The U.S. stock market got off to a bumpy start in 2024 Q2. No sooner did the calendar flip to April and the S&P 500 descended into a pullback. Over the course of the first fifteen trading days of the new quarter, the S&P 500 retreated by nearly -6%. Knowing that stock market corrections within a broader uptrend last anywhere …
Economic & Market Report: S&P’s Eleven
A passing glance at the U.S. market might make an investor think that it’s all about technology stocks all of the time. But the S&P 500 Index is made up of eleven sectors, all with their unique and individual forces driving their returns.
Economic & Market Report: Bond Market Broadside
The bond market sustained its latest broadside from the U.S. hot economic data warship on Thursday. Not only did the advance reading for 2024 Q1 U.S. GDP come in weaker than expected, but inflation readings also came in hotter than expected. This “stagflationary” barrage was enough to propel Treasury yields to their highest levels in more than six months. What …
Economic & Market Report: How Low Can We Go
The long overdue correction has finally arrived. No sooner did the market peak at 5264 on the last trading day of March than the calendar flipped to the start of the second quarter and the market has been moving sustainably to the downside. Now that the correction is underway, how low can we reasonably expect the market to go? Why …
Economic & Market Report: Warning Signs
The latest reading on monthly inflation came in hot once again on Wednesday. Predictably and understandably, both stocks and bonds did not like the news. While concerns about the latest CPI report may be overdone, some broader market signals may be suggesting that the longer trend of easing inflationary pressures may be at increasing risk. Hot, hot, hot . . …
Economic & Market Report: Worth Its Weight In Gold
When thinking about diversification, investor minds often focus on the relationship between stocks and bonds. But a variety of other asset classes also exist. One such category is gold. Quarter century winner. Suppose you were presented with the following question: “what between U.S. stocks and gold has been the best performing investment category over the past 25 years?” Understandably, the …