Fund Rankings Update, 8/29/2025

The Weekly Average Momentum Index (AMI) rankings of HSA, SSPP, RSP, SELECT, ETF, iETF, and sETF have been posted on the "Rankings" and "Trading Logs" pages.

Stocks retreated from record highs as they approached the 6500 resistance level.  Inflation data showed the core personal consumption expenditures (PCE) holding steady in July, and the GDP growth was revised higher. Positive earnings from NVIDIA also eased some of the street's concern around this AI-driven rally.  For the week, the S&P 500 dipped 0.1% to close at 6460, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.19%, and the Nasdaq Composite decreased 0.19%. 

The weekly chart of the S&P 500 index

Fund Rankings Update, 8/22/2025

The Weekly Average Momentum Index (AMI) rankings of HSA, SSPP, RSP, SELECT, ETF, iETF, and sETF have been posted on the "Rankings" and "Trading Logs" pages.

Stocks closed the week mixed, with mid-cap and small-cap stocks posting strong gains, while technology sectors finished the week lower.  The S&P 500 index was losing ground the first four days of the week before the rally on Friday due to Fed Chair Jerome Powell's dovish remark about a possible rate cut.  For the week, the S&P 500 advanced 0.27% to close at 6466, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.53%, while the Nasdaq Composite decreased 0.58%.

The weekly chart of the S&P 500 index

Fund Rankings Update, 8/15/2025

The Weekly Average Momentum Index (AMI) rankings of HSA, SSPP, RSP, SELECT, ETF, iETF, and sETF have been posted on the "Rankings" and "Trading Logs" pages.

Stocks continued their advance, largely driven by investors' hope for a September rate cut from the Fed. The rising hope was due the favorable CPI report that showed the inflation cooled modestly in July, with month-over-month inflation dropping to 0.2% from June’s reading of 0.3%,   For the week, the S&P 500 advanced 0.94% to close at 6449, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.74%, and the Nasdaq Composite increased 0.81%.

The weekly chart of the S&P 500 index

 

Fund Rankings Update, 8/8/2025

The Weekly Average Momentum Index (AMI) rankings of HSA, SSPP, RSP, SELECT, ETF, iETF, and sETF have been posted on the "Rankings" and "Trading Logs" pages.

Stocks rebounded from last week's sell-off, with tech sectors leading the way.  Markets were muted on the global tariffs taking effect on Thursday, but were motivated by the increasing likelihood of a rate cut from the Fed in September.  On the economic data front, the Institute for Supply Management's (ISM's) services purchasing managers’ index (PMI) came in at 50.1% well below the expected 51.3%, indicating a slowdown in the service sectors.  On Thursday, the Labor Department reported that the jobless claims rose from 219000 to 226000 for the week ended on August 2.  For the week, the S&P 500 advanced 2.43% to close at 6389, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.35%, and the Nasdaq Composite jumped 3.87%. 

The S&P 500 index consolidated this week, trading sideways within the previous week's range. The index managed to reclaim the 6300 level, but is still struggling to break through the 6400 resistance. Before a breakout above 6400 can occur, a short-term pullback is a real possibility. A drop below the 6200 support level could send the index down to 6000, so caution is advised.

The weekly chart of the S&P 500 index

Fund Rankings Update, 8/1/2025

The Weekly Average Momentum Index (AMI) rankings of HSA, SSPP, RSP, SELECT, ETF, iETF, and sETF have been posted on the "Rankings" and "Trading Logs" pages.

Stocks declined for the week, driven by negative sentiment from renewed tariff concerns and disappointing economic data.  In addition, the Fed is keeping the interest rates unchanged after concluding its July meeting.  This disappointed investors who were hoping for a rate cut in September, especially after Fed Chair Jerome Powell continued his "wait-and-see" approach.  Inflation data released Wednesday showed that the core personal consumption expenditures (PCE) index rose 0.3% in June, accelerating from 0.2% in May. Year over year, prices increased 2.8%, further away from the Fed's 2.0% target.  On Friday, the Labor Department reported that the U.S. economy added only 73,000 jobs in July, which was significantly lower than expected.  For the week, the S&P 500 lost 2.36% to close at 6238, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 2.92%, and the Nasdaq Composite retreated 2.17%. 

The S&P 500 index experienced a severe rejection at the 6400 resistance level.  The index started the week with a record close at 6427 but quickly yielded under consistent selling pressure.  At the end of the week, the index formed a weekly outside bar candlestick pattern signaling increased volatility. The short-term technical picture has turned from bullish to a neutral-to-bearish outlook. The most probable trajectory for the next two weeks is a period of continued consolidation or a deeper correction to retest the 50-day moving average at 6150 and even the 28-week exponential moving average at around 6000. On the upside, it is unlikely for the index to rebound to a new all-time high immediately after such a steep decline.  A convincing rebound would require the index to reclaim the 6300 level, but for now, caution is warranted. 

The weekly chart of the S&P 500 index

Fund Rankings Update, 7/25/2025

The Weekly Average Momentum Index (AMI) rankings of HSA, SSPP, RSP, SELECT, ETF, iETF, and sETF have been posted on the "Rankings" and "Trading Logs" pages.

Trading signal occurs in the HSA model portfolio: Sell RIGGX, Buy MLAIX

Stocks picked up steam to march higher with the S&P 500 index and the Nasdaq Composite index both achieving new all-time highs.  Positive sentiments were supported by the announcement of trade deals with Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines. For the week, the S&P 500 gained 1.46% to close at 6388, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.26%, and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 1.02%. 

The S&P 500 index has decisively broken its three-week consolidation pattern, surging to yet another record high. With strong positive momentum, the index appears poised to continue its upward trajectory, setting its sights on the 6500 target.

The weekly chart of the S&P 500 index

Fund Rankings Update, 7/18/2025

The Weekly Average Momentum Index (AMI) rankings of HSA, SSPP, RSP, SELECT, ETF, iETF, and sETF have been posted on the "Rankings" and "Trading Logs" pages.

Trading signal occurs in the SSPP model portfolio: Sell FIEUX, Buy FTRNX

Trading signal occurs in the ETF model portfolio: Sell EWW Buy IYW

This week, the stock market saw mixed performance, though positive momentum continued for many. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite indexes both achieved new all-time highs. However, the Dow Jones Industrial Average experienced a slight dip. Driving the positive sentiment were robust quarterly earnings reports from major banks and generally favorable economic data. While inflation did accelerate, it aligned with market expectations. Specifically, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 0.3% in June, up from 0.1% in May. Annually, the CPI increased to 2.7% from 2.4% in May. Additionally, retail sales showed stronger-than-expected growth, climbing 0.6% in June after a 0.9% contraction in May. For the week, the S&P 500 gained 0.59% to close at 6296, and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 1.51%. In contrast, the Dow Jones Industrial Average edged down 0.07%.

The S&P 500 continued its upward trajectory last week, closing at another all-time high, largely propelled by the robust performance of large-cap and technology sectors. While the underlying uptrend and strong momentum remain intact, the index appears to be in a sideways consolidation phase. This pause is likely allowing its 28-week Exponential Moving Average (EMA) to catch up. Once this consolidation concludes, the S&P 500 is expected to resume its upward path.

 

The weekly chart of the S&P 500 index