in? Markets seemed to welcome greater clarity about the political landscape.⁸

Anxiety returned on Thursday. In the past several weeks, investors have become increasingly concerned about AI stock valuations and have focused on data center buildouts. Those factors had already cooled the AI trade, so the election results brought some issues back into focus.⁸

One bright spot for the week was the price of oil. Some believe that lower prices could help ease inflation concerns if the trend continues.⁸

Footnotes And Sources

^{1. WSJ.com, November 6, 2026

2. Investing.com, November 6, 2026

3. CNBC.com, November 2, 2026

4. CNBC.com, November 3, 2026

5. WSJ.com, November 4, 2026

6. CNBC.com, November 5, 2026

7. CNBC.com, November 6, 2026

8. WSJ.com, November 4, 2026}

Weekly Market Insights | Stocks Lower Despite Upbeat Q3 GDP News

Stocks ended last week lower as disappointing Q3 corporate reports led to a tech-led selloff that deepened on Friday.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index slipped 0.57 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index declined 2.00 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.85 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, rose 0.85 percent.^1,2

Early Enthusiasm

The AI trade got a fresh boost to kick off the week as one of the largest AI platforms filed for an initial public offering. Investors also appeared upbeat about one of the biggest weeks for Q3 corporate earnings results.

Monday’s momentum extended into Tuesday’s session, while falling oil prices over both days added to investor enthusiasm.³

Then midweek, the Fed held rates steady as expected, which was met with mixed trading. But all three averages closed modestly higher on Wednesday. Over the first three days of the week, the Nasdaq rose more than 2 percent and the S&P 500 added more than 1½ percent.⁴

Thursday’s session opened on a down note following mixed Q3 corporate results from two of the largest tech giants. Despite a stronger-than-expected gross domestic product (GDP) report and the fact that seven out of the 11 S&P 500 sectors advanced, stocks remained under pressure throughout the day.⁵

Then Friday, the tech-led selloff deepened as traders appeared to favor more defensive sectors as the month closed out. The Nasdaq declined nearly 3 percent over the session.⁶

Upbeat Q3 GDP Report

The Fed’s decision last Wednesday to keep short-term interest rates unchanged was expected. But two Fed officials voted for raising rates, which was a bit of a surprise.⁷

Another surprise last week was news that the economy grew 3.4 percent in Q3, according to the Commerce Department’s initial estimate. That beat economists’ expectations of 3.1 percent growth but, more importantly, marked an acceleration from Q2, when GDP grew 2.2 percent.⁸

Footnotes And Sources

^{1. WSJ.com, October 30, 2026

2. Investing.com, October 30, 2026

3. CNBC.com, October 27, 2026

4. WSJ.com, October 28, 2026

5. CNBC.com, October 29, 2026

6. CNBC.com, October 30, 2026

7. WSJ.com, October 28, 2026

8. WSJ.com, October 29, 2026}

Weekly Market Insights | Challenging Week for Tech Stocks

Markets were mixed last week, though persistent pressure on technology stocks made the week feel more challenging for some investors.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index lost 0.47 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index declined 0.71 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.41 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, fell 1.58 percent.^1,2

Tech Leads Both Ways

The week began with an AI-led rebound as investors looked ahead to a heavy slate of corporate earnings reports. On Tuesday, investors cheered the first wave of corporate results and falling oil prices, which helped boost investor sentiment.

Tech swung back into favor midweek as investors applauded reports that two of the largest megacap tech firms formed a committee to evaluate a potential merger, lifting all three averages. The Nasdaq gained more than 1 percent, while the S&P posted its third straight winning close.^3,4

Boomerang Effect

But the boomerang started to come back on Thursday as AI debt worries returned while oil prices rose again amid fresh geopolitical concerns. The Nasdaq slid more than 2½ percent over the session, while the S&P fell more than 1 percent, posting their steepest daily declines since June and July, respectively.⁵

The week wrapped up with technology stocks again in the spotlight due to persistent AI-related worries. The Dow closed Friday down more than 1 percent, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq were under pressure into the close. ⁶

Footnotes And Sources

^{1. WSJ.com, October 23, 2026

2. Investing.com, October 23, 2026

3. CNBC.com, October 20, 2026

4. CNBC.com, October 21, 2026

5. CNBC.com, October 22, 2026

6. WSJ.com, October 23, 2026}

Weekly Market Insights | Tech Under Pressure After Hot Inflation Reports

Stocks were under pressure last week as corporate earnings results, rising oil prices, and AI valuation anxieties unsettled investors.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index lost 1.95 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index declined 4.48 percent. By contrast, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.67 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, rose 0.96 percent.^1,2

