MARKET REVIEW Strong 4th quarter returns helped the major stock indices reach all-time highs in late December as the markets delivered the strongest annual returns since 2013. For 2019, the benchmark S&P 500 posted 28% price appreciation. The Fed delivered a third 0.25% rate cut in October to provide additional cushion against international economic weakness,…
Market Review Fourth quarter capital markets experienced extreme volatility, despite having a backdrop of positive economic fundamentals. While corporations marched on with impressive earnings reports of over 20%, the day-to-day market pricings did not reflect this strength. Wages continued their modest increase, but not at a rate to signal inflation con-cerns. Major economic indicators, such…
Market Review During the third quarter, capital markets continued to rise, led by strong domestic growth. The markets were bolstered by U.S. corporations’ robust revenue and earnings growth. In fact, this was the best single quarter in U.S. equity market performance since 2013. The strength of the U.S. economy lifted the entire global market performance,…
Market Review In the 2nd quarter the global economy continued to expand, with world-wide economic growth accelerating to 4.0%. The leadership of growth shifted back to the U.S., as reflected in individual country stock market results. For the first time in a decade, the unemployment rate dropped below 4%, which is generally considered full employment.…
Market Review The impacts of the U.S. Tax Reform passed in late December continued its reverberation at the beginning of the year as investors digested how it would affect both cor- porations and individuals. Among the top celebrated aspects were the elimination of the healthcare mandate, the repatriation of overseas cash, the lowering of corporate…