Market Commentaries

February 2019 Market Commentary
March 3, 2019
Economic growth in the U.S. remained firm following the release of fourth quarter GDP which signaled growth at 2.6%, topping market expectations of 2.4%. Better than feared corporate earnings and signs of more accommodative Federal Reserve policies…
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September Market Commentary 2018
October 11, 2018
The Federal Reserve voted to increase target interest rates during the month of September. This resulted in a near parallel shift across the yield curve. The Fed will meet two more times in 2018 – in November and December. Communication Services, a newly configured GICS sector outperformed.
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August Market Commentary 2018
August 8, 2018
The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) revised Q2 GDP to 4.2% from an initial estimate of 4.1% in their most recent release, signaling continued strength.
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July Market Commentary 2018
July 8, 2018
The U.S. economy gained 4.1% during the second quarter according to the first estimate of GDP by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). Personal consumption was the largest contributor to the overall gains. This was the highest rate of growth since the third quarter of 2014.
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May Market Commentary 2018
June 7, 2018
The Federal Reserve maintained interest rates in the target range of 1.50% - 1.75% during their May meeting. They noted during their statement and minutes that inflation continues to trend closer to their 2% target over the medium term and growth in the country remains positive and the labor market relatively tight.
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April Market Commentary 2018
May 24, 2018
Minutes from the Federal Reserve’s March meeting revealed a more hawkish tone. In addition to raising the target Fed Funds Rate by 25 bps (which was announced during the meeting), it was learned that all participants now expect the economy to strengthen and inflation to rise throughout the course of this year.
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March Market Commentary 2018
April 24, 2018
The final estimate of fourth quarter US GDP was reported at 2.9% by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. This was spurred by gains in consumer spending. Inflation remained at 1.8% just below the Federal Reserve’s target of 2.0%
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February Market Commentary 2018
March 7, 2018
Jerome Powell gave his first testimony as Federal Reserve chairperson. He emphasized a more optimistic view on the U.S. economy for 2018 and that the central bank will continue on its path of gradual rate increases.
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January Market Commentary 2018
March 6, 2018
The Senate voted to confirm Jerome Powell as the 16th chairman of the Federal Reserve in January. The U.S. government experienced a 3-day shutdown this month, yet the market seemingly shrugged it off. The Dow Jones and the S&P 500 surged to record highs following the Senate vote to end the shutdown.
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December Market Commentary 2017
February 1, 2018
Following a few delays, both the Senate and the House of Representatives passed the GOP’s Tax Reform Bill in December which was subsequently signed into law by President Trump.
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