Andrew Fleming - Northwestern Mutual, 316 E Silver Spring Drive Suite 300, Whitefish Bay, WI (2026)

07/29/2024

Last week was packed with NM’s Annual Meeting, the NM company show featuring Eric Church, and a 5 day trip up north with the family. Our kids are still young but are definitely getting older. One proud moment was how quickly our 7 y/o learned how to kayak. Her determination is inspiring and admirable, and as a father, I am excited every time they learn something new through persistent trial and error. Our trips up north in the future will be the same; however, they will surely be different as our kids learn how to do more outdoor activities on their own. Instead of doing things for them, we will be doing things with them. It’s a total game changer.

Here’s your release of quick hits on Monday morning:

– all data below as of market close on Friday 7/26/2024
S&P 500 – Past Month -0%. Past 6 Months +12%. Past Year +20%. Past 5 Years +80%.
Dow Jones – Past Month +4%. Past 6 Months +7%. Past Year +14%. Past 5 Years +49%.
Nasdaq – Past Month -3%. Past 6 Months +12%. Past Year +23%. Past 5 Years +108%.
US Stock Market weekly win streak = 0
( # of consecutive weeks of gains for all three indexes above)

Last Week
- Q2 GDP rose at an annualized pace of 2.8%. Expectations were for a 1.9% annualized rate of growth.
- PCE, the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge, rose 2.6% over prior year and 0.2% month to month. Expectations for core PCE were a 2.5% increase over prior year and a 0.2% increase month over month.
- Could June’s PCE data be the catalyst for a September rate cut by the Fed? Currently Wall Street and economists have placed a 100% chance that becomes reality during the Fed’s September meeting.

This Week
- Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta are all set to report earnings. 171 members of the S&P 500 will report earnings this week.
- The Federal Reserve will conduct their July meeting and all eyes and ears will be on their language around rate cuts.
- July jobs report will be released on Friday. Expectations are 175,000 nonfarm payrolls being added to the US economy and for the unemployment rate to hold steady at 4.1%.
- Additional updates will also be provided on the services and manufacturing sectors activity and consumer confidence.

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07/22/2024

It’ll be an incredible few days here in Milwaukee! Northwestern Mutual has it’s 2024 Annual Meeting and the schedule is packed with amazing speakers from our Home Office and field leadership. Our chairman and CEO John Schlifske is also retiring at the end of this year so it will be his last Annual Meeting. This annual event highlights the substantial, positive impact we make in people’s lives. Personally, I think it’s the best NM event every year. Even better that it’s held in my hometown of Milwaukee. Cheers to everyone attending!

Here’s your release of quick hits on Monday morning:

– all data below as of market close on Friday 7/19/2024
S&P 500 – Past Month +0%. Past 6 Months +14%. Past Year +21%. Past 5 Years +85%.
Dow Jones – Past Month +4%. Past 6 Months +6%. Past Year +15%. Past 5 Years +48%.
Nasdaq – Past Month +1%. Past 6 Months +16%. Past Year +23%. Past 5 Years +118%.
US Stock Market weekly win streak = 0
( # of consecutive weeks of gains for all three indexes above)

Last Week
- The stock market had its worst week since April, and it was driven by the decline in tech companies.
- Retail sales were flat from May to June and were up 2.3% year over year. Households are continuing to feel stretched and are seeking cheaper alternatives.

This Week
- Wall Street will be digesting the impact of President Biden dropping out of the 2024 presidential election.
- Earnings season continues with Google, Tesla, GE, GM, and more on the calendar.
- Q2 GDP data will be released on Thursday. Expectations are for a 1.9% annualized rate of growth for Q2.
- PCE, the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge, will be released on Friday. Expectations for core PCE are a 2.5% increase over prior year and a 0.2% increase month over month.

