Weekly Market Update – April 6, 2026

Taylor Champion
6 days ago
3 min read

Price Return Last Week

S&P 500 +3.4% S&P Mid Cap +2.9% Russell 2000 +3.3%

MSCI EAFE +2.6% MSCI EM (0.8%)

10 Yr US Treasury Rate – fell from 4.44% to 4.31%

Source: Refinitiv Eikon

Recent News

Trump Offers Iran Deadline – President Trump stated that Iran has until Tuesday at 8pm EST to strike a deal with the U.S. and open the Strait of Hormuz. Absent a deal, he threatened to destroy all of Iran’s power plants and bridges. The threat comes just hours after U.S. forces were able to successfully rescue an American aviator who was shot down by Iran and stuck inside enemy territory for over 24 hours.

Source: The Wall Street Journal

Fed Chair Comments – Current Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell offered the market some relief over anxiety regarding possible interest rate hikes this year by stating that the Fed can “wait and see” how higher oil prices may impact the economy. He reiterated that long-term inflation expectations still appear to be well anchored for now. While odds of an interest rate hike this year surged during March, current expectations are for no cuts or hikes for the remainder of the year.

Source: Thomson Reuters, Refinitiv Eikon

Private Credit Sees Large Withdrawals – A large private credit firm stated that it will cap the amount of funds investors are able to withdraw from its funds at 5% this quarter. This occurs after investors in two large private credit funds requested withdrawals of over 20% of the total shares.

Source: Thomson Reuters

Jobs Report – Mar: 178k (Reuters Poll est. 60k) Feb: -133k

Coming off a disappointing February jobs report, which showed job losses of 133,000, the report for March showed gains of 178,000 jobs during the month, far exceeding analyst expectations. This was partially offset by revised numbers in previous months that lowered payroll figures by over 40,000. While monthly totals have been volatile, the U.S. economy has averaged job gains of 15,000 each month over the last six months.

Source: The Wall Street Journal

Trump Adjusts Steel & Aluminum Tariffs – The U.S. will maintain a 50% tariff on imported steel, aluminum, and copper but eliminate the tariff for derivative products with less than 15% of their content made with these metals. For derivative products with greater than 15% of their weight composed of these metals, the tariff rate will be reduced to 25%, but on the entire value of the import. As a result, some products will see higher tariffs and some will see lower tariffs, but the system should be slightly more simple to calculate.

Source: Thomson Reuters

Dibs – Similar to Chicago streets in the wintertime, patrons at The Masters can place their chair anywhere on the golf course and not worry about their spot being stolen by others. An honor system that has been in place for decades and unlike any other golf tournament.

Source: Golf Monthly

Upcoming Events

4/6 – ISM Non-Manufacturing PMI

4/7 – Durable Goods

4/8 – Notable Earnings Reports: Delta Air Lines, Constellation Brands

4/9 – PCE

4/10 – CPI, Consumer Sentiment

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.