by Mark Chandik | Apr 27, 2026
It is no surprise that retail sales surged last month—but not for the reason investors typically want to see. The U.S. Census Bureau reported a 1.7% increase in March retail sales, driven largely by a 15.5% jump at gasoline stations. The overall strength reflects...
by Mark Chandik | Apr 20, 2026
The Nasdaq hit fresh record highs on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, capping off a strong week for tech stocks. On Wednesday, the S&P 500 also made history, closing above 7,000 for the first time. It kept building on those gains through the end of the week....
by Mark Chandik | Apr 13, 2026
Led by a 10.9% rise in energy, including a 21% rise in gasoline, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.9% in March, the highest in almost four years. On an annual basis, prices rose 3.3%. If food, which was unchanged,...
by Mark Chandik | Apr 7, 2026
Oil has captured much of the attention amid the conflict in the Middle East. While a limited number of tankers are transiting the region, the Strait of Hormuz is largely blocked, disrupting nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply. But it’s not simply oil. Let’s...
by Mark Chandik | Mar 30, 2026
How long the war might last is not clear, but its effects are being felt in global energy markets. Oil moves easily across borders, which means supply disruptions quickly lead to higher gasoline prices. However, it is harder to ship natural gas around the world. That...
by Mark Chandik | Mar 23, 2026
Against the backdrop of the war, the Federal Reserve met last week and decided to hold its key rate—the fed funds rate—unchanged at 3.50–3.75%. The decision was completely expected. What jolted investors was Fed Chief Jay Powell’s hawkish tone. First, let’s define two...
