August Monthly Commentary

Non-US equities declined in August amid escalating trade tensions between the US and its major trading partners, a currency crisis in Turkey, and uncertainty in Italy. A spate of positive macroeconomic data was unable to lift the MSCI Europe Index, … Continued

July Monthly Commentary

Developed market equities forged ahead in July as robust economic data and strong corporate earnings offset concerns around escalating trade tensions between the United States and China. The S&P 500 returned 3.7% last month as US GDP growth hit 4.1% … Continued

June Monthly Commentary

Equities saw no respite from volatility in June as trade concerns weighed on markets. Despite the uncertainty, the S&P 500 Index eked out gains of 0.6% for the month – ending the quarter up 3.4%. However, markets outside the US … Continued

May Monthly Commentary

Volatility remained a mainstay in May amid festering trade tensions between the US and China and Italy’s struggle to form a new government. The US dollar strengthened 2% relative to a basket of major currencies, fueling declines of 2.2% and … Continued

April Monthly Commentary

Volatility continued to roil markets in April as trade tensions escalated between the US and China. However, developed market equities still ended the month in the black amid a stronger than expected earnings season; the S&P 500 Index returned 0.4% … Continued

Mark Ewert Recommends UUCEF for Congregations

Mark Ewert, one of the fundraising consultants on the Stewardship for Us team, recommends that congregations consider the UUCEF for their investment management needs. Stewardship for Us is a group of independent fundraising consultants closely affiliated with the UUA. In … Continued

June Monthly Commentary

Equities saw no respite from volatility in June as trade concerns weighed on markets. Despite the uncertainty, the S&P 500 Index eked out gains of 0.6% for the month – ending the quarter up 3.4%. However, markets outside the US … Continued

Shareholder Advocacy Builds Pressure on Fossil Fuel Companies

Pursuant to the 2014 Business Resolution on Fossil Fuel Divestment, the UUA retains investments in major fossil fuel companies for the purposes of shareholder advocacy on environmental justice and the clean energy transition. (Read the 2018 Treasurer’s report on implementation of … Continued

March Monthly Commentary

Volatility hobbled equity markets in March amid escalating tensions over a potential trade war between the United States and China. With a tit-for-tat tariff battle underway between the world’s two largest economies, the S&P 500 Index slumped 2.5% and the … Continued

February Monthly Commentary

Global equities snapped their winning streak amid a spike in volatility, resulting in a moderate correction early February. Investors’ concerns around rising wage inflation potentially leading to more aggressive rate hikes by the Fed and a larger projected government deficit … Continued