March 2, 2022

February Returns and Asset Performance

Major Asset Classes February 2022 Performance Comparison Introduction February returns were dominated by events in Ukraine. Equity markets were down with only a few exceptions in emerging markets.  Value again led growth, consumer defensive stocks beat consumer cyclical stocks, and small-cap  beat large cap stocks.  A consistent theme in February […]
February 27, 2022

Sample Research Report

Sample Research Report Purpose The S&P 500 Market Insight Report presents high-quality data and research analysis on the S&P 500 Index in an easy-to-read format. The purpose of the data effort to inform our model portfolios and tactical asset allocations.  Research data is packaged with easy to understand content to […]
February 2, 2022

January Returns and Asset Performance

Major Asset Classes January 2022 Performance Comparison Introduction January returns slid significantly across all asset classes, with the exception of commodities.  Value lead growth stocks, consumer defensive beat consumer cyclical stocks, and large cap led mid- and small-cap stocks.  A consistent theme in January returns was the strong relative return […]
January 30, 2022

The Real Fed Pivot – An Economic Slowdown

The Real Fed Pivot – An Economic Slowdown An economic slowdown is in process.  For much of the past month, market news has been more focused on the Fed’s hawkish pivot.  However, behind all the speculation on future interest rate hikes, the US economy has quietly hit a major air […]
January 3, 2022

December Returns and Asset Performance

Major Asset Classes December 2021 Performance Comparison Introduction The major asset classes achieved positive returns in December.  Value lead growth stocks, consumer defensive beat consumer cyclical stocks, and mid cap outperformed large cap stocks.  Total returns on infrastructure project bonds and high yield corporate bonds again outperformed the S&P500, as […]
December 31, 2021

Long Bond Yield Surges, Omicron Drawdown Over

Long Bond Yield Surges, Omicron Drawdown Over The 30-year bond yield collapsed 29 basis points (bps) during the Thanksgiving holiday.  The week of Nov-24 was also the first week of the Omicron endemic.  Yields have since bottomed out in early December and surged back to unchanged, erasing the Omicron drawdown […]
December 23, 2021

European Gas Prices Down 20%

US LNG Armada Sends European Gas Prices Down 20% European gas prices plunged today.  Why?  LNG tankers are now headed from the US to EU ports in large numbers…an armada of tankers. Data compiled by Bloomberg shows that 10 vessels are headed to the gas-starved continent.  Meanwhile, another 20 ships […]
December 2, 2021

November Returns and Asset Performance

Major Asset Classes November 2021 Performance Comparison Introduction Red ink swept across the monthly results for most asset classes in November, highlighting the need for active risk management and strategies for capital preservation. Technology stocks performed well, as did U.S. investment grade bonds and inflation-indexed bonds. Finally, commodities continued to […]
November 19, 2021

Important Planning Numbers 2022

2022 Important Planning Numbers Download There are lots of important planning numbers that we work with.  At the same time, there are many core numbers our clients ask us about and need to keep in mind. In some cases, those numbers change each year. Other times, the figures do not […]
November 3, 2021

October Returns and Asset Performance

Major Asset Classes October 2021 Performance Comparison Introduction October returns were led by the stock market, which hit all time highs.  As expected, the S&P 500 hit major highs at month’s end just as the earnings season kicked into high gear.  The index has had three quarters in a row […]