Each quarter, Aldrich Wealth Partner Nicole Rice and Chief Investment Officer Darin Richards provide market commentary and make projections for the upcoming quarter. This conversation is accompanied by a deeper dive into market performance and outlook, as well as featured articles on popular topics such as retirement planning and changes in interest rates.

Equity markets continued their upward trajectory, notwithstanding increasing political concerns in the U.S., festering U.K. BREXIT uncertainty, and escalating trade rhetoric.

Against that backdrop, the Federal Reserve cut its key interest rate target twice during the period and began to set the stage for further changes in policy.

All told, the S&P 500 Index added 1.5% for the quarter and 20.0% this year. Non-U.S. markets, as measured by the MSCI EAFE Index, fell -0.5%, despite strength across much of developed Asia.

Emerging markets, as measured by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, declined -4.0% as the trade spat between the U.S. and China weighed heavily across much of Asia.

The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury fell sharply from 2.00% at the end of trading the previous quarter to 1.67% at quarter-end.

For more on market trends this quarter, watch Nicole’s interview with Darin, or read our entire quarterly market commentary.