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So far Park-Elm has created 200 blog entries.

U.S. Performance Dashboard – October 2025

By | November 4th, 2025|General, Markets|

  • U.S. equities finished October on a strong note, with the S&P 500® up 2%, thanks to blockbuster earnings from Big Tech on the final trading days of the month. Optimism surrounding a potential trade deal between the U.S. and China and anticipation of the Fed’s recent rate cut propelled risk-on sentiment through the month, although Fed Chair Powell’s recent hawkish remarks spooked markets.
  • Gains were powered by mega-cap strength, with the S&P 500 Top 50 up 4%. Meanwhile, smaller-caps had a challenging time, with the S&P MidCap 400® and S&P SmallCap 600® down 0.5% and 1% respectively.
  • Information Technology led among sectors while Financials and Materials lagged.dashboard-us-2025-10
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U.S. Performance Dashboard – September 2025

By | October 6th, 2025|Markets|

  • U.S. equity markets closed out the final trading day of the quarter with a slight gain amid government shutdown concerns. It was a stellar Q3, thanks to optimism surrounding Fed rate cuts, Big Tech strength and robust consumer spending, with the S&P 500® up 8%. Despite ongoing trade negotiations coupled with inflation and labor market worries, The 500™ notched 23 record closing highs, also marking its best September performance in 15 years.
  • Bolstered by the tailwind of recent and expected Fed rate cuts, the rally broadened to mid and small caps, with the S&P MidCap 400® up 6% and the S&P SmallCap 600® up 9%.
  • Most sectors outperformed in Q3, led by Information Technology and Communication Services, while Consumer Staples lagged.dashboard-us-2025-09
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U.S. Performance Dashboard – August 2025

By | September 3rd, 2025|General, Markets|

  • Despite a sharp sell-off on the final trading day of the month, U.S. equities finished their fourth consecutive month of gains, with the S&P 500® up 2% in August. While tariff-related uncertainty and geopolitical tensions continued to weigh on the market, optimism surrounding potential upcoming Federal Reserve rate cuts and Big Tech strength helped propel The 500™ to a new all-time closing high on August 28.
  • The rally broadened in August, with mid and small caps outperforming their large-cap peers. The S&P MidCap 400® and S&P SmallCap 600® gained 3% and 7%, respectively, as Fed Chair Powell’s dovish remarks during the Jackson Hole symposium reignited hopes for Fed rate cuts, boosting rate-sensitive small-cap stocks.
  • Most sectors posted gains, led by Materials and Health Care, the latter of which reversed its losses from July. Utilities was the sole decliner.dashboard-us-2025-08
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U.S. Performance Dashboard – July 2025

By | August 6th, 2025|General, Markets|

  • Despite ongoing tariff-related trade tensions and macroeconomic uncertainty affecting markets, U.S. equities maintained their upward momentum in July, with the S&P 500® increasing by 2%. Propelled by strong corporate earnings and renewed consumer sentiment, The 500™ reached 10 all-time highs, demonstrating resilience amid economic challenges. However, as the month ended, the rally lost momentum as the tariff deadline neared and the Fed’s post-meeting commentary hinted at potential challenges ahead.
  • The market rally extended beyond large caps, with mid- and small-cap equities advancing alongside their larger counterparts. The S&P MidCap 400® and S&P SmallCap 600® concluded July with increases of 2% and 1%, respectively.
  • Information Technology, Utilities and Industrials were the leading sectors in July, while overall sector returns were mixed. Health Care experienced the weakest performance, declining by 3%.
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U.S. Performance Dashboard – June 2025

By | July 2nd, 2025|General, Markets|

  • Shrugging off inflation concerns, trade tensions, and geopolitical risks, U.S. equities staged a dramatic recovery in Q2, with the S&P 500® rebounding by over 20% since the tariff-related tumult experienced in early April. Fueled by robust corporate earnings from Big Tech and recent optimism surrounding potential upcoming tax cuts, The 500™ reached another all-time closing high on the last trading day of the month, closing the quarter up 11%. Implied volatility remained low, with VIX® closing the quarter below the 17 handle.
  • The market rally was particularly notable for its breadth, which further extended toward mid and small caps. Although underperforming their large-cap peers, the S&P MidCap 400® and S&P SmallCap 600® were up 7% and 5%, respectively.
  • Marking a shift away from the defensive sentiment witnessed in Q1, Information Technology and Communication Services were the top-performing sectors, up 24% and 18%, respectively.dashboard-us-2025-06
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U.S. Performance Dashboard – May 2025

