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Tag: bear market


November 2020 Economic Dashboard

As the stock market climbs to new all-time highs, a little noticed trend has emerged in the longer maturities of the Treasury market.  Interest rates for the 10-year Treasury bottomed at 0.50% on August 6 and climbed to 0.98% on November 9 with the announcement of the first COVID-19 vaccine trial results.  10-year yields are […]

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October 2020 Economic Dashboard

The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis released third quarter Gross Domestic Product (GDP) results on October 29th, showing the economy staged a strong rebound. In the third quarter, GDP rose at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 33.1%, following the second quarter decline of 31.4%. Annual conversions of quarterly figures magnify changes. The below chart […]

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September 2020 Economic Dashboard

As September came to a close, we are now 6 months from the bear market bottom of March 23rd. The market looks vastly different today than it did one year ago, but the S&P 500 is up 8.2% for the 1-year period ending on September 23rd. This compares favorably to the average returns over the […]

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August 2020 Economic Dashboard

The S&P 500 closed August up 7%, pushing the index above its pre-COVID high set in February. Market momentum continued to accelerate from prior strength. Technology stocks and large-cap stocks continued to lead the market, maintaining the 2020 trend. However, in a positive sign for the broader market and economy, some more economically cyclical sectors […]

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July 2020 Economic Dashboard

July was a very strong month for nearly all assets, including stocks. The S&P 500 rose 5% as interest rates continued to decline and the US dollar had its weakest month since 2010. Lower rates and a lower dollar should be positives for the economy going forward by stimulating investment and bolstering US exporters. A […]

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June 2020 Economic Dashboard

The second quarter of 2020 happily contrasted to the first quarter, which experienced one of the worst declines in stock market history. Record fiscal and monetary stimulus accompanied by improving coronavirus-related news served as powerful tailwinds for the market. The Federal Reserve has stated a willingness to respond aggressively should the economy struggle to recover. […]

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May 2020 Economic Dashboard

Since the economic shutdown caused by the coronavirus, the two dominant economic questions have concerned 1) the depth of the economic decline and 2) the duration of the economic recovery. Massive global fiscal and monetary stimulus has helped reduce the depth of the economic decline. Policymakers have been aggressive in the amount of stimulus, as […]

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April 2020 Economic Dashboard

April was a historic month for the US economy, as the coronavirus continued to grind parts of the economy to a halt. 20 million Americans filed initial unemployment claims, benchmark oil prices went negative for a short period, and the 1st Quarter GDP report, released April 29th, showed a -4.8% contraction. Despite the flurry of […]

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March 2020 Economic Dashboard

The eleven-year US bull market ended abruptly in March, yet another victim of the novel coronavirus.  The US has responded with two significant steps: Congress has passed a $2.2 trillion stimulus package (equal to 10% of the economy) and the Federal Reserve has made up to $4 trillion (18% of the economy) in liquidity to […]

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June 2019 Economic Dashboard

The stock market continued the rally from the Christmas Eve low that marked the end of the fourth quarter “mini” bear market. Stocks at that time fell due to fears the Fed would continue to increase short-term interest rates to levels that would lead to a recession. The Fed has since held the line on […]

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May 2019 Economic Dashboard

Rising trade tensions with China and a surprise threat to impose tariffs on Mexico (related to the migrant crisis on the southern border) derailed the stock market in May. Indeed, the Dow Jones 30 Industrials ended the month on its longest weekly losing streak in eight years. Investors are fearing the multi-front trade disputes will […]

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