April 2025 Market Commentary
1st Quarter Recap After the last two years, during which the S&P 500 saw solid and consistent returns, volatility came back beginning in mid-February. The unpredictability surrounding tariffs has created uncertainty for the markets and the future of our economy. Tariffs- a partial timeline through March 31st On the campaign trail, President Trump promised to […]
Continue reading ›Q4 2022 Passionate Investor
A recession on the horizon? Over the past few years, market chatter has rotated among concerns of inflation, rising interest rates, and a recession. Most of the talking heads see the worst of inflation behind us and anticipate a potential end to rising interest rates in the near future. The discussions have now begun to focus on […]
Continue reading ›Q1 2022 Passionate Investor
Q4 2021 Market Review and Commentary Market Review* Equity markets generally outperformed fixed-incom e markets with the S&P 500 falling 4.60% (including dividends) and the Barclay’s Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond index falling 5.93%. Small caps underperformed large cap stocks (S&P 500) as the Russell 2000 small cap stock index returned -7.53%. Value outperformed Growth during […]
Continue reading ›Q4 2021 Passionate Investor
Q4 2021 Market Review and Commentary Market Review* Equity markets generally outperformed fixed-income markets with the S&P 500 rising 11.03% (including dividends; +28.71% YTD) and the Barclay’s Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond index rising 0.01% (-1.54% YTD). Small caps underperformed large cap stocks (S&P 500) as the Russell 2000 small cap stock index returned +2.14% (+14.82% […]
Continue reading ›Q3 2021 Passionate Investor
Q3 2021 Market Review and Commentary Market Review* Equity markets generally outperformed fixed-income markets with the S&P 500 rising 0.58% (including dividends; +15.92% YTD) and the Barclay’s Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond index rising 0.05% (-1.55% YTD). Small caps underperformed large-cap stocks (S&P 500) as the Russell 2000 small-cap stock index returned -4.36% (+12.41% YTD). Value […]
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Q2 2021 Passionate Investor
Q2 2021 Passionate Investor Market Review* Equity markets generally outperformed fixed-income markets with the S&P 500 rising 8.55% (including dividends; +15.25% YTD) and the Barclay’s Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond index rising 1.82% (-1.60% YTD). Small caps underperformed large-cap stocks (S&P 500) as the Russell 2000 small-cap stock index returned +5.47% (+17.54% YTD). Value outperformed growth […]
Continue reading ›Mutual Funds, ETFs or Stocks?
Are Mutual Funds Always a Better Choice Than Individual Stocks? Over the past few decades, mutual funds, along with their newer cousin, exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), have ballooned in popularity. These financial tools provide convenience: you can diversify your investments in one fell swoop, so you are less subject to loss if any one company fails. Mutual funds can also help you buy an entire index or industry […]
Continue reading ›Q1 2021 Passionate Investor
Q1 2021 Passionate Investor Market Review Equity markets generally outperformed fixed-income markets with the S&P 500 rising 6.17% (including dividends) and the Barclay’s Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond index falling 3.37%. Small caps outperformed large-cap stocks (S&P 500) as the Russell 2000 small-cap stock index returned +12.70%. Value outperformed growth during the quarter (as determined by […]
Continue reading ›The Passionate Investor Q4 2020
Market Review Equity markets generally outperformed fixed-income markets with the S&P 500 rising 12.15% (including dividends; +18.40% YTD) and the Barclay’s Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index increasing 0.67% (+7.51% YTD). Small caps outperformed large-cap stocks (S&P 500) as the Russell 2000 small-cap stock index returned +31.37% (+19.86% YTD). Value outperformed Growth during the quarter but underperformed over […]
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The Passionate Investor Third Quarter 2020 and the Coronavirus Impact
The Passionate Investor Third Quarter 2020 and the Coronavirus Impact Market Review Equity markets generally outperformed fixed-income markets with the S&P 500 rising 8.93% (including dividends; -5.57% YTD) and the Barclay’s Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond index increasing 0.62% (+6.79% YTD). Small caps underperformed large cap stocks (S&P 500) as the Russell 2000 small cap stock […]
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