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…
U.S. stocks finished the year with a loss for the first time since 2008. Market participants worried primarily about the possibility of an economic slowdown in the coming year and an aggressive Federal Reserve continuing to normalize monetary policy through continued rate hikes. Yields on the fixed income benchmark 10-year…
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…
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…