Following a strong earnings season, several factors, including falling oil prices, Brexit, Italy’s controversial budget, tariffs and the Federal Reserve’s likely rate increase, continued to dampen investor sentiment.  All of the major indices fell for the week, the Russell 2000® declined 1.42%, followed by the S&P 500® Index (-1.61%), the Nasdaq (-2.15%), and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (-2.22%).  The decline in oil prices into bear market territory created additional concerns t… View More
As you know, market volatility has been on everyone’s mind. We wanted to update you on our thoughts as to what we believe the source of the volatility is, and when we think it may subside. Strategic market bottoms that give way to durable rallies often begin from a more depressed sentiment backdrop than is currently present. In addition to the timely put/call data (no movement yesterday), we continue to watch the weekly I.I. bull/bear survey for a signal on sentiment. Optimism has retreate… View More
Phew! Now that mid-terms are behind us (well, almost behind us with results still pending in Florida and Arizona), we can start focusing on the Presidential election for 2020! We're kidding, of course. Sort of... With this week's record-setting turnout and enthusiasm, atypical of mid-term election years, both Republicans and Democrats can each claim victory. We would remind you, split governments bode well for equity markets on average, and the S&P 500 has not declined in the 12 months foll… View More
The major indices rose last week despite declines on Friday.  Investment sentiment improved as the Russell 2000® Index led all the major indices (+4.33%) followed by the Nasdaq (+2.65%), S&P 500® Index (+2.42%) and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (+2.36%).  Several factors, including strong corporate earnings and job gains, influenced the upturn.  Disappointing earnings reports tended to be company-specific; for example, Apple reported better-than-expected earnings even though iPhone s… View More
We all have noticed the pickup in market volatility; one could compare it to a game of Dodge Ball. Â One day the market is up and looks like all is well and the next you have to dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge again. One of the analysts/portfolio managers we follow is Bob Doll, Senior Portfolio Manager and Chief Equity Strategist at Nuveen asset management. Â We have followed Bob for more than a decade, and his insights to the markets have been very valuable to us and our clients in the past. Â… View More