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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Major Asset Classes September 2021 Performance Comparison Introduction September returns across global financial markets suffered their broadest retreat in a year.  First, the hardest hit asset classes were domestic and international equities.  Second, government and corporate bonds also declined more than 5%.  Commodity prices were mixed.  For example, lumber, natural […]