January Monthly Commentary

Equities started the year sharply lower as investors shunned risk amid concerns of a global slowdown in growth. The continued weakness in oil prices added to this risk aversion as oil hit a decade low of $26 before ending the … Continued

December Monthly Commentary

Global equities ended 2015 with a whimper as investors stayed on the sidelines while central banks in Europe and the US provided guidance on monetary policy. At home, the Federal Reserve raised rates, putting its target rate from 25-to-50 basis … Continued

November Monthly Commentary

Global equities were subdued in November amid tempered investor sentiment on the heels of October’s bounce back from third quarter losses. The S&P 500 rose 0.3% as positive economic data not only provided a supportive backdrop, but also increased the likelihood the … Continued

October Monthly Commentary

Global equities roared back in October, mostly erasing September’s losses amid declining volatility and continued monetary accommodation from the major central banks. The S&P 500 gained 8.4% on the month as global easing provided a supportive backdrop for equities, even … Continued

September Monthly Commentary

Global equities were mostly negative in September as continuing growth concerns in China permeated markets and worried investors and central bankers alike.  In the US, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) elected not to raise its target interest rate.  As … Continued

August Monthly Commentary

August was a difficult month as China’s surprise devaluation of the yuan fueled concerns around global growth and unleashed a wave of volatility, sparing few asset classes. For instance, the MSCI EM Index fell 9% as emerging market equities—especially China’s … Continued

July Monthly Commentary

The Greek debt crisis and a steep sell-off of overheated local equities in China dominated headlines in July.  However, it was slowing growth out of China—the world’s second largest economy—that seemed to have the most pervasive impact on markets.  Commodity … Continued

June Monthly Commentary

Global markets seesawed in June as investors turned their attention to Greece’s negotiations with its creditors and deliberated the likelihood of yet another bailout. In the early part of the month, developed market equities responded positively as Greece and its … Continued

May Monthly Commentary

US equities bounced around in May with trading marked by low volume and changing sentiment as investors grappled with the potential impact of mixed economic data on the Federal Reserve’s timing of a rate increase. Smaller-cap issues fared better than … Continued

April Monthly Commentary

International equities surged in April, with the MSCI EAFE Index gaining 4.1%, as monetary easing policies in Europe and Japan emboldened investors. Emerging market stocks also rallied as investors embraced the likelihood that the Fed would delay raising rates in … Continued