As we all observed and experienced, the close of 2018 brought an unsettling time in the equity markets. Markets historically don’t respond favorably to uncertainty, be it financial, political or social, and recent volatility appears to be tied to a host of uncertainties. Many individual investors react to uncertainty based on emotion, even though we’ve seen throughout the history of the market how important it is that investors don’t allow emotion to influence decisions. Throughout recent market ... [Continue Reading]
Market Conditions
Articles and resources related to Market Conditions.
Investment Insight: Sticking with What Works–The World Cup, Brexit, and Investing
Although it may not be immediately apparent depending on where you’re reading this, much of the world is currently engrossed in the World Cup. The 2018 FIFA World Cup (including 64 total matches) is being hosted in cities throughout Russia, with the championship match to be played on July 15th. The largest tournament of the world’s most popular sport often takes over the lives of its fans – typically ranking as the most watched global event every four years. As a frame of reference, while the ... [Continue Reading]
What the U.S. Open and Mutual Fund Investing Have in Common
The 118th U.S. Open Championship will be held this month at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, located in New York. The second major tournament of the year is known for pairing an intensely competitive group of players with an extremely difficult golf course. Unlike most tour events, it’s not uncommon for the champion to be above par for the entire tournament. Although the world’s best golfers are attracted to the tournament for its storied tradition and the prestige of winning one of golf’s four ... [Continue Reading]
A Historical Perspective on Market Conditions
Posted on May 10, 2018In 2017, the U.S. stock market rose steadily, with the S&P 500 recording a rare feat of 12 straight positive monthly returns. By comparison, 2018 has essentially been a splash of cold water in the faces of investors. After strong returns early in the year, the market has see-sawed back and forth, ending the first quarter with a slight loss. It’s important that we view this recent volatility with perspective and understand just how unusual the market environment was in 2017. Arjun Sigamani, a ... [Continue Reading]
Investment Insight: In Like a Lamb, Out Like a Lion
Although much of the Minnesota landscape is currently covered in a fresh blanket of snow, rearranging the order of the oft-quoted springtime idiom more aptly describes the first quarter behavior of equity markets than it does the weather. It was once again a reminder that the animal spirits of markets don’t always follow the seasons. The year began where 2017 left off, with global stock markets carrying their strong positive momentum into the new year. In fact, the S&P 500 index hit ten ... [Continue Reading]