U.S. Performance Dashboard – May 2023
Uncertainty reigned across U.S. markets in May. Grappling with persistent inflation, investors struggled to anticipate the Fed’s rate hike trajectory and the outcome of the federal debt ceiling debates. Amidst these concerns, strong earnings in a handful of sectors helped buoy equities yet worries over a May 31 House of Representatives vote on the debt ceiling deal ultimately weighed heavily on markets. Fueled by the strength of mega-caps, the S&P 500® posted a gain of 0.4% [...]
U.S. Performance Dashboard – April 2023
Lingering concerns around inflation, coupled with recession jitters stemming from continued turmoil within the banking space, led to uncertainty over the Fed's future rate hike trajectory. Despite the ambiguity, better than expected Big Tech corporate earnings managed to sustain the U.S. market in April. Boosted by the strength of mega caps, the S&P 500® posted a gain of 2% in April, outpacing smaller caps, with the S&P MidCap 400® down 1% and the S&P SmallCap 600® down 3%. [...]
U.S. Performance Dashboard – March 2023
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 [...]
U.S. Performance Dashboard – February 2023
Market jitters returned in February, characterized by concerns over inflation and its impact on rates. In a reversal of January's rosy performance, the S&P 500® finished down 2%. Smaller caps performed slightly better, with the S&P SmallCap 600® down 1%.. Fears of rising rates spread overseas, with the S&P Developed Ex-U.S. BMI and the S&P Emerging BMI underperforming the U.S. and finishing with losses of 3% and 6%, respectively. Information Technology was the only S&P 500 sector [...]
U.S. Performance Dashboard – January 2023
After a rollercoaster 2022 and despite mixed earnings results, January was a rosy start to the new year, characterized by better-than-expected GDP growth, a slowing pace of inflation and expectations of reduced rate hikes by the Fed, with the S&P 500® up 6%, posting its best January performance since 2019. Smaller caps performed relatively better, with the S&P MidCap 400® and S&P SmallCap 600® both up 9%. International equities outperformed the U.S., boosted by a weakening U.S. dollar [...]
U.S. Performance Dashboard – November 2022
A rally on the last trading day of November capped off a month of relief for the market in the form of easing inflation and optimism surrounding a potential slowing pace of U.S. rate hikes. The S&P 500® posted its second consecutive month of gains, with a total return of 6%. The S&P MidCap 400® and S&P SmallCap 600® were up 6% and 4%, respectively. All S&P 500 sectors finished higher with Materials in the lead and every [...]
