Weekly Market Recap: September 26, 2025 – Inflation Hedges Working, Fixed Rates Falling

Inflation Hedges Working, Fixed Rates Falling

Welcome to LegacyHaven Advisors’ weekly market update, where we help South Florida retirees and pre-retirees secure their income, protect their wealth, and thrive in any economy. This week, we’re diving into the latest market moves, sector winners and losers, fixed interest rate changes, and what it all means for your retirement plan. Let’s break it down and share actionable steps to keep your portfolio on track.

Market Recap: S&P 500 Dips, Inflation Signals Strengthen

The S&P 500 ended the week slightly down by 0.31%, reflecting a cautious market amid shifting economic signals. The weakest sector was Communication Services, which fell 2.37% leading the decline.

On the flip side, Energy (+3.94%) and Utilities (+2.28%) led the pack, aligning with our earlier call in our "Rate Cut" post. These sectors thrive when inflation picks up, and interest rates fall, as we’ve seen with the latest economic data. Beyond stocks, commodities surged, with Gold up 2.3%, Silver soaring 7.2%, and other metals like platinum and palladium also climbing. This performance matches our prediction in our "Inflation and Retirement" post, driven by a rising inflation reports.

Key Takeaway: Inflation is heating up, and sectors like Energy, Utilities, and Commodities are benefiting. However, commodities are volatile, more so than the S&P 500, so proper position sizing is critical to manage risk. Now isn’t the time to dive in headfirst, but better entry points may emerge. Stay diversified and strategic.

Annuity Rates Update: Lock in Rates Before They Drop Further

Following the Federal Reserve’s recent rate cut, fixed rates on annuities, CDs, high-yield savings accounts, and bonds have declined by an average of 0.15–0.25% for new issuances. As we warned in our "Refinance Your Annuity" post, the Fed’s high probability of up to three additional rate cuts by year-end 2025 (totaling at least 0.75%) will likely push these rates even lower. For perspective, a single 25-basis-point cut reduces payouts on fixed-income products, impacting your retirement income.

The good news? Favorable annuity rates are still available, with fixed annuities paying 5–5.9% for terms of 2–10 years. Once you lock in these rates, future Fed cuts won’t affect your interest payments, a critical advantage for retirees. If you have CDs, bonds, or annuities nearing expiration in the next 2–5 years, now is the time to secure higher rates for longer terms.

Action Step: Use our Retirement Income Calculator to see how a fixed interest payments can benefit your retirement income plan.

Outlook: Navigating Rising Inflation and GDP Growth

With GDP rising 3.8% last quarter and inflation climbing, asset prices in inflation-sensitive sectors like Energy, Utilities, and commodities are likely to keep rising. However, further Fed rate cuts could continue to pressure fixed-income products, reducing payouts for new issuances.

What’s Next? We expect inflation and GDP growth to drive asset prices higher, but rate cuts will challenge fixed-interest payments. If your CDs, bonds, or annuities are maturing soon, acting now can secure higher yields for years to come. Our team specializes in helping South Florida retirees build portfolios that thrive in any economy.

Why This Matters for Your Retirement

Rising inflation and GDP signal opportunity, but they also bring their own risks. Falling fixed-income rates could shrink your retirement paycheck, while volatile markets demand smart diversification. 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 reitrement

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

Take the Next Step: Don’t wait for rates to drop further. Try our Sequence of Returns Calculator to stress-test your portfolio, and contact us using the form below to secure higher fixed interest payments today.