Market Update

​​​​​​​​​​​​​Market Update - Month Ending May 31, 2025
Presented by John B. Steiger, AIF®, CFP®​​​​

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Markets found their footing in May, delivering strong gains across major indices amid a calmer policy backdrop and encouraging economic data. Investor sentiment improved as trade tensions eased and corporate earnings came in well above expectations, helping to offset lingering concerns about inflation and fiscal policy. Overall, the month reflected a more stable and optimistic tone compared to the volatility seen earlier in the year.

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Quick Hits

1. Stock Surge

Markets rallied as trade tensions cooled and earnings beat expectations.

2. Bond Pressure

Rising interest rates weighted on bonds, but high-yield held up.

3. Economic Strength

Job growth, spending growth, slowing inflation supported the outlook.

4. Risks Ahead

Policy shifts and global conflicts could stir future volatility.

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Stocks Bounce Back in May
Markets had a strong rebound in May, helped by a cooling of trade tensions between the U.S. and China. This more relaxed tone gave investors confidence, leading to a solid rally in stocks: 

-  The S&P 500 rose 6.29%.

-  The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) gained 4.16%.

-   The Nasdaq Composite, which includes many tech companies, jumped 9.65%.

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Strong Company Earnings Helped Drive Gains

Aside from cooling trade tensions, another key reason for the market’s strong performance was better-than-expected earnings from companies. First-quarter earnings season just ended, and results were stronger than many predicted. According to Bloomberg Intelligence (as of May 30), companies in the S&P 500 saw average earnings growth of 13.5 percent—much higher than the 6.6 percent analysts expected. This shows that many businesses are off to a healthy start in 2025.

 

Over time, company performance (i.e., fundamentals) tends to drive stock prices, so this strong earnings growth is a good sign for investors.

 

Mixed Signals from Market Trends

Although company performance was strong, some technical indicators (tools investors use to spot trends) gave mixed signals:

 

• The S&P 500 and Nasdaq ended the month above their 200-day moving averages. This is a long-term trend line that many investors watch to gauge market momentum.

• The DJIA, however, stayed below its 200-day average for the third consecutive month. This could suggest that investors are still cautious about that part of the market.

 

Global Stocks Also Performed Well

International markets also had a good month:

 

• Developed markets (such as Europe and Japan), tracked by the MSCI EAFE Index, rose 4.58 percent.

• Emerging markets (such as Brazil and India), tracked by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, gained 4.31 percent.
   

Technical indicators were also supportive for both groups of international stocks.

 

Bonds Struggle as Interest Rates Rise

While stocks fared well, bonds had a tougher time in May. Long-term interest rates went up, partly because investors are worried about the growing U.S. government deficit.

 

• The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield rose from 4.25 percent to 4.41 percent.

• The Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, which tracks a broad range of bonds, fell 0.72 percent.

 

High-yield bonds (which are riskier but offer higher returns), however, did better:

 

• The Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield Index rose 1.68 percent.

• Credit spreads (the extra return investors demand for taking on more risk) narrowed from 3.94 percent to 3.32 percent, showing increased investor appetite for these bonds.

 

Trade Tensions Ease, for Now

A big reason for the market rally was a pause in the U.S.-China trade dispute. Midway through the month, both countries agreed to a 90-day break from new tariffs, which investors welcomed. This followed a similar pause in April for tariffs affecting other countries.

 

Although this was good news, trade policy remains uncertain. These pauses give more time for negotiations, but future changes could still shake up the markets. Investors should expect trade issues to remain a source of uncertainty in the months ahead.

 

Economic Data Shows Continued Strength

Economic reports released in May painted a mostly positive picture:

 

• The U.S. added 177,000 jobs in April, beating expectations of 138,000.

• Consumer spending and retail sales continued to grow.

• Inflation slowed: Prices rose 2.3 percent over the past year, the lowest increase in more than four years.

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​Figure 1: Consumer Price Index for All Consumers, Year-over-Year Percentage Change

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This slowdown in inflation is a welcome sign for both the economy and the Federal Reserve, which has been trying to bring inflation under control.

 

Some Areas to Watch

Despite the good news, there are a few areas of concern:

 

• The economy shrank slightly in the first quarter, according to the GDP report.

• Consumer and business confidence are still lower than they were at the end of last year.

• The housing market remains sluggish, mainly due to high mortgage rates and home prices.

 

Because housing affects how much people spend on other things, it’s an important area to monitor going forward.

 

Risks Still on the Horizon

Even with May’s gains, there are still risks ahead:

 

• Domestic policy uncertainty: Although trade tensions cooled in May, they could flare up again. Also, Congress is working on a budget bill that could bring major changes to tax policy.

• Global risks: Ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East continue to pose challenges.

 

Investors should stay alert because these issues could lead to more market ups and downs.

 

Looking Ahead: Cautious Optimism

Despite the risks, the overall outlook remains positive as we head into summer. The economy is still growing, the job market is strong, and there’s more clarity coming from Washington.

​​While the rocky start to the year reminded us that markets don’t like uncertainty, it’s possible that the worst of the turbulence is behind us—for now. Still, short-term bumps are always possible.

 

The best approach? Stick with a well-diversified investment plan that matches your goals and timeline. And, if you’re unsure, it’s a good time to check in with your financial advisor.

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