Stocks moved lower last week as fiscal fears and fresh tariff threats loomed over market sentiment.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 2.61 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index dropped 2.47 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 2.47 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, advanced 1.14 percent.

Stocks Slip

On Monday, stocks were under a bit of pressure after credit rating agency Moody’s downgraded the U.S. as an issuer of government bonds.

Stocks remained under pressure midweek as Treasury yields moved higher with the 30-year bond hit a 19-month high. Investors fretted about the budget deficit; some feared the deficit would be made worse by the spending bill winding its way through Congress. After the House of Representatives approved the bill, bond yields backed off their highs and stocks went sideways.

On Friday, stocks dropped after President Trump warned of a 50 percent tariff on European Union goods following an apparent stall in trade negotiations. At the same time, the administration also threatened a 25 percent tariff on any iPhones manufactured outside of the U.S.

Unexpected Tariff News

The president’s fresh tariff talk ended a week or so of relative tranquility on the trade front. While the EU tariff threat may end with a deal similar to deals with other countries and regions, the iPhone issue may prove stickier.

Some analysts estimate that making iPhones in the U.S. would increase manufacturing costs by as much as 50 percent, which might increase the price of an iPhone.

Monday: Market Holiday

Tuesday: Durable Goods. New York Fed President John Williams and Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari speak. Case-Shiller Home Price Index. Consumer Confidence.

Wednesday: Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) Meeting Minutes. Neel Kashkari speaks.

Thursday: Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Jobless Claims (weekly). San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly and Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee speak. Fed Balance Sheet. Pending Home Sales.

Friday: Personal Consumption & Expenditures (PCE) Index. International Trade Balance in Goods. Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic and Austan Goolsbee speak. Retail and Wholesale Inventories. Consumer Sentiment.

Source: Econoday

Wednesday: NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA), Salesforce Inc. (CRM)

Thursday: Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST), Dell Technologies Inc. (DELL)

Source:Zacks.com

Sources: YCharts.com, May 24, 2025

Weekly performance is measured from the close of trading Monday May 19, to Friday, May 23 close.

What Is Sleep Hygiene?

We all want a better night’s sleep, and your sleep hygiene routine might impact the amount and quality of shut-eye you get. Sleep hygiene refers to your habits to get a good night’s sleep. The better your habits, the better your chances are of improving your sleep.

Here are some good sleep hygiene tips:

• Be consistent with your sleeping and waking times, even on weekends!
• Make sure your bedroom is dark, quiet, and of a comfortable temperature
• Invest in blackout curtains or a white noise machine to drown out light and sound
• Avoid electronic devices, including phones and TV, at least an hour before bed
• If your appliances have a “night” mode, switch this on a few hours before bed to reduce blue light
• Make sure to get enough exercise during the day, which may help you fall asleep faster

Tip adapted from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Sriracha-Lime Corn Salad

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 3 ears of corn, kernels sliced off of the cobs
• 1 red bell pepper, cored and small diced, to about the same size as the corn kernels
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (or 1 tablespoon olive oil plus 1 tablespoon butter)
• 2 tablespoons sriracha
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 1/4 cup crumbled Cotija cheese
• 1/2 lime

Directions:

1. In a large pan, heat the olive oil (or, because you love yourself, the olive oil and butter) over medium-high heat. Add the corn kernels in an even layer. Leave them alone about 2 to 3 minutes until starting to brown, then season with salt and pepper. Continue to cook, tossing occasionally, until the corn is well browned in spots and popping in the pan, 6 to 8 minutes (this will take a little longer — about 10 minutes total — if you go the all-oil route).
2. Add the pepper and continue to cook until slightly softened but the peppers haven’t completely lost their crunch, about 2 minutes. Pour in the sriracha and toss to coat. Remove the pan from heat.
3. Add the cilantro and Cotija and squeeze the lime half over everything; stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.

Recipe adapted from Food52

Golf Grip Pressure Points

Grip pressure points are areas of focus or slightly increased pressure in your hands. When you grip a golf club, the amount of pressure applied to the club is not consistent across your entire hand. Instead, you are going to have more pressure in some areas and less in others. That is a natural and good thing. What we want to make sure is that you allow pressure to sneak into your grip in the right areas.

If you wear a golf glove, think about how it tends to wear over time. Most right-handed players will wear a glove on their left hand. As a glove gets older, you probably develop holes or wear patterns in the lower base, or pad, of your left hand and the outside of the pointer finger. You probably don’t wear a glove on your lower hand but imagine what it would look like if you did. Those are your current grip pressure points.

Tip adapted from theleftrough.com

Help Get Your Federal Withholding Correct With This Tool From The IRS

The IRS has a handy tool called the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator to help taxpayers better understand their withholding. It’s essential to examine your federal withholding periodically to ensure you are comfortable with the amount of tax withheld.

Checking your withholding status may be a good idea to consider if you have experienced a change that may affect your tax status, such as:

• Going through a marriage or divorce
• Having or adopting a child
• Purchasing a new home
• Working two or more jobs at the same time
• Only working part of the year
• Claiming credits such as the child tax credit

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

Photo of the Week

View of Guatapé

Piedra del Peñol, Colombia

Financial planning and investment advisory services offered through Cleveland Wealth, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Be sure to first consult with a qualified wealth advisor and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.