archiveThe Globe and Mail

Key PointsThe Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, and Nasdaq Composite have consistently generated outsize returns under President Trump.Rate hikes threaten the stock market’s leading catalyst, the artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure build-out.Additionally, history shows that interest rate hikes can adversely impact U.S. M2 money supply, portending trouble for the U.S. economy.From a statistical standpoint, Wall Street has enjoyed having President Donald Trump in the White House. The average annualized returns for the Dow Jones Industrial Average(DJINDICES:^DJI), S&P 500(SNPINDEX:^GSPC), and Nasdaq Composite(NASDAQINDEX:^IXIC) have been considerably higher under Trump than under most...

Key PointsCostco’s membership model, scale, and focus on value can help it hold up when consumers get cautious.Walmart’s huge customer base, grocery business, and growing digital operations give it several sources of resilience.Unilever sells everyday household and personal-care products, while its brand portfolio and restructuring add another layer of durability.Stock markets sell off. That's part of investing, and even great companies can get caught in the drop. But some businesses are built to take a hit and keep moving, especially when they sell things people need or offer a clear...

As of 11:44 AM ET, the S&P 500(SNPINDEX:^GSPC) is down 0.19% to 7,623, the Nasdaq Composite(NASDAQINDEX:^IXIC) has slipped 0.13% to 26,384, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average(DJINDICES:^DJI) is trading 0.42% lower at 51,561 as indexes retreated.Gold is trading at $4,354.92, up 0.33%, while the 10-Year Treasury yield is up 5 basis points to 5.00%. Most sectors were trading flat or falling, with only utilities showing growth. Industrials and basic material stocks were the bottom performers this morning.Today's biggest movesNetflix slipped almost 5% after Wells Fargo downgraded the stock and highlighted...

As of noon ET, the Nasdaq Composite(NASDAQINDEX:^IXIC) is down 1.06% to 25,607.34, the S&P 500(SNPINDEX:^GSPC) has fallen 0.57% to 7,491.11, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average(DJINDICES:^DJI) is trading down 0.08% to 52,511.32 as a deepening semiconductor sell-off and escalating geopolitical tensions weigh on high-growth leadership.Gold prices have risen 0.78% to $4,019.01 as of midday ET, and the 10-Year Treasury yield is down 0.03% to 4.54%. Energy and real estate are this morning’s leading sectors, while communications stocks and industrials are sinking.Today's biggest movesHigh-growth technology shares are under broad pressure, with...

Key PointsThe Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) holds more than twice as many companies as the State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF (SPTM).Both funds carry a minimal 0.03% expense ratio, making them among the most cost-effective options for total market exposure.Both funds provide a similar dividend yield of roughly 1%.The Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF(NYSEMKT:VTI) and the State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF(NYSEMKT:SPTM) both offer ultra-low-cost access to the U.S. market, though VTI provides broader small-cap coverage.Investors weighing a single-fund solution...

Rivian Automotive(NASDAQ:RIVN), which develops and sells electric pickup trucks and SUVs, closed Friday at $15.02, down 8.41%. The stock moved lower as investors reacted to Q1 results. The company updated R2 production and funding plans, but concerns continue about cash burn and EV demand. Investors will closely watch execution of the R2 ramp and Rivian’s autonomous driving initiatives.Trading volume reached 51.8 million shares, coming in about 78% above its three-month average of 29 million shares. Rivian Automotive IPO'd in 2021 and has fallen 85% since going public.How the markets moved...