Stocks advanced last week as the broad market looked past inflationary pressures and focused on falling oil prices, declining bond yields, and ongoing diplomatic efforts in the Middle East.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 1.22 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index advanced 2.06 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged up 0.28 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, added 0.15 percent.^1,2

Choppy Trading

Stocks bolted out of the gate to start the week, rebounding thanks to AI stocks, falling oil prices, and bond yields. The Nasdaq hit a record intraday high during Monday’s session.

The broad market went sideways on Tuesday as traders kept an eye on developments in the Middle East, while oil prices and Treasury yields slid further.^3,4

Markets then fell midweek amid investor concerns over comments from one Fed official and two inflation updates. All three major averages were under pressure. The malaise hung on into Thursday, but stocks began to climb late in the day on upbeat reports out of the Middle East.^5,6

All three major averages continued their recovery Friday, ending the day with some momentum going into the close.⁷

Eyes on Bonds

Treasury yields hit multidecade highs last week due to a couple of factors.

The first was Federal Reserve Governor Michael Barr’s hawkish language on Wednesday, suggesting he was open to another rate adjustment at the October Fed meeting. And the second was the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) reports for both manufacturing and services, which were also released on Wednesday. Both reports showed costs hit four-year highs for the month.⁸

This Week: Key Economic Data

Tuesday: S&P Cotality Case-Shiller Home Price Index. Consumer Confidence. Job Openings & Labor Turnover. Fed speeches: Austan Goolsbee (Chicago) & John Williams (NYC).

Wednesday: ADP Employment Report (private sector). Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Q2 (third estimate). Trade Balance in Goods. Wholesale & Retail Inventories. Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Index. Fed President Goolsbee speaks.

Thursday: Weekly Jobless Claims. Purchasing Managers Index (PMI)—Manufacturing. Construction Spending.

Friday: Employment Report. Factory Orders. 

^{Source: Investor’s Business Daily - Econoday economic calendar: September 25, 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

Wednesday: Micron Technology, Inc. (MU)

Thursday: Nike, Inc. (NKE)

^{Source: Zacks, September 25, 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.}

"The problem with putting two and two together is that sometimes you get four, and sometimes you get twenty-two."

– Dashiell Hammett

The Galápagos Islands: Where Adventure Meets Purpose

If you're looking for a trip that's as meaningful as it is memorable, the Galápagos Islands deserve a spot at the top of your list. This remote Pacific archipelago offers a rare blend of active exploration and natural wonder, guided by expert naturalists who bring the islands' incredible ecosystem to life. A cruise is one of the best ways to experience the Galápagos, though land-based options with daily yacht excursions offer a more relaxed pace. For travelers who care about conservation and sustainability, few destinations in the world feel quite as inspiring.

Tip adapted from TravelandLeisure.com⁹

Cook a New Recipe Together Every Week

The kitchen is one of the best classrooms a family has. Pick a new recipe each week and assign everyone a role, from washing vegetables to measuring ingredients to plating the final dish. Kids who help make their food are far more likely to eat it, and the skills they pick up along the way will serve them for life. Rotate who gets to choose the recipe and watch your family's culinary curiosity grow week by week.

Tip adapted from TheEveryMom.com¹⁰

There is a 7-letter word that starts with BR and ends in G, and if you put an E in it, you get an 8-letter word that sounds the same yet has a different meaning. Name these two words.

Last Week's Riddle: They are captured by mud and snow, left behind but never taken, and rarely seen in isolation. What are they?

Answer: Footprints.

Cliffs of Moher 

Liscannor, Clare, Ireland

Stocks fell over a shortened trading week as higher oil prices rattled investors.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index declined 0.80 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index edged down 0.66 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.57 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, skidded 1.39 percent.^1,2

Sluggish Start

Stocks fell in response to higher oil prices at Tuesday’s opening bell as investors returned from the long Labor Day weekend. Investors kept one eye on diplomatic efforts in the Middle East and another on fresh inflation reports due out later in the week.³
 
Stocks were under pressure again on Wednesday as oil prices continued climbing. After the Treasury Department announced it was tripling its long-dated debt buyback program (to as much as $6 billion), the yield on the 10-year Treasury note rose to a 3-year high. Investors continued to fret over inflation as the week progressed, putting further pressure on stocks.^4,5
 
On Friday, stocks rebounded after news that annualized inflation held steady in August, puzzling some who expected stocks to decline. Oil prices fell, and markets rebounded to finish a tough week on an upbeat note.⁶

Inflation Reports

Wholesale inflation was released on Thursday; PPI, or the Producer Price Index, rose 0.4 percent in August over the prior month, in line with expectations. Stocks were under pressure despite the tame results.⁷

But on Friday, the latest CPI (Consumer Price Index) report showed that year-over-year retail inflation in August held steady at 3.4 percent. Traders appeared to look past the report, with the question shifting from whether the Fed will adjust rates this year to how many times the Fed may need to act.⁸

This Week: Key Economic Data

Tuesday: Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) Meeting, Day 1.

Wednesday: Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) Meeting, Day 2. Retail Sales. Import Prices. Manufacturing & Trade Inventories. NAHB Housing Market Index. Fed interest rate decision.

Thursday: Housing Starts. Weekly Jobless Claims. Pending Home Sales.

Friday: Industrial Production. Capacity Utilization. Leading Indicators.

^{Source: Investor’s Business Daily - Econoday economic calendar: September 11, 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

No major companies are reporting this week.

