Insight Reports
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
‘Decrypting Crypto’ was a course sponsored by the U0fM OLLI center. I was one of three teachers invited to present. The course was taught February 1 and 8, 2024. My role was to compare digital currencies to other mediums of exchange and stores of value. I presented the basic steps […]
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 […]
December 6, 2023
S&P 500 Earnings Forecasts – 4Q.2023 Prelude to Earnings Season The S&P 500 index saw year-on-year earnings growth for 4.8% in the third quarter. It’s now time to consolidate net income forecasts by company for the fourth quarter to see earnings growth estimates for the large-cap index and its eleven […]
December 1, 2023
Major Asset Classes November 2023 Performance Comparison Introduction November 2023 market returns were broadly positive. Stocks and fixed income assets had their best performance month of the year. For example, the S&P 500 index (+8.9%) and the NASDAQ100 Index (+10.8%) benefited from an improved rate outlook, a strong GDP trend, […]
November 3, 2023
Major Asset Classes October 2023 Performance Comparison Introduction Strong GDP growth in the third quarter is the backdrop for October 2023 market returns. Still, the U.S. equity markets fell last month, the third monthly loss in a row. Meanwhile, key drivers included mixed third quarter earnings results, surging long-dated yields, […]