Your Capital Markets Snapshot: Equity Markets Experienced Significant Gains

Last week, the equity markets experienced significant gains, with the S&P 500 posting its largest weekly gain of the year. This surge was largely driven by positive reactions to the U.S. election results, which were seen as favorable for corporate earnings. The Federal Reserve's decision to cut interest rates by 25 basis points also played a role, although the Fed maintained a cautious stance on inflation. Bond yields saw notable fluctuations, initially spiking mid-week before settling down. Overall, the markets were buoyed by strong economic data and investor sentiment, leading to record highs for the major indices.