FINANCIAL BLOG

Bank lending rarely commands the attention that payrolls, inflation or consumer spending do. But it helps determine how much momentum the economy can sustain.

LPL Research provides its Weekly Market Performance for the week of October 5, 2026. Stocks climbed to fresh record highs for the first time since August early in the week, but headlines grew choppy and tested the advance.

LPL Research examines rising government debt costs, Treasury market stress, and what investors should watch as higher rates reshape the fiscal outlook.

LPL Research provides its Weekly Market Performance for the week of September 28, 2026. Stocks finished a choppy week slightly lower as rising Treasury yields continued to weigh on sentiment, countering some upbeat artificial intelligence (AI) headlines.

A taller wall of worry. Stocks continue to climb a wall of worry, a wall that has gotten a bit taller as fall begins. The conflict in the Middle East, higher interest rates, and questions surrounding the enormous artificial intelligence (AI) capital spending boom all present legitimate risks for investors.

LPL Research analyzes S&P 500 margin expansion, assessing how much is structural versus cyclical and what that means for future earnings forecasts.

LPL Research provides its Weekly Market Performance for the week of September 7, 2026. U.S. and international stocks struggled during the holiday-shortened week as rising oil prices and higher bond yields weighed on sentiment amid escalating Middle East tensions.

With so much attention focused on what the Fed might do at its policy meeting this week, it’s a good time to look back at history to get a sense of how stocks might respond should policymakers hike rates as the market now expects.

LPL Research analyzes rising U.S. debt, Treasury yields, and fiscal trends, highlighting implications for markets and investors.

LPL Research provides its Weekly Market Performance for the week of August 31, 2026. Stocks entered September on a cautious note as investors balanced geopolitical tensions and shifting interest rate expectations. U.S. equities finished little changed for the week as stronger-than-expected payroll data and rising Treasury yields kept risk appetite in check.

LPL Research explores why value stocks are outperforming, how free cash flow drives returns, and the impact of AI spending on markets.

LPL Research provides its Weekly Market Performance for the week of August 24, 2026. U.S. stocks printed a moderate weekly advance, supported by strong earnings and revenue guidance from a high-profile chipmaker and software earnings.

LPL Research explores how strong earnings growth, AI-driven profits, and rising estimates are supporting stocks despite pressure from higher interest rates.

LPL Research provides its Weekly Market Performance for the week of August 17, 2026. Markets faced volatile trading this week as investor sentiment was pressured by a global slide in tech names and rising long-term bond yields driven by fiscal concerns and higher oil prices.

Global business activity is showing signs of stabilization, but beneath the surface, the world economy remains divided. Growth momentum has improved in several major developed economies, led by a stronger U.S. expansion and a tentative recovery in parts of Europe, while activity across several large emerging markets has cooled from the rapid pace seen earlier this year.

LPL Research provides its Weekly Market Performance for the week of August 10, 2026. Global stocks delivered a mixed but generally constructive week as easing U.S. inflation pressures reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve will remain patient on interest rate changes, supporting investor risk appetite.

LPL Research outlines how a Fed on hold, strong reinvestment demand, and elevated yields create compelling opportunities in municipal bonds.

LPL Research provides its Weekly Market Performance for the week of August 3, 2026. Stocks advanced to start August as strong earnings, mostly resilient economic data, and easing concerns around imminent rate hikes bolstered sentiment.

Weekly Market Commentary Markets Blog LPL Research explores whether hyperscalers can generate attractive returns on massive AI investments through a framework focused on ROIC, growth, and capex. Market context: The first half of 2026 was a tale of two quarters for U.S. equity markets, as the S&P 500 experienced a drawdown of ~4.5% in the first quarter, followed by a ~15% rally in the second quarter. As investors look forward to the second half, the artificial intelligence (AI

LPL Research provides its Weekly Market Performance for the week of July 13, 2026. Markets faced a mixed backdrop this week as investors balanced escalating geopolitical tensions, artificial intelligence worries, cooling inflation data, and the early innings of earnings season.