Blog

Monday's with Matt: Thoughts on China

Matt Lawson, CRPC®

Sunday, October 10, 2021

China is about maintaining social order, power and control. Investment capital often flows to where it is treated best. That being said, the Chinese government is making it harder for foreign businesses to operate and companies are...

Stocks weakened ahead of this week’s Federal Reserve meeting and amid persistent concerns about the Delta variant’s impact on the economy.The Dow Jones Industrial Average was flat (-0.07%), while the Standard &...

Mondays with Matt: A Little Delayed This Week

Matt Lawson, CRPC®

Wednesday, September 8, 2021

Mondays with Matt is a little late this go round..... Payroll numbers were a big miss, 247,000 reported vs. 730,000 expected. Most stocks were down last Friday on the August payroll numbers but the Nasdaq made a new high, confirming...

The stock market powered to record levels last week amid talk of Fed tapering and a deceleration in new Delta variant cases.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.96%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 increased 1.52%. The...

Mondays with Matt: What's Next?

Matt Lawson, CRPC®

Monday, August 2, 2021

U.S. markets continue to hit new highs, what is next? Thanks to the virus and China, we are about to see more capital (money) flow to the U.S. financial markets. There is little to no other choice for wealthy investors to put their...

Despite a good start to earnings season and some solid economic data, worries of slower second-half economic growth led to a pullback in stock prices last week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.52%, while the Standard &...

Stocks managed small gains as investors wrestled with concerns over economic growth prospects and a rise in COVID-19 infections.The Dow Jones Industrial Average picked up 0.24%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 gained 0.40%....

What Now?

Matt Lawson, CRPC®

Monday, June 28, 2021

What now? So far this year value stocks like Caterpillar and Exxon have outperformed growth names such as Amazon and Apple. This is a big deal because over the past several years value names have lagged. The Federal Reserve has stated...

New messaging from the Federal Reserve on interest rates and inflation last week led to a broad retreat in stock prices.The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 3.45% while the Standard & Poor’s 500 lost 1.91%. The Nasdaq...

Stocks ended the week mixed as investors appeared to shrug off a hotter-than-expected inflation report.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.80%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 advanced 0.41%. The Nasdaq Composite...

A strong, but not too strong, employment report sparked a rally on the final day of trading, propelling stocks to a modest gain for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed by 0.66%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...

Optimism over the economic reopening and renewed enthusiasm for technology and other high-growth companies powered the stock market higher last week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.94%, while the Standard & Poor’s...

A surge in consumer inflation unsettled investors, leading to a turbulent week of trading on Wall Street.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 1.14%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 fell 1.39%. The Nasdaq Composite index...

Stocks closed mixed last week as signs of continued economic recovery and upbeat earnings helped some sectors while the struggles persisted for high-growth companies.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 2.67%, while the Standard...

The crosscurrents of strong corporate earnings, rising global cases of COVID-19, and the specter of higher capital gains taxes led to a choppy week of trading that left stock prices slightly lower for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial...

Overcoming a rocky start, stocks rallied into the close of a holiday-shortened week of trading as technology shares staged a powerful recovery and investors reacted positively to President Biden’s infrastructure spending...

Stocks touched new record highs last week as bond yields steadied, a fiscal relief bill was signed into law, and confidence in a strong economic recovery grew.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 4.07%, while the Standard &...

Stocks were mixed last week as rising bond yields and heightening inflation fears sent stocks on a wild ride, capped by a remarkable Friday afternoon rally.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.82%, while the Standard &...

Stocks dropped amid rising long-term bond yields, with sharp declines in high-valuation growth stocks leading the overall market lower.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 1.78%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 declined...

Rising bond yields dampened investor enthusiasm for high-multiple growth companies last week, sending market averages mostly lower in a holiday-shortened week of trading.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.11% for the week. But...

Anticipation of a new fiscal stimulus and improved vaccine distribution powered stocks to fresh record highs last week with technology stocks leading the way.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.59%, while the Standard &...

Markets drifted lower last week as uninspired investors digested mixed news on the economic front.The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.91% while the Standard & Poor’s 500 slid 1.48%. The Nasdaq Composite index stumbled 1...

Shrugging off COVID-19 infections and the disruption at the Capitol on January 6, stocks powered higher to kick off a new year of trading.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.61%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...

Please Click Here to read the latest Market Commentary from John Wilson, CFA. (The link will open a PDF in a new browser)

The first week of 2021 has already had many ups and downs. Just because it’s a new year doesn’t mean that the 2020 issues go away, and so far, 2021 has been no exception to this rule.The markets opened on January 4 and...

Stocks climbed higher amid the COVID-19 vaccine rollout and an improving outlook for a fiscal stimulus bill.The Dow Jones Industrial Average, which has lagged all year, gained 0.44%. The Standard & Poor’s 500 picked up 1.25%...

Stocks retreated last week on rising COVID-19 infections and slow progress on an economic relief bill.The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 0.57%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 dropped 0.96%. The Nasdaq Composite index...

Stocks marched higher last week on an improving outlook for the passage of a fiscal stimulus package.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.03%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 tacked on 1.67%. The Nasdaq Composite index...

Santa Rally?

Matt Lawson, CRPC®

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

With the U.S. elections now behind us, what lies ahead for equity markets? There still remains uncertainty regarding several pivotal U.S. Senate races and it appears that the financial markets have discounted the outcome. This time of...

