FINANCIAL BLOG

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.

Coming into 2026, we expected inflation to move closer to the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) 2% target, the Fed to cut rates by roughly 75 basis points (bps), and Treasury yields to drift lower.

LPL Research provides its Weekly Market Performance for the week of July 6, 2026. Markets showed some resilience over the last five days, with U.S. equities advancing despite geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. A bounce in the momentum trade and big tech stocks supported gains, while investors largely looked past renewed U.S.-Iran tensions even as talks continued.

LPL Research provides its Weekly Market Performance for the week of June 29, 2026. As market watchers prepared for America’s 250th birthday celebration, global equity markets delivered a strong finish to the second quarter. The S&P 500 printed its best quarterly return since 2020 amid high profile economic data and rotation dynamics, while also posting a moderate gain over the holiday-shortened week.

A strong quarter across major indexes. The second quarter is winding down and what a quarter it has been with the S&P 500 up 12.6% quarter to date, while the Nasdaq-100 and Russell 2000 are both up over 20%. Despite some twists and turns, the path of least resistance for stocks broadly remained up and to the right for much of the last three months.

LPL Research examines Warsh’s evolving Fed approach, infrastructure-led growth, and the impact of China demand on oil prices.

The U.S. initial public offering (IPO) market appears to be entering one of its most consequential periods in years. After a long drought following the 2021 issuance boom, a healthier macro backdrop, improved risk appetite, and a long queue of mature private companies have reopened the new-issue window.

LPL Research provides its Weekly Market Performance for the week of June 8, 2026. U.S. equities rebounded modestly from last week’s late-week slide, navigating volatile trading continually shaped by the artificial intelligence (AI) theme and ongoing geopolitical developments. Globally, European stocks advanced on easing energy prices amid a key central bank decision, while Asian markets ended broadly lower.

LPL Research analyzes bond markets as yields rise, exploring Fed policy expectations, inflation trends, and whether bad news is already priced into Treasuries.

LPL Research provides its Weekly Market Performance for the week of May 25, 2026. U.S. stocks extended their recent momentum during the holiday‑shortened week with the S&P 500 notching fresh record highs and a ninth consecutive weekly gain. Investor sentiment remained anchored in optimism around the artificial intelligence (AI) theme and a potential truce between the U.S. and Iran, while falling oil prices and weaker bond yields were also supportive.

We agree with the consensus view that stock valuations are elevated by traditional measures. But valuations should be considered in the context of the economic regime and earnings environment.

LPL Research provides its Weekly Market Performance for the week of May 25, 2026. U.S. stocks extended their recent momentum during the holiday‑shortened week with the S&P 500 notching fresh record highs and a ninth consecutive weekly gain. Investor sentiment remained anchored in optimism around the artificial intelligence (AI) theme and a potential truce between the U.S. and Iran, while falling oil prices and weaker bond yields were also supportive.

LPL Research explores opportunities in agriculture as supply risks and fertilizer constraints reshape commodity markets and support potential gains.

Headlines surrounding the Middle East have dominated investor attention since late February. While uncertainty remains elevated, diplomatic negotiations have supported equities, even as fixed income and commodity markets continue to reflect potential risks.

LPL Research provides its Weekly Market Performance for the week of May 11, 2026. U.S. equities held up well this week, with the S&P 500 posting a modest weekly gain and hitting a record high on Thursday, supported by AI-driven enthusiasm despite higher oil prices and rising Treasury yields.