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Sep-08

Key Dates/Data Releases
9/10: Producer Price Index
9/11: Consumer Price Index, Treasury statement

 

The Markets (as of market close September 08, 2025)

The stock market was heavily influenced last week by new data on the labor market, which continued to show signs of cooling and bolstered expectations of a potential interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve later this month. Throughout last week, Wall Street experienced some significant swings driven by economic data. The week began with a downturn but ended on a positive note, with both the S&P 500 and the NASDAQ hitting new record highs on Friday. Shares of big tech companies were a major factor in the market’s overall movement. Otherwise, the most significant economic news was last Friday’s jobs report (see below), which further highlighted a slowdown in hiring. Ten-year Treasury yields fell sharply by last week’s end, reaching the lowest level in five months, driven by the weakening labor market and a dovish outlook for an interest rate cut.

Stock Market Indexes

Chart reflects price changes, not total return. Because it does not include dividends or splits, it should not be used to benchmark performance of specific investments.

Last Week’s Economic News

  • Job growth was muted for the second straight month in August after increasing by a mere 22,000. The unemployment rate ticked up 0.1 percentage point to 4.3%. The number of unemployed rose by 148,000 to 7.4 million. The employment-population ratio was unchanged at 59.6%, while the labor force participation rate inched up 0.1 percentage point to 62.3%. The number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks or more) increased by 104,000 to 1.9 million. The change in total employment for June was revised down by 27,000, from +14,000 to -13,000, and the change for July was revised up by 6,000, from +73,000 to +79,000. With these revisions, employment in June and July combined is 21,000 lower than previously reported. Average hourly earnings rose by $0.10, or 0.3%, to $36.53 in August. Over the past 12 months, average hourly earnings have increased by 3.7%. In August, the average workweek was 34.2 hours for the third month in a row.
  • According to the latest Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary for July, the number of job openings fell from 7.4 million to 7.2 million. In July, the number of hires inched up marginally to 5.3 million. The number of separations, which includes quits, layoffs and discharges, and other separations, dipped slightly to 5.3 million. Within separations, both quits (3.2 million) and layoffs and discharges (1.8 million) were unchanged.
  • According to S&P Global, the services sector continued to expand in August after a marginal softening in July. A notable uptick in new business helped support the increase in business activity and encouraged companies to add to their workforces. Despite the increase in activity, worries over tariffs and associated uncertainty caused a drop in confidence to its lowest level in four months.
  • U.S. manufacturing operating conditions improved to the greatest degree in over three years during August amid a surge in production and solid growth in new orders. The S&P Global US Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index™ (PMI®) posted 53.0 in August, up from 49.8 in July, marking the strongest improvement in operating conditions since May 2022.
  • The report on international trade in goods and services, released September 4, was for July and revealed that the trade deficit expanded 32.5%. Exports rose 0.3%, while imports jumped 5.9%. Year to date, the goods and services deficit increased 30.9% from the same period in 2024. Exports increased 5.5%. Imports advanced 10.9%.
  • The national average retail price for regular gasoline was $3.177 per gallon on September 1, $0.030 per gallon above the prior week’s price but $0.112 per gallon less than a year ago. Also, as of September 2, the East Coast price increased $0.025 to $3.012 per gallon; the Midwest price rose $0.011 to $3.088 per gallon; the Gulf Coast price increased $0.071 to $2.765 per gallon; the Rocky Mountain price climbed $0.025 to $3.183 per gallon; and the West Coast price rose $0.042 to $4.148 per gallon.
  • For the week ended August 30, there were 237,000 new claims for unemployment insurance, an increase of 8,000 from the previous week’s level. According to the Department of Labor, the advance rate for insured unemployment claims for the week ended August 23 was 1.3%, unchanged from the previous week’s rate. The advance number of those receiving unemployment insurance benefits during the week ended August 23 was 1,940,000, a decrease of 4,000 from the previous week’s level, which was revised down by 10,000. States and territories with the highest insured unemployment rates for the week ended August 16 were New Jersey (2.8%), Rhode Island (2.6%), Puerto Rico (2.3%), Massachusetts (2.2%), Minnesota (2.1%), Washington (2.1%), California (2.0%), the District of Columbia (2.0%), Connecticut (1.9%), Oregon (1.9%), and Pennsylvania (1.9%). The largest increases in initial claims for unemployment insurance for the week ended August 23 were in New York (+1,430), Texas (+1,230), Illinois (+509), Missouri (+206), and Hawaii (+119), while the largest decreases were in Iowa (-1,235), Virginia (-857), Maryland (-562), Pennsylvania (-482), and Connecticut (-455).

Eye on the Week Ahead

Inflation data for August is available this week. Attention will focus primarily on the Consumer Price Index, which has risen incrementally but steadily over the past several months. The Producer Price Index is also out this week. Last month, producer prices rose 0.9% in July and 3.3% for the year.

Data sources: Economic: Based on data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (unemployment, inflation); U.S. Department of Commerce (GDP, corporate profits, retail sales, housing); S&P/Case-Shiller 20-City Composite Index (home prices); Institute for Supply Management (manufacturing/services). Performance: Based on data reported in WSJ Market Data Center (indexes); U.S. Treasury (Treasury yields); U.S. Energy Information Administration/Bloomberg.com Market Data (oil spot price, WTI, Cushing, OK); www.goldprice.org (spot gold/silver); Oanda/FX Street (currency exchange rates).

News items are based on reports from multiple commonly available international news sources (i.e., wire services) and are independently verified when necessary with secondary sources such as government agencies, corporate press releases, or trade organizations. All information is based on sources deemed reliable, but no warranty or guarantee is made as to its accuracy or completeness. Neither the information nor any opinion expressed herein constitutes a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any securities, and should not be relied on as financial advice. Forecasts are based on current conditions, subject to change, and may not come to pass. U.S. Treasury securities are guaranteed by the federal government as to the timely payment of principal and interest. The principal value of Treasury securities and other bonds fluctuates with market conditions. Bonds are subject to inflation, interest-rate, and credit risks. As interest rates rise, bond prices typically fall. A bond sold or redeemed prior to maturity may be subject to loss. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. All investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal, and there can be no guarantee that any investing strategy will be successful.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is a price-weighted index composed of 30 widely traded blue-chip U.S. common stocks. The S&P 500 is a market-cap weighted index composed of the common stocks of 500 largest, publicly traded companies in leading industries of the U.S. economy. The NASDAQ Composite Index is a market-value weighted index of all common stocks listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange. The Russell 2000 is a market-cap weighted index composed of 2,000 U.S. small-cap common stocks. The Global Dow is an equally weighted index of 150 widely traded blue-chip common stocks worldwide. The U.S. Dollar Index is a geometrically weighted index of the value of the U.S. dollar relative to six foreign currencies. Market indexes listed are unmanaged and are not available for direct investment.


IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES

Spire Wealth Management, LLC is a Federally Registered Investment Advisory Firm. Securities offered through an affiliated company, Spire Securities, LLC., a Registered Broker/Dealer and member FINRA/SIPC.

Neither Spire Wealth Management nor Corbett Road Wealth Management provide tax or legal advice. The information presented here is not specific to any individual’s personal circumstances. Please speak with your tax or legal professional.

These materials are provided for general information and educational purposes based upon publicly available information from sources believed to be reliable—we cannot assure the accuracy or completeness of these materials. The information in these materials may change at any time and without notice.

Prepared by Broadridge Advisor Solutions. © 2025 Broadridge Financial Services, Inc.

Sep-02

Key Dates/Data Releases
9/2: S&P Global Manufacturing PMI
9/3: JOLTS
9/4: International trade in goods and services, S&P Global Services PMI
9/5: Employment Situation

 

The Markets (as of market close August 25, 2025)

Wall Street experienced a mixed and volatile week, ultimately closing last Friday on a down note. Each of the benchmark indexes listed here pulled back from recent record highs. A slump in technology stocks was the primary drag on the market. The latest inflation data (see below), which showed core prices continued to rise, weighed on market sentiment, although it probably wasn’t enough to derail expectations for a September interest rate cut. Initial and continuing jobless claims were higher than predicted, evidencing continued sluggishness in the labor market. Bond yields declined as prices rose with increased demand. Crude oil prices ticked higher by week’s end, mostly driven by ongoing geopolitical factors, particularly relating to the prospects of a ceasefire in Ukraine.

Stock Market Indexes

 

Chart reflects price changes, not total return. Because it does not include dividends or splits, it should not be used to benchmark performance of specific investments.

Last Week’s Economic News

  • Gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 3.3% in the second quarter of 2025, according to the second estimate from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. In the first quarter, GDP decreased 0.5%. The increase in GDP in the second quarter primarily reflected a decrease in imports, which are a subtraction in the calculation of GDP, and an increase in consumer spending. These movements were partly offset by decreases in investment and exports. Personal consumption expenditures, a measure of consumer spending, rose 1.6% in the second quarter, driven by a 2.4% rise in spending on goods. Gross domestic investment fell 13.8% in the second quarter. Exports decreased 1.3%, while imports fell 29.8%.
  • Personal income and disposable (after-tax) personal income each advanced 0.4% in July. Personal consumption expenditures increased 0.5%. Consumer prices rose 0.2% last month. Prices less food and energy (core prices) increased 0.3%. For the last 12 months, consumer prices have risen 2.6%, while core prices increased 2.9%.
  • The advance report on international trade in goods revealed that the trade deficit rose 22.1% in July over June. While exports dipped 0.1%, imports rose 7.1%. Over the last 12 months, exports rose 3.0%, while imports climbed 1.7%.
  • Sales of new single-family houses in July declined 0.6% in July and were 8.2% below the July 2024 estimate. Inventory represented a supply of 9.2 months at the current sales pace, virtually unchanged from the June 2025 estimate but above the July 2024 pace of 7.9 months. The median sales price of new houses sold in July 2025 was $403,800. This was 0.8% below the June 2025 price of $407,200 and was 5.9% less than the July 2024 price of $429,000. The average sales price of new houses sold in July 2025 was $487,300. This was 3.6% under the June 2025 price of $505,300 and was 5.0% below the July 2024 price of $513,200.
  • New orders for manufactured durable goods in July, down three of the last four months, decreased $8.8 billion, or 2.8%. This followed a 9.4% decrease in June. Excluding transportation, new orders increased 1.1%. Excluding defense, new orders decreased 2.5%. Transportation equipment, also down three of the last four months, drove the July decrease, declining $10.9 billion, or 9.7%.
  • The national average retail price for regular gasoline was $3.147 per gallon on August 25, $0.022 per gallon above the prior week’s price but $0.166 per gallon less than a year ago. Also, as of August 25, the East Coast price decreased $0.010 to $2.987 per gallon; the Midwest price increased $0.083 to $3.077 per gallon; the Gulf Coast price decreased $0.051 to $2.694 per gallon; the Rocky Mountain price declined $0.006 to $3.158 per gallon; and the West Coast price rose $0.062 to $4.106 per gallon.
  • For the week ended August 23, there were 229,000 new claims for unemployment insurance, a decrease of 5,000 from the previous week’s level. According to the Department of Labor, the advance rate for insured unemployment claims for the week ended August 16 was 1.3%, unchanged from the previous week’s rate. The advance number of those receiving unemployment insurance benefits during the week ended August 16 was 1,954,000, a decrease of 7,000 from the previous week’s level, which was revised down by 11,000. States and territories with the highest insured unemployment rates for the week ended August 9 were New Jersey (2.7%), Rhode Island (2.6%), Massachusetts (2.2%), Minnesota (2.2%), California (2.1%), Washington (2.1%), the District of Columbia (2.0%), Puerto Rico (2.0%), Connecticut (1.9%), Oregon (1.9%), and Pennsylvania (1.9%). The largest increases in initial claims for unemployment insurance for the week ended August 16 were in Kentucky (+2,951), Iowa (+1,048), Virginia (+522), Ohio (+210), and South Carolina (+144), while the largest decreases were in California (-2,290), Michigan (-1,170), Texas (-1,085), New Jersey (-660), and Minnesota (-587).

Eye on the Week Ahead

Much attention will be paid to the August jobs report released this Friday. July’s report resulted in significant downward revisions, which painted labor market conditions as much weaker than previously thought.

Data sources: Economic: Based on data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (unemployment, inflation); U.S. Department of Commerce (GDP, corporate profits, retail sales, housing); S&P/Case-Shiller 20-City Composite Index (home prices); Institute for Supply Management (manufacturing/services). Performance: Based on data reported in WSJ Market Data Center (indexes); U.S. Treasury (Treasury yields); U.S. Energy Information Administration/Bloomberg.com Market Data (oil spot price, WTI, Cushing, OK); www.goldprice.org (spot gold/silver); Oanda/FX Street (currency exchange rates).

