Weekly Market Insights | Washington D.C. Resumes Business

Stocks ended mixed after a nail-biting week for investors, who grew anxious over megacap tech valuations and interest rates as the government shutdown came to an end.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index edged up 0.08%, while the Nasdaq Composite Index slipped 0.45%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.34%. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, advanced 1.63%.^1,2

Government Shutdown Is Over - Stocks Rotate 

The S&P 500 index edged up this past week as gains led by health care and energy stocks slightly outweighed declines in sectors including consumer discretionary and utilities.

The market benchmark ended Friday's session at 6,734.11 and is still in the red for November with a month-to-date drop of 1.6%. The index is up 14% for the year.

This week featured the end of a 43-day government shutdown, the longest federal closure in US history. While the government has reopened, investors are still awaiting the resumption of a number of key economic reports including employment data for September, which is scheduled to be released on Nov. 20, and October.

As earnings season winds down, questions loom over what the delayed economic reports may show and how they may impact the Federal Reserve's policy-setting meeting in December.

The health care sector had the largest percentage increase this week, climbing 3.9%, followed by a 2.5% rise in energy and a 0.9% increase in materials. The consumer staples and technology sectors also eked out weekly gains.

Eli Lilly (LLY) was the best performer in health care, rising 11% on the week amid news the company will be partnering with MeiraGTx (MGTX) to develop and commercialize genetic therapies for eye diseases. Under the companies' agreement, MeiraGTx will give Eli Lilly global rights to its AAV-AIPL1 program, which targets Leber congenital amaurosis 4, a severe inherited eye disorder. Leerink Partners upgraded its investment rating on Eli Lilly's stock to outperform from market perform.

The energy sector's top gainer was Devon Energy (DVN), which rose 6.4% on the week in the continued aftermath of its better-than-expected Q3 report last week. Devon Energy is positioned to deliver stable operations in 2026 while benefiting from improved capital efficiency and ongoing optimization, RBC Capital Markets said Tuesday in a report.

On the downside, consumer discretionary fell 2.7%, followed by a 1.2% drop in utilities and declines of 0.9% each in real estate and industrials. Communication services and financials also edged lower.

Williams-Sonoma (WSM) had the largest percentage drop in the consumer discretionary sector this week, falling 7.5%. This comes ahead of the company's next quarterly report, which is set to be released on Wednesday, Nov. 19.

Other companies set to release quarterly results next week include Home Depot (HD), Medtronic (MDT), NVIDIA (NVDA), TJX (TJX), Palo Alto Networks (PANW), Lowe's (LOW), Target (TGT), Walmart (WMT), Intuit (INTU) and BJ's Wholesale Club (BJ).

Beyond the Nov. 20 release of September employment data, the schedule of economic reports remains unclear as the government works to resume releasing data following its 43-day shutdown.

^{Source: YCharts.com, November 15, 2025. Weekly performance is measured from Monday, November 10, to Friday, November 14. 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 Data - Restarting The Data Engine

Monday: Fed officials Philip Jefferson, Neel Kashkari, and Christopher Waller speak.

Tuesday: Import Prices (October). Industrial Production (October). Capacity Utilization (October). Home Builder Confidence Index. Fed governor Michael Barr speaks.

Wednesday: Housing Starts (October). Building Permits (October). Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) Minutes, October meeting.

Thursday: Weekly Jobless Claims. Existing Home Sales (October). Leading Economic Indicators (October). Fed governor Lisa Cook and Fed Presidents Austan Goolsbee (Chicago) and Anna Paulson (Philadelphia) speak.

Friday: Fed governor Michael Barr, Fed Vice Chair Philip Jefferson, and Dallas Fed President Lorie Logan speak. Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) Survey—Services. Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) Survey—Manufacturing. Consumer Sentiment.

^{Source: Investors Business Daily - Econoday economic calendar; November 14, 2025. 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 be providing accurate information. The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and may not materialize. The forecasts also are subject to revision.}

This Week: Companies Reporting Earnings

Tuesday: The Home Depot, Inc. (HD)

Wednesday: NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA), The TJX Companies, Inc. (TJX), Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (PANW), Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (LOW)

Thursday: Walmart Inc. (WMT), Intuit Inc. (INTU), NetEase, Inc. (NTES)

^{Source: Zacks, November 14, 2025. 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 own goals, time horizon, and tolerance for risk. 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 when they report earnings without notice.}

“Collecting more data often helps, but if you try to collect more data for everything, that can be a very expensive activity." 

– Andrew Ng

You Have the Right to Retain Representation When Working with the IRS

As part of the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, you have the right to retain an authorized representative to represent you when dealing with the IRS. If you can’t afford representation, seek help from a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC).

An authorized representative can represent you in interviews, audits, appeals, and tax collection disputes with the IRS and in court. Authorized representatives include attorneys, CPAs, enrolled agents, enrolled actuaries, or any other person who has submitted a written power of attorney to represent you. 

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.gov⁹

Strength Training for Any Age

Strength training benefits people of all ages, from children to older adults. According to the CDC, strength training at least twice per week can help you with the following:

• Build strength
• Maintain bone density
• Improve your balance, coordination, and mobility
• Reduce your risk of falling
• Maintain independence in performing daily activities

The best part is that starting is easy, and you don’t need a complex routine to enjoy these benefits. Some people begin with bodyweight exercises, such as pushups, sit-ups, and squats, to get a feel for these movements. 

You can incorporate weights into your routine once you feel comfortable with bodyweight exercises. Focus on functional movements, which are the everyday movements you perform. Practical strength training will make things like taking the stairs, carrying groceries, or doing chores easier. 

Always talk to your doctor before starting a new strength training routine.

Tip adapted from CDC.gov¹⁰

Glittering points that downward thrust. Sparkling spears that cannot rust. What are they?

Last Week's Riddle: What is located in the middle of nowhere?

Answer: The letter "H."

Amalfi Coast, Salerno, Italy

Footnotes and Sources

^{1. WSJ.com, November 14, 2025}

^{2. Investing.com, November 14, 2025}

^{3. CNBC.com, November 10, 2025}  

^{4. CNBC.com, November 11, 2025} 

^{5. CNBC.com, November 12, 2025}

^{6. WSJ.com, November 13, 2025}

^{7. CNBC.com, November 14, 2025}

^{8. MarketWatch.com, November 11, 2025}

^{9. IRS.gov, May 29, 2025}

^{10. CDC.gov, June 12, 2025}

^{11. MT Newswires, YCharts.com Nov. 10-14}