by J.J. Schenkelberg, CFA | Apr 3, 2024 | Market Commentary, Market Performance
IndexFirst Quarter 2024Year To-Date 2024S&P 50010.4%10.4%Dow Jones Industrial Average6.0%6.0%Russell 20005.1%5.1% MSCI All Country World Index ex-US5.0%5.0% Aggregate Bond-0.8%-0.8%...
by J.J. Schenkelberg, CFA | Apr 3, 2024 | Market Commentary, News
Looking at returns during different government configurations tells investors little about why markets or the economy performed the way they did, and give little indication of how this could play out in the future. The charts below highlight real GDP growth and...
by J.J. Schenkelberg, CFA | Apr 3, 2024 | Market Commentary, Market Performance
A key investment mantra is “buy low sell high.” Based on this key mantra, it is best to buy investments at low prices in order to sell them at higher prices. This is a quality investment strategy for generating positive returns. The Standard and Poor’s 500 Index...
by J.J. Schenkelberg, CFA | Jan 5, 2024 | Market Commentary, Market Performance
Top performing U.S. S&P 500 sectors as reported by Koyfin for the Fourth Quarter of 2023 include Real Estate (18.8%), Technology (17.7%) and Financials (13.9%). Laggards for the Fourth Quarter include Energy (-6.4%), Consumer Staples (5.5%) and Health Care (6.4%)....
by J.J. Schenkelberg, CFA | Jan 5, 2024 | Market Commentary, Market Performance
The S&P 500, an index of large U.S. companies, posted a total return of 11.6% for the Fourth Quarter of 2023. Large U.S. stocks outperformed international for the quarter as measured by the iShares MSCI ACWI ex-US Index, a representation of international stocks...
by J.J. Schenkelberg, CFA | Jan 5, 2024 | Market Commentary, Uncategorized
The turn of a new year often coincides with new resolutions and potential new starts. These changes sometimes stick and sometimes don’t. But, there are some changes that are certain for the new year. Those are changes made by the IRS. The IRS makes some changes each...
by J.J. Schenkelberg, CFA | Jan 5, 2024 | Financial Planning, Market Commentary, Market Performance
It is safe to look at your investment account statements again. 2023 was a very strong year for stocks. Especially when measured by the Standard and Poor’s 500 Index(S&P 500). The S&P 500 Index had a total return of 26.2% for the full year. Other major indices...
by J.J. Schenkelberg, CFA | Oct 16, 2023 | Market Commentary, Market Performance
Top performing U.S. S&P 500 sectors as reported by Koyfin for the Third Quarter of 2023 include Energy (12.2%), Communications (1.0%) and Financials (-1.2%). Laggards for the Third Quarter include Utilities (-9.2%), Real Estate (-8.9%) and Consumer Staples...
by J.J. Schenkelberg, CFA | Oct 16, 2023 | Market Commentary, Market Performance
The S&P 500, an index of large U.S. companies, posted a total return of -3.7% for the Third Quarter of 2023. Large U.S. stocks outperformed international for the quarter as measured by the iShares MSCI ACWI ex-US ETF, a representation of international stocks...
by J.J. Schenkelberg, CFA | Oct 16, 2023 | Market Commentary, Market Performance
Interest rates have increased sharply the past several years. It’s hard to escape this news. Everyone on the street seems aware of higher mortgage rates, and they are starting to recognize how rising interest rates are changing savings rates at the bank. It’s one...
