12. Weekly Market Recap: Key Movements & Insights

📉 S&P 500 Dips: Investors Await Key Fed Announcement Next Week

In a week marked by volatility and uncertainty, the S&P 500 closed in the red, snapping a six-week winning streak. The index fell 1.8% over the week, with Thursday marking its worst single-day drop in October. This downturn comes as investors eagerly await the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) announcement, which could provide crucial insights into the Federal Reserve's stance on interest rates.

Despite a brief rally on Friday, the stock market struggled to find its footing. The S&P 500's decline was fueled by weaker-than-expected economic data and mixed earnings reports from Big Tech companies, which included some notable disappointments.

Elsewhere in the financial landscape, Bitcoin made headlines by surging early in the week, nearly reaching its all-time high before retreating. Gold also experienced gains, continuing its upward trend before a late-week pullback. Oil prices rose 1.4% over the week, despite a significant Monday drop driven by new geopolitical uncertainties.

As the n…