Market Commentaries Archive

Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary – August 19, 2019

Volatility continued to rise last week as the markets swung sharply in both directions. Markets moved more than 1% on four days. The most impactful event was the two-year yield temporarily rising above the 10-year yield, a move that has coincided with the last seven recessions.

Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary – August 12, 2019

Like some employees, the stock market had a great week, if you don’t count Monday. After falling nearly 3% on Monday, the market steadied as the back-and-forth between China and the U.S. calmed.

Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary – August 5, 2019

Major news buffeted the market last week. The Federal Reserve cut rates as expected, but the press conference and vote margin suggested the cut does not signal more to come, which disappointed investors. Additional tariffs on Chinese goods were announced by President Trump, and the U.S. employment market remained strong.

Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary – July 29, 2019

U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) rose enough to calm recession worries, but not enough to cause the Federal Reserve to stray from an expected interest rate cut this week. The S&P 500 resumed its steady climb as positive earnings news and the economic data reassured investors. The S&P 500 climbed 1.7%.

Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary – July 22, 2019

The S&P 500’s steady climb took a pause last week as quarterly earnings reports and Fed comments drew the greatest attention from investors. The S&P 500 dropped 1.2%. The MSCI ACWI slid 0.6% as international stocks regained some ground after last week’s underperformance of U.S. markets. The Bloomberg BarCap Aggregate Bond Index climbed 0.4%.

Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary – July 15, 2019

The S&P 500 continued its steady climb and ended the week at a new record high. Investors remain confident the Federal Reserve will lower rates at its meeting in late July. The S&P 500 climbed 0.8% for the week. The MSCI ACWI gained 0.2%.

Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary – July 8, 2019

The S&P 500 continued its very strong performance this year and reached a new high Wednesday before inching lower on Friday. The strong employment report on Friday pushed markets slightly lower by reducing the number of expected interest-rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. The S&P 500 climbed 1.7% for the week. The MSCI ACWI gained 1.2%. The Bloomberg BarCap Aggregate Bond Index slipped 0.1% as yield rose in response to the jobs data.

Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary – July 1, 2019

The S&P 500 slipped slightly last week after reaching a new high the previous week. The S&P 500 declined 0.3%. The MSCI ACWI inched 0.1% higher, and the Bloomberg BarCap Aggregate Bond Index rose another 0.4%. Yields continue to fall as expectations of an interest-rate cut mount.

Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary – June 24, 2019

The S&P 500 continued its strong June performance and reached a new high Thursday, before inching lower on Friday. The openness of the Federal Reserve to cutting rates at its next meeting, along with renewed optimism on trade, shot markets higher. The S&P 500 climbed 2.2% for the week. The MSCI ACWI gained 2.4% as international markets performed well. The Bloomberg BarCap Aggregate Bond Index rose 0.4% as bond prices typically increase when yields fall.

Market Commentary

Weekly Market Commentary – June 17, 2019

The S&P 500 followed up the previous week’s strong gains with an increase of 0.5% last week. Decent economic data was encouraging but not strong enough to change expectations for much-desired interest rate cuts this year. The global MSCI ACWI climbed 0.3%. Heightened risks loom in the global market from tanker attacks and Hong Kong protests. The Bloomberg BarCap Aggregate Bond Index was unchanged as expectations for economic growth remained subdued.