By | June 3rd, 2025|Markets|

  • U.S. equities staged a remarkable recovery in May, thanks to optimism surrounding easing tariff tensions, with the S&P 500® up 6%, posting its best May since 1990. Strong Big Tech earnings powered the market upward, with the S&P 500 Top 50 up 8%. Although the fiscal deficit, inflation concerns and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties continue to linger, volatility declined, with VIX® closing the month below the 19 handle.
  • Although slightly underperforming their large-cap peers, the rally was broad based, with the S&P MidCap 400® and S&P SmallCap 600® both up 5%. Uncertainty remained over the future course of monetary policy after the Fed minutes signaled caution.
  • Most sectors posted gains, led by Information Technology and Communication Services, up 11% and 10%, respectively, while Health Care was a notable laggard.
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U.S. Performance Dashboard – April 2025

By | May 5th, 2025|Markets|

  • It was a tale of two markets in April. U.S. market turmoil continued in the first half, as markets were whipsawed by tariff-related trade concerns. Notably, the latter half of the month was characterized by a series of market rallies, driven by easing geopolitical tensions amid mixed corporate earnings results. Despite a slight gain on the final trading day of the month, the S&P 500® declined by 1% in April, marking its third consecutive month of losses.
  • Mid and small caps, given their more domestic focus, fared worse than their large-cap peers, with the S&P MidCap 400® and S&P SmallCap 600® falling by 2% and 4%, respectively.
  • Performance among sectors was mixed, but a rotation was evident compared to Q1, with Information Technology in the lead and Energy as the laggard.dashboard-us-2025-04
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U.S. Performance Dashboard – March 2025

By | April 1st, 2025|General, Markets, Quarterly Market Review|

  • U.S. markets experienced a turbulent Q1, as concerns about impending tariffs, inflation and economic growth amid the backdrop of geopolitical tensions spooked investors. Although the S&P 500® achieved three all-time closing highs, the index subsequently dipped briefly into correction territory in March. A rally on the final trading day of the month was a welcome relief, but The 500™ closed out the quarter with a 4% decline, posting its worst quarterly loss since 2022.
  • Mid and small caps fared worse than their large-cap peers, with the S&P MidCap 400® and S&P SmallCap 600® falling by 6% and 9%, respectively. Uncertainty over the economy and future trajectory of potential Fed rate cuts weighed on investor sentiment.
  • Sector performance was mixed for the quarter. Energy, Health Care and Consumer Staples led the way, while Information Technology and Consumer Discretionary dropped by 13% and 14%, respectively. Notably, Energy and Utilities were the only sectors to post gains in March. dashboard-us-2025-03
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U.S. Performance Dashboard – February 2025

By | March 3rd, 2025|Markets|

  • U.S equity markets were buffeted by several headwinds in February, including potential impending tariffs, geopolitical tensions, economic weakness and a decline in consumer confidence, with the S&P 500® closing the month down 1%. Despite reaching two all-time closing highs, gains were quickly erased, followed by a rally for The 500™ on the final trading day of the month.
  • Mid and small caps fared worse than their large-cap peers, with the S&P MidCap 400® and S&P SmallCap 600® falling 4% and 6%, respectively. Heightened inflation concerns and uncertainty regarding potential Federal Reserve rate cuts continued to weigh on investor sentiment.
  • Sector performance in February was mixed. Defensive sectors outperformed, led by Consumer Staples and Real Estate, while Industrials, Communication Services and Consumer Discretionary lagged.dashboard-us-2025-02
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U.S. Performance Dashboard – January 2025

By | February 4th, 2025|Markets|

  • U.S. markets closed down the final trading day of the month after news of impending tariffs sparked renewed market jitters. It was a rollercoaster January, characterized by another all-time closing high for the S&P 500®, followed by a sharp selloff after a new AI model from China sent shockwaves through the world. Nevertheless, thanks to relatively strong earnings results and robust consumer spending, the S&P 500 remained resilient, concluding the month with a 3% gain.
  • Mid and small caps outperformed their large-cap peers, with the S&P MidCap 400® and S&P SmallCap 600® up 4% and 3% respectively. Concerns surrounding Fed rate cut uncertainty and inflation continued to weigh on investors.
  • Most sectors posted gains in January, led by Communication Services, Health Care and Financials. Information Technology was the only laggard, down 3% upon AI related headwinds.dashboard-us-2025-01
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