September is often a tough month for the stock market, but this year was different. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq both climbed higher, helped by optimism around new technologies, strong company earnings, and the Federal Reserve beginning to cut interest rates. Big tech news, like Nvidia’s partnership with OpenAI, also gave markets a boost.
As the year winds down, many individuals begin thinking about charitable giving. For some, it’s an opportunity to support meaningful causes and make an impact in the community. For others, it’s also a strategic way to manage taxes before December 31. With proper planning, charitable contributions can both reflect your values and provide meaningful tax advantages. Here are several strategies to consider as you plan your year-end giving.
The U.S. stock market showed resilience in July 2025, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq reaching record highs despite ongoing trade policy uncertainties. The Dow also trended upward, nearing its first record high of the year. Strong corporate earnings, with 80% of S&P 500 companies beating expectations, and a robust labor market with a 4.1% unemployment rate supported market gains. Technology and consumer cyclical sectors led, with gains of 10.3% and 8.9%, respectively. However, tariff-related concerns introduced volatility, keeping investors cautious.
As we closed the books on June, the stock market delivered another solid month of gains, building on the positive momentum seen throughout the first half of 2025. Investor sentiment remained strong, supported by resilient economic data, cooling inflation trends, and growing optimism around the Federal Reserve’s potential rate cuts later this year.
Summer often brings images of relaxation, vacations, and slowing down, but the markets don’t always follow suit. In fact, the third quarter is historically one of the more volatile periods for investors. Between geopolitical uncertainties, changing interest rate expectations, and shifts in consumer and business sentiment, it’s no surprise that many portfolios feel a bit of turbulence this time of year.