Edward Jones - Mae Luchetti: Financial Advisor

Markets remained volatile last week but exhibited some signs of resiliency, as positive economic readings helped partially soothe escalating geopolitical fears.

If 2022 is out to make a case that it's not its older sibling, it's off to a good start.

The bumpy ride for financial markets in the early days of 2022 continued last week, with inflation remaining front and center.

2022 begins with a bang: Markets started 2022 with a bit of a bang for investors.

2021 was a better-than-average year on many fronts. Stock market returns, economic growth, policy stimulus and inflation all ran hot while volatility was historically cool.

In 2021, the world returned closer to normal, but the pandemic continues to pose unique challenges.

All eyes were on the Fed last week as the market awaited the latest policy decision and outlook – a decision that drew particular attention given the inflation environment. To its credit, the Fed brought no major surprises.

U.S. equity markets rebounded this week, after two weeks of losses, as investors were able to climb two key walls of worry: the path of the Federal Reserve and the path of the COVID-19 virus.

Volatility made a comeback last week, triggered by concerns around the new omicron COVID-19 variant, which the World Health Organization (WHO) labeled as a variant of concern.

The holiday-shortened week ended with a bang, as news of a new COVID-19 strain overseas sparked worries over potential renewed lockdowns, with equity markets enduring the steepest daily decline in two months.