by Jeff de Valdivia | Dec 3, 2024 | 2024
Overview In November, Trump’s victory, the continuation of supporting US economic data, and a Federal Reserve Bank (Fed) set on further pushing interest rates down all contributed to spectacular equity performances in the US. The S&P 500 rose 5.87%...
by Jeff de Valdivia | Nov 5, 2024 | 2024
Overview US equities drifted down in October due to robust economic data that tempered the perceived chances of the Federal Reserve Bank (FED) aggressively reducing interest rates. Internationally, the damage to equities was more sustained as the USD and US...
by Jeff de Valdivia | Oct 4, 2024 | 2024
Overview Equities meandered for the first part of the month of September but finished decidedly up, courtesy of a .50% interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve (FED). The S&P 500 rose 2.14% overall while the Nasdaq composite gained 2.76%. The Russell 2000...
by Jeff de Valdivia | Sep 4, 2024 | 2024
Overview In the early days of August, a softening US unemployment picture and the quasi-simultaneous unraveling of carry trades out of Japan caused equity markets to lose about 6% in the US before regaining their footing to finish the month in positive...
by Jeff de Valdivia | Aug 4, 2024 | 2024
Overview In July, we entered a particularly volatile part of the year for equity investors. The S&P 500 managed to rise 1.22% while the Nasdaq Composite dropped .73% and the Russell 2000 (Small Cap Stocks) moved up a whopping 10.16%. In international...
by Jeff de Valdivia | Jul 2, 2024 | 2024
Overview In June, the S&P’s 500 rose 3.59% while the Nasdaq Composite jumped 6.03%. The Russell 2000 (Small Cap Stocks) declined .66%. In international markets, the EPAC BM Index of developed economies (ex-US) dropped 1.58%. The MSCI EM (emerging markets)...
by Jeff de Valdivia | Jun 5, 2024 | 2024
Overview In May, equity and bond markets bounced back from their dismal April performances in the US and globally. The S&P’s 500 rose 4.96% while the Nasdaq Composite jumped 6.98%. The Russell 2000 (Small Cap Stocks) increased 5.02%. In international...
by Jeff de Valdivia | May 4, 2024 | 2024
Overview This past month, a surprisingly robust US economy coupled to stronger than expected inflation data combined to spook markets. In April, the S&P’s 500 declined 4.08% while the Nasdaq Composite lost 4.38%. The Russell 2000 (Small Cap Stocks) suffered...
by Jeff de Valdivia | Apr 2, 2024 | 2024
Overview March was another good month for equities worldwide and US equities, in particular. In March, the S&P’s 500 rose 3.22% while the Nasdaq Composite was up 1.85%. The Russell 2000 (Small Cap Stocks) increased 3.58%. In international markets, the EPAC...
by Jeff de Valdivia | Mar 5, 2024 | 2024
Overview US equities and, to a lesser extent, international equity markets delivered another spectacular performance this past month. In February, the S&P’s 500 rose 5.34% while the Nasdaq Composite was up 6.22%. The Russell 2000 (Small Cap Stocks)...
by Jeff de Valdivia | Feb 4, 2024 | 2024
Overview In January, the continued strength of the US economy contributed to a mixed US equity market performance and to a mild deterioration in the bond market. Meanwhile, the sharp upward move of the USD, caused by rising bond yields, led to a generally...
by Jeff de Valdivia | Jan 2, 2024 | 2024
Overview Equities and bonds continued to rally in December, gaining further momentum after the FED’s “pivot” of early November. The S&P’s 500 rose 4.54%. The Nasdaq Composite was up 5.58% and the Russell 2000 (Small Cap Stocks.) blasted 12.22% up. In...