News items are based on reports from multiple commonly available international news sources (i.e., wire services) and are independently verified when necessary with secondary sources such as government agencies, corporate press releases, or trade organizations. All information is based on sources deemed reliable, but no warranty or guarantee is made as to its accuracy or completeness. Neither the information nor any opinion expressed herein constitutes a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any securities, and should not be relied on as financial advice. Forecasts are based on current conditions, subject to change, and may not come to pass. U.S. Treasury securities are guaranteed by the federal government as to the timely payment of principal and interest. The principal value of Treasury securities and other bonds fluctuates with market conditions. Bonds are subject to inflation, interest-rate, and credit risks. As interest rates rise, bond prices typically fall. A bond sold or redeemed prior to maturity may be subject to loss. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. All investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal, and there can be no guarantee that any investing strategy will be successful.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is a price-weighted index composed of 30 widely traded blue-chip U.S. common stocks. The S&P 500 is a market-cap weighted index composed of the common stocks of 500 largest, publicly traded companies in leading industries of the U.S. economy. The NASDAQ Composite Index is a market-value weighted index of all common stocks listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange. The Russell 2000 is a market-cap weighted index composed of 2,000 U.S. small-cap common stocks. The Global Dow is an equally weighted index of 150 widely traded blue-chip common stocks worldwide. The U.S. Dollar Index is a geometrically weighted index of the value of the U.S. dollar relative to six foreign currencies. Market indexes listed are unmanaged and are not available for direct investment.


IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES

Spire Wealth Management, LLC is a Federally Registered Investment Advisory Firm. Securities offered through an affiliated company, Spire Securities, LLC., a Registered Broker/Dealer and member FINRA/SIPC.

Neither Spire Wealth Management nor Corbett Road Wealth Management provide tax or legal advice. The information presented here is not specific to any individual’s personal circumstances. Please speak with your tax or legal professional.

These materials are provided for general information and educational purposes based upon publicly available information from sources believed to be reliable—we cannot assure the accuracy or completeness of these materials. The information in these materials may change at any time and without notice.

Prepared by Broadridge Advisor Solutions. ©2025 Broadridge Financial Services, Inc.

Aug-25

Key Dates/Data Releases
8/25: New home sales
8/26: Durable goods orders
8/28: GDP
8/29: Personal Income and Outlays, international trade in goods

As of Market Close August 22, 2025

Last week was a volatile one for stocks, largely in response to mixed economic data, corporate earnings reports, and the anticipation of a key speech from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell at the end of the week. The benchmark indexes listed here ebbed and flowed for much of the week until last Friday, when equities surged after Powell hinted at a likely interest rate cut in September. The S&P 500, the Russell 2000, and the Global Dow each posted weekly gains, with the Dow reaching a record high last Friday. The NASDAQ ended the week in the red despite an end-of-week rally. Treasury yields edged higher earlier in the week, but the prospects of an interest rate cut pulled yields lower by week’s end. Crude oil prices posted their first weekly gain after falling in each of the past two weeks.

Stock Market Indexes

Chart reflects price changes, not total return. Because it does not include dividends or splits, it should not be used to benchmark performance of specific investments.

Last Week’s Economic News

  • The number of issued residential building permits fell 2.8% in July and was down 5.7% from July 2024. The number of single-family building permits in July was 0.5% above the June estimate. Housing starts in July were 5.2% above the revised June estimate and 12.9% higher than the July 2024 rate. Single-family housing starts in July were 2.8% above the revised June estimate. The number of housing completions in July was 6.0% above the revised June estimate but was 13.5% below the July 2024 rate. Single-family housing completions in July were 11.6% above the revised June figure.
  • Sales of existing homes rose 2.0% in July, reflecting a slight improvement in housing affordability. Existing home sales were up 0.8% from July 2024. Inventory of existing homes ticked down from a supply of 4.7 months in June to 4.6 months last month. The median existing-home price was $422,400 in July, down from $432,700 in June but 0.2% above the July 2024 estimate of $421,400. Sales of existing single-family homes also rose 2.0% in July and were up 1.1% over the last 12 months. The median existing single-family home price was $428,500 in July, lower than the June estimate of $438,600 but higher than the July 2024 figure of $427,200. Inventory of existing single-family homes in July sat at a 4.5-month supply.
  • The national average retail price for regular gasoline was $3.125 per gallon on August 18, $0.007 per gallon above the prior week’s price but $0.257 per gallon less than a year ago. Also, as of August 18, the East Coast price decreased $0.008 to $2.997 per gallon; the Midwest price fell $0.003 to $2.994 per gallon; the Gulf Coast price rose $0.065 to $2.745 per gallon; the Rocky Mountain price increased $0.005 to $3.164 per gallon; and the West Coast price rose $0.012 to $4.044 per gallon.
  • For the week ended August 16, there were 235,000 new claims for unemployment insurance, an increase of 11,000 from the previous week’s level. According to the Department of Labor, the advance rate for insured unemployment claims for the week ended August 9 was 1.3%, unchanged from the previous week’s rate. The advance number of those receiving unemployment insurance benefits during the week ended August 9 was 1,972,000, an increase of 30,000 from the previous week’s level, which was revised down by 11,000. This was the highest level for insured unemployment since November 6, 2021, when it was 2,041,000. States and territories with the highest insured unemployment rates for the week ended August 2 were New Jersey (2.7%), Puerto Rico (2.6%), Rhode Island (2.5%), Minnesota (2.2%), California (2.1%), the District of Columbia (2.1%), Massachusetts (2.1%), Washington (2.1%), Oregon (1.9%), and Pennsylvania (1.9%). The largest increases in initial claims for unemployment insurance for the week ended August 9 were in California (+741), New York (+630), Rhode Island (+570), Michigan (+527), and Maryland (+343), while the largest decreases were in Iowa (-704), Illinois (-334), New Jersey (-251), Pennsylvania (-158), and Oregon (-153).

 Eye on the Week Ahead

This week reveals the second iteration of gross domestic product for the second quarter. The initial estimate of GDP had the economy growing at a rate of 3.0%. Also out this week is the July report on personal income and expenditures. Included in that report are the estimates of consumer spending and prices for consumer goods, the Federal Reserve’s preferred measure of inflation.

Data sources: Economic: Based on data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (unemployment, inflation); U.S. Department of Commerce (GDP, corporate profits, retail sales, housing); S&P/Case-Shiller 20-City Composite Index (home prices); Institute for Supply Management (manufacturing/services). Performance: Based on data reported in WSJ Market Data Center (indexes); U.S. Treasury (Treasury yields); U.S. Energy Information Administration/Bloomberg.com Market Data (oil spot price, WTI, Cushing, OK); www.goldprice.org (spot gold/silver); Oanda/FX Street (currency exchange rates).

