Market Summary

Momentum from the second half of 2020 continued into 2021 as the new year mainly brought good news regarding returning to a more normal economic environment. An uptick in vaccine supply and distribution, an additional $1.9 trillion stimulus package, and continued monetary policy support improved the economic backdrop and boosted stock prices.

Stocks encountered volatility but remained in an uptrend from the March 2020 lows. Participation was broad as many markets reached new all-time highs. Stock markets that reached new all-time highs during the quarter included: US large caps (S&P 500), US small caps (Russell 2000), emerging markets (MSCI EM), non-U.S. developed markets (MSCI EAFE), Dow Jones Industrials, and Dow Jones Transports to name a few.

The solid returns hid significant divergences within the indexes. In a reversal of last year’s pattern, investors rotated away from growth companies that did well in 2020 and into companies with earnings tied to the economy’s re-opening. Value-oriented, small-cap, and cyclical companies outperformed during the quarter while technology and defensive sectors lagged. The outperformance of value stocks did little to change their historically significant discounts to growth stocks. Portfolios remained positioned to benefit if value continues to outperform growth.

The improved economic growth expectations pushed up bond yields and increased inflation fears. The degree of the rate rise has been standard. Following the four previous recessions, the US 10-year Treasury rates rose an average of about 150 basis points within the expansion’s first four quarters. Four quarters after the onset of COVID, 10-year rates have moved up 107 basis points (1). Interest rates were only back to where they were before the pandemic, which had already been near historic lows. Below is a summary of market returns (2).

*Alternatives benchmark includes 60% SG Trend Index and 40% Swiss Re Global Cat Bond TR Index.

Portfolio Changes

Portfolios continued to be overweight stocks and underweight bonds relative to investors’ investment objectives.

Strong equity market performance pushed allocations to equities above strategic weightings during the quarter. As a result, we rebalanced portfolios away from equities and into bonds to correct this. At the same time, we increased stock positions in the market areas that may benefit from a surprise to the upside of continued economic recovery.

Specifically, we increased allocations to U.S. value stocks and non-U.S. stocks and decreased growth stock allocations. We believe they were trading at attractive historical valuations and may benefit from higher interest rates and a more normal economic environment. In some accounts, we also initiated a fund position that could potentially help if inflation continues to increase.

In fixed income, we expect bond yields to continue to move higher over time. For this reason, portfolios remained positioned with a shorter duration than average. We continue to believe bonds play an essential part in balanced portfolios. Although we don’t see an enormous return potential from bonds, their diversification can provide both spending and opportunity money when market corrections occur.

Please reach out to your advisor if you have any questions or concerns.

[1]Oakmark Commentary, as of 3/31/2021
[2]Morningstar Direct, as of 3/31/2021

INDEX DEFINITIONS
The Barclays Aggregate Bond Index represents securities that are SEC-registered, taxable, and dollar denominated. The index covers the US investment-grade fixed rate bond market, with index components for government and corporate securities, mortgage pass-through securities, and asset-backed securities.
The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index is a capitalization-weighted index of 500 stocks designed to measure performance of the broad domestic economy through changes in the aggregate market value of 500 stocks representing all major industries. It cannot be invested into directly.
The Russell 2000 Index is an unmanaged index generally representative of the 2,000 smallest companies in the Russell Index, which represents approximately 10% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000 Index.
The MSCI Emerging Markets Index is a float-adjusted market capitalization index that consists of indices of approximately 800 stocks and is designed to measure equity market performance in 23 emerging economies: Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, , Peru, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Russia, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.
The MSCI EAFE (Europe, Australasia, Far East) Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index of approximately 900 stocks and is designed to measure equity market performance in 21 developed market countries outside of North America.
The SG Trend Index is a subset of the SG CTA Index, and follows traders of trend following methodologies. The SG CTA Index is equal weighted, calculates the daily rate of return for a pool of CTAs selected from the larger managers that are open to new investment.
Swiss Re Global Cat Bond Index tracks the aggregate performance of all catastrophe bonds issued offered under Rule 144A. The index captures bonds denominated in any currency, all rated and unrated cat bonds, outstanding perils, and triggers. The index is not exposed to currency risk from non-USD denominated cat bonds.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average® (The Dow®), is a price-weighted measure of 30 U.S. blue-chip companies. The index covers all industries except transportation and utilities.
The Dow Jones Transportation Average is a 20-stock, price-weighted index that represents the stock performance of large, well-known U.S. companies within the transportation industry.