FINANCIAL STOCK MARKET  WEEK - Market Week: February 17, 2025

Stock Market Week, "The markets ended the week higher," by Wendy Nelson 

Market Week: February 14, 2025

The Markets (as of market close February 14, 2025)

The markets ended the week higher, despite falling retail sales (see below) and ever-changing tariff proposals from the administration.  Each of the benchmark indexes listed here gained ground, led by the Global Dow and the NASDAQ. Information technology and consumer staples led the market sectors, while consumer discretionary, health care, and financials underperformed. Crude oil prices trended lower, as did the dollar. Gold prices eked out a weekly gain.

Last week began on a high note as stocks made notable gains. The NASDAQ rose 1.0%, driven higher by gains in major tech stocks. The S&P 500 gained 0.7%, while the Dow and the Russell 2000 each advanced 0.4%. The Global Dow increased 0.3%. Yields on 10-year Treasuries ticked up to 4.49%. Crude oil prices jumped 2.0% to $72.44 per barrel on mounting supply concerns. The dollar index gained 0.3%, while gold prices rose 1.6%.

Stocks struggled last Tuesday following the announcement of new tariffs, which fueled concerns over a possible trade war. In addition, Fed Chair Jerome Powell reiterated that the Federal Open Market Committee was in no hurry to cut interest rates as the strength of the economy affords the chance to wait for inflationary pressures to move closer to the Fed's 2.0% target. The Global Dow (0.4%) and the Dow (0.3%) climbed higher, while the S&P 500 was flat on the day. The Russell 2000 (-0.5%) and the NASDAQ (-0.4%) trended lower. Ten-year Treasury yields pushed higher, closing the session at 4.53%. Crude oil prices climbed 1.2% to settle at $73.17 per barrel. The dollar and gold prices lost value.

Last Wednesday saw stocks close mostly lower, with only the Global Dow (0.4%) adding value, while the NASDAQ was unchanged from the previous day. The Russell 2000 fell 0.8%, the Dow dropped 0.5%, and the S&P 500 lost 0.3%. January's hot inflation report (see below) reinforced the cautious approach taken by the Fed, quelling hopes of interest rate cuts in the foreseeable future. Ten-year Treasury yields moved higher, reaching 4.63% by the close of trading. Crude oil prices gave back gains from the prior day, falling 2.7% to $71.31 per barrel. The dollar broke even, while gold prices dipped 0.3%.

Stocks climbed higher last Thursday despite a second batch of higher-than-expected inflation data. The NASDAQ gained 1.5%, the Global Dow rose 1.3%, the Russell 2000 advanced 1.2%, the S&P 500 moved up 1.0%, and the Dow added 0.8%. Yields on 10-year Treasuries cooled after dropping 11.2 basis points to close at 4.52%. Crude oil prices ticked up to $71.46 per barrel. The dollar lost 0.8%, while gold prices gained 1.0%.

Wall Street struggled to maintain gains last Friday, ending the session with mixed results. The NASDAQ and the Global Dow each rose 0.4%, while the Dow declined 0.4%. The Russell 2000 and the S&P 500 essentially broke even. Ten-year Treasury yields ticked lower, settling at 4.47%. Crude oil prices fell 1.1%. The dollar index slid 0.5%. Gold prices fell 1.7%.

• 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.