News items are based on reports from multiple commonly available international news sources (i.e., wire services) and are independently verified when necessary with secondary sources such as government agencies, corporate press releases, or trade organizations. All information is based on sources deemed reliable, but no warranty or guarantee is made as to its accuracy or completeness. Neither the information nor any opinion expressed herein constitutes a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any securities, and should not be relied on as financial advice. Forecasts are based on current conditions, subject to change, and may not come to pass. U.S. Treasury securities are guaranteed by the federal government as to the timely payment of principal and interest. The principal value of Treasury securities and other bonds fluctuates with market conditions. Bonds are subject to inflation, interest-rate, and credit risks. As interest rates rise, bond prices typically fall. A bond sold or redeemed prior to maturity may be subject to loss. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. All investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal, and there can be no guarantee that any investing strategy will be successful.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is a price-weighted index composed of 30 widely traded blue-chip U.S. common stocks. The S&P 500 is a market-cap weighted index composed of the common stocks of 500 largest, publicly traded companies in leading industries of the U.S. economy. The NASDAQ Composite Index is a market-value weighted index of all common stocks listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange. The Russell 2000 is a market-cap weighted index composed of 2,000 U.S. small-cap common stocks. The Global Dow is an equally weighted index of 150 widely traded blue-chip common stocks worldwide. The U.S. Dollar Index is a geometrically weighted index of the value of the U.S. dollar relative to six foreign currencies. Market indexes listed are unmanaged and are not available for direct investment.


Important Disclosures

Spire Wealth Management, LLC is a Federally Registered Investment Advisory Firm. Securities offered through an affiliated company, Spire Securities, LLC., a Registered Broker/Dealer and member FINRA/SIPC.

Neither Spire Wealth Management nor Corbett Road Wealth Management provide tax or legal advice. The information presented here is not specific to any individual’s personal circumstances. Please speak with your tax or legal professional.

These materials are provided for general information and educational purposes based upon publicly available information from sources believed to be reliable—we cannot assure the accuracy or completeness of these materials. The information in these materials may change at any time and without notice.

Prepared by Broadridge Advisor Solutions. ©2025 Broadridge Financial Services, Inc.

Aug-18

Key Dates/Data Releases
8/19: Housing starts
8/21: Existing home sales

As of Market Close August 15, 2025

Stocks enjoyed another winning week, despite a pullback last Friday. Overall, investor sentiment remained optimistic due to continued expectations of an interest rate reduction by the Federal Reserve next month. The latest data (see below) revealed that inflationary pressures showed signs of moving higher. Retail sales advanced in July, as expected, as summer spending remained solid, although sales in some sectors exposed to higher tariffs declined. In addition, more tariffs could be forthcoming after President Trump said he would announce tariffs on imports of steel and semiconductor chips in the coming weeks. Health care outperformed among the market sectors, while industrials, real estate, and utilities declined. Bond yields held around 4.3% for most of the week. Crude oil prices declined as traders awaited the outcome of talks between Presidents Trump and Putin, with expectations that a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine could lead to increased Russian oil production.

Stock Market Indexes

 

Chart reflects price changes, not total return. Because it does not include dividends or splits, it should not be used to benchmark performance of specific investments.

Last Week’s Economic News

  • The Consumer Price Index for July rose 0.2% after increasing 0.3% the prior month. Shelter prices rose 0.2% in July and were the primary factor in the monthly increase. In July, food prices were unchanged from the previous month, while energy prices fell 1.1%. Prices less food and energy (core prices) advanced 0.3% in July (0.2% in June). Over the last 12 months, consumer prices have risen 2.7%, unchanged from the same period ended in June. Core prices rose 3.1% for the 12 months ended in July, up 0.2 percentage point from the June figure.
  • The Producer Price Index rose 0.9% in July after being unchanged in June. Producer prices advanced 3.3% for the 12 months ended in July, the largest 12-month increase since rising 3.4% in February 2025. A 1.1% increase in prices for services accounted for more than 75% of the overall increase in prices. Goods prices rose 0.7% last month. In July, producer prices less foods and energy rose 0.4%, while prices less foods, energy, and trade services advanced 0.6%. This report may evidence a jump in consumer prices down the line as higher tariffs are passed through.
  • Retail sales rose 0.5% in July and were 3.9% above the July 2024 estimate. Retail trade sales were up 0.7% last month and 3.7% from last year. Nonstore (online) retailer sales were up 0.8% from June and 8.0% from last year. Sales at food services and drinking places fell 0.4% in July but were up 5.6% from a year ago.
  • U.S. import prices increased 0.4% in July, while export prices ticked up 0.1%. Since July 2024, import prices declined 0.2%, while export prices advanced 2.2%.
  • Industrial production (IP) edged down 0.1% in July. Manufacturing output was unchanged after increasing 0.3% in June. In July, mining declined 0.4% and utilities decreased 0.2%. Total IP in July was 1.4% above its year-earlier level. Since July 2024, manufacturing increased 1.4%, mining rose 1.9%, and utilities advanced 0.8%.
  • The Treasury deficit for July was $291 billion. July has been a deficit month 69 times out of 71 fiscal years, primarily because there are no major corporate or individual tax due dates in this month. In July, government receipts totaled $338 billion, while expenditures were $630 billion. Through the first 10 months of the fiscal year, receipts totaled $4,347 billion, while outlays added up to $5,975 billion, rendering a total deficit of $1,629 billion. This compares with a total deficit of $1,517 billion for the same period last fiscal year, a difference of $112 billion.
  • The national average retail price for regular gasoline was $3.118 per gallon on August 11, $0.022 per gallon below the prior week’s price and $0.296 per gallon less than a year ago. Also, as of August 11, the East Coast price decreased $0.011 to $3.005 per gallon; the Midwest price fell $0.046 to $2.997 per gallon; the Gulf Coast price ticked down $0.051 to $2.680 per gallon; the Rocky Mountain price increased $0.032 to $3.159 per gallon; and the West Coast price rose $0.009 to $4.032 per gallon.
  • For the week ended August 9, there were 224,000 new claims for unemployment insurance, a decrease of 3,000 from the previous week’s level, which was revised up by 1,000. According to the Department of Labor, the advance rate for insured unemployment claims for the week ended August 2 was 1.3%, unchanged from the previous week’s rate. The advance number of those receiving unemployment insurance benefits during the week ended August 2 was 1,953,000, a decrease of 15,000 from the previous week’s level, which was revised down by 6,000. States and territories with the highest insured unemployment rates for the week ended July 26 were New Jersey (2.7%), Puerto Rico (2.6%), Rhode Island (2.5%), California (2.2%), Massachusetts (2.2%), Minnesota (2.2%), the District of Columbia (2.1%), Washington (2.1%), Connecticut (1.9%), Oregon, (1.9%), and Pennsylvania (1.9%). The largest increases in initial claims for unemployment insurance for the week ended August 2 were in Texas (+1,002), New Jersey (+942), Connecticut (+555), Oregon (+488), and Pennsylvania (+445), while the largest decreases were in New York (-1,017), California (-924), Kansas (-506), Georgia (-375), and Louisiana (-341).

