• Despite weakness in the final trading week of May, U.S. large-cap equities posted their best monthly performance since February, with the S&P 500 up 5%, thanks to AI-related optimism boosting Information Technology and Utilities stocks.
• Mid and small caps fared similarly to their large-cap peers, with the S&P MidCap 400 and the S&P SmallCap 600 up 4% and 5%, respectively.
• Except for Energy, all sectors posted gains, led by Information Technology, up 10%.   dashboard-us-2024-05
  

This report features world capital market performance and a timeline of events for the past quarter. It begins with a global overview, then features the returns of stock and bond asset classes in the US and international markets.

The report also illustrates the impact of globally diversified portfolios and features a quarterly topic. ” Let the Compounding Commence!”

Click HERE to download this quarter’s breakdown!

• Accompanied by shock waves from the demise of Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank and Credit Suisse, the first quarter was characterized by turbulent swings in inflation and rate hike expectations.
• Despite the surrounding chaos, the market managed to rebound in March. Boosted by Information Technology, the S&P 500^® posted a gain of 7.5% in Q1, outpacing smaller caps, with the S&P MidCap 400_^® up 4% and the S&P SmallCap 600^® up 3%.
• A flight to quality sentiment meant that Information Technology and Communication Services were the best-performing sectors for the quarter, up 22% and 21%, respectively. Financials was, unsurprisingly, the sectoral laggard. High Beta and Growth led among factors, while defensive strategies lagged.

• It was not entirely smooth sailing for U.S. equities in November, as concerns about the Omicron strain coupled with less-than-transitory inflation and accelerated tapering by the Fed roiled markets during the last three days of the month. The S&P 500^® posted a loss of 1%, outperforming mid and small caps, as the S&P MidCap 400^® and S&P SmallCap 600^® declined 3% and 2%, respectively. Volatility spiked, as the VIX^® closed at 27.19.
• Growth led among factors, followed by a number of defensive strategies, including Quality, Low Volatility, and Dividend Aristocrats.
• Among sectors, IT led, followed by Consumer Discretionary, while Financials lagged.