There is an old adage on Wall Street: the market goes up the escalator and down the elevator. Stock gains tend to be small, relatively steady things accumulating over years like we have experienced since the start of the bull market in March, 2009. Stock declines tend to be much quicker as markets respond…
April 2019 Financial Markets Summary The 1st quarter of 2019 ended on a great note with the strongest domestic stock quarterly performance within the past ten years, but this has been a very eventful few months. The S&P 500 almost tipped into bear market territory in the 4th quarter with a 19% decline,…
December 2018 Financial Markets Summary $1.99, $1.94, $1.98 gasoline prices at the pump! Did we just flashback to the early 2000’s? These low prices are the result of oil’s 33% plummet in just the past two months. Nevertheless, this seems to be a nice early gift for this holiday season! If these low prices persist,…
Economic and Investment News Bits One million more people will travel this Memorial Day weekend than last year (an increase of 2.7%). (Source: AAA) Unemployment decreased slightly to 4.4%, tying the lowest level from the last economic expansion. In the last 40 years, the only time unemployment has been lower was during the longest economic…
Economic and Investment News Bits A sign of things to come? Long-term U.S. government bonds, which have held their value as well as any asset class over the last three years, took a hit last week. Vanguard’s Long-Term Treasury fund lost almost 7%. The overriding factor is the incoming president’s agenda that includes significant increases…
November 2016 Financial Markets Summary The PDS investment team recently met with colleagues and a knowledgeable investment company specialist. Most of the discussion evolved around economics: inflation, interest rates, GDP, and global currencies. The specialist’s viewpoints: Inflation is soon going to be easily above 2% and likely moving closer to 3%, The 10-year Treasury (currently…
