Financial Alternatives News and Insights

Equity markets around the globe posted positive returns in the second quarter. Looking at broad market indices, US and non-US developed markets outperformed emerging markets for the quarter

Emerging markets posted positive returns for the quarter, underperforming the US and non-US developed equity markets.

In developed markets, several currencies appreciated vs. the US dollar, but some, notably the Australian dollar, depreciated. In emerging markets, most currencies appreciated vs. the US dollar, but some, notably the Turkish lira, depreciated.

The US equity market posted positive returns for the quarter and outperformed non-US developed markets and emerging markets.

US real estate investment trusts outperformed non-US REITs during the quarter.

The Bloomberg Commodity Index Total Return returned 6.92% for the first quarter of 2021

In the face of a global pandemic, stock and bond markets performed surprisingly well in 2020.

Last year investors experienced one of the swiftest drops and subsequent full recoveries in stock market history.

We took advantage of the correction and rebalanced portfolios in March when the market was low. We also took advantage of market lows by executing tax-saving tax swap trades.

Equity markets around the globe posted positive returns in the fourth quarter. Looking at broad market indices, emerging markets outperformed non-US developed markets and US equities.

REIT indices underperformed equity market indices in both the US and non-US developed markets.

The Bloomberg Commodity Index Total Return returned 10.19% for the fourth quarter of 2020.

Equity markets around the globe posted positive returns in the third quarter. Looking at broad market indices, emerging markets equities outperformed US and non-US developed markets for the quarter.

Value underperformed growth across regions. Small caps outperformed large caps in non-US developed and emerging markets but underperformed in the US.

REIT indices underperformed equity market indices in both the US and non-US developed markets.

The quarter ending March 31st was the 9th worst quarter of stock market performance; and the quarter ending June 30th was the 9th best.

Investors who swapped from stocks to cash after the steep drop in March missed the subsequent rebound.

We took measures in light of the situation by rebalancing client portfolios and executing tax swaps.

We are living through an unprecedented period of history and we expect markets to remain uncertain for some time to come.

Equity markets around the globe posted positive returns in the second quarter.

Looking at broad market indices, US equities outperformed non-US developed markets and emerging markets.

Value stocks underperformed growth stocks, and small caps outperformed large caps.

REIT indices underperformed equity market indices in both the US and non-US developed markets.

Equity markets around the globe posted positive returns in the fourth quarter. Looking at broad market indices, US equities outperformed non-US developed markets but underperformed emerging markets. 

Value stocks underperformed growth stocks in all regions. Small caps outperformed large caps in the US and non-US developed markets but underperformed in emerging markets.

REIT indices underperformed equity market indices in both the US and non-US developed markets.

Stock and bond markets continued to rebound from the 2018 correction.

Asset classes can have very prolonged downturns like what happened with the S&P 500 during the “lost decade”.

Diversifying into other asset classes like emerging markets and small company stocks would have mitigated losses during the lost decade.

Just when investors begin to question the future viability of an asset class may be the point a reversal occurs— as what happened with

Looking at broad market indices, US equities outperformed non-US developed and emerging markets during the third quarter. 

Value stocks outperformed growth stocks in the US but underperformed in non-US and emerging markets. Small caps outperformed large caps in non-US markets but underperformed in the US and emerging markets.

REIT indices outperformed equity market indices in both the US and non-US developed markets.

markets around the globe posted positive returns for the quarter.

Developed markets stocks outside the US outperformed emerging markets equities but under-performed the US equity market during the quarter.

Interest rates decreased in the US Treasury fixed income market during the second quarter.

The yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell by 41 bps to 2.00%.

Stock and bond markets rebounded sharply in the first half of 2019.

Over the next 10 years, Vanguard expects stock and bond returns to be lower than the historical averages.

Vanguard forecasts higher returns for foreign stocks vs. US stocks during this period.

GMO’s 7-year return forecast is lower than Vanguard’s.

Stocks, as measured by the S&P 500, have neared their historical average return for only 6 out of the last 93 years – returns have varied widely for other years.

Equity markets posted positive returns around the globe in the first quarter. Looking at broad market indices, US equities outperformed non-US developed and emerging markets.

REIT indices outperformed equity market indices in both the US and non-US developed markets.

The Bloomberg Commodity Index Total Return returned 6.32% for the first quarter of 2019.