Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary December 3, 2018

Last week provided investors clarity on their two biggest concerns: interest rates and trade. Federal Reserve communication indicated rate increases will likely slow in 2019, and over the weekend, the U.S. and China announced an agreement to delay an increase in tariffs from 10% to 25% on a wide range of U.S. goods. In exchange, the Chinese will buy more U.S. goods, and both sides will seek an agreement in the next quarter. Read more

Weekly Market Commentary November 26, 2018

Global stocks continued to decline as economic weakness and the possibility of further rate increases by the Federal Reserve worried investors. After rallying in late October and early November, global stocks were trading near the levels reached during the October decline. Read more

Weekly Market Commentary November 19, 2018

After two straight weeks of 2%-plus returns, the S&P 500 was down 1.6% last week. Global stocks also declined, pushing the MSCI ACWI down 1.2% last week.

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Weekly Market Commentary November 12, 2018

The S&P 500 rallied for the second consecutive week as markets have recovered nearly half of the losses since late September. S&P 500 soared 2.1% last week. Global stocks rallied as well, but lagged U.S. stocks. The MSCI ACWI climbed 0.9%. The Bloomberg BarCap Aggregate Bond Index rose 0.3%, partly on hopes a split Congress will result in lower deficits. Read more

Weekly Market Commentary November 5, 2018

After a rough October, the S&P 500 went into rally mode last week. Positive rumors on trade and a general recognition that the investing environment remains positive boosted stocks. The S&P 500 soared 2.4%. Global stocks rose, too, pushing the MSCI ACWI 3.1% higher. The good news in stocks, along with healthy job growth, pushed the Bloomberg BarCap Aggregate Bond Index 0.7% lower.

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Weekly Market Commentary October 29, 2018

The S&P 500 briefly declined more than 10% from its high, set on September 21, 2018, before rallying slightly. The “correction” has come during a period of economic strength and healthy profit margins. A number of other major indexes are now in a “correction,” as they have declined more than 10%. Read more

Weekly Market Commentary October 22, 2018

U.S. stocks increased last week by the thinnest of margins. The S&P 500 rose, but the result rounded to 0%. The MSCI ACWI slid a mere 0.1%. The bond market continued to slump as the Bloomberg BarCap Aggregate Bond Index dropped 0.4%.

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Weekly Market Commentary October 15, 2018

After months without a 1% move in either direction, the S&P 500 experienced three on consecutive days to end the week. Unfortunately, the large moves down on Wednesday and Thursday dwarfed Friday’s rally. Read more

Weekly Market Commentary October 8, 2018

The fourth quarter seems to be off to a more volatile start after a calm third quarter. Read more

Weekly Market Commentary October 1, 2018

U.S. stocks wrapped up September and the third quarter with a slight decline. The S&P 500 dropped 0.5% last week and finished 0.4% higher for September. The S&P rose 7.2% in the third quarter, its best quarterly performance since the end of 2013.

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