September 14, 2026

Corbett Road Wealth Management

1 day ago

5 min read

Key Dates/Data Releases

9/16: Retail sales, import and export prices, FOMC meeting statement

9/17: Housing starts

9/18: Industrial Production

The Markets (as of market close September 11, 2026)

Despite strong returns last Friday, it was not enough to offset losses accumulated earlier in the week. Each of the benchmark indexes listed here closed the holiday-shortened week in the red as investors tried to reconcile rising energy prices, increasing inflation, climbing Treasury yields, and the increasing likelihood of an interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve. Among the market sectors, only energy and communication services saw gains. Health care stocks fell more than 3.5%. Ten-year Treasury yields closed near 5.0%, reaching their highest levels in nearly three years. Crude oil prices surged to levels not seen in several months amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Stock Market Indexes

Chart reflects price changes, not total return. Because it does not include dividends or splits, it should not be used to benchmark performance of specific investments.

Last Week’s Economic News

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 0.4% in August after rising 0.1% in July. Over the last 12 months, the CPI increased 3.4%. Prices for gasoline rose 3.9% in August, accounting for over one-third of the monthly CPI increase. Overall energy prices rose 2.1% last month. Shelter prices advanced 0.3% in August after rising 0.1% in July. Food prices increased 0.1%. The CPI less food and energy rose 0.3% in August after increasing 0.2% in July. Prices less food and energy rose 2.4% over the year, following a 2.5% increase over the 12 months ended in July.
Prices at the producer level rose in August. The Producer Price Index increased 0.4% last month, following a 0.1% rise in July. Producer prices have risen 5.4% since August 2025. Last month, producer prices for goods advanced 1.1%, and prices for services inched up 0.1%. August saw prices for energy increase 4.2%, accounting for over three-fourths of the overall increase in goods prices. Producer prices less foods, energy, and trade services rose 0.3% in August after moving up 0.4% in July. For the 12 months ended in August, prices less foods, energy, and trade services advanced 4.7%.
Sales of existing homes declined 2.0% in August and 1.2% over the last 12 months. Inventory of existing homes for sale in August sat at a 4.9-month supply, marginally up from 4.6 months in July. The median existing-homes sales price in August was $429,100, down from July's price of $436,400 but higher than the August 2025 estimate of $422,400. Sales of existing single-family homes fell 1.9% last month and 1.1% from a year earlier. The median price for existing single-family homes in August was $434,800, down from $442,500 in July but up from the August 2025 price of $427,700.
The government monthly deficit was $167 billion in August. Receipts totaled $360 billion, while outlays were $527 billion. Through 11 months of fiscal year 2026, the deficit sat at $1,966 billion. Receipts were $4,845 billion, while outlays were $6,811 billion.
For the week ended September 5, there were 206,000 new claims for unemployment insurance, a decrease of 1,000 from the previous week's level, which was revised up by 1,000. According to the Department of Labor, the advance rate for insured unemployment claims for the week ended August 29 was 1.2%, unchanged from the prior week's rate. The advance number of those receiving unemployment insurance benefits during the week ended August 29 was 1,774,000, a decrease of 1,000 from the previous week's level, which was revised down by 4,000. States and territories with the highest insured unemployment rates for the week ended August 22 were New Jersey (2.6%), Puerto Rico (2.6%), Rhode Island (2.2%), Massachusetts (2.1%), Minnesota (1.9%), Oregon (1.9%), Washington (1.9%), California (1.8%), Connecticut (1.7%), Nevada (1.7%), and New York (1.7%). The largest increases in initial claims for unemployment insurance for the week ended August 29 were in New York (+4,338), Hawaii (+475), Arkansas (+287), Florida (+253), and Rhode Island (+231), while the largest decreases were in New Jersey (-814), Ohio (-545), Pennsylvania (-510), Michigan (-472), and Illinois (-401).
The national average retail price for regular gasoline was $4.157 per gallon on September 7, $0.086 per gallon above the prior week's price and $0.965 per gallon higher than a year ago. Also, as of September 7, the East Coast price increased $0.094 to $4.031 per gallon; the Midwest price rose $0.047 to $3.894 per gallon; the Gulf Coast price increased $0.067 to $3.685 per gallon; the Rocky Mountain price advanced $0.048 to $4.314 per gallon; and the West Coast price increased $0.156 to $5.362 per gallon.

Eye on the Week Ahead

The Federal Open Market Committee meets for the first time since July. Since that time, inflation has steadied somewhat, while job gains rose to unexpected levels. The Fed may take these signs as an indication that monetary policy may be ready for tightening, which may prompt a rate increase.

Data sources: Economic: Based on data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (unemployment, inflation); U.S. Department of Commerce (GDP, corporate profits, retail sales, housing); S&P/Case-Shiller 20-City Composite Index (home prices); Institute for Supply Management (manufacturing/services). Performance: Based on data reported in WSJ Market Data Center (indexes); U.S. Treasury (Treasury yields); U.S. Energy Information Administration/Bloomberg.com Market Data (oil spot price, WTI, Cushing, OK); www.goldprice.org (spot gold/silver); Oanda/FX Street (currency exchange rates).

News items are based on reports from multiple commonly available international news sources (i.e., wire services) and are independently verified when necessary with secondary sources such as government agencies, corporate press releases, or trade organizations. All information is based on sources deemed reliable, but no warranty or guarantee is made as to its accuracy or completeness. Neither the information nor any opinion expressed herein constitutes a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any securities, and should not be relied on as financial advice. Forecasts are based on current conditions, subject to change, and may not come to pass. U.S. Treasury securities are guaranteed by the federal government as to the timely payment of principal and interest. The principal value of Treasury securities and other bonds fluctuates with market conditions. Bonds are subject to inflation, interest-rate, and credit risks. As interest rates rise, bond prices typically fall. A bond sold or redeemed prior to maturity may be subject to loss. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. All investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal, and there can be no guarantee that any investing strategy will be successful.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is a price-weighted index composed of 30 widely traded blue-chip U.S. common stocks. The S&P 500 is a market-cap weighted index composed of the common stocks of 500 largest, publicly traded companies in leading industries of the U.S. economy. The NASDAQ Composite Index is a market-value weighted index of all common stocks listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange. The Russell 2000 is a market-cap weighted index composed of 2,000 U.S. small-cap common stocks. The Global Dow is an equally weighted index of 150 widely traded blue-chip common stocks worldwide. The U.S. Dollar Index is a geometrically weighted index of the value of the U.S. dollar relative to six foreign currencies. Market indexes listed are unmanaged and are not available for direct investment.

IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES

Spire Wealth Management, LLC is a Federally Registered Investment Advisory Firm. Securities offered through an affiliated company, Spire Securities, LLC., a Registered Broker/Dealer and member FINRA/SIPC.

Neither Spire Wealth Management nor Corbett Road Wealth Management provide tax or legal advice. The information presented here is not specific to any individual’s personal circumstances. Please speak with your tax or legal professional.

These materials are provided for general information and educational purposes based upon publicly available information from sources believed to be reliable—we cannot assure the accuracy or completeness of these materials. The information in these materials may change at any time and without notice.