Mixed Month for Markets
It was a challenging month for stocks, as markets experienced large swings throughout the month due to political uncertainty. The S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and Nasdaq Composite all sold off sharply to start the month; however, a late-month rally helped soften the sting for investors. The S&P 500 lost 0.68 percent in April while the Dow fell 3.08 percent. The Nasdaq led the way for the month, with a 0.88 percent gain.
Read MoreChallenging Start to the Year for Stocks
It was a rough March for stocks, capping off a weak quarter to start the year. The S&P 500 lost 5.63 percent in March and 4.27 percent in the first quarter. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 4.06 percent during the month and 0.87 percent for the quarter. The Nasdaq Composite lagged its peers during the month and quarter, with an 8.14 percent loss in March and a 10.26 percent drop for the quarter. Technology and growth stocks experienced higher levels of volatility to start the year on concerns surrounding AI and valuations.
Read MoreMixed Month for Markets
December was a mixed month for markets, as investors pulled back from most U.S. stocks due to concerns over rising interest rates and economic uncertainty. Despite the year-end sell-off, all three major U.S. indices finished the quarter and year in positive territory. The S&P 500 lost 2.38 percent in December but managed a 2.41 percent gain for the quarter and an impressive 25.02 percent gain for the full year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 5.13 percent in December but was up 0.93 percent for the quarter and 14.99 percent over the full year. The technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite led the way with a 0.55 percent gain in December, which contributed to a 6.35 percent gain for the quarter and a 29.57 percent rise for the year.
Read MoreStocks continued their recent rally in September, with all three major U.S. indices up for the month and quarter. The S&P 500 gained 2.14 percent in September and 5.89 percent for the quarter, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) was up 1.96 percent during the month and 8.72 percent for the quarter. Both the S&P 500 and DJIA hit new record highs in September before falling back modestly to end the month. The technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite gained 2.76 percent for the month and quarter as technology stocks experienced heightened turbulence over the summer compared to the broader market.
Read MoreMarkets continued to rise, with all three major U.S. indices growing in June. The S&P 500 gained 3.59 percent in June and 4.28 percent for the quarter. The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased 1.23 percent in June, but weakness in April caused the index to fall 1.27 percent during the second quarter. The technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite led the way with a 6.03 percent gain in June and an 8.47 percent increase in the second quarter. Solid fundamentals and an improving economic backdrop helped support equity market returns in June.
Read MoreMarkets rallied in May, with all three major U.S. indices up for the month. The S&P 500 gained 4.96 percent, the Dow Jones Industrial Average grew 2.58 percent, and the Nasdaq Composite soared 6.98 percent. Equity markets were supported by solid earnings growth and lower interest rates.
Read MoreAll three major U.S. indices tumbled in April. The S&P 500 lost 4.08 percent, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 4.92 percent, and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 4.38 percent. The sell-off, which was the first monthly decline this year after a strong first quarter for stocks, was primarily due to rising interest rates during the month.
Read MoreIt was a positive March for stocks, capping off a strong quarter to start the year. The S&P 500 gained 3.22 percent in March and an impressive 10.56 percent in the first quarter. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 2.21 percent during the month and 6.14 percent for the quarter. The Nasdaq Composite lagged its peers during the month but still had a strong start to the year, with a 1.85 percent gain in March and a 9.31 percent rise for the quarter. Improving fundamentals and a healthy economic backdrop helped drive the gains in the first quarter.
Read MoreWith approximately 94% of American workers covered by Social Security and 65 million people currently receiving benefits, keeping Social Security healthy is a major concern.1 Social Security isn't in danger of going broke — it's financed primarily through payroll taxes — but its financial health is declining, and benefits may eventually be reduced unless Congress acts.
Read MoreDespite Concerns, Retirement Confidence Remains Steady May 24, 2022 Prepared by Broadridge Investor Communication Solutions, Inc. Copyright 2022 Nearly three quarters of workers and 77% of retirees in a recent survey said they remain at least somewhat confident that they will experience a comfortable retirement, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute. Nevertheless, a third of workers and a quarter of retirees felt less confident this year due to the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, with many respondents citing inflation as the reason.
Read MoreIn a 2019 UBS Investor Watch Survey, nearly 68 percent of married women from around the world reported they believe they’ll outlive their spouse. And it’s a belief that’s grounded in reality—according to U.S. Census data, women are expected to live longer than men by roughly four years by 2060. What are the implications of this when it comes to money matters? It means that many women will find themselves responsible for making financial decisions on their own—and potentially for several years—if their spouse passes before them.
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