These are commentaries that are sent out weekly for 2026. They offer insight, updates and valuable content to every day markets.
4.27.2026 With the war dragging on longer than investors initially expected, equities have nevertheless continued to advance, setting new highs as investors focus on supportive economic fundamentals, strong corporate earnings, and a Federal Reserve that is not inclined to hike rates.
On Friday, the Justice Department dropped its criminal probe into Jay Powell, likely paving the way for Kevin Warsh’s confirmation. Overall, major indexes were mixed coming in between -0.44 and +1.50%. In my brief attached commentary (below) I review the impact of higher gas prices on spending. https://jaylevyplanning.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Weekly-Market-Commentary-for-4-27-26.pdf
4.20.2026 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 ever. It kept building on those gains through the end of the week. Overall major indexes rose sharply up between +3.19% and +6.84%.
Friday’s sharp rally was driven in large part by geopolitics. Iran said ships would be able to move freely through the Strait of Hormuz, easing fears about energy supply disruptions and sending oil prices sharply lower. During the weekend however, updated news indicated that negotiations had stalled and the Strait had in essence been closed again.
In my brief attached commentary (below), I discuss the recent inverse relationship between stocks and oil, while also highlighting the market’s push to new highs. https://jaylevyplanning.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Weekly-Market-Commentary-for-4-20-26.pdf
4.13.2026 Trading continues to be dominated by war. News of a ceasefire sent oil prices tumbling and stocks sharply higher. Major indexes rose sharply for the week, up between +3.18% and +4.68%
More recently, equities appear to be decoupling from crude, which remains elevated. The S&P 500 has clawed back most of its losses since the conflict began, even as oil prices remain sharply higher.
Stepping away from the war and its influence on markets, I focus my attached commentary (below) on the latest CPI report which from a trending standpoint will bear watching over the coming months. https://jaylevyplanning.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Weekly-Market-Commentary-for-4-13-26.pdf
4.06.2026 Stocks rebounded on optimism that the war may soon reach a resolution. However, oil prices surged on Thursday, reacting to the president’s Wednesday night address. Some optimism returned with a jobs report coming in stronger than anticipated. Overall, major indexes broke a 5 week losing streak rebounding with gains between +2.96% and +4.44%
In my brief attached commentary (below) I discuss three important commodities other than oil that ship through the Persian Gulf. Important connectivity that I hope you will find of interest. https://jaylevyplanning.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Weekly-Market-Commentary-for-4-6-26.pdf
3.30.2026 For a fifth consecutive week the stock market declined, with the Dow slipping into correction territory, as concerns mounted that disruptions in global energy markets could drive energy prices sharply higher. Overall, the major indexes fell between -0.90% and -3.23%.
Notably, Thursday’s announcement by the president of a 10‑day delay in any attack on Iranian energy infrastructure did little to calm energy traders.
In my brief attached commentary I delve into the possibility of energy shortages at home, particularly in California, which is more vulnerable to a supply disruption. https://jaylevyplanning.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Weekly-Market-Commentary-for-3-30-26.pdf
3.23.2026 Uncertainty surrounding the war and its potential impact on energy markets continued to weigh on sentiment. But a hawkish tone from the Fed, a big backup in bond yields on Friday, and rising (though still sub‑50%) odds of a rate hike exacerbated pressure on stocks as the week came to a close. Overall major indexes declined between -1.90% and -2.11%.
Notably, WTI crude closed slightly lower for the week, suggesting that Friday’s selloff and jump in yields were tied to a reset of Fed expectations.
In my brief attached commentary (below), I discuss the Fed meeting and its impact on investors. https://jaylevyplanning.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Weekly-Market-Commentary-for-3-23-26.pdf
3.16.2026 The Iranian conflict and global oil impact continued to erode market sentiment as investors remain in a cautious mood. Overall, major indexes continue to decline, falling between -1.29% and -1.99%. Traders are also looking to the upcoming Fed meeting, which concludes on March 18. In my brief attached commentary, I review and provide what may be a surprising analysis of gasoline prices in today’s and inflation-adjusted terms from 2008. https://jaylevyplanning.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Weekly-Market-Commentary-3-16-26.pdf
3.9.2026 The war with Iran has created a significant degree of uncertainty. Oil prices have surged, and the duration of any global disruption remains unclear. Even so, last week’s decline in the three major indexes of between -1.24% and -3.01% suggests investors are not yet pricing in a prolonged conflict.
In my brief attached commentary (below) I discuss the early impact of the war in the Middle East. https://jaylevyplanning.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Weekly-Market-Commentary-for-3-9-26.pdf
3.2.2026 nWith the military actions taking place early this morning against Iran, markets will certainly open Monday with increased concerns surrounding global volatility and tensions.
This past week brought a swirl of competing forces for stocks: mounting concerns over AI’s disruptive reach, persistent worries about private credit, and rising geopolitical unease, all of which overshadowed what has been a stretch of strong corporate earnings. Overall the major indexes declined between -0.44% and -1.31%.
