Financial markets started 2023 on a positive note as stocks and bonds both saw gains in January. It was a welcomed change as many investors hope to put 2022 firmly in the rearview mirror. As shared in our annual outlook, we forecast that 2023 will be a year of more normalized market conditions, albeit against | Read More +
Tag: Investment Commentary
Insights: A Strong Start to the Fourth Quarter and A Close Look at Inflation
In October, stocks started the fourth quarter on a strong note, while bonds retreated modestly as market participants positioned portfolios for the final months of 2021. The MSCI ACWI Index, which represents global equities (i.e., both U.S. and international stocks), advanced by 5.10% in October, the U.S. large-cap Russell 1000 Index rose 6.94%, the U.S. | Read More +
Insights: The Markets, COVID Developments, and Corporate Earnings
The new year started on a generally positive note for the markets, supported by low interest rates, positive vaccine developments, and impressive corporate earnings. In January, the MSCI ACWI Index, which represents global equities (i.e., both U.S. and international stocks), declined by 0.5%. The U.S. large-cap Russell 1000 Index fell 0.8% in January, although the | Read More +
Insights: The Markets, Fiscal Stimulus, and the November Elections
Market Update At the end of September, financial markets experienced a modest sell-off; since then, however, performance has been positive. The MSCI ACWI Index, which represents global equities (i.e., both U.S. and international stocks), has risen 3.2% to date in October, while the MSCI ACWI Ex-USA (international stocks) has increased by 2.8%. U.S. large cap | Read More +
Update On The Markets & COVID-19: US, China Soften The Rhetoric
Market Update Financial markets have started the week on an upbeat note. Through Tuesday’s close, the S&P 500 has risen 1.3%, the Nasdaq has advanced 2.3%, the small cap Russell 2000 has climbed 1.0%, and International stocks, as represented by the MSCI ACWI Ex-USA, have risen by 1.0%. The Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index has | Read More +
COVID-19 and Long-Term Investing
In this communication, we share an update about market returns and discuss some new developments in the government’s policy actions and the scientific community’s health response. We also include, and close with related perspectives about what these mean for you and your investment portfolios. Market returns Financial markets have been mixed this week as investors | Read More +
Insights: Coronavirus Worries Stocks in January, But Lasting Economic Effects Likely Limited
View a printable version Overview In January, most major stock indices retreated given worries about the global economic implications of the coronavirus. The monthly return for the S&P 500 was largely unchanged at -0.04%, the Russell 2000 (U.S. small-company stocks) fell 3.21%, and the MSCI ACWI ex-USA (non-U.S. stocks) lost 2.69%. In contrast, core U.S. | Read More +
Our Perspective: The Value of Independence
Print a PDF version of this post. Last week The Wall Street Journal reported that the probe into how Wells Fargo has systemically misled clients now extends to practices in its wealth management division. Bloomberg recently reported that J.P. Morgan’s “failure to properly inform some…clients about conflicts of interest has resulted in a record $30 million whistle-blower award.” And | Read More +
