Stocks were mixed last week as investors fretted over hot inflation reports, which offset the move in chipmaker stocks.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 0.13 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index edged down 0.08 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.17 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, declined 1.77 percent.

Volatile Week

Stocks ticked up to start the week, helping the S&P 500 close above 7400 for the first time. The Nasdaq also closed at a new high as chipmaker stocks continued to lead the tech sector.

Markets opened lower on Tuesday after the Consumer Price Index (CPI) report came in hotter than expected. Stocks pared the losses by the close, with the Dow Industrials managing to notch a slight gain.

The rally continued, with the S&P and Nasdaq hitting new intraday and closing records over the next two trading days. On Thursday, a strong Q1 report from a megacap tech company helped pace gains while investors kept one eye on the ongoing U.S.-China meetings. The S&P 500 closed over 7,500 for the first time, while the Dow reclaimed the 50,000 level.

Stocks were under pressure from the opening bell on Friday. Treasury yields rose as the three-day summit between U.S. and Chinese leaders came to a close. Investors seemed disappointed that there were no major agreements in the Middle East conflict.

Inflation in Focus

Both retail and wholesale inflation rose faster than expected in April, heavily influenced by higher energy prices.

The CPI increased 3.8 percent year over year in April, up from 3.3 percent in March. Fuel oil alone climbed 54 percent year over year, while gasoline jumped 28 percent. In fact, over 40 percent of the 0.6 percent month-over-month gain was driven by energy inflation.

Inflation also showed up in wholesale prices. The Producer Price Index rose 6 percent over the prior 12 months in April, also a 3-year high. Month over month, PPI rose 1.4 percent (a 4-year high) versus

Tuesday: Pending Home Sales. Philadelphia Fed President Anna Paulson speaks.

Wednesday: Minutes from Fed’s May FOMC Meeting.

Thursday: Weekly Jobless Claims. Housing Starts. Building Permits. Purchasing Managers Index—Services. Purchasing Managers Index—Manufacturing.

Friday: Consumer Sentiment. Leading Economic Indicators.

Source: Econoday

Tuesday: The Home Depot, Inc. (HD)

Wednesday: NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA), Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI), The TJX Companies, Inc. (TJX), Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (LOW), Intuit Inc. (INTU)

Thursday: Walmart Inc. (WMT), Deere & Company (DE)

Source:Zacks.com

Sources: YCharts.com, May 16, 2026

Weekly performance is measured from the close of trading Monday May 11, to Friday, May 15 close.

Zero-Waste Skincare: Fight Back Against Plastic

Single-use bathroom products, including shampoo, conditioner, and body wash, contribute to the tons of plastic we dispose of daily. These bottles are frequently difficult or impossible to recycle.

Next time you shop for a beauty product, consider choosing a zero-waste option. These options use biodegradable packaging to reduce landfill trash as much as possible. The idea is not to live like a “sustainability saint” but instead to do a small part to promote the future of our planet.

Tip adapted from Sustainable Jungle

Salt-and-Pepper Fried Green Tomatoes

Serves: 4-6

Ingredients:

• 2 lb. unripe green tomatoes (about 3–4)
• ½ cup buttermilk
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup coarse cornmeal
• ½ cup cornstarch
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Vegetable oil, for frying

Directions:

1. Cut the tomatoes crosswise into ⅓-inch-thick slices. Season both sides of the slices generously with the salt and arrange in a single layer on a paper towel-lined baking sheet. Set aside to drain for 30 minutes.
2. Blot the slices dry with more paper towels. In a wide, shallow dish, whisk together the buttermilk and the egg. In a second wide, shallow dish, whisk together the cornmeal and the cornstarch.
3. Using one hand for the wet mixture and one for the dry, dip each tomato slice into the buttermilk mixture, then into the cornmeal mixture, shaking off any excess. Return the slices to the baking sheet.
4. Into a large skillet, pour ½ inch of vegetable oil and turn the heat to medium-high. When a pinch of cornmeal thrown into the oil sizzles and floats (350°F on an instant-read thermometer), working in batches, fry the tomatoes until golden all over, 1–2 ­minutes per side. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate, season generously with more salt and freshly ground black pepper, and serve hot.

Recipe adapted from Saveur

Knockdown vs. Punch Shot

A similar shot to a knockdown is a punch shot aka recovery shot that you might need to escape trouble. No matter how good you get, missing fairways is part of golf and you need to recover when you’re in a tough situation. This is where the punch shot comes into play.

A punch shot is even lower than a knockdown and the shot doesn’t go very far compared to a normal stock iron shot. Here are three rules when hitting a punch recovery shot.

• Check the lie. Make sure the lie will allow you to hit the shot. If the ball is sitting up too much in the rough it’s easy to catch a flier lie and launch it much higher. If the ball is sitting down too much, you’ll want to play even more conservatively as it’s hard to get the club on the ball.
• Play conservatively. Even pros struggle from the trees – don’t make it worse by trying to play an ultra aggressive shot. The last thing you want is your ball to ricochet off the trees and leave you with a similar second shot.
• Use less loft. You need less loft to hit a lower trajectory shot, which is why you want a mid to long iron. Avoid hitting high lofted woods or utility irons for this shot too as they’re meant to launch high and difficult to keep low.

Tip adapted from theleftrough.com

Your Plans This Summer May Be Eligible For Itemized Deductions

These activities can be itemized as deductions if you have plans to sell or buy a home this summer or to donate some old items. Here are some examples:

If you are refinancing your home this summer, you can deduct some of your mortgage interest. However, there are some limits to these deductions. According to the IRS, the deduction is limited to interest paid on a loan secured by the taxpayer’s primary or secondary residence. When refinancing, you must use the loan to purchase, build, or substantially improve your primary or secondary residence.

If you buy a new home this summer, you can deduct mortgage insurance if you pay $750,000 in qualifying debt for a first and second home, or $375,000 when married and filing separately.

Summer is an ideal time to sort through your belongings and donate any unwanted clothes, furniture, or household goods. If you itemize the deductions and provide proof of the donations, these donations may qualify for a tax deduction.

In addition to donating items, you can deduct mileage on your vehicle for services performed for a qualifying charity.

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.gov

Photo of the Week

Lontra Canadensis (North American river otters)

Florida, United States

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.