Eye on the Week Ahead

July data on housing starts and existing home sales is available this week. The housing sector has slowed somewhat due to elevated mortgage rates and asking prices.

Data sources: Economic: Based on data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (unemployment, inflation); U.S. Department of Commerce (GDP, corporate profits, retail sales, housing); S&P/Case-Shiller 20-City Composite Index (home prices); Institute for Supply Management (manufacturing/services). Performance: Based on data reported in WSJ Market Data Center (indexes); U.S. Treasury (Treasury yields); U.S. Energy Information Administration/Bloomberg.com Market Data (oil spot price, WTI, Cushing, OK); www.goldprice.org (spot gold/silver); Oanda/FX Street (currency exchange rates).

News items are based on reports from multiple commonly available international news sources (i.e., wire services) and are independently verified when necessary with secondary sources such as government agencies, corporate press releases, or trade organizations. All information is based on sources deemed reliable, but no warranty or guarantee is made as to its accuracy or completeness. Neither the information nor any opinion expressed herein constitutes a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any securities, and should not be relied on as financial advice. Forecasts are based on current conditions, subject to change, and may not come to pass. U.S. Treasury securities are guaranteed by the federal government as to the timely payment of principal and interest. The principal value of Treasury securities and other bonds fluctuates with market conditions. Bonds are subject to inflation, interest-rate, and credit risks. As interest rates rise, bond prices typically fall. A bond sold or redeemed prior to maturity may be subject to loss. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. All investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal, and there can be no guarantee that any investing strategy will be successful.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is a price-weighted index composed of 30 widely traded blue-chip U.S. common stocks. The S&P 500 is a market-cap weighted index composed of the common stocks of 500 largest, publicly traded companies in leading industries of the U.S. economy. The NASDAQ Composite Index is a market-value weighted index of all common stocks listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange. The Russell 2000 is a market-cap weighted index composed of 2,000 U.S. small-cap common stocks. The Global Dow is an equally weighted index of 150 widely traded blue-chip common stocks worldwide. The U.S. Dollar Index is a geometrically weighted index of the value of the U.S. dollar relative to six foreign currencies. Market indexes listed are unmanaged and are not available for direct investment.


Important Disclosures

Spire Wealth Management, LLC is a Federally Registered Investment Advisory Firm. Securities offered through an affiliated company, Spire Securities, LLC., a Registered Broker/Dealer and member FINRA/SIPC.

Neither Spire Wealth Management nor Corbett Road Wealth Management provide tax or legal advice. The information presented here is not specific to any individual’s personal circumstances. Please speak with your tax or legal professional.

These materials are provided for general information and educational purposes based upon publicly available information from sources believed to be reliable—we cannot assure the accuracy or completeness of these materials. The information in these materials may change at any time and without notice.

Prepared by Broadridge Advisor Solutions. ©2025 Broadridge Financial Services, Inc.

Aug-11

Key Dates/Data Releases
8/12: Consumer Price Index, Treasury statement
8/14: Producer Price Index
8/15: Retail sales, import and export prices, industrial production

 

As of Market Close on August 8, 2025

Wall Street rebounded from the previous week’s sell-off. Stocks jumped higher last Monday, aided by major dip-buying. However, investors pulled away from risk midweek, particularly following President Trump’s sweeping tariffs, which took effect last Thursday. Nevertheless, stocks experienced a major uptick last Friday to end the week higher. The S&P 500 and the NASDAQ hit record highs, while the Dow and the Russell 2000 also made solid gains. Speculation increased that the Federal Reserve would cut interest rates in September following the latest weak jobs report and the imposition of last week’s new tariffs. Information technology, consumer discretionary, and consumer staples led the market sectors. Bond values trended higher, pulling yields lower. Crude oil prices fell to a nearly two-month low amid concerns over growing tariffs.

Stock Market Indexes

Chart reflects price changes, not total return. Because it does not include dividends or splits, it should not be used to benchmark performance of specific investments.

Last Week’s Economic News

  • The latest report on the goods and services trade deficit was released on August 5 and showed that the goods and services deficit was $60.2 billion in June, down $11.5 billion, or 16.0%, from the revised May estimate. June exports were $277.3 billion, $1.3 billion, or 0.5%, less than May exports. June imports were $337.5 billion, $12.8 billion, or 3.7%, less than May imports. Since June 2024, the goods and services deficit increased $161.5 billion, or 38.3%. Exports increased $82.2 billion, or 5.2%. Imports increased $243.7 billion, or 12.1%.
  • Business activity in the services sector increased at its sharpest pace so far this year amid solid and accelerated expansion in new business. Companies responded to higher workloads by hiring additional staff, albeit only modestly. Meanwhile, tariffs continued to add to inflationary pressures, resulting in faster increases in both input costs and output prices. The S&P Global US Services PMI® Business Activity Index rose to a seven-month high of 55.7 in July, up from 52.9 in June.
  • The national average retail price for regular gasoline was $3.140 per gallon on August 4, $0.017 per gallon above the prior week’s price but $0.308 per gallon less than a year ago. Also, as of August 4, the East Coast price increased $0.017 to $3.016 per gallon; the Midwest price rose $0.029 to $3.043 per gallon; the Gulf Coast price ticked down $0.017 to $2.731 per gallon; the Rocky Mountain price increased $0.006 to $3.127 per gallon; and the West Coast price rose $0.028 to $4.023 per gallon.
  • For the week ended August 2, there were 226,000 new claims for unemployment insurance, an increase of 7,000 from the previous week’s level, which was revised up by 1,000. According to the Department of Labor, the advance rate for insured unemployment claims for the week ended July 26 was 1.3%, unchanged from the previous week’s rate. The advance number of those receiving unemployment insurance benefits during the week ended July 26 was 1,974,000, an increase of 38,000 from the previous week’s level, which was revised down by 10,000. This was the highest level for insured unemployment since November 6, 2021, when it was 2,041,000. States and territories with the highest insured unemployment rates for the week ended July 19 were New Jersey (2.8%), Puerto Rico (2.7%), Rhode Island (2.6%), California (2.2%), Minnesota (2.2%), the District of Columbia (2.1%), Massachusetts (2.1%), Washington (2.1%), Oregon (1.9%), and Pennsylvania (1.9%). The largest increases in initial claims for unemployment insurance for the week ended July 26 were in Kansas (+254), Vermont (+252), Louisiana (+87), Maryland (+75), and Mississippi (+58), while the largest decreases were in Kentucky (-6,212), Texas (-2,720), Georgia (-1,949), New York (-1,464), and California (-1,174).

