Market Insights

Early in the third quarter, markets moved ahead enthusiastically. However, the road got rougher later in the quarter as investors pondered inflation, oil prices, interest rates, and other economic concerns. Here’s a brief recap: Read more

Batters have one of the most difficult jobs in baseball: keeping their eyes on the ball. It seems straightforward, but there are always distractions, from a pitcher’s pacing to the fans’ heckling. Read more

With inflation running well above the target rate, the Federal Reserve (Fed) chose to raise the federal funds rate last week. Interest rates are one of the primary tools the Fed relies on to influence the economy. Read more

Last week offered a lesson in supply and demand, along with a reminder that financial markets are always looking to the future. As disruptions in the Middle East squeezed oil supplies, rising fuel prices and August inflation data seemed to set the stage for higher interest rates and lower stock… Read more

The United States Treasury market is the biggest and most liquid government bond market in the world. Throughout 2026, rates on U.S. Treasuries have increased. The benchmark 10-year Treasury started the year at 4.2 percent and ended last week at 4.8 percent. Read more

Last week, markets experienced a burst of AI enthusiasm after a leading chip manufacturer’s earnings report exceeded expectations. The company anticipates revenue will grow by 70 percent over the coming year. Its shares advanced, as did shares of other AI-related stocks. Read more

In 2026, markets have been volatile with major U.S. stock indexes posting new highs and new lows. “The S&P [Standard & Poor’s] 500 posted 30 new highs and one new low; the Nasdaq ⁠recorded 155 new highs and 85 new lows,” reported Noel Randewich and Avinash P. of Reuters in… Read more

The stock market is forward-looking, which means that it reflects investors’ expectations for the future. No one knows exactly what will happen in the months ahead, but investors try to gain an edge by interpreting economic information. Read more

A lot of factors influence the United States stock market, including economic trends, market sentiment, and government and Federal Reserve (Fed) policies. Read more

Former Fed Chair Ben Bernanke has said that “monetary policy is 98 percent talk and only 2 percent action.” He meant that public statements are powerful tools that can shape the market’s expectations around future Fed actions. Read more