Stocks fell last week amid concerns about artificial intelligence (AI) and a warmer-than-expected reading of wholesale inflation. The Nasdaq Composite Index declined 0.95% closing Friday's sesssion at 22,66.21 down around 3% year-to-date. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 1.27% closing Friday's session at 48,977.92 which is still positive around 2% on the year thus far. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, rose 1.22%.1,2 AI Disruption & Geopolitics Heat UpOil Prices Surge, Stock Futures Fall according to a Wall Street Journal report - il prices were sharply higher and U.S. stock futures pointed to sizable losses on Wall Street as investors brace for the economic fallout of an extended regional war. Benchmark U.S. crude futures were up 7% at around $72 a barrel, while Brent futures, the global price gauge, jumped 8% to roughly $79. Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 fell more than 1%. (Pre-Market Opening of US Markets on Monday March 2, 2026) According to a WSJ article by Amrith Ramkumar last week (Feb 27th), the federal government will stop working with Anthropic and designate the artificial intelligence company a supply-chain risk, a dramatic escalation of the government’s clash with the company over how its technology can be used by the Pentagon. While Anthropic’s relationship with the administration hit a new low, rival OpenAI said late Friday that it reached an agreement with the Defense Department to have its models used in classified settings, until recently a status only held by Anthropic. Friday’s quick-fire developments between the Pentagon and two Silicon Valley darlings are poised to shape the future of how the federal government and, particularly the Pentagon, uses cutting-edge AI tools. In economic news, the US producer price index rose by 0.5% in January following a 0.4% increase in December, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This was higher than the 0.3% gain expected in a Bloomberg survey. After excluding the more volatile food and energy prices, core PPI rose by 0.8%, higher than the 0.3% gain anticipated and the previous month's 0.6% jump.The technology sector had the largest percentage drop of the week, falling 2.2%, followed by a 2% decline in financials and a 0.5% loss in consumer discretionary. Industrials also edged lower. First Solar (FSLR) was hit hardest in technology, sliding 18% as the company posted Q4 earnings per share below analysts' mean estimate despite higher-than-expected net sales. First Solar also forecast 2026 net sales below the Street view at the time. International Business Machines (IBM) shares also weighed on the technology sector, falling 6.6%. Morgan Stanley analysts said the company faces "some degree" of artificial intelligence disruption risk due to recent innovations with generative AI. KKR (KKR) and Apollo Global Management (APO) had the largest percentage drops in the financial sector for the week, falling 13% each. On the upside, utilities rose 2.9%, followed by a 2.7% increase in consumer staples, a 2.1% gain in health care and a 2% rise in energy. Materials, real estate and communication services also edged higher. Constellation Energy (CEG) had the largest percentage increase in utilities, climbing 12% as the company reported Q4 adjusted earnings per share and operating revenue above analysts' mean estimates. In consumer staples, shares of J.M. Smucker (SJM) rose 5.1%. The food producer trimmed the top end of its full-year sales growth outlook due to a recent fire at one of its manufacturing facilities, but its fiscal third-quarter results topped market estimates. This week, CrowdStrike Holdings (CRWD), Broadcom (AVGO), Costco Wholesale (COST) are among the companies scheduled to release quarterly results. |
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Source: YCharts.com, February 28, 2026. Weekly performance is measured from Monday, February 23, to Friday, February 27. TR = total return for the index, which includes any dividends as well as any other cash distributions during the period. Treasury note yield is expressed in basis points. |
This Week: Key Economic DataMonday: PMI—Manufacturing. ISM Manufacturing. Auto Sales. Tuesday: Fed Presidents John Williams (New York) and Neel Kashkari (Minneapolis) speak. Wednesday: ADP Employment Report. PMI—Services. ISM Services. Fed Beige Book. Thursday: Weekly Jobless Claims. Q4 Productivity. Import Prices. Friday: Federal Employment Report. Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack speaks. Source: Investors Business Daily - Econoday economic calendar; February 27, 2026. The Econoday economic calendar lists upcoming U.S. economic data releases (including key economic indicators), Federal Reserve policy meetings, and speaking engagements of Federal Reserve officials. The content is developed from sources believed to provide accurate information. The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and may not materialize. The forecasts are also subject to revision. This Week: Companies Reporting EarningsTuesday: CrowdStrike (CRWD) Wednesday: Broadcom Inc. (AVGO) Thursday: Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST), Marvell Technology, Inc. (MRVL) Source: Zacks, February 27, 2026. Companies mentioned are for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of the securities. Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost. Companies may reschedule their earnings reports without notice. |
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"I don’t believe in being serious about anything. I think life is too serious to be taken seriously." – Ray Bradbury |
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Do You Know the Difference Between Taxable and Nontaxable Income?All income you receive is taxable unless the rules explicitly state it isn’t. According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), taxable income includes earned income, such as wages, as well as income from providing services or exchanging property or services. Rental income, interest, dividends, and social security benefits are all examples of taxable unearned income.
Several factors will affect the cost and availability of life insurance, including age, health, and the type and amount of insurance purchased. Life insurance policies have expenses, including mortality and other charges. If a policy is surrendered prematurely, the policyholder may also incur surrender charges and face income tax implications. You should consider whether you are insurable before implementing a life insurance strategy. Any guarantees associated with a policy depend on the issuing insurance company's ability to continue making claim payments. This information is not a substitute for individualized tax advice. Please discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax professional. Tip adapted from IRS.gov7 |
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A Beginner's Guide to JuicingJuicing is a fantastic way to get some extra fruits and veggies into your diet, especially on those busy days when you can’t find time to make a nutritious meal. Plus, it’s easy to start and reap the many benefits. First, decide what kind of juicer you want. The two most common types are masticating and centrifugal juicers. Masticating juicers “chew” the food and are slower than centrifugal juicers. Preparing the produce for these juicers takes longer because they can juice only small pieces, but you retain more nutrients. Centrifugal juicers are slightly more affordable and use a spinning disk to extract juice. You do less produce prep, but the juice has fewer nutrients. Next, you need to decide what to juice. You’ll learn which fruits and veggies yield the most juice and which choices combine well with others, but here are two simple recipes to get you started: Green Juice Purple Juice Tip adapted from Live Simply Natural8 |
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All about but unseen, can be captured but can’t be held, has no throat but can be heard. What is it? Last Week's Riddle: Brothers and sisters, I have none, but this man's father is my father's son. Who am I talking about? Answer: My son. |
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Bratan Lake Bali, Indonesia |
Footnotes And Sources1. WSJ.com, February 27, 2026 9. MT Newswires, YCharts.com, Feburary 23- 27, 2026 |
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