In The News

November’s market action continued the main themes of 2022: inflation and interest rates. Like October, these factors provided a tailwind for stocks, sending the S&P 500 Index higher by 5.6% during the month and 14.1% so far this quarter. November also marked another month of value stocks outperforming their growth counterparts. Inflation was the first […]

As if midterm elections, interest rates, and inflation were not enough for an exciting start to November, a cryptocurrency meltdown was added to the list. These factors combined to lead the S&P 500 Index to a 3% rise to start the month and include last week’s S&P 500 Index rally to close up 6% after […]

Inflation remains at multi-decade highs, leading the Federal Reserve to continue with plans to increase short-term interest rates. Yet, the stock market just commenced a strong October. The Dow Jones Industrial Average posted its best monthly return since 1976, and despite rising interest rates throughout the month, the NASDAQ Composite even posted a 4% return. […]

Inflation While inflation has pulled back from the June 9.1% screaming 40-year high, levels remain elevated at 8.2%.  September figures shows a reduction in gas prices, but costs for shelter, medical care, and food continue to rise.  The war in Ukraine has driven up energy and food prices.  But excluding food and energy, core inflation […]

As a volatile September ended, the S&P 500 Index continued its downward trajectory, closing the month with a loss of over 9%. September’s decline was driven by the markets processing what higher rates could mean for financial markets rather than new data indicating additional risks that lie ahead.  While corporate earnings remain stable relative to […]

The stock market’s rally began in mid-June and continued through mid-August when the latest inflation data showed a slowdown from July, albeit still at an 8.5% annual rate. As of August 16th, the S&P 500 Index was up over 4% for the month. On that same day, the S&P 500 Index traded at its August […]

Some might find it surprising that the S&P 500 Index is up 17% since its June 16th low through last Friday. Mixed economic signals lead investors to question whether we are amid a bear market rally or if this is the start of a new bull market. Many market participants continue to think a recession […]

Let’s talk recessions. The dreaded word is making its way back into the mainstream as financial markets trade in a bear market, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta’s GDPNow model predicts a slight decline in economic activity for the second quarter. If this pans out, it will mark two consecutive quarters of negative GDP […]