Tough Week for Tech

Markets traded in a tight range over the first two days of the week as investors awaited a slew of Q3 corporate earnings results, mostly from big financial services companies, later in the week. That first batch of earnings announcements came in Tuesday, with mostly strong results, but high investor expectations kept markets from moving much.³

Then midweek, investors appeared to rotate out of AI names as they digested a warm retail inflation report. Those two factors shifted sentiment, and stocks trended lower. However, the Dow Industrials proved more defensive, ending the session essentially flat.⁴

On Thursday, AI stocks were under pressure again as investors appeared to favor more value-oriented names.⁵

As the week wrapped up, oil prices rose to their highest level since May, while sellers targeted AI- and tech-related names. The Nasdaq found some support at the close but still had its worst week since June.⁶

Footnotes And Sources

^{1. WSJ.com, October 16, 2026

2. Investing.com, October 16, 2026

3. CNBC.com, October 13, 2026

4. WSJ.com, October 14, 2026

5. CNBC.com, October 15, 2026

6. WSJ.com, October 16, 2026}

Weekly Market Insights | Wall Street Finishes Strong in Complicated Week

Stocks ended last week higher after an up-and-down week where a kitchen sink of economic, geopolitical, and AI-related events competed for investors’ attention.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 1.15 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index advanced 0.64 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.93 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, fell 0.45 percent.^1,2

A Choppy Advance

Stocks opened higher to start the week, demonstrating continued resilience despite rising Treasury yields. Stocks continued their climb on Tuesday as cooler yields prevailed and oil prices treaded water. AI chipmakers led the broad market higher, with the S&P 500 closing above 7,800 for the first time and the Nasdaq also notching a record close.^3,4

Then markets stumbled midweek, opening lower on Wednesday after Treasury yields hit fresh multidecade highs. However, stocks rebounded after an encouraging 10-year Treasury auction appeared to allay some fears, with the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq reversing the lion’s share of declines by the closing bell.⁵

Jitters crept back into market sentiment as stocks opened lower Thursday. The Nasdaq closed down nearly 1½ percent, its biggest one-day decline since mid-August.⁶

Stocks rebounded Friday to finish the week strong, with megacap tech stocks rallying and oil prices falling on news of a deal to supply diesel to U.S. and global markets. Healthcare stocks also contributed to the gains as the Nasdaq logged its fourth consecutive weekly gain.⁷

As the Fed Turns

Three things happened on Wednesday that made the Federal Reserve’s job a bit more complex as it weighs its decision on interest rates at its next meeting later this month.

Yields on both the bellwether 10-year Treasury note and the 30-year Treasury bond hit new 24-year highs, which contributed to mortgage rates reaching a near-three-year high. However, a well-received auction of 10-year Treasury notes seemed to suggest that buyers believed yields would eventually fall again.⁸

Footnotes And Sources

^{1. WSJ.com, October 9, 2026

2. Investing.com, October 9, 2026

3. CNBC.com, October 5, 2026

4. CNBC.com, October 6, 2026

5. WSJ.com, October 7, 2026

6. CNBC.com, October 8, 2026

7. CNBC.com, October 9, 2026

8. WSJ.com, October 7, 2026}

Weekly Market Insights | Nasdaq Record, Jobs Report Face Off in Mixed Week

Stocks ended last week mixed as a tug-of-war between strong economic data, cooler job growth, and decades-high Treasury yields played out.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index edged down 0.27 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index rose 0.45 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 1.26 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, fell 1.81 percent.^1,2

A Mixed Week

Stocks fell at the start of the week as Treasury yields continued to rise. They steadied over the next session with Treasury yields still in the spotlight. The benchmark 10-year Treasury yield topped 5.29 percent, up 133 basis points from its year-to-date low in late February.^3,4

Markets perked up midweek after a revision to Q2 GDP showed the economy grew faster than originally estimated. Quarterly earnings results for a large semiconductor also supported markets, while rising oil prices kept enthusiasm in check.^5,6

After a soft jobs report, stocks opened higher on Friday, with investors wondering whether the Fed would adjust rates at the end of the month. The AI trade roused once again to lead the Nasdaq to a fresh intraday record and end the week on a high note.⁷

Footnotes And Sources

^{1. WSJ.com, October 2, 2026

2. Investing.com, October 2, 2026

3. CNBC.com, September 28, 2026

4. CNBC.com, September 29, 2026

5. WSJ.com, September 30, 2026

6. CNBC.com, October 1, 2026

7. WSJ.com, October 2, 2026}

Weekly Market Insights | CPI Holds Steady; Investors Await Fed Action

Stocks fell over a shortened trading week as higher oil prices rattled investors.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index declined 0.80 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index edged down 0.66 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.57 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, skidded 1.39 percent.^1,2

