Blog Market Commentary
The Coronavirus Aid and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law on March 27th. While there are many details to work out in implementation, we wanted to run through a couple of the highlights with you. We start with a few of the provisions that apply to everyone, including the rebate checks. We follow…
Read MoreOur everyday lives have changed dramatically over the last few weeks as we work together to minimize the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. We know these efforts are necessary, but they also have come at a cost. Stocks have entered a bear market and a global recession seems almost certain as people stay home and…
Read MoreCoronavirus worries officially enter the market as pessimism has shifted from the impact on China to the outbreak to other countries, like South Korea, Italy and Iran amongst others. The market contracted over 3% today (so far). It is important to note that, although uncomfortable, big drops are normal. S&P averages more than five 2% drops…
Read MoreMarket 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 MoreHindsight 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 MoreMarket 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 MoreMarket 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 More1st 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 More4th 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…
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2020 1st Quarter Commentary
Market Summary The longest bull market in US history came to an end. Global equities fell into bear market territory due to a worldwide pandemic. The year started well, but as fears about COVID-19 spread and it became clear that there was a severe global pandemic on hand, markets responded quickly and severely. The…
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