Blog Market Commentary
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.…
Market Summary After an unusually quiet 2017, market volatility increased in the first quarter. U.S. stocks, as measured by the S&P 500, reached an all-time high in late January before finishing the quarter down approximately 8% from this high. From January 26th through February 8th, the S&P 500 was down more than 10% which…
Market Summary A strong economy, better earnings and pro-business policies helped push U.S. stocks to record high prices with record low volatility. U.S. stocks, as measured by the S&P 500, reached new all-time highs for the sixth consecutive quarter and were higher for the 9th consecutive year, making it the second longest bull market in…
Summary of 3rd quarter 2017 commentary U.S. stocks reached new all-time highs for the fifth quarter in a row Volatility in the U.S. stock market remained near record lows The U.S. bull market is the second longest since World War II and U.S. stock valuations look high We are making significant changes in your…
U.S. stocks were positive and hit new all-time highs for the fourth consecutive quarter Non-U.S. stocks were also positive and outperformed U.S. stocks Stock volatility remained near record lows. The S&P 500 hasn’t had a 5% correction in over a year The U.S. economy had positive but slow growth. It is currently the third longest…
The 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]…
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