Market Update The key drivers of this week’s market movements were positive updates on COVID-19 treatments and vaccine candidates, as well as continued optimism surrounding a fifth stimulus package. The MSCI ACWI Index, which represents global equities (i.e., both U.S. and international stocks), closed the week up 1.1%, while the MSCI ACWI Ex-USA (international stocks) | Read More +
Category: Our Thinking
Insights: The Markets, COVID-19, and Additional Federal Stimulus
Market Update Core U.S. bonds on the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index closed the week slightly higher, up 0.2%. Equity markets also drifted higher, with the MSCI ACWI Index, which represents global equities (i.e., both U.S. and international stocks), finishing up 2.0%, and the S&P 500 finishing up 1.8%. International stocks had a similar showing, as the | Read More +
Insights: The Markets, COVID-19, Federal Stimulus, and What It All Means for Investors
Market Update Equity markets marched higher this week, with the MSCI ACWI Index, which represents global equities (i.e., both U.S. and international stocks), finishing up 3.5%. The S&P 500 finished up 4.0%, while the U.S. small cap Russell 2000 closed the week up 3.7%. International stocks had a strong week as well, as the MSCI | Read More +
Insights: The Markets, Global Economic Developments, and COVID-19
Market Returns Global equity markets made a strong start this week, continuing a broad-based rally on Monday and Tuesday. The primary drivers were the ongoing reopenings across the country as well as positive movement among economic indicators, including global PMIs, housing data, and retail sales Despite the positive data, markets declined following reports of increased | Read More +
Insights: The Markets, Consumer Spending, and COVID-19
Market Returns After a mild correction last week — including significant volatility on Wednesday and Thursday — the markets bounced back this week. Through the end of Thursday, the MSCI ACWI, which represents global equities (i.e., both U.S. and international stocks), rose 2.2%. The S&P 500 gained 2.4% over the same 4-day period, and the | Read More +
Insights: COVID-19 Uncertainties Rattle Investors and Fuel Psychological and Market Volatility
Download a printable version. Overview In February, major stock indices dropped sharply, and core bond indices rose largely due to heightened worries about the global economic implications of the coronavirus (COVID-19; however, the U.S. presidential primaries also played a part. Equity markets seemed to respond more skittishly to wins by Senator Sanders than by former | Read More +
Insights: Coronavirus Worries Stocks in January, But Lasting Economic Effects Likely Limited
View a printable version Overview In January, most major stock indices retreated given worries about the global economic implications of the coronavirus. The monthly return for the S&P 500 was largely unchanged at -0.04%, the Russell 2000 (U.S. small-company stocks) fell 3.21%, and the MSCI ACWI ex-USA (non-U.S. stocks) lost 2.69%. In contrast, core U.S. | Read More +
