Weekly Market Insights | S&P, Nasdaq Have Best Month in 5 Years

May 04, 2026

Stocks advanced last week as investors moved past stalled progress in Middle East peace talks and refocused on corporate earnings.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 0.91 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index climbed 1.12 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average moved up 0.55 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, added 0.58 percent.^1,2

April: Best Month in Five Years for S&P, Nasdaq

Markets were under pressure early in last week as investors focused on stalled peace talks and rising oil prices.³

But midweek, momentum shifted. First, the Fed announced it was holding interest rates steady, as expected, but there was some dissent over the decision. Then investors' attention focused on Wednesday’s closing bell, when several big-name companies reported Q1 results.⁴

Investors mostly liked what they heard, and stock prices rose, ending April on a high note. The Dow led the broad market rally while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq each logged their best monthly performances in 5 years.⁵

Stocks rose again on Friday as oil prices fell. Investors applauded Q1 results from another high-profile megacap tech company, which helped the S&P notch another all-time intraday high.

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^{Source: YCharts.com, May 2, 2026. Weekly performance is measured from Monday, April 27, to Friday, May 1. 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.}

Fed News

The Federal Reserve voted 8-4 to keep interest rates steady at the April meeting, leaving the Federal Funds Rate at a 3.5 to 3.75 percent target range. Market observers were quick to point out that the 8-4 decision was the Federal Open Market Committee’s most divided vote since 1992.⁷

At the last FOMC press conference of his eight-year tenure, Fed Chair Powell announced he would stay on as a Fed governor after his term as Chair expires on May 15. Earlier that day, the Senate Banking Committee confirmed Kevin Warsh as the next Fed Chair, setting up a final confirmation vote in the Senate.⁷

This Week: Key Economic Data

Monday: New York Fed President John Williams speaks.

Tuesday: Trade Balance. Job Openings. New Home Sales (Feb* + March). ISM Services. Federal Reserve speeches: Michelle Bowman, Michael Barr.

Wednesday: ADP Employment Report. Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee speaks.

Thursday: Weekly Jobless Claims. Productivity. Construction Spending (Feb* + March). Consumer Credit. Federal Reserve speeches: Neel Kashkari, John Williams.

Friday: Fed governor Lisa Cook speaks. U.S. Employment Report. Wholesale Inventories. Consumer Sentiment. Fed panel: Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee, San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly, Fed governors Michelle Bowman and Christopher Waller.

^{* indicates federal data release delayed by government shutdown}

^{Source: Investors Business Daily - Econoday economic calendar; May 1, 2026. The Econoday economic calendar lists upcoming U.S. economic data releases (including key economic indicators), Federal Reserve policy meetings, and speaking engagements of Federal Reserve officials. The content is developed from sources believed to provide accurate information. The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and may not materialize. The forecasts are also subject to revision.}

This Week: Companies Reporting Earnings

Monday: Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR), Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX)

Tuesday: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD), Arista Networks, Inc. (ANET), Pfizer Inc. (PFE)

Wednesday: The Walt Disney Company (DIS), Uber Technologies, Inc. (UBER), AppLovin Corporation (APP), CVS Health Corporation (CVS)

Thursday: McDonald’s Corporation (MCD), Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD), McKesson Corporation (MCK)

^{Source: Zacks, May 1, 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.}

"Be courteous to all, but intimate with few."

– George Washington

IRS Offers Free Tax-Prep Option for Military Personnel

Each year, the Internal Revenue Service takes a moment to remind active duty military personnel that the “IRS Free File” offers them multiple choices for free federal tax preparation.

This information is not a substitute for individualized tax advice. Please consult with a qualified tax professional to discuss your specific tax issues.

Tip adapted from IRS.gov⁸

Four Tips to Help You Sleep Better

Sleep is one of the most important things we do to stay healthy and energized. Much more goes into getting a good night’s sleep than simply resting your head on the pillow, so here are some tips for getting your shut-eye:

Increase bright light exposure during the day. You probably already know that it helps to keep your room dark while you sleep, but did you know it’s also beneficial to get enough bright light during the day? These contrasts tell your body when it’s time to go to sleep. This natural clock is called your circadian rhythm.
Reduce blue light exposure in the evening. The blue light emitted by our devices (smartphones, tablets, and TVs) can disrupt your sleep cycle. Try to limit blue light at least two hours before bedtime. Some devices offer a setting that automatically “warms” the light to limit these blue hues.
Try to wake up and sleep consistently, even on weekends, as this is another way to set up your body’s circadian rhythm for success.
Adjust your bedroom temperature. Did you know that the temperature in your bedroom can affect your sleep? Some studies show that temperature matters even more than noise.

Tip adapted from Centers for Disease Control⁹

Katherine and Sterling each have the same number of pears. How many pears does Katherine need to give Sterling so that Sterling has 10 more pears than she does?

Last Week's Riddle: I am astonishingly light, but even the strongest person in the world can only hold me for a few minutes. What am I?

Answer: Air.

Phoenicopterus Roseus (pink flamingo)

Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

Footnotes And Sources

^{1. WSJ.com, May 1, 2026}
^{2. Investing.com, May 1, 2026}
^{3. CNBC.com, April 28, 2026}
^{4. WSJ.com, April 29, 2026}
^{5. CNBC.com, April 30, 2026}
^{6. CNBC.com, May 1, 2026}
^{7. WSJ.com, April 29, 2026}
^{8. military.com, January 26, 2025}
^{9. Centers for Disease Control, October 9, 2023}

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The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, may not materialize, and are subject to revision without notice.

The market indexes discussed are unmanaged, and generally, considered representative of their respective markets. Index performance is not indicative of the past performance of a particular investment. Indexes do not incur management fees, costs, and expenses. Individuals cannot directly invest in unmanaged indexes. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average is an unmanaged index that is generally considered representative of large-capitalization companies on the U.S. stock market. The Nasdaq Composite is an index of the common stocks and similar securities listed on the Nasdaq stock market and considered a broad indicator of the performance of stocks of technology and growth companies. The MSCI EAFE Index was created by Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) and serves as a benchmark of the performance of major international equity markets, as represented by 21 major MSCI indexes from Europe, Australia, and Southeast Asia. The S&P 500 Composite Index is an unmanaged group of securities that are considered to be representative of the stock market in general.

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