Market Week: August 17, 2026
The Markets (as of market close August 17, 2026)
The stock market closed generally higher last week, despite a minor setback last Friday. Market momentum was driven by cooling inflation data (see below), solid Q2 corporate earnings reports, and strengthening opinions that the Federal Reserve may posture a more dovish approach to interest rates in the near term. The S&P 500 reached an all- time record high last Thursday, climbing to 7,816. Nine of the 11 market sectors posted gains, with the exception of consumer discretionary and communication services, which closed lower. Treasury yields eased somewhat on the greater likelihood that the Fed would not hike rates any time soon. Crude oil prices rose above $82 per barrel as the U.S. increased economic pressure on Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Market Week: August 10, 2026
The Markets (as of market close August 7, 2026)
Wall Street ended last week on solid footing, with each of the benchmark indexes listed here posting notable weekly gains, capped by a Friday rally. The market was buoyed by strong Q2 corporate earnings results and a cooler-than- expected labor report, which quelled immediate fears of aggressive monetary tightening in the near term. Ten-year Treasuries fell following the jobs report. Among the market sectors, information technology, consumer discretionary, materials, and communication services outperformed, while utilities, energy, and real estate lagged. Gold and other precious metals rallied on a weakening dollar and falling bond yields. Crude oil prices fluctuated throughout the week amid ongoing tension in the Strait of Hormuz. However, a potential agreement between Iran and Oman helped drive crude oil prices down at last week’s end.
Market Week: August 3, 2026
The Markets (as of market close July 31, 2026)
The last week of July was an event-heavy one for Wall Street. Investors had to evaluate the impact of significant Q2 earnings results, a Federal Reserve rate decision, the latest gross domestic product report, and more inflation data. Despite a sharp mid-week plunge following the Fed’s decision to maintain the current interest rate range, equities rebounded, driven by strong corporate updates. Long-term Treasury yields drifted higher during the week amid lingering inflation concerns. Crude oil prices continued to react to Middle East developments, fluctuating between $84.00 and $90.00 per barrel.
Market Week: July 27, 2026
The Markets (as of market close July 24, 2026)
Despite a broad-based rally last Friday, stocks generally closed the week lower. With the exception of the Global Dow, each of the benchmark indexes listed here ended last week in the red. Ongoing tensions in the Middle East have wreaked havoc with crude oil prices, which jumped to over $100/barrel last Thursday, only to plunge to about $90/barrel by the end of the week. Ten-year Treasury yields jumped to their highest levels since January 2025 following a four-session rally before settling at 4.67%. Energy, industrials, information technology, utilities, health care, and materials outperformed, while consumer discretionary, consumer staples, and communication services declined.
Market Week: July 13, 2026
The Markets (as of market close July 10, 2026)
Investors were somewhat skittish during the early part of last week as tensions in the Middle East intensified. However, stocks closed the week on an uptick following solid sessions last Thursday and Friday. After a brief retreat, tech shares led the market surge, supported by the New York market debut of a major South Korean chip manufacturer, which enjoyed the largest-ever U.S. market debut of a foreign firm. Several market sectors performed well, led by energy and information technology. Consumer discretionary, industrials, and materials lagged. Crude oil prices posted weekly gains despite slipping last Friday as disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz kept supply concerns elevated.
Market Week: July 6, 2026
The Markets (as of market close July 2, 2026)
Last week’s trading session was shortened as the markets were closed on Friday, July 3, in honor of Independence Day. Wall Street saw a shift from AI and semiconductor stocks to more traditional blue-chip stocks. The major market mover was the labor report for June, which saw employment accelerate but at a slower pace than over the prior two months. Slowing job growth coupled with elevated inflation is likely to prompt the Federal Reserve to keep interest rates at their current range following their next meeting at the end of July. Each of the benchmark indexes listed here closed the week higher (with the exception of the Russell 2000), with health care, communication services, and financials outperforming. Ten-year Treasury yields ticked higher, while crude oil prices declined.
Market Week: June 29, 2026
The Markets (as of market close June 26, 2026)
For just the second time in the last 13 weeks, both the S&P 500 and the NASDAQ recorded weekly losses. AI stocks, which had driven the market for much of the year, experienced a notable drop, despite favorable earnings reports from some major microchip companies. Investors moved away from tech to more value-driven sectors, such as health care, real estate, and utilities. Consumer staples shares gained ground, helping to push small caps higher. The Dow held firm for much of the week. Crude oil prices fell to pre-Iran war levels as shipping traffic accelerated through the Strait of Hormuz.
Market Week: June 22, 2026
The Markets (as of market close June 18, 2026)
Most markets were closed last Friday in observance of Juneteenth National Independence Day. Wall Street
rallied last week as investors displayed optimism over the signing of an initial agreement ending hostilities
in the Middle East. Market gains were realized despite the Federal Reserve holding interest rates steady at
3.50%-3.75% following the first meeting under new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh. Inflationary pressures
continued to influence market developments as the Fed projected the potential for at least one interest rate
hike before the end of the year, while upwardly revising its inflation projection to 3.6% (from 2.7%
previously forecasted). The interim agreement between the U.S. and Iran also led to a further decrease in
crude oil prices, which fell to their lowest levels since early March.
Market Week: June 15, 2026
The Markets (as of market close June 12, 2026)
Wall Street began last week with a heavy sell-off as investors appeared anxious about the U.S.-Iran war,
elevated inflation, and fears of a potential tech correction. However, stocks staged a massive turnaround
midweek, driven by easing tensions in the Middle East and the largest initial public offering in U.S. financial
history. Consumer staples and real estate led the market sectors, while information technology and
communication services lagged. Crude oil prices reached an eight-week low as the potential for a deal to
reopen the Strait of Hormuz gained traction. Gold prices declined for a second straight week on improving
risk appetite.
Market Week: June 8, 2026
The Markets (as of market close June 5, 2026)
For much of last week, stocks continued a rally that appeared headed for another week of gains. However, investors, who had been clinging to the prospect of monetary easing, had those hopes all but dashed after a better-than-expected jobs report (see below) doused any hopes of an interest rate reduction in the immediate future. Heading into last Friday, the S&P 500 looked to be on pace for a tenth consecutive week of gains, a feat not achieved since 1985. Instead, a massive selloff, particularly in the tech sector, dragged stocks lower, resulting in each of the benchmark indexes listed here closing last week in the red. While hiring accelerated, wage growth cooled slightly to 3.4% for the 12 months ended in May, down from 3.6% for the year ended in April and below the consumer annual inflation rate of 3.8%. The strong jobs data not only led to a plunge in stocks but prompted a move to bonds, resulting in long-term yields climbing higher. Among the market sectors, consumer discretionary, information technology, and communication services fell the furthest, while financials, energy, and health care saw stocks move higher.