by Neil Gilliss, MBA, CFP | Apr 22, 2022 | Newsletters
After a year in which the S&P 500 advanced by more than 28%, the first quarter saw major volatility with the S&P 500 ending the first quarter of 2022 down 4.6%. At the lowest point, the 500 largest companies were down 12.5% on March 8th, but rallied nicely through the end of the month. Growth stocks were particularly hard hit with the Nasdaq down over 20% at its low. The first Fed rate hike since 2018, the biggest conflict in Europe since WWII and the highest level of inflation in 40 years all weighed on investor confidence.
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by Neil Gilliss, MBA, CFP | Mar 9, 2022 | Economics
Russia’s decision to invade Ukraine has dominated the headlines in recent weeks. We are saddened to see the impact on the innocent lives involved in this crisis. This is obviously a very fluid situation, and we are evaluating all developments closely.
Stocks could be volatile for a while, but the impact to stocks from geopolitical events historically has tended to be short-lived.
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by Neil Gilliss, MBA, CFP | Jan 18, 2022 | Newsletters
Despite some end of year volatility, major indices rallied during the 4th quarter, with the S&P 500 up 11% and the Dow up 8%. For the full year, the S&P 500 was once again the best performer of the major world indices, returning 26.9% and recording 70 new record highs, the most since 1955. This was the third straight year of double-digit returns. The markets were once again driven by earnings growth. Heading into 2021, the market consensus was for year over year earnings growth of 22%. Incredibly, actual earnings grew 65% year over year, the largest upward revision since this data has been tracked starting in 1984. Record inflows into equity funds and a resurgence in stock buybacks also helped major U.S. indices.
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by Neil Gilliss, MBA, CFP | Oct 19, 2021 | Financial Planning, Newsletters
The 3rd quarter managed a slim profit despite a pullback of over 5% from the market high on September 2nd. Stocks, as measured by the S&P 500, have returned nearly 15% through the first three quarters of the year. We went 211 trading days without a 5% correction, which is the 13th longest streak on record. Historically, these streaks have been positive, as 11 of the 12 streaks longer than the most recent one continued their positive trends over time. Despite great returns year to date and a trend that should remain positive, we are seeing a wall of worry not experienced since the depths of COVID-19 in 2020.
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by Neil Gilliss, MBA, CFP | Jan 20, 2021 | Financial Planning, Newsletters
We spent many hours at the end of 2019 trying to figure out what could derail one of the greatest markets in history. Most investors’ biggest concern going into 2020 was the upcoming election and what a potential change in Washington leadership would mean for the markets. Of course, no one predicted a global pandemic causing a global recession. Fortunately, it was the shortest recession and fastest market recovery in history. Please click HERE to continue reading our 4th Quarter Newsletter.
