Stocks slumped in the 3rd Quarter as rising interest rates renewed recession concerns. The S&P 500 Index declined 3.3% for the three-month period but remains up for the year to date. Remarks from the Federal Reserve about keeping monetary policy tighter for a longer period sparked a sharp rise in…
The S&P 500 Index ended 2022 with a positive quarter as it rose 7.5%, but it wasn’t enough to turn around a terrible year for equities. Investors saw signs of optimism in easing inflation figures, raising the possibility of a slower pace of future rate hikes from the Federal Reserve.…
Despite a summer rally that lifted the S&P 500 out of bear market territory, stocks ended the 3rd Quarter down nearly 5% and back in a bear market. Inflation remained high throughout the quarter even with slight improvements since its June peak. Persistently high consumer prices pushed the Federal Reserve…
Stocks declined in the 2nd Quarter with the S&P 500 Index falling into a bear market in June. Aggressive monetary moves by the Federal Reserve to counter rising inflation stoked investor fears of a recession, even with consumer spending and company earnings remaining relatively strong. Bond yields rose on Fed…
For much of the 2nd Quarter markets focused on the Federal Reserve, wondering how the central bank would respond to rising inflationary pressures throughout the U.S. economy. Stock performance wavered over the three-month period but ended the quarter up 8.5%. Interest rates retreated from last quarter’s post-COVID peak to settle…
U.S. stock markets meandered through the summer months, with the S&P 500 Index managing a small gain of 1.7% for the 3rd Quarter. In July though, stocks rose on expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut, which was delivered on July 31. Volatility returned to the market in August as…
Some uncertainty returned to U.S. equity markets in Q1 as concerns grew about a spike in inflation and the potential for more interest rate hikes from the Federal Reserve. Stocks had some challenging days in February and March, and the S&P 500 Index saw its first quarterly loss in over…
A major rewrite of the U.S. tax code passed in Q4, bringing big changes for individual and business taxpayers. The fiscal stimulus from tax reform should provide a near-term boost to the U.S. economy, which is already humming along at a strengthening clip. U.S. stocks finished 2017 on a strong…