Market Week: March 24, 2025

The Markets (as of market close March 21, 2025)

Wall Street saw a weekly gain for the first time in four weeks. Fed forecasts of two more interest rate cuts this year (see below) helped renew investor confidence. Each of the benchmark indexes closed higher last week, led by the Dow, which gained over 1.0%.  All 11 of the S&P market sectors advanced, led by financials, health care, industrials, and information technology.  Bond values rose higher, dragging yields to their lowest levels in more than two weeks. Despite ticking lower at the end of the week, gold prices rose over 1.2%. Considered a safe-haven asset, gold prices have enjoyed 16 record highs this year, reaching an all-time peak of $3,057.21 per ounce on Thursday. Since January 2024, the price of gold has risen 45.0%, or about $1,000.00 per ounce.

Stocks rose higher last Monday for the second straight session. The Russell 2000 gained 1.2% to lead the benchmark indexes listed here. The Global Dow rose 1.1%, the Dow climbed 0.9%, the S&P 500 added 0.6%, and the NASDAQ advanced 0.3%. Yields on 10-year Treasuries ticked up to 4.30%. Crude oil prices gained 0.5% to settle at $67.51 per barrel. The dollar declined, while gold prices reached a record high after climbing to $3,008.70 per ounce.

A selloff in tech stocks dragged the markets lower last Tuesday. The NASDAQ fell 1.7%, and the S&P 500 declined 1.1%. The small caps of the Russell 2000 lost 0.9%, and the Dow dropped 0.6%. The Global Dow eked out a 0.2% gain. The crude oil price rally ended last Tuesday as prices fell 1.0% to $66.92 per barrel. Yields on 10-year Treasuries dipped to 4.28%. The dollar index fell 0.1%, while gold prices continued to surge, gaining 1.2% to reach a new record high.

Wall Street rebounded last Wednesday after the Federal Reserve projected two more rate cuts later this year. Tech shares reversed the prior day's losses, driving the NASDAQ up 1.4%. The Russell 2000, an index driven, in part, by changing economic conditions, led the benchmark indexes listed here, gaining 1.6%. The S&P 500 rose 1.1%, the Dow climbed 0.9%, and the Global Dow edged up 0.5%. Gold prices moved higher, reaching another record after gaining 0.5%. Ten-year Treasury yields fell to 4.25%. Crude oil prices rose to $67.25 per barrel. The dollar gained 0.3% against a basket of currencies.

Last Wednesday's Fed-driven rally ended quickly on Thursday as investors reassessed the potential for rising inflation and an economic slowdown. The Russell 2000 lost 0.6%, followed by the Global Dow (-0.4%), the NASDAQ (-0.3%), and the S&P 500 (-0.2%). The Dow was essentially unchanged. Ten-year Treasury yields dipped to 4.23%. Crude oil prices advanced for the third session of the week, settling at about $68.30 per barrel. The dollar and gold prices each gained 0.4%.

Stocks closed mostly higher last Friday after President Trump suggested that he is willing to consider some flexibility on tariffs. The NASDAQ rose 0.5%, while the Dow and the S&P 500 each gained 0.1%. The Russell 2000 and the Global Dow each retreated 0.6% and 0.3%, respectively. Yields on 10-year Treasuries inched up to 4.25%. Crude oil prices rose 0.3%. The dollar index gained 0.3%, while gold prices fell 0.5%.

• 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.