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07/15/2024

There were two exciting soccer finals over the weekend. First, Spain beat England 2-1 to win their 4th European Championship. Then, Argentina beat Colombia 1-0 in Copa América. For those of you who watched both games, isn’t there quite a difference in the style of play between Europe and the Americas? Both styles can be effective; however, I prefer to the European style of play given its devotion to team football, strategic possession, exposing your opponent’s weaknesses, and well skilled goals. The European style of play is one of the many reasons why I believe it’s the most beautiful sport in the world.

Now I’ll anxiously be waiting another month for the start of the English Premier League season.

Here’s your release of quick hits on Monday morning:

– all data below as of market close on Friday 7/12/2024
S&P 500 – Past Month +4%. Past 6 Months +17%. Past Year +26%. Past 5 Years +86%.
Dow Jones – Past Month +3%. Past 6 Months +6%. Past Year +16%. Past 5 Years +46%.
Nasdaq – Past Month +4%. Past 6 Months +23%. Past Year +32%. Past 5 Years +123%.
US Stock Market weekly win streak = 2
( # of consecutive weeks of gains for all three indexes above)

Last Week
- June CPI declined 0.1% month to month and rose 3% over prior year. Core CPI, which excludes food and energy, rose 0.2% over May and 3.3% over prior year.
- Fed Chair Jerome Powell provided his semiannual testimony to Capitol Hill prior to CPI data being released. His testimony and CPI data has Wall Street assuming a rate cut is possible by September.

This Week
- Earnings reports continue with Netflix on this week’s calendar along with big banks and chip manufacturers.
- Retail sales data will be released on Tuesday.

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07/08/2024

For those of you that have never experienced “up north” in Wisconsin, this photo is a snapshot of how beautiful that part of our state truly is. It’s been more than a decade since I’ve spent more than 5 consecutive days up north (this family trip was 8 days). It was well worth it. I hope you had a fun 4th of July holiday and were able to disconnect, recharge, and motivate yourself for the back half of summer.

Here’s your release of quick hits on Monday morning:

– all data below as of market close on Friday 7/5/2024
S&P 500 – Past Month +4%. Past 6 Months +19%. Past Year +25%. Past 5 Years +86%.
Dow Jones – Past Month +1%. Past 6 Months +5%. Past Year +15%. Past 5 Years +46%.
Nasdaq – Past Month +7%. Past 6 Months +26%. Past Year +33%. Past 5 Years +125%.
US Stock Market weekly win streak = 1
( # of consecutive weeks of gains for all three indexes above)

Last Week
- Shortened trading week due to 4th of July holiday.
- S&P 500 and Nasdaq both finished the week at record highs.
- Unemployment rate increased to 4.1% in June and job growth is slowing. This could be the trigger for the Fed to a rate cut in September.

This Week
- Fed Chair Jerome Powell will provide his semiannual testimony to Capitol Hill on Tuesday.
- June CPI report will be released on Thursday.
- 2nd quarter earnings reports begin, with a short list of large banks headlining the week.

For more daily content, click Follow and the 🔔 on my LinkedIn profile.

06/24/2024

For all my fellow soccer fans out there, are you enjoying two major tournaments happening simultaneously? We currently have the joy of watching not only the top European talent at the Euros but also incredible players from North, Central, and South America in Copa America. If you have kids interested in the sport, you have plenty of great games to show them over the next month. What countries are you cheering the most for?

Here’s your release of quick hits on Monday morning:

– all data below as of market close on Friday 6/21/2024
S&P 500 – Past Month +3%. Past 6 Months +15%. Past Year +25%. Past 5 Years +85%.
Dow Jones – Past Month -2%. Past 6 Months +5%. Past Year +15%. Past 5 Years +47%.
Nasdaq – Past Month +5%. Past 6 Months +18%. Past Year +31%. Past 5 Years +120%.
US Stock Market weekly win streak = 1
( # of consecutive weeks of gains for all three indexes above)

Last Week
- Relatively quiet week; however, all three indexes moved in the positive direction for the week.

This Week
- The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge, PCE price index, will be released on Friday.
- Last week of Q2 trading with the 4th of July holiday week coming up next.

