Markets Surge to New Highs Amid Mixed Economic Signals

Last week, all major markets gained, with the S&P 500 hitting a new all-time high. Mixed economic data saw the PPI rise unexpectedly, but a lower-than-expected CPI boosted markets. Expectations for two rate cuts this year have increased, and bond markets saw a positive rebound.

Weekly Market Overview: April 29 – May 3

The S&P 500 index rose 0.5% this week, marking its second consecutive weekly gain and bringing the year-to-date increase to 7.5%, as investors grew more hopeful for potential rate cuts by the Federal Reserve following weaker-than-expected April jobs data. Despite a 4.2% decline in April, the index rebounded, with utilities leading the climb, while quarterly earnings reports mostly exceeded expectations, though revenue didn’t surpass estimates as often.