Weekly Stock Market Recap: What Moved the Market Last Week

Welcome to this week’s stock market recap from Link Financial Advisory, your go-to Missoula financial advisory team for insights into wealth management and personal financial planning. This week, the market experienced a mix of gains and pressures as investors reacted to global trade developments, corporate news, and economic data. Let’s break down what helped the market, what hurt it, and the key takeaways for your financial strategy.

What Helped the Market

Several positive developments lifted investor sentiment this week:

• Tariff Relief Sparks Optimism: The temporary suspension of tariffs between the US and China was a major win for the market. This move eased trade tensions, boosting confidence in technology and tariff-sensitive sectors like manufacturing. Stocks in these areas saw notable gains as fears of supply chain disruptions faded, at least for now.
• Inflation Data Brings Relief: Lower-than-expected inflation numbers also played a big role. With inflation concerns easing, investors grew less worried about aggressive interest rate hikes from the Federal Reserve. This stability encouraged buying in growth stocks and supported a broader market uptick.

These factors combined to push the S&P 500 up by approximately 1.5% for the week, reflecting a wave of cautious optimism.

What Hurt the Market

Despite the gains, not everything was rosy. A couple of setbacks weighed on specific sectors and overall sentiment:

• UnitedHealth’s Stumble: UnitedHealth Group’s stock took a hit after the sudden departure of its CEO and the suspension of its 2025 outlook due to rising medical costs. This news rippled through the healthcare sector, dragging down other health insurance stocks and raising questions about profitability in the industry.
• Tariff Uncertainty Looms: While the current tariff suspension was a boost, whispers of potential new tariff rates in the future introduced some unease. Investors remain wary of how this could spark volatility down the line, particularly for industries reliant on global trade.

These challenges tempered the week’s gains, keeping the market’s upward momentum in check.

Key Takeaways for Investors

So, what does this mean for you? Here are the big lessons from this week’s market action:

• Stay Diversified: The ups and downs across sectors—like tech’s gains and healthcare’s struggles—highlight the value of diversification. Spreading your investments across different industries can help cushion against unexpected shocks. It’s a core principle of wealth management that we emphasize at Link Financial Advisory.
• Focus on the Long Term: Short-term volatility, like tariff jitters or corporate shakeups, is part of the market’s rhythm. Historically, the S&P 500 has delivered an average annual return of about 10% over the long haul. Keeping your eyes on long-term goals—whether it’s retirement or building wealth—can help you ride out these waves.
• Monitor Macro Trends: Inflation data and trade policies aren’t just headlines—they directly impact your portfolio. Staying informed, or working with a team like ours for 401k benchmarking and planning, ensures you’re positioned to adapt as conditions shift.

Let’s Navigate This Together

At Link Financial Advisory, we’re more than just market watchers—we’re your local Missoula financial advisory team, here to turn insights into action. Whether you’re fine-tuning your personal financial planning, reassessing your 401k, or seeking comprehensive wealth management, we’ve got your back. Our approach blends global market expertise with a deep understanding of what matters to our Montana community.

Ready to talk strategy? Contact us at Robert@LinkFinancialAdvisory.com or schedule a call using this calendar link. Let’s build a financial plan that thrives through market highs and lows—right here in Missoula.

Link Financial Advisory: Your trusted partner for wealth management and personal financial planning in Missoula.