The U.S. stock market reached new highs in the first quarter with three consecutive months of positive returns capping the quarter with strong gains for U S and International equities. The U.S. economy remained resilient despite short term interest rates sitting near 20-year highs. Strong corporate earnings, a robust labor market and the continued strength of the U.S. consumer provided a supportive backdrop for stocks and propelled..
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2023 was supposed to be the year of a likely recession. That did not happen. In fact, the U.S. economy proved remarkably resilient and global stock and bond markets were able to shake off a host of uncertainties to post strong gains for the year; unlike 2022, when virtually every asset had negative returns.
What a difference a year makes. The 4th quarter was aided by a powerful year-end rally as U.S. stocks (S&P 500) jumped nearly..
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After a strong first half of the year, global equities faced several headwinds in the third quarter. Oil prices surged nearly 40% between mid-June and late September; Treasury yields have pushed to new cycle highs as the Federal Reserve has maintained a restrictive policy stance, which in turn has boosted the U.S. dollar. The S & P 500 Index reached a 2023 high at the end of July, but from its intra quarter high the index declined..
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