Constable Confidential

Monday, July 7, 2025

WSJ FinancialFlashback: 30 YEARS AGO: Nasdaq 1000

A look back at Wall Street Journal headlines from this month in history

By SIMON CONSTABLE

In July 1995, the Nasdaq Composite Index surpassed the 1000 level for the first time. It took a while for the index to get there, but in hindsight, breaching the 1000 level was a monumental signal that better things were coming. And it did. On average the Nasdaq index has outperformed the S&P 500 for most of the past two decades.

The Nasdaq composite launched in February 1971 with an index level of 100. At the time, Nasdaq was a fledgling stock market that could boast it was the first to be fully electronic. Initially, it was just a quotation system rather than an electronic trading platform.

Surpassing the Nasdaq 1000 level quickly gave way to an accelerated rally that lasted until Nasdaq breached 5000 in March 2000, according to Nasdaq data. It took until May 2015 to cross the 5100 level. And those levels now look as dated as an old cellphone: The Nasdaq composite as of last week’s close was at five figures: more than 20601.

Thursday, July 3, 2025

UK: BACKBENCHERS NIX PM STARMER & CHANCELLOR REEVES. @REALCONSTABLE @BATCHELORSHOW OCCITANIE

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Listen here.

Diliff, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

FRANCE: BAKE OFF CONTINENTAL EUROPE. @REALCONSTABLE @BATCHELORSHOW OCCITANIE

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Listen here.

Murray Foubister, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Sunday, June 29, 2025

Kiplinger’s Retirement Report: Hiring a Financial Adviser: 10 Questions to Ask

By SIMON CONSTABLE

Hiring a financial adviser is a key way to manage your retirement nest egg with less stress. Many people get overwhelmed when tackling retirement planning. Even those with big paychecks and a Wall Street education often seek a financial adviser to help them.

It’s a smart thing to do. You leave the investing work to experts. That gives you time and confidence to focus on important things like family and career. However, deciding which adviser to pick is a big deal. They will be looking after your financial nest egg. You will need to know a lot of things about them before deciding who to choose.

Different types of advisers have different credentials. Any financial adviser selling or recommending certain securities must pass Financial Industry Regulatory Authority exams and may need to register with federal and state regulators. Read more here.