Uncertainty loves complexity Uncertainty remains high with respect to the economy and the markets. On the one hand, we have a steeply inverted yield curve and a deteriorating housing market. But on the other, we have improving sentiment and a strong jobs market. The truth is nobody really knows what happens next and we can … Continue reading KISSing with Stocks
OVERVIEW The third quarter began with a broad rebound in risk assets. The global equity market regained +13% from its June lows by mid-August. However, sentiment turned again and markets have been volatile since. Year-to-date the global stock market is down near-26%. Emerging markets fared worse, down close to -28%. The losses are broad even … Continue reading Q4 2022 Update
The bear market of 2022 feels more painful than usual because of how broad the selloff has been. From stocks to bonds, to real estate, to cryptocurrency, it seems like there's nowhere to hide. We're all hoping for a bottom in stocks, but hope itself will not help us find one. Fortunately, there are indicators … Continue reading How to Know if The Bear Market is Ending
QUARTER IN REVIEW Q1 was a bumpy ride for investors. Global equity market prices (MSCI ACWI) swung from being down almost -13% to only down about -6% for the quarter. However, the negative returns were broad. All major equity regions and even the US bond market were down YTD. Figure 1: Global Markets YTD MACRO … Continue reading Q2 2022 Update
NOTE ON UPDATES Starting with Q1 2021, BCM is consolidating its various update notes into a single "Quarter Update," labelled as "Quarter Update" under Categories. This reduces redundancy and makes updates easier to follow. QUARTER REVIEW Q1 started with a rally in risk assets, but equity markets are still off their all-time-highs notched in February. … Continue reading Q2 2021 Update
QUARTER REVIEW The fourth quarter capped what can only be described as a breath-taking year for the markets (and the world). The global equity market rose +15.15% in 2020, as measured by the MSCI ACWI. While that doesn't look outstanding by itself, keep it mind that was after clawing back a -34% decline from Q1 … Continue reading Tactical Allocation Update, Q4 2020
QUARTER REVIEW Global equity markets continued their ascend from their Q1 lows. As of September 30, the MSCI ACWI (global stock market) is +1.89% year-to-date. That doesn't sound like much, but that's after recovering the -36% peak-to-trough decline from Q1. From that perspective, this year has been nothing short of remarkable. Figure 1: Global Equity … Continue reading Tactical Allocation Update, Q3 2020
Yesterday the United Kingdom made history by delivering a surprise vote to leave the European Union. Though the odds were close, market pricing was tilted towards a "Bremain" vote -- so "Brexit" was an unexpected outcome. Markets reacted commensurately today, European equity markets were down more than 7% and the Sterling down more than … Continue reading Following the Brexit Signs
The official numbers aren't in yet but it looks like 2015 ended without a bang for US markets. The S&P 500 managed somewhere around 1% total return and the Barclay's Aggregate ended up about .5% -- nothing worth getting excited over. Of course, across the globe and everywhere in between there were substantial divergences in … Continue reading Halfway Between Double or Nothing
Market volatility picked up significantly in August and US stocks have been teetering in and out of correction territory ever since. Uncertainty is pervasive and investors' nerves are rattled. At times like these, it's more important than ever to manage expectations and maintain appropriate expectations. A market correction is generally defined as a pullback of … Continue reading Never a Wrong Time
Bonds continue to be unpopular among professional investors. Over the past year, many well-known investors including John Paulson and Warren Buffet have expressed their preference for stocks over bonds. It's easy to understand why. The current 2.45% yield on a 30 year Treasury is not only historically low but is practically negative when adjusted for inflation. At least stocks have the … Continue reading Hot or Not
So what did the stock market think about S&P's downgrade? We got an answer today, in bright flashing red. The Dow sank 634 points today - the sixth largest single-day drop in history. To be fair, the sell-off wasn't rooted entirely in the downgrade (which was widely expected). Rather, as I have written before, it looks like the market is … Continue reading Patient Trigger Finger
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