Major Asset Classes August 2024 Performance Comparison Introduction September returns for the S&P 500 index began with a price correction of -4.8% and then rallied back to gain +2.0% for the month, as inflation continued to stabilize and given a jumbo rate cut of 0.5% by the Fed.  Moreover, analysts’ […]

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 […]

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 […]

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), […]

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% […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]