Toggle SlidingBar Area
Call Us Today! 855-727-5356

About Park-Elm

This author has not yet filled in any details.
So far Park-Elm has created 201 blog entries.

U.S. Performance Dashboard – November 2025

By | December 2nd, 2025|Markets|

  • A record-long government shutdown, concerns over elevated Big Tech valuations, and hawkish sentiment from the Fed initially rattled U.S. equity markets in November. Consumer sentiment fell to its lowest level since 2022 and VIX® soared to its highest reading since April. But there was plenty to be thankful for, most prominently a sharp rise in expectations for a December rate cut, which led to a strong turnaround for the S&P 500® in the last week of the month. As a result, the index finished November up 0.25%.
  • Smaller caps outperformed versus their large-cap peers, with the S&P MidCap 400® and S&P SmallCap 600® up 2% and 3%, respectively.
  • Performance among large-cap sectors was mixed. Health Care had a banner month, surging 9%, its strongest monthly gain since April 2020. In contrast, Information Technology shed 4% as AI-bubble fears grew heightened, although the sector subsequently staged a dramatic comeback towards the end of the month.dashboard-us-2025-11
Read More
 0

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
Read More
 0

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
Read More
 0

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
Read More
 0

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%.
dashboard-us-2025-07
Read More
 0

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
Read More
 0

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.
dashboard-us-2025-05
Read More
 0

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
Read More
 0

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
Read More
 0

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
Read More
 0
Load More Posts

We are held to the Fiduciary Standard

  • Our operations are fully transparent. We will always put your interests first.

  • We have a "duty to care." We are legally bound to continually monitor not just your investments but your ever-changing financial situation as well. We never stop working for you.

  • We are a fee-only adviser. Nothing is hidden.

  • Park and Elm Investment Advisers, LLC (Park and Elm) is a registered investment adviser in the State of Washington, Illinois, Ohio and Indiana. The Adviser may not transact business in states where it is not appropriately registered, excluded or exempted from registration. Individualized responses to persons that involve either the effecting of transaction in securities, or the rendering of personalized investment advice for compensation, will not be made without registration or exemption.

    • We’d Love to Hear From You. Lets Get In Touch.

    Your Name (required)

    Your Email (required)

    Subject

    Your Message

    captcha