What Happened Last Week | May 18, 2026
Monday, May 18, 2026Markets ended the week on a mixed note as hotter-than-expected inflation reports overshadowed strength in semiconductor stocks.
Read MoreWelcome to our blog, your go-to resource for navigating the complex landscape of personal finance with confidence and clarity. We hope to empower you with knowledge, insights and helpful strategies to achieve your financial goals. Some of our more popular blog features include a Weekly Stock Market Recap, Monthly Client Letters and other timely articles.
Every Monday we provide a weekly recap including market moving headlines and performance charts while highlighting upcoming events to watch. This series is also posted to our Facebook page.
In an email to our clients we provide a broad view update for the month that was, including proactive ideas aimed at preparing your investment portfolio for what may lie ahead. A version of this letter is also uploaded to our blogs page.
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Markets ended the week on a mixed note as hotter-than-expected inflation reports overshadowed strength in semiconductor stocks.
Read MoreMarkets moved higher last week as renewed peace negotiations boosted sentiment, while stronger-than-anticipated economic data and solid first-quarter earnings results added to investor optimism.
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Read MoreStocks pushed higher last week as investors tuned out Middle East peace delays and honed in on corporate earnings.
Read MoreMarkets ended the week mixed as investors weighed evolving ceasefire conditions and the broader implications of the Middle East conflict.
Read MoreStocks rallied last week as investor sentiment improved, with markets responding to signs of easing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and growing optimism around global trade activity.
Read MoreGeopolitical tensions continue to weigh on sentiment, but history suggests markets are often more resilient than headlines imply. In this month’s letter, we review past periods of conflict and current market fundamentals.
Read MoreConfidence overtook caution last week, with investors eyeing a durable ceasefire and improving prospects for the Strait of Hormuz to reopen.
Read MoreStocks climbed during the shortened trading week as renewed optimism over a swift resolution to the Middle East conflict grew, while March job gains came in stronger than expected.
Read MoreStocks closed a difficult week on a down note as investors moved their focus away from ceasefire developments and toward worries about the long-term economic effects of an extended conflict.
Read MoreMarkets had another rough week as news out of the Middle East and shifting remarks from leaders kept things moving all over the place.
Read MoreStocks logged a third-straight down week as investors digested the latest news out of the Middle East, navigated more volatility, and mulled the latest economic data.
Read MoreMarkets declined last week as investors weighed the impact of a new Middle East conflict and evaluated mixed signals from the labor market.
Read MoreThe broad market declined last week as investors reacted to worries over artificial intelligence (AI) developments and stronger-than-anticipated wholesale inflation data.
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Read MoreMarkets were saved last week by rallies on Monday and Friday, offsetting most losses in between as investors digested earnings.
Read MoreEquities finished the week mixed as investors weighed Q4 earnings, an anticipated Fed decision, and several key economic data releases.
Read MoreMarkets ended a short, eventful week slightly lower, but improving economic news helped lift sentiment.
Read MoreWall street ends volatile week with mild losses.
Read MoreStocks rose sharply in a busy week marked by major economic data, geopolitical headlines, and bullish early-year sentiment.
Read MoreStocks moved lower last week, pressured by year-end profit-taking and a cautious reaction to the Fed meeting minutes.
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Read MoreMarkets Finish Higher After Inflation Data Offsets Labor-Market Jitters
Read MoreStocks show resilience with a strong November rebound.
Read MoreStocks ended last week mixed. A widely anticipated Federal Reserve decision on interest rates and a rotation into non-tech areas helped push the Dow higher, while the broader market and technology stocks lagged behind.
Read MoreStocks advanced over the past week, hitting a string of new records as markets digested key jobs and inflation reports before the Fed’s next policy decision.
Read MoreStocks pushed higher over the holiday week as investors' hopes for a Fed rate adjustment drove bullish sentiment.
Read MoreRising volatility dominated Wall Street last week amid ongoing scrutiny of AI stock valuations.
Read MoreMarkets finished the week mixed despite the government shutdown coming to a close, as investor worry focused on pricey megacap tech stocks and interest rate uncertainty.
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Read MoreRecent labor market data, low consumer sentiment, and the ongoing government shutdown discouraged investors last week.
Read MoreDespite some cautious comments from the Fed, stocks rose last week as trade developments, positive Q3 corporate results, and momentum in megacap tech drove another rally.
