The year of 2020 is mercifully behind us. It was a truly extraordinary year for the entire world and even more so for financial markets. The year started with the impeachment of an American President, followed by a pandemic that infected millions all over the world, a global recession which this pandemic caused, a bear market reminiscent of the financial crisis of 2008 and a level of social unrest that overshadowed the late 1960s – all of that unfolding against the backdrop of a presidential election, contentious to the point where fears of civil conflict were openly discussed.
The third quarter of a rather eventful 2020 saw the stock market’s continued recovery from the March lows earlier in the year. Equities climbed higher, with the broad U.S. indices soaring to new all-time highs before paring back some gains in September. Overall, it was the second consecutive quarter of notable market advances.
When the second quarter began, the stock market was just beginning to recover from one of the worst and quickest declines in history. By the end of June, U.S. stocks registered healthy gains, closing out a more upbeat quarter that saw strong advances across all equity markets. The S&P 500 Index posted its best quarter since 1998 with a 20.54% positive move, offsetting most of the pandemic-related drop from February’s highs to March’s lows.
Global stock prices suffered a sharp first quarter fall as the COVID-19 pandemic triggered a global economic shutdown. This pandemic-driven selloff, heightened by turmoil in the global oil markets, was unprecedented in its speed and severity. From February 19th to March 23rd, the U.S. stock market lost over 30% of its value.
2019 turned out to be a good year for the U.S. economy and an excellent one for investment returns with stocks bouncing back from a difficult 2018. From the beginning of the year, January’s rally helped set the tone in which the market responded to every downturn with a more sustained upswing. Along the way, stocks kept setting records – 35 of them for the S&P 500 Index, 22 for the Dow Jones Industrial Index and 31 for the Nasdaq.
RMDs Get a Small Reprieve
2022 brings new life expectancy tables
2022 Contribution Limits
Is it time to contribute more?
Retirement Preparation Mistakes
Why are they made again and again?
End-of-the Year Money Move
Here are some things you might consider before saying goodbye to 2021
Mixed Signals on Inflation
What to know as markets look forward
The Need for Power of Attorney
POAs and other advanced directives are becoming more important
The Cryptocurrency Conundrum
It’s more important than ever to be aware of your risk tolerance
The Quiet Fall in Bond Yields
What’s behind the quiet fall in bond yields?
A COLA with Your Social Security?
Preliminary estimates call for a 4.7% cost-of-living increase
The Many Forms of Fixed Income
Looking for yield? Treasuries aren’t your only choice
“Green Shoots” in the Economy
Investors looking for “green shoots” to confirm that the economy is on the mend
The Whims of Wall Street
What to know about shifting market attention, and investor burnout
Earnings Season Gets Underway
Every few months, you may hear the phrase “earnings season” as you listen to financial news
Outlook 2021: Bond Prices
The 10-year Treasury yield has climbed higher since the New Year, which means that some bond prices are dropping
Navigating Your Required Minimum Distribution
As much as you would like to, you can’t keep your money in your retirement account forever
When the Fed Talks Inflation, Bond Investors Listen
What the Fed’s new policy may mean for you
Ouch: September’s Market Correction Hurt
In theory, investors understand that stock market corrections are part of the investing process
What Are Stock Splits?
Here’s what you need to know
A Stock Market Lesson to Remember
Confidence can quickly erode, but it can also quickly emerge
What Makes 2020 A Unique Year For Retirement
Answer: Big changes to retirement account rules