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06/17/2024

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads and soon to be dads out there! I hope you had the opportunity to spend quality time with your kid(s) and do the dad-like things that make you smile and proud to be a father.

What did I do on Father’s Day weekend? Put together some sweet, new soccer goals for the backyard. Just because the soccer season is over doesn’t mean that the practices, skills training, and games end. I’m pumped to have them in our yard and so are the kids. Even my wife, who has never played any organized soccer before, decided to participate (she may need to find some proper footwear though). At the moment, I’m teaching our 7 and 5 y/o to strike the ball with their laces and kick through the ball. It’s going to be a fun, soccer-filled summer in our backyard!

Here’s your release of quick hits on Monday morning:

– all data below as of market close on Friday 6/14/2024
S&P 500 – Past Month +4%. Past 6 Months +15%. Past Year +24%. Past 5 Years +88%.
Dow Jones – Past Month -2%. Past 6 Months +4%. Past Year +14%. Past 5 Years +48%.
Nasdaq – Past Month +7%. Past 6 Months +20%. Past Year +30%. Past 5 Years +127%.
US Stock Market weekly win streak = 0
( # of consecutive weeks of gains for all three indexes above)

Last Week
- S&P 500 and Nasdaq both had record setting weeks. Both indexes closed at record setting levels for four consecutive days.
- Federal Reserve held rates steady during its June 2024 meeting. The Fed also updated its range of 2024 rate cuts to 1, 2, or 3, with 1 rate cut the most likely.
- May CPI data showed a continued downward trend in inflation which fueled investor optimism. Core CPI, which excludes food and energy, rose 0.2% from April to May. Core PPI was flat month to month.

This Week
- May retail sales report set to be released.
- Markets will be closed on Wednesday for Juneteenth Day.

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06/10/2024

Well, it’s official. Summer vacation has begun for our family! No kids in school. Two kids in new evening activities each week. And a wife I’m extremely grateful for because she plans ahead and constantly has ideas to keep the kids busy. If I didn’t know any better, a portion of their summer resembles summer school. The kids will keep learning even if they are not in school. They will also drive us nuts sometimes, but hey, that’s part of the territory when you have a 7, 5, and 2 year old.

Cheers to summer everyone!

Here’s your release of quick hits on Monday morning:

– all data below as of market close on Friday 6/7/2024
S&P 500 – Past Month +3%. Past 6 Months +17%. Past Year +25%. Past 5 Years +86%.
Dow Jones – Past Month -0%. Past 6 Months +7%. Past Year +15%. Past 5 Years +49%.
Nasdaq – Past Month +5%. Past 6 Months +19%. Past Year +31%. Past 5 Years +121%.
US Stock Market weekly win streak = 1
( # of consecutive weeks of gains for all three indexes above)

Last Week
- The US labor market added 272,000 jobs in May, exceeding expectations.
- The unemployment rate rose from 3.9% in April to 4.0% in May.
- The labor economy continues to show its resilience; however, there are also some cracks beginning to form across the country.

This Week
- The Federal Reserve will hold its June 2024 meeting. Wall Street is expecting the Fed to hold rates steady but there have been an increase for calls to lower rates. At the moment, Wall Street has priced in the chance of a September rate cut.
- May CPI data will be released on Wednesday.
- Nvidia’s 10 to 1 stock split and Apple’s develop conference both happen on Monday.

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06/03/2024

It was one heck of a soccer weekend here in WI!

Our son’s team won 3-2 and 6-4. There was a moment during their first game when the ball literally stopped right on top of our goal line and one of our players almost casually just swiped it off the line as the opposing team rushed toward the goal. Pretty sure my heart stopped for a moment.

Our daughter’s team lost 3-6 and won 2-0. We could all see how things were beginning to click for all the girls during these last two games. And hey, if you can shut out a team, you played really well defensively. It was a huge improvement compared to the start of the spring where we gave up easy breakaway goals.

I’m super proud of how all the kids played. The assistant coaches, managers, and parents were all amazing too. It was an honor to coach all the kids and I hope they all plan to sign up again next season. Incredible season!

