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Q1 2019 Market Commentary + Outlook
By Aldrich Wealth
Each quarter, Director of Aldrich Wealth Nicole Rice and Chief Investment Office 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.
Patient investors were quickly rewarded as a challenging fourth quarter was followed by the best quarter in a decade. Domestic equity markets posted their best January results since 1987. The market rise was largely indiscriminate, as every sector of the S&P 500 Index turned in positive results. Small and mid-cap stocks outpaced large caps and growth bested value.
Non-U.S. markets pushed higher despite waning economic data, ongoing Brexit concerns and a persistently strong U.S. dollar. The MSCI EAFE Index increased 10.0% in the first quarter led by strength across Europe. Emerging market stocks posted a strong return for the quarter, but remained heavily influenced by escalating trade concerns and a stronger U.S. dollar.
The Fed and the ECB both indicated they wouldn’t likely hike rates in 2019. The U.S. 10-year Treasury yield fell over the quarter reaching its lowest level since 2017. In March, the three-month Treasury bill yield rose higher than the 10-year yield.
The U.S. economy, as measured by the change in the Gross Domestic Product, increased 2.2% during the fourth quarter, well below the 3.4% advance in the prior quarter. In 2018 the economy advanced 2.9%, the most since 2015.
Stocks are off to a strong start and are well positioned to outperform bonds in 2019 as we anticipated. Economic growth is poised to slow modestly, particularly among developed markets, and should dampen equity returns for the remainder of the year. Stable growth in emerging markets should support growth globally and there is minimal chance of a recession.
For more on market trends this quarter, watch Nicole’s interview with Darin or read our entire quarterly market commentary.
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