Insight Reports
August 31, 2024
Major Asset Classes August 2024 Performance Comparison Introduction August returns for the benchmark S&P 500 index (+2.3%) benefited from optimism regarding a ‘soft landing’ and encouraging inflation data. More astounding, US large-cap stocks recovered from a sharp drawdown at the start of the month, with a dramatic shift from risk-off […]
August 2, 2024
Market Update: Mid-Year Outlook 3Q.2024 The midyear outlook provides an overview of the current market and our best ideas looking out over the next six months. The original aim of the report was to provide our clients with essential insight into the health of the economy given that the S&P500 […]
July 1, 2024
Major Asset Classes June 2024 Performance Comparison Introduction June 2024 returns for the benchmark S&P 500 index (+3.50%) deflected concerns about inflation, market breadth, government debt levels, and large bond auctions by the U.S. Treasury. The index is now up +14.5% year-to-date and the United States continues to have the […]
May 5, 2024
Major Asset Classes April 2024 Performance Comparison Introduction April 2024 returns for the S&P 500 index (-4.2%) were negative after five straight months of gains. The end of March sent clear ‘risk-off’ signals. Market conditions included a spike in 10Y yields and the cost of risk insurance (e.g. VIX index), […]
April 6, 2024
Major Asset Classes March 2024 Performance Comparison Introduction March 2024 returns marked the second quarter and the fifth straight month of positive stock market gains. Economic strength and diminishing recession fears led to the best Q1 U.S. market performance since 2019, with total returns for the S&P500 index up +10.2% […]
March 28, 2024
The Bond Market MasterClass was taught March 27, 2024 at the Magrath Library, UofM St. Paul campus. The Bond Market MasterClass navigates the intricate world of fixed income markets. The bond market can be daunting since there are so many different kinds of fixed income securities. The course reviewed each […]
March 3, 2024
Major Asset Classes February 2024 Performance Comparison Introduction February 2024 returns marked the fourth straight month of positive stock market gains. Once again, concentrated equity portfolios with the largest companies outperformed index benchmarks. However, the market’s true strength lies with those sectors that are now outperforming Technology shares, notably small […]
February 3, 2024
Major Asset Classes January 2024 Performance Comparison Introduction January 2024 market returns saw the return of Commodities as the top asset group. In other markets, US stocks beat international markets, corporate bonds marginally outperformed Treasuries, and the US Dollar outpaced all other currencies. January was also unique as the SEC […]
February 1, 2024
The UofM sponsored the course ‘Decrypting Crypto.’ I was one of three teachers invited to present. The course was taught at the UofM St Paul Campus on February 1 and 8, 2024. At first, my role was to compare digital currencies to other mediums of exchange and stores of value. […]
January 1, 2024
Major Asset Classes December 2023 Performance Comparison Introduction Stocks Investors have a lot to cheer given that December 2023 market returns made for a positive month, quarter, and year. The S&P 500 index rallied +4.4% in December, finishing the year up +24.2%. Key drivers include high US GDP growth, better-than-expected […]