Printable Version   We saw a bit of a correction in the domestic equity markets this week, but international stocks posted gains, due in part to a weak dollar. The S&P dipped a fraction (-0.02%) while the small-cap Russell 2000 slipped -0.5. The NASDAQ closed -0.2% lower. The international markets bucked the trend with the EAFE up +0.4% and emerging +0.3%. The advance in equities over the last few months has been relentless. It was…
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Printable Version    For the first time in a while we saw some volatility in the markets. Equities bounced around quite a bit this week on mixed economic news, a possible change of heart by central banks, and a renewed stalemate over the healthcare bill. For the week the S&P lost -0.6% while small-cap equities were basically flat. The worst of the selling for the week was in the FANG stocks. The NASDAQ lost -2.0%…
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Printable Version   On the surface, it was a flat week for the U.S. indexes, but below the surface small-caps and tech stocks sold off about -1% for the week.  The international markets were a mixed bag.  Europe and Japan were modestly higher after adjusting for the currency move while the emerging world was down.  China and Hong Kong fell -1.1% and -1.6% respectively while Brazil sagged -0.9%.   Bond yields dipped modestly on the…
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Printable Version   It was a solid week for almost all markets.  The global equity indexes pushed higher around the world with the S&P gaining +1.0% for the week while the small-cap Russell 2000 added +1.8%.  Europe and Japan also performed well.  The European indexes added +1.5% for the week while Japan was up +3.2% (both in dollar terms).  Emerging markets lagged, with Brazil losing -2.4%.   Bond yields dipped meaningfully after Friday’s weekly employment…
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Printable Version   Watching the news on Wednesday or reading the papers Thursday morning you would have thought we were down big this week. But only the small-cap Russell 2000 index stands out with a loss of over -1%. The S&P was little changed, and even emerging equities hardly budged despite the turmoil in Brazil (more below). The EAFE stands out with a +1.3% weekly gain, bringing the YTD advance to +14.5%. The gain in…
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Printable Version   Market Summary   It was a choppy week for the equity markets, but most major indexes gained ground.  The S&P was up +0.6% for the week while the NASDAQ added +0.9%.  Only small-caps and energy stocks really lost ground.  Europe had a very good week.  Germany was up +2.4% while France added +3.1%.  Japan was solid as well (+1.3%).   Interest rates backed up slightly after the Fed meeting mid-week.  The yield…
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Printable Version   Market Summary   It was a solid week for the global equity markets.  The French election results provided the spark on Monday and solid earnings reports underpinned the gains.  For the week both the S&P and Russell 2000 were up +1.5%.   The NASDAQ jumped +2.3% to close solidly above the 6,000 level for the first time ever.  Amazon and Google earnings impressed investors.   While the big tech behemoths garner a lot…
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Printable Version     A broadly positive week for the developed market equity indexes.  For the week the S&P gained +0.8% while the small-cap Russell 2000 was up +2.5%.   Only emerging equities lagged, losing -1.1%.  An upcoming meeting between the U.S. and Chinese leaders is leading to jitters about a possible trade conflict.  Chinese mainland equities lost -0.7% while Hong Kong stocks were down -1.9%.   Bond yields were unchanged and most bond asset classes…
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Printable Version   Now this is something we haven’t see for a while – a marked underperformance in the S&P 500. For the week the S&P inched out a +0.2% gain versus +2% to +4% gains for the overseas markets. A weak dollar certainly helped turn the tide, as did growing confidence the Fed would not undermine the global economy in the months to come.   Bond yields fell and bond prices rallied right after…
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Printable Version   Market Summary   Some pretty large point moves this week but we didn’t go very far very fast. Large-cap stocks were up with the S&P gaining +0.7%, but small-caps were off -0.1%. Europe and Japan performed well (+2.3% and +1.0% respectively) but emerging lost -0.7%.   The market story of the week was the pop higher in bond yields and the dollar. The yield on the 10-year added 17bps while the 2-year…
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