Index Performance

US and International Equities

The major market indexes finished the week lower with all averages down over 2%. Small caps, which have been a bright spot in recent months, also pulled back 2%. In addition, both the MSCI EAFE and Emerging Markets (EM) international markets followed the US markets lower this week.

Real Estate Holds Ground While Most Sectors Sell-Off

All major market sectors sold off this week with the materials and energy sectors lagging all, pulling back over 4%. Nevertheless, energy is still the top performing sector year-to-date with a 6% gain.

“In the short term, the market is a popularity contest. In the long term, the market is a weighing machine.” -Warren Buffett

The incredible action from some of the most heavily shorted names has investors everywhere wondering what it all means? GameStop (GME) specifically has taken the country’s imagination by storm, as the stock started the year under $20 per share and this morning nearly hit $500.

Please note, we aren’t allowed to discuss individual equities, and in no way are we recommending any stocks in this blog, but from a bigger perspective, what is happening here? Basically, individua

It has been a busy past 12 months for the Federal Reserve (Fed), after the onset of the global pandemic prompted historic stimulus from monetary policymakers. With the economy showing signs of being in the early stages of expansion, some have speculated that the Fed may begin to slow the pace of its asset purchases.  Recent comments from some Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) members that have hinted that the Fed’s bond buying program could be reduced by the end of the year, has signaled that other policymakers may be thinking that way, too.

Adding fuel to the speculation, the 10-year Treasury yield has been climbin

2021 kicks off the first year of a new four-year presidential cycle. One of the most popular questions we’ve received lately is how have stocks performed historically during this political year.

For starters, the S&P 500 Index historically has gained 6.8% per year during the first year of the four-year presidential cycle, but stocks have done better when the president was re-elected than when someone new occupied the White House. This makes sense, as a new president could bring new policies and potential uncertainty. Additionally, stocks do better during years three and four under a new president, while they are much we