Weekly Market Update – April 13, 2026

Price Return Last Week

S&P 500  +3.6%  S&P Mid Cap  +3.4%  Russell 2000  +4.0% 

MSCI EAFE +4.6%     MSCI EM +7.9%   

10 Yr US Treasury Rate – rose from 4.31% to 4.32%

Source: Refinitiv Eikon

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Recent News

Iran Blockade – Less than one week after a cease-fire agreement was reached between the U.S. and Iran, President Trump ordered a military blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.  The blockade is set to block any ships entering or exiting Iranian ports.  Iran responded by stating that no port in the Persian Gulf would be safe if any of its ports are threatened.  The blockade developed after talks between Vice President J.D. Vance and Iranian leaders on a long-term peace agreement broke down over the weekend.  The price of a barrel of oil surged on the news gaining 6% in early trading and topping $100 per barrel.

Source: Refinitiv Eikon, The Wall Street Journal

Core CPI – Mar: 0.2% (Reuters Poll est. 0.3%) Feb: 0.2%

The first inflation report for March showed core inflation rising modestly at 0.2% versus the previous month and year-over-year core inflation at 2.6%.  However, overall inflation, including energy and food costs, jumped in March due to higher energy prices and showed an increase of 3.3% versus the previous year.  This represents the largest increase in two years.

Source: Refinitiv Eikon, The Wall Street Journal

Consumer Sentiment – Mar: 47.6 (Reuters Poll est. 52.0) Feb: 53.3

The consumer sentiment index compiled by the University of Michigan fell to 47.6 in April, the lowest level ever recorded in the history of the index.  The index was created 74 years ago with the previous all-time low occurring in June 2022 when the economy was facing surging inflation during the COVID pandemic.

Source: The Wall Street Journal

Couch Class – United Airlines recently announced that passengers on certain flights will have the ability to buy three economy class seats in one row and opt to have the row converted into one large couch.  While the product is targeted to families with small kids, even solo travelers will have the ability to book a couch.  By 2030, the airline expects to offer the option on over 200 planes.

Source: The Points Guy

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Upcoming Events

4/14 – PPI, Notable Earnings Reports: Wells Fargo, BlackRock, Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase

4/15 – Notable Earnings Reports: Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, Charles Schwab

4/16 – Notable Earnings Reports: PepsiCo, Bank of New York Mellon, Abbott Laboratories, US Bancorp, Netflix

4/17 – Notable Earnings Reports: State Street

Source: Refinitiv Eikon

This material is for informational purposes only and is not investment advice, a recommendation, or an offer to buy or sell any security. Views are as of the date shown and may change. Forecasts and forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results. Information is believed reliable but not guaranteed for accuracy or completeness; third-party sources are not affiliated with Chesley, Taft & Associates (CTA).  Indexes are unmanaged, not investable, and shown for illustrative purposes only. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Viewing this material does not create an advisory relationship with CTA.