Alana's Holiday Gift Guide: Shop Small

Alana Langford

Friday, November 27, 2020

Shopping small means more than ever to small business this year! We have rounded up some of our favorite local (to Chattanooga and Dalton) businesses we think you should visit over the holidays! 1. Threads of Signal : Threads on Signal...

Alana's Holiday Gift Guide For Men

Alana Langford

Wednesday, November 25, 2020

Buying for the men in your life can sometimes be a little hard to do. I hope that you can find at least one good idea from this list for the guy in your life this year! I have something for them all: your dad, your brother, your...

Thanksgiving may look a little different for many of you this year but we hope that will not deter you from finding a few things to be thankful for. This year, we are truly thankful you and we hope that you know that. Thank you for...

Alana's Holiday Gift Guide: For the Ladies in Your Life

Alana Langford

Sunday, November 22, 2020

The magic of the holiday season has been known to transcend time and space. Christmastime brings up feelings of joy, happiness, and excitement for most people. For others, the idea of finding your loved ones the perfect gift can cause...

With the Federal Reserve keeping interest rates at or near zero, you may wonder about your mortgage. Is it a good time to refinance or even pay off the debt entirely? After all, your mortgage is one of the biggest expenses you may...

News of a COVID-19 vaccine ignited a rally in economically sensitive stocks and a broad retreat in technology companies last week, though enthusiasm was tempered by reports of rising new infections and fresh lockdowns.The Dow Jones...

Stocks soared last week as investors anticipated that a split Congress would raise legislative hurdles to changing corporate taxes and adjusting regulatory oversight of big technology companies.The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped...

On October 26, the Treasury Department released the 2021 adjusted figures for retirement account savings. Although these adjustments won’t bring any major changes, there are some minor elements to note.401(k)sThe salary deferral...

Stock prices dropped last week as hopes for a fiscal stimulus bill faded and investors focused on rising COVID-19 infections, here and abroad.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 6.47%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...

The failure to reach an agreement on a new fiscal stimulus bill soured investor sentiment and sent stocks modestly lower for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.95%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 lost 0.53%....

Stocks treaded water last week amid fading prospects for a stimulus bill, fears of a second wave of COVID-19 cases, and increasing political and regulatory pressures on Big Tech companies.The Dow Jones Industrial Average added just 0...

Stocks advanced last week, propelled by hopes that legislators may reach an agreement for a new fiscal stimulus package and optimism generated by a few corporate deal announcements and initial public offerings.The Dow Jones Industrial...

Sentiment Change for US Equity Markets

Matt Lawson, CRPC®

Monday, October 5, 2020

Nothing changes investor sentiment like price. U.S. equity markets changed direction on Wednesday September 30th from a market in correction to a confirmed uptrend. The reason for the change in direction is because institutional...

Stocks were mixed last week as worries that stretched from Washington D.C., where prospects of a new fiscal stimulus bill dimmed, to Europe, which saw an increase of new COVID-19 cases.The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 1.75%,...

In theory, investors understand that stock market corrections are part of the investing process. But experiencing a setback—like the one we’ve witnessed in the past four weeks—can raise a lot of shoulda, woulda,...

Stocks slipped as the technology sector remained under pressure and a mid-week announcement by the Federal Reserve failed to inspire investors.The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.03%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...

Future to Present in a Blink of an Eye

Matt Lawson, CRPC®

Monday, September 21, 2020

2020 so far has been a year filled with countless twists and turns. It has been amazing to watch how companies such as Zoom Video Communications, which for the most part was virtually unknown at the beginning of 2019 and by mid-year...

Stocks traveled a volatile path last week as investors appeared concerned about the upcoming elections, an uncertain economy, and more delays with additional fiscal stimulus.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 1.66%, while the...

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), one of the most widely followed stock market indices, has made some key changes to its starting lineup.Salesforce.com, Amgen Inc.and Honeywell International Inc. have replaced Exxon Mobil Corp....

Owning Growth Companies Through Volatile Markets

Matt Lawson, CRPC®

Thursday, September 10, 2020

How do you own growth companies such as Amazon, Zoom and DocuSign that have already appreciated double and triple digits this year? At Lawson Winchester Wealth Management (LWWM), we believe in having a defined exit strategy before you...

Stocks advanced relentlessly last week on positive COVID-19 developments, encouraging economic data, and a supportive policy shift in the Fed’s approach to its target inflation rate.The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by...

Stocks powered to another week of gains as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite set multiple new record highs along the way.The Dow Jones Industrial Average was essentially unchanged while the Standard & Poor’s 500 rose by 0...

Stock prices drifted higher in an otherwise quiet news week, as a slowdown in new COVID-19 cases outweighed a Congressional impasse on a new fiscal-spending measure.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.81%, while the Standard...

Overlooking stalled efforts by Congress to pass a new fiscal stimulus bill, stocks marched higher last week with the Dow Jones Industrials leading the way and the NASDAQ Composite setting multiple fresh record highs.The Dow Jones...

Please click the following link to read the latest thoughts from John Wilson, CFA: Some Thoughts About the Current Environment

Stocks slipped in the final days of trading last week on higher jobless claims and rising tensions in the U.S.-China relationship.The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.76%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 dipped 0.28%. The...

Weekly Market Insights: Stocks See a Mixed Week

Alana Langford

Friday, July 24, 2020

Stocks were mixed last week as investors reacted to positive economic data, progress on a COVID-19 vaccine, and the continued nationwide increase in COVID-19 cases.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 2.29%, while the Standard...