In my brief attached commentary, I discuss what additional tariff tools that the president has at his disposal. https://jaylevyplanning.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Weekly-Market-Commentary-for-3-2-26.pdf
2.23.2026 On Friday morning, the Supreme Court struck down key portions of the president’s global tariff initiative, ruling that his reliance on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to advance his aggressive trade agenda exceeded the statute’s authority.
Investors had generally expected such a ruling.
Despite this and lower than predicted 4th Quarter GDP numbers, major markets posted positive gains with indexes up between +0.25% and +1.51%.
In my brief attached commentary below, I provide more detail about the S.C’s decision and why 4th quarter growth came in weaker than expected. https://jaylevyplanning.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Weekly-Market-Commentary-for-2-23-26.pdf
2.16.2026 AI has been a major market driver, and investors will continue to look for the companies best positioned to benefit. More recently, some sectors have come under pressure when worries arise that AI could disrupt their business models. Such concerns resulted in continued volatility for markets with indexes experiencing a negative week ranging between -1.23% and -2.10%. In my brief attached commentary (below) I discuss Wednesday’s jobs numbers and revisions for the last 12 months that painted significantly “less-than-rosy” employment figures that had been reported over the previous year. https://jaylevyplanning.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Weekly-Market-Commentary-for-2-17-26.pdf
2.9.26 Wall Street’s wild week: software and tech stocks slid sharply after Anthropic unveiled new tools seen as disruptive to software business models. On Friday, a sharp rebound led to a close of over 50,000 for the Dow—a milestone and a new record. Meanwhile, the Equal Weight S&P 500 closed Friday at a new high. Overall major indexes came in between -1.84% and +2.50%.
Below, in my attached brief commentary I discuss some of the primary reasons behind the rotation away from tech. https://jaylevyplanning.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Weekly-Market-Commentary-for-2-9-26.pdf
2.2.2026 The S&P 500 briefly eclipsed 7,000 before retreating as modest volatility resurfaced late in the week. Separately, the president nominated Kevin Warsh to head the Federal Reserve, an outcome that had been generally anticipated.However, his nomination appeared to be the catalyst that triggered a sharp sell-off in gold and a dramatic collapse in silver following its parabolic run. Overall, the major indexes were mixed, coming in between -0.42% and +0.34%.In my brief attached commentary (below), I provide some insights to how January performance has historically indicated how the rest of the year performs for the stock markets. While past performance guarantees absolutely nothing in regard to future performance, your curiosity has already got the best of you to prompt your reading of this. https://jaylevyplanning.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/FJ_Weekly_Market_Insights_2026.02.02_2c.docx
1.26.2026 The week began on a dramatic note after the president announced new tariffs tied to Greenland on several European nations. Markets reacted swiftly.
Sentiment improved, however, after a framework agreement involving Greenland gave the president room to abandon the planned tariffs. Meanwhile, silver surged past $100 per ounce for the first time ever. Overall major indexes declined very slightly between -0.06% and -0.53%.
In my brief attached commentary, I provide some narrative behind the weekly jobless claim numbers and what historically they’ve meant for taking the “temperature” of the economy. Important information to understand when these numbers are reported every Thursday. https://jaylevyplanning.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Weekly-Market-Commentary-for-1-20-26.pdf
1.20.2026 Major indexes were slightly down for the week coming in between -0.22% and -0.66%.Investors are looking beyond recent headlines, including threats to the Fed’s independence, a flurry of presidential proposals, and geopolitical concerns. The focus remains on the expanding economy. In my brief attached commentary I provide surprising economic data around one of my favorite subjects “how Americans are spending when it comes to restaurants” which is a key economic indicator that signals the general health of the economy. As always, your thoughts and comments are welcome. https://jaylevyplanning.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Weekly-Market-Commentary-for-1-20-26.pdf
1.12.2026 The 2026 rally is attracting fresh capital as market breadth improves, with the equal-weight S&P 500 and the Russell 2000 leading major indexes. Overall the 3 major indexes that I monitor in my commentary (DJIA, NASDAQ and S&P 500) were up for the first full week of 2026 between +1.57% and +2.32%. In my attached commentary I take a deeper look at Friday’s jobs report which represented the first clean employment data since the government shutdown back on Oct 1, 2025. https://jaylevyplanning.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Weekly-Market-Commentary-for-1-12-26.pdf
1.04.2026 For my last weekly commentary of 2025 I wanted to provide market and economic events, performance of various sectors both domestic and internationally and possible explanations of why such performance occurred. Additionally, I provide some perspective that may offer some insights on how markets have historically performed after 3 straight years of double digit returns. While past performance does not guarantee what will happen as we move forward, it is nevertheless information that I hope you will find to be of interest.
As always, your thoughts and comments are welcome. Have a safe a healthy first week of 2026. https://jaylevyplanning.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Weekly-Market-Commentary-for-1-4-26.pdf
I’ve attached (below) the latest revised 2026 Key Financial Data Chart. Please print out and keep handy for future reference during the upcoming year. Let me know if you have any questions.
https://jaylevyplanning.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/download_7668188_2124315.pdf