Markets Insights

Major indexes finished lower for the third consecutive week, pressured by geopolitical risks, higher oil prices, and shifting interest-rate expectations.

It’s a dangerous world—as recent events in the Middle East demonstrate. These key defense companies stand to gain.

Overall, it was a downward week for U.S. equities, dominated by sector rotation away from tech/growth toward defensive/value areas, tempered by cooler inflation data that provided transient relief but did not fully reverse market stress.

Markets were volatile early in the week on trade and tariff headlines, including the U.S. threat of new tariffs on European allies

Major U.S. indexes finished slightly lower for the week after early gains.

U.S. equity markets powered through the first full trading week of 2026 with solid gains, closing out with fresh record highs in key benchmarks.

The S&P 500, Dow Jones, and Nasdaq ended lower over the week, influenced by light holiday trading and profit-taking as 2025 closed out.

US stocks turned sharply lower on Friday, with the Nasdaq leading the way lower amid a broader rotation from tech to value names.

A “tame” inflation report toward the end of the week boosted expectations that Federal Reserve would cut interest rates, which helped lift stocks.

The week opened with a strong rally on Monday: the S&P 500 rose ~1.5%, and Nasdaq jumped nearly 2.7%.