Investment Week at a Glance
Stocks finished up for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 2.1%, the S&P 500 was up 1.8%, and the NASDAQ rose 2.1%. Foreign stocks (MSCI EAFE) were also up for the week, rising 1.5%. Bond prices were down for the week, with the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield ending the week at 4.49%. (Data source: Wall Street Journal)
Major Earnings in July
By the end of this month, nearly 30% of all S&P 500 companies are set to release their quarterly earnings. Investors will be paying close attention not only to whether companies are beating analyst expectations, but also to positive management outlooks for the second half of 2026. With markets trading near all-time highs, expectations are elevated, which means future guidance could ultimately impact stock prices more than the earnings numbers themselves. 6 out of 7 of the Mag 7 are set to report earnings near the end of the month, except for NVIDIA, and while not performing as well this year as over the last several, strong performances from these giants could help support current market valuations.
Labor Market Cools in June
On July 2nd, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the US economy added just 57,000 jobs in June. This fell way short of economists’ expectations of 115,000. Additionally, May’s strong jobs report was revised downward from 176,000 to 129,000. While unemployment still sits around 4.2%, these two reports show signs of a potentially weakening labor market. If this trend continues over the next several months, it could significantly increase the chances of an interest rate cut by the Fed.
Apple Stock Up 13% Year to Date, With the iPhone 18 Release on the Horizon.
Apple (AAPL), arguably the most important company of the 21st century, is set to debut part of its latest iPhone series later this quarter. In anticipation of this event, and after a record-setting 2025 for the company’s earnings ($112B), Apple’s stock has risen by over 13%. Additionally, earlier this year, Apple’s longtime CEO and successor to Steve Jobs, Tim Cook, announced he would be stepping down on September 1st. During his 15-year tenure as CEO, Apple’s market cap soared from $350 billion to over $4.5 trillion. The new CEO will be John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware engineering, who investors hope will bring innovation to the company. In 2026, Apple has beaten earnings expectations twice, increased its dividend, and authorized $100 billion in stock repurchases, all of which are great for investors. Apple’s next earnings date is anticipated for the end of July, and analysts are once again predicting another big quarter for the tech giant (CNBC).
If you have any questions regarding your account with MGO, please call us at (216) 771-4242 or send an email to us at ask@mgo-inc.com
Quiz
What has Dow Jones returned so far in 2026? (Scroll Down for Answer)
- 4%
- 6%
- 8%
- 10 %
Answer:
4. 10%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, an index comprised of 30 blue-chip stocks designed to loosely reflect the US economy, has risen just over 10% so far this year. This return has been driven by companies such as Caterpillar, Goldman Sachs, and UnitedHealth Group.
Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. The information contained herein has been prepared solely for informational purposes. Nothing contained herein should be construed as a recommendation to either buy or sell any security or economic sector, or implement any strategy discussed. Please consult with your financial advisor, accountant, and/or attorney before acting on this information. MGO-Inc is a DBA of OneSeven. OneSeven is an investment advisor registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Registration with the SEC does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Investment Products are Not FDIC Insured, Offer No Bank Guarantee, and May Lose Value.
