Markets were mixed last week, though persistent pressure on technology stocks made the week feel more challenging for some investors. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index lost 0.47 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index declined 0.71 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.41 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, fell 1.58 percent.1,2 Tech Leads Both WaysThe week began with an AI-led rebound as investors looked ahead to a heavy slate of corporate earnings reports. On Tuesday, investors cheered the first wave of corporate results and falling oil prices, which helped boost investor sentiment. Tech swung back into favor midweek as investors applauded reports that two of the largest megacap tech firms, Tesla and SpaceX, formed a committee to evaluate a potential merger which lifted all three averages. The Nasdaq gained more than 1 percent, while the S&P posted its third straight winning close.3,4 Boomerang EffectBut the boomerang started to come back on Thursday as AI debt worries returned while oil prices rose again amid fresh geopolitical concerns. The Nasdaq slid more than 2½ percent over the session, while the S&P fell more than 1 percent, posting their steepest daily declines since June and July, respectively.5 The week wrapped up with technology stocks again in the spotlight due to persistent AI-related worries. The Dow closed Friday down more than 1 percent, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq were under pressure into the close. For the week, gold declined approximately 4%, trading near $4,000 per ounce. Rising energy prices heightened inflation concerns and reinforced expectations of higher interest rates, weighing on the precious metal. The U.S. Dollar Index was essentially unchanged. U.S. Treasury bonds gained as investors sought safety amid volatility in technology stocks. The benchmark 10-year Treasury yield declined to 4.99%, reflecting rising bond prices. WTI crude oil futures for December delivery rose approximately 4.3% for the week, settling at $103.27 per barrel. Prices increased as escalating Middle Eastern tensions raised concerns about potential oil-supply disruptions. Cryptocurrencies posted modest weekly losses. Bitcoin declined approximately 0.52% to finish near $81,074, while Ethereum fell 1.47% to approximately $2,384. Both surrendered midweek gains as Bitcoin whales continue to sell their coins into any rallies which I have warned about in prior updates. The global investment landscape is rapidly shifting. Greater geopolitical competition, heightened emphasis on energy and resource security, persistently higher inflation, larger fiscal deficits and a more fragmented global economy characterize the world. While market attention remains focused on the booming AI investment cycle, the longer term opportunity may lie in preparing for a world that looks meaningfully different than it did over the past 15 years. Having a wise financial advisor to help navigate today's rapidly evolving and also complex and confusing markets helps investors reach their financial goals. Someone who will remain calm and knows how to embrace the volatility to invest wisely for the future. We also advise clients on reducing taxes, risks and fees while increasing potential for higher returns, long term retirement planning and family wealth preservation and growth. These are some of the ways we have helped our valued clients all over the USA. If you are not already a valued client of Castle Financial, give us a call at 732-888-4994 for an introduction and second opinion. We advise our valued clients all over the USA. Among my many credentials, I am a Certified Financial Fiduciary always acting in the best interests of our valued clients and also well qualified to knock it out of the park managing assets as a former co-manager of a 5 Star Rated Fund by Morningstar in the hedge-fund type mutual fund space. |
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Source: YCharts.com, October 24, 2026. Weekly performance is measured from Monday, October 19 to Friday, October 23. TR = total return for the index, which includes any dividends as well as any other cash distributions during the period. Treasury note yield is expressed in basis points. |
Housing WatchWith everything going on last week, the housing market didn’t get much coverage. But there were some important housing developments. First, housing starts fell 5.2 percent in September over the prior month, below expectations for a 2 percent rise. It was the second straight month when economists expected starts to rise, and instead they fell, and the third consecutive month of declines.7 Meanwhile, pending home sales fell to their lowest level on record in September in part due to an increase in mortgage rates.8 This Week: Key Economic DataTuesday: Durable Goods. S&P Cotality Case-Shiller Home Price Index. New Home Sales. Consumer Confidence (Conference Board). Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) Meeting, Day 1. Wednesday: Trade Balance in Goods. Wholesale Inventories. Retail Inventories. FOMC Meeting, Day 2 / Fed Interest Rate Decision. Thursday: Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Weekly Jobless Claims. Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Index. Friday: Employment Cost Index. Source: Investor’s Business Daily - Econoday economic calendar: October 23, 2026. This Week: Companies Reporting EarningsMonday: Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ), Welltower Inc. (WELL), Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (CDNS) Tuesday: Visa Inc. (V), The Coca-Cola Company (KO), The Boeing Company (BA), S&P Global Inc. (SPGI), Corning Inc. (GLW), HCA Healthcare, Inc. (HCA) Wednesday: Alphabet Inc. (GOOG / GOOGL), Microsoft Corporation (MSFT), GE Vernova Inc. (GEV), KLA Corporation (KLAC), Amphenol Corporation (APH), T-Mobile US, Inc. (TMUS), ServiceNow, Inc. (NOW), Fortinet, Inc. (FTNT), Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP), Phillips 66 (PSX), Equinix, Inc. (EQIX) Thursday: Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN), Eli Lilly and Company (LLY), Mastercard Incorporated (MA), Intel Corporation (INTC), Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK), Caterpillar Inc. (CAT), Sandisk Corporation (SNDK), Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD), Bristol Myers Squibb Company (BMY), Altria Group, Inc. (MO), Stryker Corporation (SYK), Starbucks Corporation (SBUX) Friday: ExxonMobil Holdings Corporation (XOM), AbbVie Inc. (ABBV), Chevron Corporation (CVX), General Dynamics Corporation (GD) Source: Zacks, October 23, 2026. Companies mentioned are for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of the securities. Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost. Companies may reschedule their earnings reports without notice. |
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"Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don’t lose faith." – Steve Jobs |
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Keep Your Leftovers from Drying OutThe next time you reheat meat, pasta, rice, or pizza in the microwave, try this: lay a damp paper towel over your food before heating. This small step traps just enough moisture to keep your leftovers from drying out and becoming rubbery. Tip adapted from BuzzFeed9 Portugal: Europe's Most Welcoming Hidden GemPortugal has quietly become one of Europe's most beloved destinations—and it's easy to see why. From the sun-drenched alleyways of Lisbon to the sweeping vineyards of the Douro Valley and the golden cliffs of the Algarve coastline, the country offers an extraordinary range of experiences in a remarkably compact space. The food is exceptional, the pace is unhurried, and the locals are famously warm. Whether you're drawn to history, cuisine, or simply a beautiful place to slow down, Portugal has a way of exceeding every expectation. Tip adapted from Islands.com10 |
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I am a port city in Canada, a state in southeast Australia, a big lake in Africa, and a renowned queen. What is my name? Last Week's Riddle: No matter how little or how much you use me, you change your view of me every month. What am I? Answer: A calendar. |
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Red Fox Lingfield, United Kingdom |
Footnotes And Sources1. WSJ.com, October 23, 2026 |
Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your own goals, time horizon, and tolerance for risk. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost.
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