As this historic bull market grinds ever-higher, some commonly-used axioms seem apropos to stock investors. “Patience is a virtue.” “Don’t miss the forest for the trees.” “Good things come to those who wait.” But the phrase “hindsight is 20/20” also applies.
It’s safe to say most people have seared into their memory a few important numbers: Social Security number, home address, phone number, kids’ birthdays and wedding anniversaries (hopefully).
After nothing but smooth sailing in 2017, volatility returned with a vengeance in the first quarter of 2018. A very strong January rally was followed by two consecutive months of losses for the broader market.
2017 was a banner year for stock markets worldwide, and several other asset classes also finished with healthy gains. The S&P 500 Index has posted a positive return for 14 straight months, and 2017 was the first year ever in which the index’s total return was positive every single month.
Stocks jumped in the third quarter, with only a brief pause in August. Stocks in the U.S. continue to reach new highs despite several headwinds.
The first half of 2017 turned out to be a good run for stock and bond markets. The rally in stocks sparked by the U.S. election last November carried over into the New Year and continued on steadily through June.
In the final days of the first quarter, Republicans in the House cancelled a vote to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. Conservative and moderate factions within the party could not come to terms on what the bill should contain.
An eventful fourth quarter provided a fitting conclusion to a year that brought significant and often surprising changes in the world and the financial markets. November election results in the U.S. boosted stocks to a strong finish.
Stocks advanced around the world in the third quarter. The rally in early July was followed by a quiet two-month stretch of very low trading volume and volatility.
