Adviser Investments’ Chief Investment Officer Jim Lowell has the market analysis for Wednesday, January 2. Major U.S. stock indexes saw “a lot of volatility driven by a lot of uncertainty” on their first trading day of 2019. In addition to market response to Apple’s nearly 8% decline after the company lowered its first-quarter revenue forecast, Jim notes that investors continue to react to the litany of issues that “haunt and daunt” U.S. and international markets—none of which are likely to diminish anytime soon.

Jim Lowell, chief investment officer at Adviser Investments joined CNBC’s “Squawk Box” to discuss Tim Cook’s January 2 letter to shareholders. Apple’s stock fell nearly 8% after the company announced it had lowered fiscal 2019 first-quarter revenue as a result of, among other things, a “dramatic deceleration of sales” in emerging markets. Meanwhile, Jim emphasizes that “battleship-balance-sheet blue-chip dividend growers” continue to be a prudent investment that deliver “reasonable risk and return profiles relative to the broad market.” For long-term investors with a well-diversified portfolio, he notes that markets like the one we are currently experiencing can offer wealth-building opportunities.

Adviser Investments’ Chief Investment Officer Jim Lowell has the market analysis for Friday, December 28. Major U.S. stock indexes saw mixed results, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 declining 0.3% and 0.1%, respectively, and the NASDAQ up 0.1%. Jim believes that investors should continue to expect a similar level of volatility heading into 2019 because the same factors that contributed to 2018’s uncertainty “clearly remain hurdles that the market will continue to have to overcome.” Jim reminds investors that times like this emphasize the importance of remaining well-diversified with stocks, bonds and cash and to not overreact or try to time the market.

Adviser Investments’ Chief Investment Officer Jim Lowell has the market analysis for Thursday, December 27. Despite steep losses early in the day, major U.S. stock indexes closed with gains: The Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500 and NASDAQ advanced 1.1%, 0.9% and 0.4%, respectively. Meanwhile, The Conference Board reported that consumer confidence fell 6% in December, following a 1% decline in November. Consumer confidence index numbers remain historically strong, however, with October’s reading the highest seen since 2000.

Adviser Investments’ Chief Investment Officer Jim Lowell has the market analysis for Wednesday, December 26. Recent market declines reversed dramatically with major U.S. indexes having their highest single-day gains since 2009. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 each surged 5.0% and the NASDAQ advanced 5.8%. Meanwhile, the pace of home price increases slowed slightly—rising 5.0% in October, versus the 5.2% and 5.5% respective gains seen in September and August.

Adviser Investments’ Chief Investment Officer Jim Lowell has the market analysis for Monday, December 24. Once again, major U.S. stock indexes declined. Today’s losses moved the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500 and NASDAQ into bear-market territory on this shortened trading day. Jim emphasizes that with the recent losses, the “probability for gains continues to increase next year.” Looking ahead to 2019, Jim predicts a return to more normalized trading volume and a renewed focus on earnings and economic growth—among other things.

Adviser Investments’ Chief Investment Officer Jim Lowell has the market analysis for Friday, December 21. Major U.S. stock indexes declined for the third consecutive day, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500 and NASDAQ down 1.9%, 2.1% and 3.0%, respectively. Jim emphasizes that despite ongoing investor concern, economic fundamentals continue to provide “solid footing underneath what remains a very nervous marketplace.” Meanwhile, the Commerce Department released updated consumer spending data, revealing that spending topped expectations with November’s 0.4% gain. Similarly, durable goods orders climbed 0.8% last month, reversing October’s steep 4.3% decline.

Todd Peters, senior vice president at Adviser Investments, has the market analysis for Thursday, December 20. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 2.0% and both the S&P 500 and NASDAQ fell 1.6%. Oil prices also continued their decline on concerns of slowing global demand and continued excess supply: Brent crude declined another 4% to its lowest level since September 2017. Meanwhile, Altria Group also made headlines with its nearly $13 billion investment in Juul Labs, giving the tobacco giant a 35% ownership stake in the e-cigarette manufacturer.

Kate Austin, equity research analyst at Adviser Investments, has the market analysis for Wednesday, December 19. Major U.S. stock indexes hit 2018 lows following the Federal Reserve’s anticipated interest-rate hike. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500 and NASDAQ dropped 1.5%, 1.6% and 2.2% on the day, respectively. Meanwhile, FedEx fell 12% after lowering its 2019 guidance from a range of $17.20–$17.80 to $15.50–$16.60 as a result of weakness in China and Europe. General Mills, on the other hand, beat second-quarter earnings estimates and advanced 5%.

Ryan Christensen, account executive at Adviser Investments, has the market analysis for Tuesday, December 18. Major U.S. stock indexes closed the day with slight gains: The Dow Jones Industrial Average and NASDAQ advanced 0.4% and the S&P 500 rose fractionally. Meanwhile, investors remain focused on the Federal Reserve’s highly anticipated statement and related projections as well as Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s remarks tomorrow afternoon. Despite recent market volatility, the Fed is still expected to raise interest rates an additional 0.25% on Wednesday; however, an additional rate hike in early 2019 is less probable.