For the period October 1 – October 31, 2024. Executive Summary Global equity and fixed income markets retreated in October, reflecting the uncertainty of policy implications leading up to the U.S. election. Now knowing the outcome, as we enter a historically strong season for equity markets, we note that seasonality has been even stronger in past election years, which bodes well for investors.

In this episode of “Investment Management Foundations,” Gary Quinzel, Vice President of Portfolio Consulting at Wealth Enhancement, discusses structured notes, which combine zero-coupon bonds with options (puts and calls) linked to an underlying index like the S&P 500.

For the period August 1 – August 31, 2024 Executive Summary After a brief bout of volatility to start the month, equities roared back to finish August near all-time highs, propelling us toward the first rate cut since March 2020. The Fed has signaled their intentions, as their focus has clearly shifted to the labor market, which is showing signs of slowing.

In this episode of “Investment Management Foundations,” Gary Quinzel, Vice President of Portfolio Consulting at Wealth Enhancement, discusses the significance of monetary policy, highlighting its impact on interest rates, economic stability, and investment market behavior.

Stocks have been particularly strong in 2024 as volatility has been near multiyear lows. That trend has reversed in recent days, following the most recent labor data releases.

For the period June 1 – June 30, 2024. Executive Summary Positive returns in the Growth and Technology sectors helped cap off another strong quarter for the market, but they have further intensified the high concentration of market leadership. Investors appear content with modest rate cut expectations, while growth and inflation have moderated.

In this episode of “Investment Management Foundations,” Wealth Enhancement Vice President of Portfolio Consulting Gary Quinzel details the Consumer Confidence Survey, a timely index that pulls in various data points, including labor data, inflation, and GDP, to provide a comprehensive view of current economic conditions and how investors feel about them.

In the May 2024 edition of Markets Monthly: Strategies & Perspectives, Wealth Enhancement Group specialists Ayako Yoshioka and Gary Quinzel share economic highlights, market updates, and more.

For the period April 1 – April 30, 2024. Executive Summary Equity markets pulled back in April amid hawkish repricing of rate expectations. Inflation has proven to be stickier than most believed at the start of the year, but following the most recent Fed meeting, it still seems that the next interest rate move will be lower.

For the period February 1 – February 29, 2024. Executive Summary The S&P 500 continues to notch new record highs in 2024, fueled by strength in the Technology sector and expectations for more accommodative monetary policy. While the Fed may not be in a rush to lower interest rates, the combination of solid earnings and a resilient labor market supports the case for further strengthening of the economy and risky assets.