Eye on the Week Ahead

Inflation data is on the docket this week with the releases of the July Consumer Price Index and the Producer Price Index. June saw the CPI increase 0.3%, while the PPI was flat.

Data sources: Economic: Based on data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (unemployment, inflation); U.S. Department of Commerce (GDP, corporate profits, retail sales, housing); S&P/Case-Shiller 20-City Composite Index (home prices); Institute for Supply Management (manufacturing/services). Performance: Based on data reported in WSJ Market Data Center (indexes); U.S. Treasury (Treasury yields); U.S. Energy Information Administration/Bloomberg.com Market Data (oil spot price, WTI, Cushing, OK); www.goldprice.org (spot gold/silver); Oanda/FX Street (currency exchange rates).

News items are based on reports from multiple commonly available international news sources (i.e., wire services) and are independently verified when necessary with secondary sources such as government agencies, corporate press releases, or trade organizations. All information is based on sources deemed reliable, but no warranty or guarantee is made as to its accuracy or completeness. Neither the information nor any opinion expressed herein constitutes a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any securities, and should not be relied on as financial advice. Forecasts are based on current conditions, subject to change, and may not come to pass. U.S. Treasury securities are guaranteed by the federal government as to the timely payment of principal and interest. The principal value of Treasury securities and other bonds fluctuates with market conditions. Bonds are subject to inflation, interest-rate, and credit risks. As interest rates rise, bond prices typically fall. A bond sold or redeemed prior to maturity may be subject to loss. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. All investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal, and there can be no guarantee that any investing strategy will be successful.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is a price-weighted index composed of 30 widely traded blue-chip U.S. common stocks. The S&P 500 is a market-cap weighted index composed of the common stocks of 500 largest, publicly traded companies in leading industries of the U.S. economy. The NASDAQ Composite Index is a market-value weighted index of all common stocks listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange. The Russell 2000 is a market-cap weighted index composed of 2,000 U.S. small-cap common stocks. The Global Dow is an equally weighted index of 150 widely traded blue-chip common stocks worldwide. The U.S. Dollar Index is a geometrically weighted index of the value of the U.S. dollar relative to six foreign currencies. Market indexes listed are unmanaged and are not available for direct investment.


Important Disclosures

Spire Wealth Management, LLC is a Federally Registered Investment Advisory Firm. Securities offered through an affiliated company, Spire Securities, LLC., a Registered Broker/Dealer and member FINRA/SIPC.

Neither Spire Wealth Management nor Corbett Road Wealth Management provide tax or legal advice. The information presented here is not specific to any individual’s personal circumstances. Please speak with your tax or legal professional.

These materials are provided for general information and educational purposes based upon publicly available information from sources believed to be reliable—we cannot assure the accuracy or completeness of these materials. The information in these materials may change at any time and without notice.

Prepared by Broadridge Advisor Solutions. ©2025 Broadridge Financial Services, Inc.

Aug-4

Key Dates/Data Releases
8/5: International trade in goods and services, S&P Global Services PMI

The Markets (as of market close August 1, 2025)

The U.S. stock market endured a significant downturn last week, largely due to unexpectedly weak hiring data (see below) and the imposition of new tariffs by President Trump. After reaching record highs for six straight sessions in the prior week, the S&P 500 ended last week in the red, with last Friday marking the worst single-day performance since May. The remaining benchmark indexes listed here also closed last week lower. Investors moved from risk on the heels of an underwhelming jobs report for July, which led to concerns of slowing economic growth, while new tariffs on imports from several U.S. trading partners heightened fears of accelerating inflation. Weak hiring numbers also increased expectations for a Federal Reserve interest rate cut in September. This sent Treasury yields sharply lower, with 10-year Treasury yields hitting their lowest rates since the end of April. Crude oil prices ended last week higher, although reports that OPEC+ may agree to increase production could drag prices lower.

Stock Market Indexes

Chart reflects price changes, not total return. Because it does not include dividends or splits, it should not be used to benchmark performance of specific investments.