Read MoreStocks rose last week thanks to upbeat third-quarter corporate results and mild inflation data, which helped soften concerns over trade tensions with China.
Read MoreAfter an unsteady rally to record highs over the first half of last week, markets fell sharply amid tariff concerns and trade with China.
Read MoreUndeterred by the government shutdown news, stocks rose last week showing that the markets are apparently discounting any impact it may have on the economy.
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Read MoreStock price valuations and a possible government shutdown were just a couple of the reasons that we saw markets retreat last week.
Read MoreMarkets turned green last week while the Fed announced their decision to cut short-term interest rates.
Read MoreStocks posted strong gains last week, in spite of a downward revision to jobs data and mixed inflation reports.
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Read MoreStocks mostly made gains last week, even as concerns grew as a result of particular economic reporting.
Read MoreStocks ended the week slightly lower as mixed economic data led to some profit-taking by investors ahead of the holiday weekend.
Read MoreInvestors were saved last week by a Friday rally sparked by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, who opened the door to adjusting short-term interest rates.
Read MoreStocks rose last week despite mixed signals on inflation as investors kept one eye on the Fed’s September meeting.
Read MoreMarkets remain resilient amid economic crosscurrent
Read MoreStocks rebounded last week as investor optimism for a September rate adjustment and strong Q2 corporate results overcame the rollout of new tariffs.
Read MoreStocks fell last week as investors were left to digest progress on trade negotiations, new U.S. tariffs, and fresh data on the U.S. economy.
Read MoreA new trade agreement and encouraging Q2 results from several companies promoted investor optimism, pushing market averages to solid gains.
Read MoreTariff talk, upbeat quarterly corporate reports and plenty of economic updates led to mixed market results.
Read MoreStocks ended the week slightly lower while the U.S. announced new tariffs.
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Read MoreTrade developments and continued momentum pushed all three major averages to modest gains again during the shortened holiday trading week.
Read MoreInvestors’ hopes for a lasting Middle East ceasefire and positive economic data set the stage for a broad-based stock market rally.
Read MoreStocks were mixed during the shortened trading week as uncertainty over conflict in the Middle East and a Fed rate decision weighed on investors.
Read MoreStocks fell last week as the interconnection between geopolitical events and financial markets were highlighted.
Read MoreStocks rallied last week as investors responded to upbeat economic data and easing trade tensions.
Read MoreMarkets display resilience amid present and looming uncertainties.
Read MoreStocks advanced over the short trading week, resulting in a strong close to month of May. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite saw their best results for a trading month since November 2023.
Read MoreStocks picked up steam last week, following upbeat trade news and tame inflation reports.
Read MoreDespite ongoing trade concerns, volatility dropped last week after the Federal Reserve's update on short-term rates.
Read MoreWe saw a mostly positive market reaction last week as investors cheered the White House’s constructive comments on trade, upbeat Q1 corporate reports, and an encouraging jobs report.
Read MoreStocks pushed higher last week, spurred by the White House's reassuring comments that progress was being made with trade talks.
Read MoreU.S. stocks slipped over the shortened trading week as Q1 corporate reports started to roll in.
Read MoreStocks ended the week well into the green as traders continued to focus on tariff talks along with some upbeat news on inflation.
Read MoreStocks fell broadly last week as domestic and foreign markets reacted to the White House’s tariffs.
Read MoreTariffs and weakening economic data created more uncertainty, sending markets lower in March.
Read MoreStocks notched a solid gain last week as upbeat comments from the Fed helped stocks snap their four-week losing streak.
Read MoreInvestors endured another volatile, whipsaw week as ongoing trade talks and White House comments about the economy unsettled investors.
Read MoreAfter a robust recovery from the pandemic, followed by a period of surprisingly solid and steady growth on the back of resilient consumer spending, the economy finally seems poised to downshift to its pre-pandemic trend nearing 2% growth.
Read MoreStocks continued their slide through a volatile week. U.S. trade policy drove much of the market’s movement, broadening investors' concerns about economic growth and inflation.
Read MoreStocks were mostly down last week as investor concerns over inflation and trade policy combined to produce another volatile trading week.
Read MoreStocks fell last week as concerns about sticky inflation and the pace of economic growth rattled investors.
Read MoreStocks advanced last week despite some volatility.
