April Monthly Commentary
Risk assets traded higher in April as positive economic data and better-than-expected earnings supported market sentiment. In the U.S., the economy expanded at an annualized rate of 2.2% in the first quarter as an increase in consumption and government spending offset a decline in inventories. Inflation levels moderated, with headline PCE increasing 0.1% over March, […]
UU Common Endowment Fund: Save the Date May 8th and 9th
Hello UUCEF Investors, We have scheduled two meetings (May 8th at 12pm Eastern and May 9th 4pm Eastern) to discuss the upcoming UUA General Assembly Business Resolution, Complete Divestment from the Fossil Fuel Industry and Subsequent Reparations, with you, our investors. The UUA Board of Trustees and Investment Committee do not support the resolution as […]
March Monthly Commentary
The Federal Reserve stepped in last month, infusing liquidity into the banking sector, in a bid to quell the rising turmoil precipitated by higher interest rates and the collapse of a handful of banks. Equities got a boost as the central bank’s actions eased the concerns of investors with markets pricing in lower interest rates […]
February Monthly Commentary
Risk-off sentiment washed over markets in February as fresh economic data paved the way for continued rate hikes and a tighter monetary policy backdrop. In the U.S., inflation data softened at a slower rate than anticipated, while labor market numbers remained robust. In response, the Federal Reserve hiked interest rates by 25 basis points to […]
January Monthly Commentary
Global assets started 2023 on solid footing amid signs of waning inflation and robust growth. In the U.S., headline CPI marked its first monthly decline since May 2020, falling 0.1% in December, after rising 6.5% in 2022. Labor markets remained resilient with the unemployment rate declining to 3.5% in December, even as labor force participation […]
December Monthly Commentary
Equities sold off in December amid recessionary fears fueled by the Federal Reserve’s tighter monetary policy. In the U.S., the S&P 500 Index fell 5.8%, bringing losses for 2022 to 18.1%, the worst calendar year return since the Global Financial Crisis in 2008. Value stocks outperformed with the Russell 1000 Value Index down 4%, finishing […]
November Monthly Commentary
Global equities moved higher in November, cementing gains from the prior month, as the MSCI ACWI Index added 7.8%. In the U.S., softer-than-expected inflation data fueled expectations that rate hikes by the Federal Reserve may end earlier than anticipated. Monthly headline and core CPI rose 0.4% and 0.3%—equating to annualized increases of 7.7% and 6.3%, […]
October Monthly Commentary
Risk assets sharply rebounded in October despite tighter monetary conditions in the face of persisting inflationary pressures. U.S. equities outperformed with the S&P 500 Index posting gains of 8.1%; the MSCI ACWI ex U.S. Index was up 3%. Value stocks maintained their lead over growth equities with the Russell 1000 Value and Growth indexes up […]
September Monthly Commentary
Equities continued their downward slide in September as central banks around the globe reiterated their commitment to tighter monetary policies amid persisting inflationary pressures despite softening economic growth. In the U.S., the S&P 500 Index plummeted 9.2%, fueling year-to-date losses of 23.9%. Value stocks outperformed growth equities with the Russell 1000 Value Index falling 8.8%, […]
UUCEF Completes Divestment from Carbon Underground 200 Companies
At its meeting on March 24, 2023, the UUA Investment Committee unanimously voted to end future shareholder engagement with all Carbon Underground 200 (CU200) companies and to complete our divestment of directly-held CU200 companies subject to the completion of current year engagements. The CU200 list names the 200 largest publicly traded oil, gas, and coal […]