Posts by Matt Hargreaves
2019 4th Quarter Commentary
Market Summary Investor concerns around the trajectory of global growth, trade and monetary policy improved throughout 2019, leading to strong equity returns for the quarter and for the all of 2019. After steep declines in December 2018, the S&P 500 TR Index rose 9% during the quarter and 31.5% for all of 2019[1]. The gains…
Read MoreDecember Market Commentary
Hindsight is 20/20. Foresight Isn’t. The year 2019 served up many examples of the unpredictability of markets. Interest rates that US policy makers expected to rise fell instead. American consumers’ confidence weakened as the year began[i], and news headlines broadcast fears of an economic slowdown. Investors who moved onto the sidelines may have missed the gains…
Read MoreLeonard Rickey Investment Advisors: 3rd Quarter Commentary
Market Summary Similar investment themes from the second quarter continued into the third, producing volatile trading but overall little movement in asset prices. These themes included the ongoing U.S.-China trade conflict, slowing global growth, an inverted yield curve, the lowering of interest rates by Central Banks around the world, and ongoing political uncertainties, including Brexit…
Read MoreInvesting through Market Volatility
Bouts of market volatility are an unnerving, but normal, feature of long-term investing. They’re not fun, but you can expect to see market declines periodically throughout your investing career. You often hear that investors shouldn’t pay attention to the markets’ day-to-day movements. But it’s sometimes impossible to avoid—like when stocks fall 3% in a day.…
Read MoreCredit Traps for the Unwary
Credit Traps for the Unwary It’s hard to imagine functioning in today’s society without access to credit. However, you need to be careful not to fall victim to some of the pitfalls associated with it. Revolving credit can make it hard for you to pay off debt Credit cards allow you to spend money you…
Read More2019 2nd Quarter Commentary
Market Summary U.S. stocks, as measured by the S&P 500 TR Index, got off to their best start since 1997 and reached new all-time highs. During the quarter the S&P 500 gained 4.3% which included a 6.4% drop in May and then a 7% bounce in June. This year’s 18.5% first half gain came…
Read MoreCybersecurity 101
Cybercrime has been on the rise. The risk of identity theft or your personal data being compromised continues to be a real threat, and it’s important for you to be prepared. We are extremely committed to protecting your personal and financial data. We have robust software security systems in place and test them regularly. In…
Read MoreUpdate on Global Trade
Global trade tensions have been elevated since early 2018. Much of the focus has centered on a tit-for-tat exchange of retaliatory tariffs between the U.S. and China, but trade restrictions with North American and European allies are also a factor. The trade tension between China and the U.S. is bigger than just trade, which makes…
Read More2019 1st Quarter Commentary
1st Quarter 2019 Commentary Leonard Rickey Investment Advisors Market Summary After one of the worst quarters in a decade, stocks shrugged off many of the uncertainties surrounding interest rates, trade wars and slowing global growth to have one of the best quarters in a decade. U.S. stocks, as measured by the S&P 500 TR Index,…
Read MoreHappy Earth Day: Sustainable Investing
Sustainable Investing Sustainable investing is no longer a niche investment approach. Growth has rapidly increased over the last 20 years (see graph at right)[1]. In a 2015 survey, the Morgan Stanley Institute of Sustainable Investing found that 71% of individual investors are interested in sustainable investing[2]. Sustainable investing seeks to provide strategies, products and solutions…
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