Last Week’s Economic News

  • By a 9-2 tally, with one member absent, the Federal Open Market Committee voted to maintain interest rates at their current 4.25%-4.50% range. In making its decision, the Committee noted that growth of economic activity moderated in the first half of the year, while swings in net exports continued to affect data. However, the unemployment rate remained low, and labor market conditions were solid, although inflation was somewhat elevated. In considering the extent and timing of additional adjustments to the target range for the federal funds rate, the Committee indicated that it would carefully assess incoming data, the evolving outlook, and the balance of risks. Nevertheless, the Committee observed that uncertainty about the economic outlook remained elevated.
  • Job growth in July came in well below expectations, with the addition of only 73,000 new jobs. July’s total follows larger-than-normal downward revisions in May and June, which combined, were 258,000 lower than previously reported. The unemployment rate ticked up 0.1 percentage point to 4.2%. Both the labor force participation rate and the employment-population ratio dipped 0.1 percentage point to 62.2% and 59.6%, respectively. The number of unemployed, at 7.2 million, rose by 221,000 last month. In July, the number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks or more) increased by 179,000 to 1.8 million, accounting for 24.9% of all unemployed people. Average hourly earnings rose by $0.12, or 0.3%, to $36.44 in July. Over the past 12 months, average hourly earnings have increased by 3.9%. The average workweek edged up by 0.1 hour to 34.3 hours in July.
  • The economy expanded at an annualized rate of 3.0%, according to the initial estimate of second-quarter gross domestic product (GDP). In the first quarter, GDP decreased 0.5%. The increase in real GDP in the second quarter primarily reflected a decrease in imports (-30.3%), which are a subtraction in the calculation of GDP, and an increase in consumer spending (1.4%). These movements were partly offset by decreases in private domestic investment (-15.6%) and exports (-1.8%).
  • According to the latest report from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, consumer spending increased 0.3% in June. Prices consumers paid for goods and services advanced 0.3% last month. Prices excluding food and energy (core prices) also increased 0.3%. Both personal income and disposable (after-tax) personal income each advanced 0.3% in June.
  • The international trade in goods deficit was $86.0 billion in June, down $10.4 billion, or 10.8%, from the May estimate. Exports of goods for June were $178.2 billion, $1.1 billion, or 0.6%, less than May exports. Imports of goods for June were $264.2 billion, $11.5 billion, or 4.2%, less than May imports. Since June 2024, exports have risen 3.6%, while imports declined 2.5%.
  • According to the latest Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary, there were 7.4 million job openings in June, down from 7.7 million in May. The number of hires in June, at 5.2 million, fell from the May estimate of 5.5 million. Total separations in June were 5.1 million compared to 5.2 million in May. The number of job openings for May was revised down by 57,000 to 7.7 million, the number of hires was revised down by 38,000 to 5.5 million, and the number of total separations was revised down by 29,000 to 5.2 million.
  • Operating conditions in the manufacturing sector worsened slightly in July as demand stagnated and tariff uncertainty continued to dominate. International sales fell and uncertainty over federal government policies weighed on sentiment, which led to a decline in employment. On the price front, input costs continued to rise steeply, again linked to tariffs, as selling prices continued to increase markedly, rising to the second-highest level since November 2022. The S&P Global US Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index™ recorded 49.8 in July. That was down noticeably from June’s 52.9 following six successive months of growth, while representing the first overall deterioration of operating conditions in 2025.
  • The national average retail price for regular gasoline was $3.123 per gallon on July 28, $0.002 per gallon above the prior week’s price but $0.361 per gallon less than a year ago. Also, as of July 28, the East Coast price decreased $0.007 to $2.999 per gallon; the Midwest price rose $0.028 to $3.014 per gallon; the Gulf Coast price ticked up $0.009 to $2.748 per gallon; the Rocky Mountain price declined $0.016 to $3.121 per gallon; and the West Coast price fell $0.027 to $3.995 per gallon.
  • For the week ended July 26, there were 218,000 new claims for unemployment insurance, an increase of 1,000 from the previous week’s level. According to the Department of Labor, the advance rate for insured unemployment claims for the week ended July 19 was 1.3%, unchanged from the previous week’s rate. The advance number of those receiving unemployment insurance benefits during the week ended July 19 was 1,946,000, unchanged from the previous week’s level. States and territories with the highest insured unemployment rates for the week ended July 12 were New Jersey (2.8%), Puerto Rico (2.7%), Rhode Island (2.6%), Minnesota (2.2%), California (2.1%), the District of Columbia (2.1%), Massachusetts (2.1%), Washington (2.1%), Oregon (1.9%), and Pennsylvania (1.9%). The largest increases in initial claims for unemployment insurance for the week ended July 19 were in Kentucky (+4,895), Texas (+424), Iowa (+298), Indiana (+5), and Vermont (+1), while the largest decreases were in New York (-12,505), California (-4,618), Michigan (-4,116), Pennsylvania (-3,350), and New Jersey (-2,655).

Eye on the Week Ahead

This is a slow week for economic reports. Investors, instead, will look toward next week when the latest inflation data is released.

Data sources: Economic: Based on data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (unemployment, inflation); U.S. Department of Commerce (GDP, corporate profits, retail sales, housing); S&P/Case-Shiller 20-City Composite Index (home prices); Institute for Supply Management (manufacturing/services). Performance: Based on data reported in WSJ Market Data Center (indexes); U.S. Treasury (Treasury yields); U.S. Energy Information Administration/Bloomberg.com Market Data (oil spot price, WTI, Cushing, OK); www.goldprice.org (spot gold/silver); Oanda/FX Street (currency exchange rates).

News items are based on reports from multiple commonly available international news sources (i.e., wire services) and are independently verified when necessary with secondary sources such as government agencies, corporate press releases, or trade organizations. All information is based on sources deemed reliable, but no warranty or guarantee is made as to its accuracy or completeness. Neither the information nor any opinion expressed herein constitutes a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any securities, and should not be relied on as financial advice. Forecasts are based on current conditions, subject to change, and may not come to pass. U.S. Treasury securities are guaranteed by the federal government as to the timely payment of principal and interest. The principal value of Treasury securities and other bonds fluctuates with market conditions. Bonds are subject to inflation, interest-rate, and credit risks. As interest rates rise, bond prices typically fall. A bond sold or redeemed prior to maturity may be subject to loss. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. All investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal, and there can be no guarantee that any investing strategy will be successful.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is a price-weighted index composed of 30 widely traded blue-chip U.S. common stocks. The S&P 500 is a market-cap weighted index composed of the common stocks of 500 largest, publicly traded companies in leading industries of the U.S. economy. The NASDAQ Composite Index is a market-value weighted index of all common stocks listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange. The Russell 2000 is a market-cap weighted index composed of 2,000 U.S. small-cap common stocks. The Global Dow is an equally weighted index of 150 widely traded blue-chip common stocks worldwide. The U.S. Dollar Index is a geometrically weighted index of the value of the U.S. dollar relative to six foreign currencies. Market indexes listed are unmanaged and are not available for direct investment.


IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES

Spire Wealth Management, LLC is a Federally Registered Investment Advisory Firm. Securities offered through an affiliated company, Spire Securities, LLC., a Registered Broker/Dealer and member FINRA/SIPC.

Neither Spire Wealth Management nor Corbett Road Wealth Management provide tax or legal advice. The information presented here is not specific to any individual’s personal circumstances. Please speak with your tax or legal professional.

These materials are provided for general information and educational purposes based upon publicly available information from sources believed to be reliable—we cannot assure the accuracy or completeness of these materials. The information in these materials may change at any time and without notice.

Prepared by Broadridge Advisor Solutions. ©2025 Broadridge Financial Services, Inc

Jul-28

Key Dates/Data Releases

7/29: International trade in goods, JOLTS
7/30: GDP, FOMC meeting statement
7/31: Personal Income and Outlays
8/1: Employment Situation, S&P Global Manufacturing PMI

The Markets (as of market close July 25, 2025)

The stock market last week had a mixed performance across major indexes, largely influenced by corporate earnings reports and ongoing discussions around trade tariffs. Both the S&P 500 and the NASDAQ reached new record highs last week, driven by strong performances from several big tech companies, which reported better-than-expected profits. In fact, last Friday’s gains marked the fifth straight record close for the S&P 500. Last week was a busy one for second-quarter earnings. Many companies exceeded expectations, while those that missed expectations saw sharp sell-offs. Tariffs remained a significant factor impacting market sentiment. While there’s some enthusiasm for trade deals, the impact of increased tariffs has impacted some market sectors. Speaking of market sectors, 10 of the 11 S&P sectors ended last week higher, with only consumer staples closing the week in the red. Treasury yields showed some movement, with the 10-year Treasury yield easing somewhat. Crude oil prices settled at $65.04, marking their lowest price since June 30 as concerns over a weakening economy brought fears of waning demand.

