Posts by Matt Hargreaves
Not your Grandma’s Dow
Not Your Grandma’s Dow A quick online search for “Dow rallies 500 points” yields a cascade of news stories with similar titles, as does a similar search for “Dow drops 500 points.” These types of headlines may make little sense to some investors, given that a “point” for the Dow and what it means to…
Read More2018 4th quarter commentary
4th Quarter 2018 Commentary Leonard Rickey Investment Advisors Market Summary After reaching all-time highs in late September, the S&P 500 fell nearly 20% in three months, including more than 7% in one week, and finished the year down for the first time since 2008. If the S&P 500 had ended the month where it closed…
Read MoreThe Death of Diversification Part 1
Does it make sense to invest anywhere but in U.S. equities? After all, U.S. economic data has been meaningfully stronger than many foreign countries. For example, the unemployment rate in the U.S. was at its lowest level in nearly 50 years[1], U.S. manufacturing and services data were at their highest levels in nearly 15 years[2]…
Read MoreHappy Thanksgiving: Charts we are thankful for
We posted five scary charts on Halloween (see here) and wanted to post five charts we are thankful for on Thanksgiving. 1) Higher Interest Rates Higher interest rates was on our list of scary charts as well. It goes to show how financial data, and statistics in general, can be construed positively or negatively…
Read MoreMarket Corrections
Market Corrections One of the most noteworthy elements of the current bull market has been its remarkable consistency. Currently in its ninth year, this advance has been marked by extremely low volatility with very few selloffs. Still, history tells us that bull markets eventually give way to selling pressure, either temporary corrections or more damaging…
Read MoreCapital Gains-FAQs
Capital Gains – FAQs What is a capital gain? A capital gain is the profit when you sell a capital asset, such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds or property. The profit is your gain over the original price you paid and you must pay tax on that gain. For example, if a stock is bought…
Read MoreHappy Halloween: It’s time for some scary charts
The financial world can be a scary place. It seems like there is always something to fear in the market. Fortunately, our worst fears usually don’t come to fruition. To get in the Halloween spirit however, we have posted five scary charts to keep you up tonight. Stay tuned in the coming weeks for the…
Read MoreMarket Update
Market Update Stocks recently had their largest drop since February with the S&P 500 Index losing more than 5% in two days, although they have since staged something of a recovery. A combination of higher bond yields, a deepening U.S. trade conflict with China and elevated valuations all added up to the abrupt sell-off. It…
Read More3rd Quarter 2018 Commentary – The Death of Diversification?
Market Summary The third quarter of 2018 was the best quarter for U.S. stocks (as measured by the S&P 500 Index) in nearly five years. Tax cuts continued to push U.S. corporate profits higher with corporate America on track for another quarter of 20% growth in the third quarter[1]. The S&P 500 Index reached an…
Read More2nd Quarter 2018 Commentary
Market Summary Record U.S. corporate profits and healthy U.S. economic data helped U.S. stocks to positive returns. Both the technology-focused Nasdaq Composite Index and small cap U.S. stock, as measured by the Russell 2000, reached new all-time highs. Small cap stocks aren’t as exposed to global trade which, along with political uncertainty, a strong U.S.…
Read More