Global Financial Markets Articles

Ukraine / Oil / Geopolitical Risk

Ukraine / Oil / Geopolitical Risk

As Russia invades Ukraine, the worst-case scenario has materialized. So, as I start to think about various elements, I ask myself, “where do we go from here?” The President is expected to speak early today, and the EU has an emergency summit this afternoon (6:00 pm...

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Global Market Commentary – January 2022

Global Market Commentary – January 2022

Global markets got off to a rough start in 2022 as the MSCI All-Country World Index fell -4.91% in January, its worst monthly performance since March 2020. The MSCI EAFE index dropped -4.86% and the S&P500 was down -5.26%, while the Russell 2000 Small Cap index...

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Global Market Commentary December 2021

Global Market Commentary December 2021

Global equities gained 4.00% in December to finish up 18.54% for the year, their best annual gains since 2019 – notwithstanding the COVID-19 pandemic-induced global recession. The MSCI All Country World Index (ACWI), which comprises U.S., developed and emerging market...

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Global Market Commentary November 2021

Global Market Commentary November 2021

Global stocks hit an all-time high on November 16th only to sell off and finish the month down -2.41% amid fears about the new Covid omicron variant and further impediments to global supply chains. Despite that, the MSCI All-Country World Index is up 13.98%...

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Global Market Commentary October 2021

Global Market Commentary October 2021

Global Equities traded at all-time highs this month; the MSCI All-Country World Index gained 5.10% in October to bring returns to 16.79% so far in 2021. U.S. large-cap stocks drove returns as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 finished out October at all-time highs,...

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Global Market Commentary September 2021

Global Market Commentary September 2021

Global Equities fell -4.13% in September as rising rates, inflation fears and concerns about the Chinese property market shook investors. After a rough month, the MSCI All Country World Index (AWCI) slipped -1.05% during the quarter but remains up 11.12% YTD. In the...

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Global Market Commentary August 2021

Global Market Commentary August 2021

Global Equities gained 2.50% to finish August at their all-time high and to bring YTD returns to 15.91%. In the US, the S&P 500 Index notched its 53rd record close in August, clinching its highest number of records in a calendar year. The US Large Cap stock...

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Global Market Commentary June 2021

Global Market Commentary June 2021

Global equities rose 1.36% in June to bring Q2 and YTD returns to 7.39% and 12.30% respectively. The U.S. comprises more than 58% of the MSCI ACWI All Country World Index ( ACWI), and the S&P 500 finished the first half of the year by notching its 33nd record...

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Global Market Commentary April 2021

Global Market Commentary April 2021

Global Equities reached an all-time high on April 29th, and the MSCI ACWI (All Country World Index) finished April up 4.37% to bring YTD returns to 9.14% in 2021. The S&P 500 posted notched its fourth consecutive positive month and its best monthly return since...

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Are SPACs Really All That Special?

Are SPACs Really All That Special?

Special Purpose Acquisition Companies, or SPACs, seem to be all the rage recently. But why are they gaining so much attention, and what should investors know? IPO. EPS. MLP. LIBOR. NYSE. The investment world is fond of acronyms and keeping them straight can be a tall...

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Global Market Commentary March 2021

Global Market Commentary March 2021

The S&P 500 closed the first quarter at a record high, climbing 4.42% in March. That brought YTD returns to 5.77%, ahead of President Joe Biden’s unveiling of a $2.25 trillion infrastructure and stimulus spending program after the trading close on March 31st. The...

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Global Market Commentary February 2021

Global Market Commentary February 2021

A runup in interest rates cooled a rally in global stocks this month. The MSCI All-Country World Index (ACWI) hit an all-time high on February 16 and was up over 6.60% mid-month, only to finish February with a more modest 2.32% gain. Inflation worries heightened,...

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