Uncertainty is on the rise as a blizzard of fiscal policy changes defy easy analysis from Wall Street to Main Street and in the nation’s capital as well.
Market Update: March 4, 2025
In spite of a sizeable gain on the last day of the month, U.S. stocks posted a loss for February. Foreign market gains occurred in both Asia and Europe.
Bond markets performed well in February as overall yields declined.
Drill
No commodity has garnered as much attention as oil in recent years. A review of some key oil measures can provide perspective for economic growth and investment returns ahead.
Competitors
From the late 1980s to the early 2000s, globalization was a dominant economic theme. Net benefits were envisioned for all participating economies. In recent years, globalization has fallen from favor as benefits and costs have been assessed and the net result has been unfavorable for many.
Tracking
Many mutual funds, especially exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), are managed to track a specific market index. A review of some tracking indexes can provide perspective for portfolio construction ahead.
Shortfalls
Achieving investment goals requires clear definition of goals, investment horizons and manageable portfolio risk. A review of the impact of time, return and risk can provide perspective on achieving important life goals.
Divergence
Divergence of opinion among investors over economic trends and financial market outcomes is ever-present. A review of some important recent trends can provide perspective for assessing market return and risk expectations in the period ahead.
Volatility
A review of recent stock market volatility with some historical perspective can help provide context for market trends and investing ahead.
Breadth
The broad U.S. stock market posted a strong return for the first half of 2024. A review of individual stock returns by a series of measures can help provide context for market breadth and sustainability of the current market uptrend.
Doubling
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (“DJIA”) reached another milestone last month when it crossed over 40,000 for the first time in its 128-year history.