Here’s your release of quick hits on Monday morning:

– all data below as of market close on Friday 5/31/2024
S&P 500 – Past Month +5%. Past 6 Months +16%. Past Year +26%. Past 5 Years +92%.
Dow Jones – Past Month +2%. Past 6 Months +8%. Past Year +18%. Past 5 Years +56%.
Nasdaq – Past Month +7%. Past 6 Months +18%. Past Year +29%. Past 5 Years +125%.
US Stock Market weekly win streak = 0
( # of consecutive weeks of gains for all three indexes above)

Last Week
- Markets closed the month of May on a positive note. The S&P 500, Dow, and Nasdaq have now had positive movement in 6 of the last 7 months.
- The Fed's preferred inflation gauge, Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index, increased 0.2% month over month for April. This is improvement compared to the 0.3% increase in March. Year over year the PCE index increased 2.8%.

This Week
- Job openings, payroll, and manufacturing data will be released. The May jobs report will be the biggest highlight of the week, with Wall Street paying close attention to the strength of the US labor economy.
- Earnings season is coming to a close.

05/28/2024

I hope everyone enjoyed the long holiday weekend. For those that like to focus on segments of the annual calendar (as opposed to an entire 12 month schedule), we are just over 5 weeks away from the 4th of July. It’s a perfect time of year to enjoy the mildly warmer weather, get your yard in tip top shape, and plan out your summer. Let’s get after it.

No soccer results from this last weekend but the season-end tournament is this upcoming weekend. Everything is beginning to click for both our kids’ teams. It’ll be a fun event for all!

Here’s your release of quick hits on Tuesday morning:

– all data below as of market close on Friday 5/24/2024
S&P 500 – Past Month +5%. Past 6 Months +16%. Past Year +29%. Past 5 Years +88%.
Dow Jones – Past Month +2%. Past 6 Months +10%. Past Year +19%. Past 5 Years +53%.
Nasdaq – Past Month +8%. Past 6 Months +19%. Past Year +36%. Past 5 Years +122%.
US Stock Market weekly win streak = 0
( # of consecutive weeks of gains for all three indexes above)

Last Week
- It was a volatile week due to Federal Reserve minutes stoking the interest rate “higher for longer” fire.
- The Global Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for May came in at 54.4 vs. April’s 51.3. Business activity came in stronger than expected and doesn’t help pricing pressures.
- The Dow lagged the other two indexes with a 2% drop last week.
- The Nasdaq rose over 1% last week mainly due to Nvidia’s strong earnings report and jump in stock price.
- Consumer sentiment for May fell to its lowest level in 5 months. This reading reflects Americans’ view of the economy.

This Week
- Markets closed on Monday for Memorial Day. Thank you to all those who have served, currently serve, and will serve.
- It’s the final trading week of May.
- The Fed's preferred inflation gauge, Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index, will be released on Friday.

For more daily content, click Follow and the 🔔 on my LinkedIn profile.

05/20/2024

The unofficial start to summer in Wisconsin is almost here. Who else is looking forward to the long holiday weekend?!

This weekend soccer results: son’s team lost 4-8 and won 3-2, daughter’s team won 6-2 and lost 4-8. Player development is a constant. We’ve been working on defensive shape to prevent the other team scoring easy goals, quickly taking throw ins and corners to create more scoring opportunities, and dribbling/passing to get out of crowded areas. The kids are all playing really well and having a lot of fun. It’s sad that our season will be ending in a few short weeks here.

Here’s your release of quick hits on Monday morning:

– all data below as of market close on Friday 5/17/2024
S&P 500 – Past Month +6%. Past 6 Months +17%. Past Year +28%. Past 5 Years +85%.
Dow Jones – Past Month +6%. Past 6 Months +14%. Past Year +20%. Past 5 Years +55%.
Nasdaq – Past Month +6%. Past 6 Months +18%. Past Year +33%. Past 5 Years +113%.
US Stock Market weekly win streak = 4
( # of consecutive weeks of gains for all three indexes above)

Last Week
- April CPI rose 0.3% over the previous month and +3.4% over prior year. Core CPI, which excludes food and gas, rose 3.6% over prior year; this is the lowest annual increase in 3 years.
- Indexes above are at all-time highs due to the progress made on inflation. The market is actively assessing the rate cut timeline (how much and when).

