by Neil Gilliss, MBA, CFP | Apr 18, 2023 | Newsletters
In the face of significant uncertainty, markets proved to be more resilient to start the year than many investors thought possible. The quarter started off largely upbeat as inflation seemed to be subsiding and many believed that would lead the Fed to stop raising rates or even contemplate cutting rates. In February, economic numbers came in hotter than expected and the Fed’s rhetoric quickly reinforced further rate increases. Many professionals have been predicting that the significant rise in rates would eventually cause something to break. In March, the cracks started to emerge as Silicon Valley Bank & Signature Bank quickly were shut down by regulators within a few days of each other. Please click here to continue reading our market update.
by Neil Gilliss, MBA, CFP | Jan 16, 2023 | Newsletters
2022 will go down in history as a landmark year for economics and financial markets, just not the type of year we want to remember. The highest inflation in 40 years, the most aggressive interest rate increases in modern history, and the Russia/Ukraine war were each unique in their own respects and caused extreme volatility in all investment asset classes. This is only the 5th time since 1926 that stocks and bonds have been down in the same year and the first time that both have declined by 10% in a single year. Please click here to continue reading our market update.
by Neil Gilliss, MBA, CFP | Oct 14, 2022 | Newsletters
After the worst first half since 1970, the third quarter started out with a bang as the S&P 500 increased over 17% from June lows. However, elevated inflation reports coupled with a Fed determined to squash it, led the market to give up all its gains and then some, ending the quarter at the lows for the year (-23.9%). This was the worst first three quarters to start a year since 2002, and the fourth worst since 1926. International markets performed even worse, and bonds continued their plunge with a 15% total decline year-to-date.
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by Neil Gilliss, MBA, CFP | Jul 18, 2022 | Newsletters
There is generally only one free lunch in the investment world and that is diversification. Unfortunately, plain vanilla diversification has not worked this year as both stocks and bonds have seen historic declines. The S&P 500 posted the worst first half since 1970 (down 20%), and the 4th worst start to the year (1932 & 1962) in history. Bonds, most investors safe investment, were down 10.4%, the largest decline to start a year since data began being tracked in 1981.
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by Neil Gilliss, MBA, CFP | Jun 20, 2022 | Newsletters
We hope everyone and their families are healthy and safe and enjoying the start to summer. The first half of 2022 has certainly been a rough start to the year for both markets and the global economy: facing headwinds from an ongoing war in Ukraine/Russia, high and unpredictable inflation, rising interest rates and continued supply chain disruptions. While it was our belief that markets were due for a pullback and the confluence of these issues would result in a volatile market, we did not expect for it to happen this broadly and quickly.
Please click here to continue reading our market update.