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Read MoreAn unsettling AI update, updates out of the White House and Q4 corporate reports brought on some volatility last week as investors attempted to digest market-moving news nearly every trading day.
Read MoreA Chinese AI firm appears to have developed a competitive AI model that performs as well as its Western counterparts at a fraction of the cost. The news put pressure on AI stocks, which have led the stock market for the past few years.
Read MoreStocks rallied last week as investors reacted positively to a handful of better-than-expected corporate earnings reports while markets seemed to welcome new developments out of Washington, D.C.
Read MoreUpbeat Q4 corporate reports and economic news stalled inflationary fears resulting in a fruitful week for investors.
Read MoreStocks fell for the second consecutive week as a round of fresh economic data brought on the return of inflationary fears among investors.
Read MoreStocks finished lower last week despite a powerful end-of-week rally.
Read MoreStocks notched a slight gain over the holiday week. A tech-driven rally in the first half of the week was nearly erased in the second half as investors seemingly took profits following the market holiday.
Read MoreThe Federal Reserve decided to cut the fed funds rate by 0.25% but it was Fed Chair Powell's comments that seemed to unsettle investors, putting pressure on the market.
Read MoreStocks finished the week mixed, bookending losses around midweek gains as investors digested fresh inflation data.
Read MoreStocks posted solid gains over a short sessioned holiday week as investors parsed fresh economic data, comments on potential future trade policy, and a few Q3 reports from technology companies.
Read MoreStocks advanced last week, powering ahead with pre-holiday optimism despite geopolitical tensions and two disappointing Q3 corporate updates.
Read MoreStocks fell last week as the postelection rally lost momentum amid an inflation uptick and cautious comments from Fed officials.
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Read MoreStocks surged higher last week, fueled by the Fed’s rate cut decision and post-election results lending some market clarity for investors.
Read MoreAs was expected, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) announced their unanimous decision to cut the target range for the federal funds rate by 0.25%.
Read MoreStocks slid last week as mixed economic data and strong-but-not-spectacular Q3 corporate reports failed to inspire investors.
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Read MoreStocks were mixed last week as fresh economic data points and election-related uncertainty stunted market momentum.
Read MoreStocks posted modest gains last week, with quarterly earnings season in full swing and the election on the horizon.
Read MoreStocks advanced last week despite mixed inflation data, lurching oil prices, and lingering anxiety about the Middle East.
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Read MoreStocks were essentially unchanged last week as geopolitical tensions added some volatility to an otherwise quiet trading week.
Read MoreStocks moved higher last week after the Federal Reserve’s half-point rate cut, bolstered by multiple data points supporting a cooling but still strong economy and decelerating inflation.
Read MoreStocks rallied last week as investors received better-than-expected consumer and producer inflation data.
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Read MoreStocks fell last week as soft economic data rattled investors focused on the Fed’s next move with interest rates.
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Read MoreThere were mixed results for stocks last week as upbeat economic data and a critical Q2 corporate report shaped the week.
Read MoreStocks notched a solid gain as dovish comments from Federal Reserve officials boosted the market’s recovery from early August lows.
Read MoreStocks posted solid gains last week, lifted by strong economic data and constructive comments from Fed officials.
Read MoreStocks ended last week with modest losses, masking a volatile five-day trading period that saw investors embrace recession concerns and then seemingly dismiss the slow-down talk as speculation.
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Read MoreStocks fell broadly last week as investors looked past upbeat Fed comments and focused on disappointing corporate reports and weaker economic data.
Read MoreStocks had a back and forth week as disappointing corporate reports unsettled investors who appeared to rotate away from some leading groups in favor of other names.
Read MoreStocks advanced last week as market leadership shifted amid fresh inflation data and quarterly corporate reports starting to roll in.
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Read MoreStocks steadily advanced over the holiday week thanks to strength in mega-cap tech issues and encouraging jobs data.
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Read MoreThe bad news seemed to outweigh the good news as stocks fell for the third straight week.
Read MoreInflation uncertainty and fears of an escalating Middle East conflict send stocks lower.
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Read MoreWhat Happened Last Week : - Stocks continued decline - Stronger than expected economic reports and more..
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Read MoreWhat Happened Last Week : Markets show surprising resilience in light of middle east hostilities, Inflation numbers come in higher than expected, and more..
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