^{Source: Zacks, September 11, 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.}

“Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” 

–Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Turn Errands Into a Scavenger Hunt

Everyday errands don't have to feel like a chore. For kids, they can be an adventure. Before your next grocery run or trip to the hardware store, put together a simple scavenger hunt list tailored to wherever you're headed. Challenge younger kids to find items by color or shape, while older ones can compare prices or read labels. It turns a routine outing into an engaging, educational experience that the whole family can enjoy together.

Tip adapted from theeverymom.com⁹

Strength Training Strategies for Every Level

If you would like to build muscle mass, sometimes the simplest strategies are optimal. For example, becoming proficient at the "big four" exercises can help you create a strong (literally) foundation. These four moves include the squat, deadlift, bench, and shoulder press. You can work on some of your body's major muscle groups with these simple movements. 

Another strategy involves using dumbbells and barbells. While the fancy machines in the gym may seem fun and enticing, mastering the foundational movements with free weights requires skill. Free-weight and bodyweight training are among the most effective and simplest exercises. 

Lastly, maintain a log and track your progress. Even doing one more rep or lifting five more pounds counts as progress. These achievements will keep you motivated and make it easier to track your progress as you get stronger. 

Tip adapted from Men's Journal¹⁰

A 400-yard long promenade has an ornate brass bench every 100 yards on both sides, including ones at its beginning and end. So in total, how many benches are there along this promenade?

How do you spell “hard water” using only three letters?

Answer: Use the letters I-C-E.

Bison in winter 
Yellowstone NP, WY, United States

Stocks rebounded last week as falling bond yields and upbeat AI-related corporate reports rekindled positive market sentiment despite the Fed Chair’s slightly hawkish speech.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index gained 0.49 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index rose 0.85 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.53 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, lost 0.17 percent.^1,2

An Active News Week

Chip stocks fell as the week kicked off, dragging down the S&P 500 and Nasdaq. Reports that the Treasury Department may buy back its own bonds helped drive yields lower.^3,4

Midweek, the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Report, the Fed's preferred inflation gauge, came in a little hotter than expected. However, core PCE, which excludes food and energy, was in line with forecasts.⁵
 
Market sentiment got a lift on Thursday as investors cheered upbeat Q2 corporate reports. A handful of high-profile tech companies said AI helped drive Q2 results and provided strong guidance. Semiconductor stocks and adjacent names in the AI trade led the rebound, driving broader gains for the Nasdaq and S&P 500.⁶

On Friday, stocks initially shrugged off Fed Chair Kevin Warsh’s keynote speech, but sellers gained the upper hand later in the session. Short- and intermediate-term Treasury yields, including that of the bellwether 10-year Treasury note, rose as investors digested Warsh’s comments on inflation.⁷

Signals from Jackson Hole

At the Federal Reserve's 2026 Economic Policy Symposium in Jackson Hole, Fed Chair Warsh expressed concerns about current inflation trends. He also said that he believes “less is more” when it comes to the Fed communicating about future policy moves. 
 
In separate speeches, Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack, Dallas Fed President Lorie Logan, and Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari appeared to support higher short-term rates. Fed Governor Christopher Waller, Kansas City Fed President Jeffrey Schmid, and Vice Chair Philip Jefferson also took a modestly hawkish tone in their statements.⁸

This Week: Key Economic Data

Tuesday: Purchasing Managers Index (PMI)—Manufacturing. Construction Spending. Job Openings & Labor Turnover Survey.

Wednesday: ADP National Employment Report (private sector). Factory Orders. Federal Reserve Beige Book.

Thursday: Trade Balance. Weekly Jobless Claims. Purchasing Managers Index (PMI)—Services. Fed speeches, ‘Connecting Communities’ online event: Beth Hammack (Cleveland), Austan Goolsbee (Chicago).

Friday: U.S. Employment Report. 

^{Source: Investor’s Business Daily - Econoday economic calendar: August 28, 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

Tuesday: Dell Technologies Inc. (DELL), Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (PANW), Medtronic (MDT)

Wednesday: Broadcom Inc. (AVGO), Snowflake Inc. (SNOW), Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Company (HPE)

Thursday: Ciena Corporation (CIEN) 

^{Source: Zacks, August 28, 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.}

"It's hard to be a diamond in a rhinestone world."

–Dolly Parton

Walk Backward on the Treadmill

It might look a little unconventional, but walking backward on a treadmill while using the handrails for safety can work wonders for foot, knee, and back pain. Many who've tried it report dramatic improvement, not just subtle relief. If you've been dealing with nagging aches, it's worth giving this low-risk technique a try on your next gym visit.

Tip adapted from BuzzFeed⁹

Stretches to Complement Your Workout

Here are some great stretches that will open up your hips, stretch out your hamstrings, and give your quads some love after a long run or lifting session:

• Hamstring Stretch – Lay on the ground with your legs straight up. Gently pull one leg toward you until you feel pressure. Repeat with the other leg.
• Figure Four – Sit on the ground with your legs bent and knees up. Gently rest one ankle on the quad of the opposite leg. If this is too much, straighten one leg on the floor and rest your ankle on your thigh while it’s on the ground.
• Child’s Pose – This everyday yoga movement can also be a great stretch. Hold the regular child’s pose with your knees about hip-width apart, or intensify the stretch by bringing your knees out wider.

Tip adapted from Runner’s World¹⁰

A man bet his neighbor that his dog could jump higher than his neighbor's hedge. The neighbor accepted the bet and lost. Why?

Last Week's Riddle: Its body of stone shields a fiery heart. Under sufficient pressure, its head will depart. What is it?

Answer: A volcano.

Neuschwanstein Castle 
Schwangau, Bavaria, Germany