June 3, 2022

May Returns and Asset Performance

Major Asset Classes May 2022 Performance Comparison Introduction May returns benefited from ‘spike lows’ in several asset markets, setting the stage for relief rallies over the second half of the month.  Performance across US equity indexes was mixed with several sectors posting notable gains.  Developed markets also posted positive gains […]
May 2, 2022

April Returns and Asset Performance

Major Asset Classes April 2022 Performance Comparison Introduction April market volatility was notable.  Red ink swept across the monthly results for most asset classes, highlighting the need for active risk management and strategies for capital preservation.  Equity and bond markets were down world-wide with few exceptions.  Strength in the US […]
April 2, 2022

March Returns and Asset Performance

Major Asset Classes March 2022 Performance Comparison Introduction March returns across markets were extraordinary for their speed and scale.   Returns across the asset classes were again dominated by events in Ukraine. Equity markets world-wide were up with only a few exceptions in the emerging markets. The market risk regime […]
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 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 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 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 […]