Weekly Market Recap:

U.S. equities continued their decline this week, with the Dow (-3.07%), S&P 500 (-2.27%), Nasdaq (-2.43%), and Russell 2000 (-1.51%) all posting losses. The S&P briefly entered correction territory, while declines were broad-based. Big Tech saw mixed performance, with Nvidia (+7.9%) and Netflix (+3.0%) finishing higher, but weakness persisted in cosmetics, homebuilders, IT services, banks, and department stores, including Kohl’s (-34.0%). Strength was seen in industrial metals, utilities, tobacco, insurance, and energy. Treasuries were firmer, the dollar edged lower (-0.1%), Bitcoin fell (-2.7%), gold surged to a record high (+2.9%), and WTI crude extended its losing streak (-0.7%).

Corporate Highlights:

• Oracle (ORCL -3.8%): Light Q3 earnings and Q4 guidance, though AI demand remains strong.

• Ulta Beauty (ULTA +0.6%): Q4 results and FY guidance were better than feared.

• Delta (DAL -12.3%) & American Airlines (AAL -16.6%): Weak guidance on macro uncertainty and consumer softness.

• Intel (INTC +16.5%): Surged on new CEO announcement and joint venture reports.

• Nike (NKE -2.4%): Set to report earnings next week with focus on China sales.

Sector Performance:

Outperformers: Energy (+2.57%), Utilities (+1.91%), Materials (+2.21%).

Underperformers: Consumer Staples (-4.26%), Consumer Discretionary (-3.65%), Healthcare (-2.96%).

Markets focused on escalating trade tensions, inflation concerns, and cautious Fed expectations. Next week, investors will watch the FOMC meeting, retail sales data, and earnings from Nike, FedEx, and General Mills.

After weeks of turbulence, Wall Street finally caught a break as stocks rallied on Friday, offering a brief reprieve from tariff-related fears. The Dow jumped 674 points, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq posted their best day of 2025. The rally was led by a sharp rebound in tech stocks like Nvidia and Tesla. However, this rally comes with a major caveat as market sentiment remains fragile and the underlying issues that have weighed on investors are far from resolved. The recent market correction, triggered by shifting trade policies and economic uncertainty, has sent shockwaves through equities. Thursday’s sell-off pushed the S&P 500 into a full correction and the Russell 2000 is teetering on bear market territory. Meanwhile, consumer confidence has taken a hit, reflecting broader concerns about inflation, interest rates, and political uncertainty. While Friday’s gains were a welcome sight, the sustainability of this rally is questionable. With the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting next week, all eyes are on whether rates will hold steady. If Treasury yields continue to rise despite Fed guidance, it could signal a lack of confidence in monetary policy and add another layer of volatility to an already uneasy market. Investors may have caught their breath, but the bigger question remains. Is this rebound the start of a recovery or just a temporary pause before the next downturn?

What to watch:

Notable Earnings:

• Monday (3/17)

  • Neurogene Inc. ($NGNE)

  • BBB Foods Inc. ($TBBB)

• Tuesday (3/18)

  • Elbit Systems ($ESLT)

  • HealthEquity ($HQY)

• Wednesday (3/19)

  • Five Below ($FIVE)

  • General Mills ($GIS)

  • Prudential ($PUK)

• Thursday (3/20)

  • FactSet Research Systems ($FDS)

  • FedEx ($FDX)

  • NIKE ($NKE)

• Friday (3/21)

  • NIO ($NIO)

  
  

Notable Ex-Dividend Dates:

• Monday (3/17)

  • Hess ($HES) 1.41%

  • Merck & Co., Inc. ($MRK) 3.32%*

  • Paramount Global ($PARAA) 0.90%

• Tuesday (3/18)

  • Ross Stores ($ROST) 1.19%*

  • Texas Roadhouse ($TXRH) 1.50%

• Wednesday (3/19)

  • Bentley Systems ($BSY) 0.60%

  • Seagate Technology ($STX) 2.60%

• Thursday (3/20)

  • Broadcom ($AVGO) 1.32%

  • Nordson ($NDSN) 1.48%

• Friday (3/21)

  • Hewlett Packard Enterprise ($HPE) 2.91%

  • Pearson ($PSO) 1.70%

  • Walmart ($WMT) 0.90%*

  
  

*Dividend Aristocrat