January 8, 2021 Weekly Market Recap

Well, Happy New Year! I hope it was a good one for all of you. Santa Claus definitely showed up, as the new year kicked off with huge gains across the board.

2020 Winners and Losers

To say that 2020 was a crazy year in the markets is an understatement. We saw the quickest and deepest bear market decline in history, a global pandemic, trillions of dollars of global stimulus, the highest volatility (VIX) on record, negative oil prices, election chaos, and the fastest recovery from a bear market ever. And I'm damn glad it's over.

Will Santa Claus Bring a Market Rally?

Bitcoin Mania is Back

Ok, so maybe "mania" is an exaggeration, but there certainly is a renewed interest and hype around Bitcoin these days. Maybe that's because it's up over 200% in 2020 and has now surpassed its high from three years ago (currently more than $21,000).

What Vaccines Could Mean For 2021

The U.S. is beginning to roll out the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine this week just days after it was approved by the FDA. This vaccine, produced by Pfizer, could soon be joined by ones developed by Moderna and others. Government officials estimate that 100 million Americans could be vaccinated by the early months of 2021, or about one-third of the country.

Interest Rates and Sentiment Prove We Are Resilient

Nearly a year after the pandemic began, the continued rise of COVID-19 cases around the country is prompting many cities and states to enforce new restrictions. Just as they have since the first set of lockdowns, these measures will likely have a disproportionate effect on retail, dining, hospitality, and similar industries.

December 4, 2020 Weekly Market Recap

Each of the major indices set all-time highs this week, powered higher by growth stocks and value stocks alike. The Nasdaq Composite claimed the winning spot with a 2.1% gain and was followed by the Russell 2000 (+2.0%), S&P 500 (+1.7%), and Dow Jones Industrial Average (+1.0%).

Up, Up, and Away!

As we approach the end of 2020, the stock market is breaking out to new highs. While there have been many lessons for investors this year, there are also recent developments that will matter for years to come. From learning to manage COVID-19 to the presidential election, big events rattled markets but also showed the importance of patient perseverance. As always, it's important to hold onto these lessons by focusing on key trends rather than daily market swings.

Still Thankful During a Challenging Year

This year has been one of the most challenging of my life, both professionally and personally. But I am so thankful for my family, friends, co-workers, and career. I am truly blessed.

November 20, 2020 Weekly Market Recap

Cyclical stocks retained their monthly leadership roles this week following several positive vaccine developments, but the S&P 500 (-0.8%) and Dow Jones Industrial Average (-0.7%) finished in negative territory. The Russell 2000 climbed 2.4%, and the Nasdaq Composite increased 0.2% despite relative weakness in the technology stocks.

Should We React to Rising COVID-19 Cases?

Of course this is a rhetorical question - if 2020 has taught us anything it's that you cannot predict anything. The market's dramatic fall and subsequent recovery have been nothing short of extraordinary. But this pandemic is far from over, and the economic fallout may be felt for some time.

November 13, 2020 Weekly Market Recap

This week, money disproportionately flowed into the economically-sensitive stocks on news that the collaborative COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer (PFE) and BioNTech (BNTX) was more than 90% effective. The S&P 500 (+2.2%) and Russell 2000 (+6.1%) closed at new record highs with 2% and 6% gains, respectively. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 4.1%. The Nasdaq Composite, however, declined 0.6% amid relative weakness in the mega-cap/growth/stay-at-home stocks.

Perspectives After a Heated Election

After a heated campaign amid a challenging year for all Americans, the presidential election now has a projected winner. Roughly half of the country disagrees with this choice and there are already legal battles in key states. This is clearly not over yet and only one thing is certain - none of this is moving us closer to a sense of national unity.

Election Day Turns Into Election Week

The S&P 500 surged 7.3% this week to bounce back from last week's 5.6% decline, as the prospect of a divided Congress outweighed the fact that no presidential winner was declared by week's end. The Nasdaq Composite rallied 9.0%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rallied 6.9%, and the Russell 2000 rallied 6.9%.

Try Not To Worry

Easier said than done, I know. But try not to worry about this upcoming election. Especially when it comes to your money. No matter who you are voting for or what the outcome is, this country and economy will persevere and thrive.

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