Posts by Matt Hargreaves
Protected: 2025 2nd Quarter Investment Commentary
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Read More2025 2nd Quarter Investment Commentary
Historic V-shaped rebound: U.S. large-cap stocks, as measured by the S&P 500, staged the fastest recovery from a 15%+ correction on record and finished the quarter at new all-time highs. Growth stocks led the rally in the U.S., but performance broadened globally as U.S. dollar weakness boosted international returns3. Economy cooling, not cracking: The economy…
Read More2025 1st Quarter Investment Commentary
Uncertainty around tariffs sent the S&P 500 down more than 4% in the 1st quarter Technology stocks posted their worst quarter since 2020, while non-US stocks, value stocks, and defensive sectors led other sectors. Bonds also provided safety. On April 2nd, US tariffs were announced that exceeded investor expectations. This led to a market decline…
Read MoreMarket Update: March 2025
As of March 13, the S&P 500 declined 10.1% from its all-time closing high in mid-February. Many investors have started to worry about the prospect of further declines. As of now, the decline appears to be fairly typical. Corrections are generally sharp and fast and serve to refresh fear. The current 10% decline in the…
Read More2024 4th Quarter Investment Commentary
A post-election rally helped the S&P 500 gain 2.4% in the quarter and over 25% on the year. US growth companies continued to lead stocks while other sectors trailed. The US economy remained healthy on the backs of a strong consumer and profitable corporate sector, but there were signs of a downshift to a lower…
Read MoreNew Statements – Launching 1st Quarter of 2025
We’re excited to announce the release of your new quarterly statements, designed to be more concise and streamlined. By cutting down on excess details, we’ve made it easier to stay informed without the clutter. We hope you find this new format helpful and look forward to any feedback you may have! Click here to preview…
Read More2024 3rd Quarter Investment Commentary
The S&P 500 gained 5.9% in the quarter and reached new all-time highs. Non-US markets saw a strong recovery, particularly in China. The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 50 basis points in September to support economic growth, which boosted bond prices and led markets to anticipate further easing. The environment for equities remains favorable…
Read MoreStock Market Concentration
Investors in the S&P 500 Index who think they are getting exposure to a diversified basket of 500 companies are not. Money deployed into the S&P 500 is increasingly a wager on the health of just a few companies – with the fundamental of the other 490 carrying less weight. The outperformance of the largest…
Read MorePresidential Elections and the Market
From 1961 to 2023, a $10,000 initial investment in the S&P 500 would have grown to over $102,000 if invested only when a Republican was in the White House. Conversely, the same investment would have grown to more than $500,000 if invested only during Democratic presidencies. While this might suggest a strategy of investing under…
Read MoreCongratulations, Chelsie!
Congratulations to Chelsie Smith and her husband, Kelly, on the birth of their son, Wyatt Jaxon Smith! Wyatt was born on April 23, 2024, and is a happy baby boy!
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