This Week
- The Fed will release its May meeting minutes on Wednesday. This report will provide more in depth commentary from Fed officials.
- Nvidia reports earnings after market close on Wednesday and everyone will be watching.
- Manufacturing, services, and mortgage data is also set to be released.

For more daily content, click Follow and the 🔔 on my LinkedIn profile.

04/29/2024

Our two older kids finally had their first soccer games this last weekend! Our son’s team came roaring out of the gates with an 8-4 victory. Our daughter’s team was up 4-3 through 3 quarters but gave away the lead late in the game to lose 7-4. The kids had fun, worked hard, and are excited for this week’s practices and games. It’s crazy how much half a year can change things at their ages. There were a few teammates last Fall that weren’t involved too much during games, but this Spring they already were in there battling for the ball. It's going to be a fun Spring season!

Here’s your release of quick hits on Monday morning:

– all data below as of market close on Friday 4/26/2024
S&P 500 – Past Month -2%. Past 6 Months +23%. Past Year +26%. Past 5 Years +73%.
Dow Jones – Past Month -3%. Past 6 Months +17%. Past Year +15%. Past 5 Years +47%.
Nasdaq – Past Month -2%. Past 6 Months +26%. Past Year +34%. Past 5 Years +96%.
US Stock Market weekly win streak = 1
( # of consecutive weeks of gains for all three indexes above)

Last Week
- After a roller coaster week, all three indexes had positive returns for the week with the S&P 500 +3%, Dow +1%, and Nasdaq +4%.
- Alphabet and Microsoft had solid earnings reports whereas Meta disappointed.
- Q1 GDP rose less than expected at +1.6%.
- PCE index rose 2.8% year over year for March which was unchanged from February.

This Week
- The Federal Reserve meets midweek and will make its next rate policy decision. It’s expected that the Fed will hold rates steady. Everyone is going to be on the edge of their seats when Fed Chair Powell gives his commentary on the remainder of the year.
- April jobs report will be released later in the week.
- Apple, Amazon, McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, and Mastercard will all report earnings.

For more daily content, click Follow and the 🔔 on my LinkedIn profile.

04/22/2024

For a culture that drives comfortably on freeways during snowstorms, we apparently also care deeply about our blades of grass. The rain this last week was apparently too much to handle so our kids’ soccer games were cancelled. “We have to protect the fields!” I get it, but it was sunny and windy for 2 consecutive days leading up to Saturday which dried out the wet soccer fields at least to some extent. Let’s get this season going!

Here’s your release of quick hits on Monday morning:

– all data below as of market close on Friday 4/19/2024
S&P 500 – Past Month -4%. Past 6 Months +16%. Past Year +20%. Past 5 Years +71%.
Dow Jones – Past Month -3%. Past 6 Months +14%. Past Year +12%. Past 5 Years +43%.
Nasdaq – Past Month -5%. Past 6 Months +16%. Past Year +26%. Past 5 Years +91%.
US Stock Market weekly win streak = 0
( # of consecutive weeks of gains for all three indexes above)

Last Week
- The S&P 500 has now declined for six consecutive trading days. In particular, tech stocks were a driving factor in last week’s decline.
- Markets have recently declined mainly due to hotter than anticipated inflation data which may mean the Fed keeps rates higher for longer.
- March retail sales increased 0.7% month over month. This is slower than the 0.9% February increase.

This Week
- Meta, Alphabet, and Microsoft are all set to report earnings.
- Thursday: Q1 GDP data.
- Friday: PCE index data.

For more daily content, click Follow and the 🔔 on my LinkedIn profile.

Andrew Fleming - Northwestern Mutual

07/29/2024

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06/24/2024

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