Market Commentary
Market Commentary
Weekly Market Commentary – June 24, 2019
The S&P 500 continued its strong June performance and reached a new high Thursday, before inching lower on Friday. The openness of the Federal Reserve to cutting rates at its next meeting, along with renewed optimism on trade, shot markets higher. The S&P 500 climbed 2.2% for the week. The MSCI ACWI gained 2.4% as international markets performed well. The Bloomberg BarCap Aggregate Bond Index rose 0.4% as bond prices typically increase when yields fall. Read more
Market Commentary
Weekly Market Commentary – June 17, 2019
The S&P 500 followed up the previous week’s strong gains with an increase of 0.5% last week. Decent economic data was encouraging but not strong enough to change expectations for much-desired interest rate cuts this year. The global MSCI ACWI climbed 0.3%. Heightened risks loom in the global market from tanker attacks and Hong Kong protests. The Bloomberg BarCap Aggregate Bond Index was unchanged as expectations for economic growth remained subdued. Read more
Market Commentary
Weekly Market Commentary – June 10, 2019
The S&P 500 surged 4.5% last week as optimism about the Federal Reserve cutting rates and the quick end to potential tariffs on Mexican goods pushed markets higher. The global MSCI ACWI soared 3.6% as international markets participated in the surge, but not as much as domestic markets. The Bloomberg BarCap Aggregate Bond Index gained 0.4% as weak jobs data and the hopes of interest-rate cuts pushed rates lower and bond prices higher. Read more
Market Commentary
Weekly Market Commentary June 3, 2019
The S&P 500 plunged 2.6% last week as economic data remained soft and the Trump administration surprised investors by threatening tariffs on Mexico over immigration concerns, rather than trade negotiations. The global MSCI ACWI dropped 1.9% as international markets held up slightly better than the U.S. The Bloomberg BarCap Aggregate Bond Index soared 0.9% on worries tariffs and the associated uncertainty will push rates lower. Read more
Market Commentary
Weekly Market Commentary May 27, 2019
The S&P 500 dropped 1.1% last week to extend its losing streak to three weeks. Ongoing trade disputes and weaker economic data raised concerns regarding slow economic growth. The global MSCI ACWI declined 0.9% as international markets moved with the S&P 500. Read more
Market Commentary
Weekly Market Commentary May 20, 2019
The S&P 500 dropped 0.7% last week primarily due to a sharp decline on Monday after the Chinese retaliated against increased U.S. tariffs. The global MSCI ACWI also declined 0.7% as international developed markets increased slightly, but declines in emerging markets pushed the overall index lower. Read more
Market Commentary
Weekly Market Commentary May 13, 2019
The S&P 500 dropped 2.1% last week as optimism that the U.S. and China will reach a trade deal was beaten down by additional tariffs and accusations of backing away from agreed-on compromises. The global MSCI ACWI slid 2.5%. Read more
Market Commentary
Weekly Market Commentary May 6, 2019
The news in the last seven days has challenged the hopes and assumptions of some investors. Many hoped the Federal Reserve would signal an interest rate cut this year to combat weak inflation reports. The Fed signaled a cut is unlikely if growth remains decent in the press conference following the meeting. Read more
Market Commentary
Weekly Market Commentary April 29, 2019
The S&P 500 climbed 1.2% last week, and the index rallied to an all-time high even when dividends are excluded. Continued optimism the U.S. and China will reach a new trade deal and solid earnings helped support the move to new highs. Read more
Market Commentary
Weekly Market Commentary April 22, 2019
It was a quiet week for investors, as none of the three major indexes we track moved significantly. The S&P 500 eased 0.1% lower during the holiday-shortened trading week. Read more