Sluggish Start

Stocks fell in response to higher oil prices at Tuesday’s opening bell as investors returned from the long Labor Day weekend. Investors kept one eye on diplomatic efforts in the Middle East and another on fresh inflation reports due out later in the week.³

Stocks were under pressure again on Wednesday as oil prices continued climbing. After the Treasury Department announced it was tripling its long-dated debt buyback program (to as much as $6 billion), the yield on the 10-year Treasury note rose to a 3-year high. Investors continued to fret over inflation as the week progressed, putting further pressure on stocks.^4,5

On Friday, stocks rebounded after news that annualized inflation held steady in August, puzzling some who expected stocks to decline. Oil prices fell, and markets rebounded to finish a tough week on an upbeat note.⁶

Footnotes And Sources

^{1. WSJ.com, September 11, 2026

2. Investing.com, September 11, 2026

3. CNBC.com, September 8, 2026

4. CNBC.com, September 9, 2026

5. CNBC.com, September 9, 2026

6. WSJ.com, September 11, 2026}

Weekly Market Insights | Mixed Week for Markets, Mixed Signals from Fed

Stocks were mixed last week as markets continued to navigate geopolitical concerns and new signals about short-term interest rates.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index edged up 0.09 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index rose 0.40 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.27 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, skidded 0.25 percent.^1,2

Summer’s Final Act

Stocks fell modestly, and oil prices rose at the start of the week after renewed tensions in the Middle East put investors on edge. Longer-maturity Treasury bond yields also rose, adding pressure on stocks.³

Stocks remained under pressure as global bond yields rose, with traders fretting that higher oil prices would stoke broader inflation. Benchmark government bond yields for the U.S., Germany, and Japan hit 20-month, 15-year, and 30-year highs, respectively.³

But midweek, stocks rebounded after Fed Governor Christopher Waller suggested that the Fed might leave interest rates unchanged at its meeting later this month. Each major average gained 1 percent or more.^4,5

Before Friday’s opening, the Labor Department’s nonfarm payrolls report showed job growth was stronger than expected in August. Stocks were under pressure all day as traders saw the job report as a reason that the Fed might consider adjusting rates later this month.⁶

Footnotes And Sources

^{1. WSJ.com, September 4, 2026

2. Investing.com, September 4, 2026

3. CNBC.com, September 1, 2026

4. CNBC.com, September 2, 2026

5. CNBC.com, September 3, 2026

6. WSJ.com, September 2, 2026}

Weekly Market Insights | Stocks Have Best Week in Four Months

Stocks bolted ahead last week as investors cheered the last big week of Q2 corporate reports and a Friday jobs update that put the spotlight on the Fed’s next move with short-term rates.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index advanced 3.57 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index gained 5.19 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.96 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, added 2.32 percent.^1,2

Best Week in Nearly 4 Months

Stocks opened the week strong as oil prices slid on news of diplomatic efforts in the Middle East. Big Tech led, which helped push the Dow Industrials to a record close.³

Investor optimism continued to build on Tuesday as stocks opened higher and climbed throughout the day. Strong Q2 corporate reports added fuel to the rally, lifting all three averages into a second day of robust gains.⁴

Markets opened higher on Wednesday but lost momentum as the day progressed. On Thursday, oil prices crept higher, and stocks went sideways as investors awaited updates on the Middle East and digested the final big trove of Q2 corporate results.^5,6

Then, on Friday, an unexpected contraction in the labor market boosted stocks as investors hoped the jobs data might influence the Fed’s outlook for short-term rates.

Each major average logged its best weekly gain since mid-April.⁷

Footnotes And Sources

^{1. WSJ.com, August 7, 2026

2. Investing.com, August 7, 2026

3. CNBC.com, August 3, 2026

4. CNBC.com, August 4, 2026

5. CNBC.com, August 5, 2026

6. CNBC.com, August 6, 2026

7. WSJ.com, August 7, 2026}

Weekly Market Insights | Stocks Have Best Week in Four Months

Stocks bolted ahead last week as investors cheered the last big week of Q2 corporate reports and a Friday jobs update that put the spotlight on the Fed’s next move with short-term rates.

Best Week in Nearly 4 Months

Stocks opened the week strong as oil prices slid on news of diplomatic efforts in the Middle East. Big Tech led, which helped push the Dow Industrials to a record close.³

Then, on Friday, an unexpected contraction in the labor market boosted stocks as investors hoped the jobs data might influence the Fed’s outlook for short-term rates.

Each major average logged its best weekly gain since mid-April.⁷