  Using the \textit{ab initio} symmetry-adapted no-core shell model, we compute
sum rules and response functions for light to medium-mass nuclei, starting from
interactions that are derived in the chiral effective field theory. We
investigate electromagnetic transitions of monopole, dipole and quadrupole
nature for symmetric nuclei such as $^4$He, $^{16}$O, $^{20}$Ne and $^{40}$Ca.
Furthermore, we study giant monopole resonance, which can provide information
on the incompressibility of symmetric nuclear matter.
