Weekly Market Recap: October 17, 2025

Markets Regain Traction

Welcome to LegacyHaven Advisors’ weekly market update, where we help pre-retirees and retirees build a retirement that thrives in any economy. This week, markets bounced back, commodities hit highs, and the Fed’s next move looms large. Let’s break down what happened, why it matters, and how to secure your retirement.

Market Recap: Equities Climb, Utilities Shine

The markets roared back this week, with the S&P 500 up 1.74%, the Nasdaq gaining 2.14%, the Dow rising 1.56%, and the Russell 2000 leading at 2.46%. Stocks are now a stone’s throw from all-time highs, shrugging off last week’s dip that had some investors rattled. Utilities led sectors with a 1.28% gain, while Energy lagged, falling 4.21% as oil prices softened. Meanwhile, gold and silver hit all-time highs before light profit-taking today, reinforcing their role as inflation hedges, as discussed in our "Inflation and Retirement" post.

Key Takeaway: Last week’s panic was noise, not signal. Markets are resilient, but conservative investors should balance growth with stability to avoid sleepless nights.

Interest Rate Update: Act Before Rates Drop Further

The Federal Reserve’s October 29, 2025, meeting is likely to bring another 25-basis-point rate cut, adding fuel to risk assets like stocks and crypto but pressuring yields on new fixed-income products, including annuities, CDs, and bonds. As we warned in our "Refinance Your Annuity" post, rates for new issuances (currently 5–5.9% for 2–10-year fixed annuities) could slip further. If you have CDs or annuities expiring within the next 2 years, now’s the time to lock in higher rates for longer terms to secure your retirement income.

Outlook: Growth Continues, but Plan Strategically

Despite the ongoing government shutdown showing little progress, markets remain buoyant, driven by positive GDP growth, accelerating inflation, and robust corporate earnings. The Fed’s likely rate cut will boost risk assets, making equities and commodities attractive for growth-oriented portfolios. However, falling rates will squeeze fixed-income yields, impacting retirees who rely on predictable income.

What’s Next? With markets near highs and rate cuts on the horizon, conservative investors should diversify into inflation-resistant assets and secure guaranteed income before yields drop further. Don’t let a government stalemate or market wobble derail your plans. Have fixed-income products expiring soon? Fill out our form below to explore higher annuity rates and build a retirement that lasts.

Why This Matters for Your Retirement

For pre-retirees, market rallies are exciting, but volatility and falling rates pose risks to predictable income. At LegacyHaven Advisors, we help you:

• Secure Income: So you can be confident no matter how the market is performing

• Protect Wealth: So that you never run out of money in retirement.

• Thrive in Any Economy: By forecasting economic conditions and positing accordingly.

Take the Next Step: Don’t let rate cuts shrink your retirement income. Try our Sequence of Returns Calculator to test your portfolio’s resilience, or book a call for a complimentary review with our South Florida team.