Q1 24 “Stock Market Surges to Start the Year: 22 Record Highs in 3 Months The S&P 500, rising 10 percent, set the pace as investors looked forward to interest rate cuts” The New York Times declared on 3-29-24. It is tempting to reference the Energizer Bunny when observing U.S. economic activity and market performance. We have a domestic economy that continues to grow and innovate in the face of persistent challenges. From the article: “The Russell … [Read more...]
Market Comment Q4 23
2023 Markets have posted above average results driven by a robust fourth quarter for the S&P 500 up over 10%. Inflation data has greatly improved, the Fed is indicating the possibility for rate cuts in 2024 and a positive narrative is in full effect. Including the downswing of 2022, the results of the last 5 years have been robust. The highest returns have been delivered by technology stocks as the NASDAQ posted a 44% gain for 2023. At the end of 2022 the market sentiment was extremely … [Read more...]
Market Comment Q3 23
The S&P 500 sank 3.6% in the third quarter, yet the index was up 11.7% this year to date. The Dow was down 2.6% while the NASDAQ was down 4.12% for the quarter. See MarketWatch for details. Global short-term interest rates rose while expectations for the pace of rate hikes to slow and eventually stop during 2023. The impact of the abrupt departure from the ultra-low rates era may weigh on financial conditions in the quarters to come. Pressure is building as people consider taking fixed … [Read more...]
Market Comment Q2 23
Q2 2023 Commentary With Nasdaq up nearly 30% year to date, it was on track for its best first half in four decades. The S&P 500, up 14.5% through the first half, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average lagged, up 2.5%. See MarketWatch for complete recap. 2022 was a painful year, as rapidly increasing interest rates have torn away the era of cheap money. Now it seems that the global economy may adjust to higher rates, interest rates may be reaching a level that would be considered more … [Read more...]
Market Comment Q1 23
Q1 23 has ended with gains, with the NASDAQ index rising a robust 17%, the S&P up 7% and the DOW nearly unchanged for 2023. This is the second consecutive quarter of positive results as the S&P has moved from 3678 on 10-2-22 to close at 4109 on 3-31-23. This upswing is another step in the process of the bear market that began 15 months ago. See The Wall Street Journal markets page for a complete recap. Joseph De La Vega’s “Confusion De Confusiones”, is the earliest known book on the … [Read more...]
Market Comment Q4 22
2022 has been a significantly down year. The Dow finished down 8.78%, S&P down 19.44% and NASDAQ down 33.1%. For further stats see marketwatch or Forbes. From an early age, I have memories of observing my father reading the newspaper in a ritualistic fashion. Ronald Shink had ongoing commentaries regarding what he saw as right and wrong in business, politics, and investing. He would often be ranting with anger about a perceived wrong or injustice. Just as frequently, he would be provoking … [Read more...]
Market Comment Q3 22
Material discussed is meant for general/informational purposes only and it is not to be construed as tax, legal, or investment advice. Although the information has been gathered from sources believed to be reliable, please note that individual situations can vary therefore, the information should be relied upon when coordinated with individual professional advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Diversification does not ensure against loss. After reversing its gains from … [Read more...]
Market Comment Q2 22
American gas has gone to $6 per gallon…run for your lives! Before you go, please remember to pack a lunch, bring lots of hydration and dig into a little research: According to the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, energy, and food consumption as a share of disposable income are also historically low. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show gasoline and other fuels account for 2.9% of Americans’ spending, a little more than half of what it was during the late 1970s and early 1980s. People … [Read more...]
Market Comment Q1 22
The “Wall of Worry” refers to the propensity of financial markets to rise in the face of ostensibly insurmountable problems. The negative issues being revealed for investors are a true gut check. Q1 22 began by swiftly moving into a “correction” or 10% downswing. The S&P 500 was down over 12% at the low point of the quarter. A rally in March left US markets down 5% on 3-31-22. More market data is available at Bloomberg or WSJ. The pandemic of COVID-19 has declined dramatically and may … [Read more...]
Market Comment Q4 2021
Equity investors have become conditioned to gains. The post 2008 experience has embedded the idea that investing = gains. This may be true over longer periods, but we have become spoiled. The warning consistently given is to “buckle up” as downswings from the recent run up are likely. In addition to securing your emotional seatbelt, here are a few other coping mechanisms for the corrections that may arrive soon: Long walks Cycling Watercolor painting Meaningful volunteer … [Read more...]
- 1
- 2
- 3
- …
- 6
- Next Page »