So much for Brexit being a big deal. Despite widespread fear of the UK’s decision to leave the European Union, the 3rd quarter was the best one this year for nearly all categories of stocks. The S&P 500 was +3.9% when you include dividends. Mid-sized and smaller companies fared even better, with mid-caps +4.5% and… Read More

It ended up being a pretty “average” quarter in the stock market after all. At least that’s what the final tally would have you believe. The S&P ended the first quarter of 2016 +1.3% (total return, including dividends). But the ride we took to get there was a bit more exciting than “average.” Within the… Read More

What a wild ride it’s been in the markets for 2016! It certainly has to be one of the most erratic first-halves to a year in recent memory. But, when markets get volatile they provide opportunities for those who remain disciplined and diversified, and this time has been no different. Mid-way through February, the S&P… Read More

The S&P 500 finished the year up a paltry 1.4% on a total return basis (including dividends), but was down 0.7% on a price-only basis (excluding dividends). For anyone who fell asleep at the beginning of the year and woke up on December 31st, it sure would have seemed (by looking at most market levels)… Read More

When the stock market gets volatile, it’s sometimes hard to decipher what is real. But let’s be totally honest – US economic data (especially the domestic side of it – consumer spending, housing, auto sales, employment, and inflation) is doing well. However, our markets are being dragged down by foreign market developments. In times like… Read More