FINANCIAL STOCK MARKET  WEEK - Market Week: February 7, 2025

Stock Market Week, "potential for rising inflation," by Wendy Nelson 

Market Week: February 10, 2025

The Markets (as of market close February 7, 2025)

The markets closed lower last week as investors reacted to the possibility of additional tariffs from the Trump administration, the potential for rising inflation, a weak earnings report from a major Megacap, and a lower-than-expected jobs report.  Of the indexes listed here, only the Global Dow managed to eke out a weekly gain.  The remaining indexes closed lower, led by the Dow and the NASDAQ.  Ten-year Treasury yields rebounded last Friday, but not enough to keep from ending last week lower.  Crude oil prices declined nearly 3.5%, primarily due to increasing trade tensions, particularly with China.

Wall Street reacted bearishly last Monday following the White House's announcement of tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China.  Stocks got a minor boost later in the day after tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports were temporarily delayed by President Trump.  Nevertheless, each of the benchmark indexes listed here ended the day in the red, with the Russell 2000 and the NASDAQ both falling 1.2%.  The Global Dow declined 1.1%.  The S&P 500 gave back 0.8%, while the Dow lost 0.3%.  Crude oil prices inched up 0.5% to settle at $72.88 per barrel.  However, tariffs on crude oil imports from Canada and Mexico, if reinstituted, could send prices higher for gasoline and heating oil.  Ten-year Treasury yields closed at 4.54%.  The dollar and gold prices ticked higher.

Stocks reversed course last Tuesday, ending the trading session higher as investors contemplated the latest tensions concerning global trade.  Traders got some encouragement following President Trump's postponement of tariffs on Canada and Mexico for at least 30 days.  The Russell 2000 and the NASDAQ each gained 1.4% to lead the benchmark indexes listed here.  The S&P 500 and the Global Dow each rose 0.7%, while the Dow climbed 0.3%.  Ten-year Treasury yields slipped to 4.51%.  Crude oil prices declined to $72.53 per barrel.  The dollar index lost 0.9%, while gold prices increased 0.6%.

Last Wednesday saw stocks push higher for the second straight day.  The Russell 2000 climbed 1.1%, followed by the Global Dow (0.8%), the Dow (0.7%), and the NASDAQ (0.2%).  Yields on 10-year Treasuries slid 9.1 basis points to 4.42%, a seven-week low.  Crude oil prices fell 2.1%, settling at $71.18 per barrel after a report that showed a larger-than-expected rise in U.S. crude oil inventories.  The dollar slipped 0.3%, while gold prices rose 0.2%.

The benchmark indexes listed here closed last Thursday with mixed results as investors awaited earnings reports from some major companies and Friday's jobs report.  The Dow (-0.3%) and the Russell 2000 (-0.4%) declined.  The NASDAQ and the Global Dow rose 0.5%, while the S&P 500 advanced 0.4%.  Ten-year Treasury yields inched up to 4.44%.  Crude oil prices continued to tumble, falling to $70.54 per barrel.  The dollar ticked up 0.1%, while gold prices fell 0.4%.

Stocks tumbled to close out the week last Friday.  Each of the benchmark indexes listed here ended the session in the red, led by the NASDAQ, which lost 1.4%.  The Russell 2000 slid 1.2%, while both the Dow and the S&P 500 fell 1.0%.  The Global Dow dipped 0.5%.  Ten-year Treasury yields added 4.7 basis points to close at 4.48%.  Crude oil prices rose 0.5%.  The dollar index gained 0.3%, while gold prices advanced 0.4%.

• STOCK MARKET INDEXES
• LAST WEEK'S ECONOMIC NEWS
• EYE ON THE WEEK AHEAD

Wendy Nelson, CEO of Wind River Wealth Advisors, aims to provide beneficial investment management, retirement planning, financial planning, asset management, and portfolio management to protect your money with knowledgeable strategies and plans by utilizing a personal independent financial advisor.