Weekly Market Update

As we wrap up another week in the markets, let's take a look at some key developments that may impact your investments.

Tariff Uncertainty Remains a Concern

The US stock market closed mixed on Friday with the Nasdaq 100 notching a record high close, while the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average fell. The uncertainty surrounding President Trump's tariff policies continues to weigh on investors' minds, particularly in light of Walmart's soft outlook on Thursday.

Stocks Remain Resilient Despite Uncertainty

Despite the ongoing uncertainty, stocks have remained resilient this year, with nearly half of companies in the S&P 500 outperforming the index. Strategists believe an environment where more stocks are competing to outperform the index is set to persist throughout the year.

Business Sentiment Takes a Hit

The University of Michigan's index of consumer sentiment tumbled to 64.7 at the end of February, below economist expectations and January's 71.7 level. Consumers also expressed a worsened outlook for inflation in the year ahead, jumping from 3.3% last month to 4.3% this month.

Stocks to Watch

Some individual stocks that may be worth watching include:
• UnitedHealth (UNH), which fell over 7% after a report said the Department of Justice is probing its Medicare billing practices.
• Energy drink company Celsius Holdings' (CELH) stock skyrocketed over 30% after the company announced it would buy competitive drink maker Alani Nutrition for $1.8 billion.

Market Outlook

Some strategists believe that much of the positive news surrounding Trump's impending policies may be priced in, leaving more room for disappointment than upside surprise once clarity on what's next in Washington is provided. However, others remain optimistic about the market's prospects, citing a "pro-business" bias to the platform.


Stay informed and stay ahead of the markets. As always, thank you for reading our weekly web post!