A turbulent month for markets ended almost where they started, as global equities eked out a 0.12% return in May. The MSCI All-Country World Index is down 12.83%YTD and is off to its worst five-month start since MSCI included its Emerging Markets category in 1998. In...
Global Financial Markets Articles
Global Market Commentary – April 2022
Global equities tumbled 8.00% in April to bring their YTD return down to -12.94%, the second worst 4-month start to a year in the history of the MSCI All-Country World Index (lagging only the 2020 Coronavirus outbreak by a half of a basis point). Risk assets fell in...
Global Market Commentary March 2022
In their worst Q1 performance since 2020, global equities ended the first quarter down -5.36% despite rallying in March 2.17%. In the U.S., both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq indices posted their first quarterly loss in two years, returning -4.95% and -9.08%...
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...
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...
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...
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%...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...