Stock Market Indexes

Chart reflects price changes, not total return. Because it does not include dividends or splits, it should not be used to benchmark performance of specific investments.

Last Week’s Economic News

  • Existing home sales fell 2.7% in June but were unchanged from June 2024. According to the latest report from the National Association of Realtors®, record-high home prices, elevated mortgage rates, and a moderate supply are discouraging some potential home buyers, particularly first-time home purchasers. The median existing-home sale price in June was $435,300, up from the May price of $423,700, and higher than the June 2024 price of $426,900. Inventory ticked up from a 4.6-month supply in May to 4.7 months in June. Sales of single-family existing homes dipped 3.0% last month. The median single-family existing home price was $441,500 in June, compared to $428,800 in May and $432,900 in June 2024. The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage as of July 17 was 6.75%, according to Freddie Mac, up from 6.72% one week before and down from 6.77% one year ago.
  • Sales of new single-family houses in June were 0.6% above the May rate but 6.6% below the June 2024 estimate. Inventory of new single-family homes for sale sat at a 9.8-month supply at the current sales pace, which was 1.0% above the May estimate and 16.7% higher than the inventory for June 2024. The median sales price of new houses sold in June was $401,800. This was 4.9% below the May price of $422,700 and 2.9% below the June 2024 price of $414,000. The average sales price of new houses sold in June was $501,000, 2.0% under the May price of $511,500 but 1.1% above the June 2024 price of $495,500.
  • New orders for manufactured durable goods in June, down two of the last three months, decreased $32.1 billion, or 9.3%. Excluding transportation, new orders increased 0.2%. Excluding defense, new orders decreased 9.4%. Transportation equipment was a major contributor to the overall decrease, falling $32.6 billion, or 22.4%. New orders for nondefense capital goods in June decreased $31.4 billion, or 24.0%. New orders for defense capital goods in June decreased $2.0 billion, or 10.2%.
  • The national average retail price for regular gasoline was $3.121 per gallon on July 21, $0.009 per gallon below the prior week’s price, and $0.350 per gallon less than a year ago. Also, as of July 21, the East Coast price increased $0.019 to $3.006 per gallon; the Midwest price fell $0.047 to $2.986 per gallon; the Gulf Coast price ticked up $0.001 to $2.739 per gallon; the Rocky Mountain price increased $0.009 to $3.137 per gallon; and the West Coast price fell $0.019 to $4.022 per gallon.
  • For the week ended July 19, there were 217,000 new claims for unemployment insurance, a decrease of 4,000 from the previous week’s level. According to the Department of Labor, the advance rate for insured unemployment claims for the week ended July 12 was 1.3%, unchanged from the previous week’s rate. The advance number of those receiving unemployment insurance benefits during the week ended July 12 was 1,955,000, an increase of 4,000 from the previous week’s level, which was revised down by 5,000. States and territories with the highest insured unemployment rates for the week ended July 5 were New Jersey (2.8%), Rhode Island (2.7%), Puerto Rico (2.6%), Minnesota (2.4%), California (2.2%), Massachusetts (2.1%), Washington (2.1%), the District of Columbia (2.0%), Oregon (1.9%), and Pennsylvania (1.9%). The largest increases in initial claims for unemployment insurance for the week ended July 12 were in New York (+10,001), Nevada (+4,397), Texas (+2,984), Georgia (+2,793), and Pennsylvania (+1,942), while the largest decreases were in Michigan (-4,867), New Jersey (-3,206), Tennessee (-2,574), Kentucky (-1,579), and Iowa (-1,385).

Eye on the Week Ahead

Two very important market-moving reports are out this week. The first estimate of gross domestic product for the second quarter is released this week. The economy contracted 0.5% in the first quarter. The Federal Open Market Committee meets this week. It is possible that the FOMC may decide to reduce the federal funds rate at this time, although there appears to be some disagreement among Committee members as to the timing of an interest rate reduction.

Data sources: Economic: Based on data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (unemployment, inflation); U.S. Department of Commerce (GDP, corporate profits, retail sales, housing); S&P/Case-Shiller 20-City Composite Index (home prices); Institute for Supply Management (manufacturing/services). Performance: Based on data reported in WSJ Market Data Center (indexes); U.S. Treasury (Treasury yields); U.S. Energy Information Administration/Bloomberg.com Market Data (oil spot price, WTI, Cushing, OK); www.goldprice.org (spot gold/silver); Oanda/FX Street (currency exchange rates).

News items are based on reports from multiple commonly available international news sources (i.e., wire services) and are independently verified when necessary with secondary sources such as government agencies, corporate press releases, or trade organizations. All information is based on sources deemed reliable, but no warranty or guarantee is made as to its accuracy or completeness. Neither the information nor any opinion expressed herein constitutes a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any securities, and should not be relied on as financial advice. Forecasts are based on current conditions, subject to change, and may not come to pass. U.S. Treasury securities are guaranteed by the federal government as to the timely payment of principal and interest. The principal value of Treasury securities and other bonds fluctuates with market conditions. Bonds are subject to inflation, interest-rate, and credit risks. As interest rates rise, bond prices typically fall. A bond sold or redeemed prior to maturity may be subject to loss. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. All investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal, and there can be no guarantee that any investing strategy will be successful.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is a price-weighted index composed of 30 widely traded blue-chip U.S. common stocks. The S&P 500 is a market-cap weighted index composed of the common stocks of 500 largest, publicly traded companies in leading industries of the U.S. economy. The NASDAQ Composite Index is a market-value weighted index of all common stocks listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange. The Russell 2000 is a market-cap weighted index composed of 2,000 U.S. small-cap common stocks. The Global Dow is an equally weighted index of 150 widely traded blue-chip common stocks worldwide. The U.S. Dollar Index is a geometrically weighted index of the value of the U.S. dollar relative to six foreign currencies. Market indexes listed are unmanaged and are not available for direct investment.


IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES

Spire Wealth Management, LLC is a Federally Registered Investment Advisory Firm. Securities offered through an affiliated company, Spire Securities, LLC., a Registered Broker/Dealer and member FINRA/SIPC.

Neither Spire Wealth Management nor Corbett Road Wealth Management provide tax or legal advice. The information presented here is not specific to any individual’s personal circumstances. Please speak with your tax or legal professional.

These materials are provided for general information and educational purposes based upon publicly available information from sources believed to be reliable—we cannot assure the accuracy or completeness of these materials. The information in these materials may change at any time and without notice.

Prepared by Broadridge Advisor Solutions. © 2025 Broadridge Financial Services, Inc.

Calculators

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About Corbett Road

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