Monthly Market Summary
- The S&P 500 Index gained +1.6% in January, while the Russell 2000 Index traded down by -3.9%. Five of the eleven S&P 500 sectors traded higher. Communication Services, Financials, and Health Care each outperformed the S&P 500, while Real Estate, Consumer Discretionary, and Materials traded lower.
- Corporate investment-grade bonds produced a -0.4% total return as Treasury yields rose, slightly underperforming corporate high-yield’s +0.1% total return.
- International stocks traded lower and underperformed U.S. stocks. The MSCI EAFE Index of developed market stocks returned -0.5%, while the MSCI Emerging Market Index traded lower by -4.5%.
Stocks Trade Higher in January, Propelled By Continued Mega-Cap Strength
Stocks traded higher to start the new year, with the S&P 500, NASDAQ 100, and Dow Jones Industrial Average each setting new all-time highs. In continuation of last year’s trend, the companies with the biggest market caps accounted for a substantial portion of the early-year gains. This leadership can be seen in the January returns of various factors, including the Russell 1000 Growth’s +2.4% return and the NASDAQ 100’s +1.8% return. In contrast, smaller companies traded lower, with the Russell 2000 underperforming the S&P 500 by -5.5%. Bonds produced flat returns after a robust Q4, when Treasury yields fell in anticipation of rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. When could the first interest rate cut arrive? The section below provides an update on monetary policy after the Federal Reserve’s January meeting.
Federal Reserve Pushes Back the Timeline for Interest Rate Cuts
The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady at its January meeting and hinted that rate hikes are finished for the current tightening cycle. While both actions were expected, the post-meeting statement confused the market. The central bank stated that it wants further confirmation that inflation will return to the 2% target before cutting interest rates. Investors were surprised by the statement after seeing inflationary pressures ease over the past six months and assuming interest rates didn’t need to stay at current levels. What more does the Fed want to see? Fed Chair Powell wasn’t clear, although he reiterated that inflation is moving in the right direction.
The future path of interest rates remains uncertain after the January meeting and press conference. The Fed’s statement provides it with maximum flexibility to adjust monetary policy as needed, cutting rates if inflation continues lower but keeping rates at current levels if inflation proves stickier than expected. What is clear is the Fed’s desire to cut interest rates this year as a proactive measure to support the economy. It’s simply a question of when and by how much the central bank will cut interest rates. Investors and economists have been anxiously awaiting the Fed’s next steps, but it appears they will be waiting for at least a few more months.
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Past performance does not guarantee or indicate future results. Index performance is for illustrative purposes only and does not reflect any management fees, transaction costs or expenses. Indexes are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index. Index performance does not represent the actual performance that would be achieved by investing in a fund.
No mention of a particular security, index, or other instrument in this report constitutes a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold that or any other security, nor does it constitute an opinion on the suitability of any security or index. The report is strictly an informational publication and has been prepared without regard to the particular investments and circumstances of the recipient. SUBSCRIBERS SHOULD VERIFY ALL CLAIMS AND COMPLETE THEIR OWN RESEARCH BEFORE INVESTING IN ANY INVESTMENTS MENTIONED IN THE PUBLICATION. INVESTING INVOLVES RISK, INCLUDING THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL AND FLUCTUATION OF VALUE.
Additional Sources (One Paragraph)
Past performance does not guarantee future results. The performance information shown herein is based on total returns with dividends reinvested and does not reflect the deduction of advisory and/or other fees normally incurred in the management of a portfolio. Stock performance and fundamental data is based on the following instruments: SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY), SPDR Dow Jones ETF (DIA), iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM), iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (IWF), iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF (IWD), iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA), iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM), Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ). Fixed Income performance is based on the following instruments: iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (AGG), iShares Investment Grade Corporate ETF (LQD), iShares National Muni Bond ETF (MUB), iShares High Yield Corporate ETF (HYG). Fixed Income yields and key rates are based on the following instruments: Bloomberg US Aggregate, ICE BofA US Corporate, ICE BofA US Municipal Securities, ICE BofA US High Yield, 2 Year US Benchmark Bond, 10 Year US Benchmark Bond, 30 Year US Benchmark Bond, 30 Year US Fixed Mortgage Rate, US Prime Rate. Commodity prices are based on the following instruments: Crude Oil WTI (NYM $/bbl), Gasoline Regular U.S. Gulf Coast ($/gal), Natural Gas (NYM $/mmbtu), Propane (NYM $/gal), Ethanol (CRB $/gallon), Gold (NYM $/ozt), Silver (NYM $/ozt), Copper NYMEX ($/lb), U.S. Midwest Domestic Hot-Rolled Coil Steel (NYM $/st), Corn (CBT $/bu), Soybeans (Chicago $/bu). U.S. Style performance is based on the following instruments: iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF (IWD), SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY), iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (IWF), iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF (IWS), iShares Russell Midcap ETF (IWR), iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF (IWP), iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF (IWN), iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM), iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF (IWO). U.S. Sector performance is based on the following instruments: Consumer Discretionary Sector SPDR ETF (XLY), Consumer Staples Sector SPDR ETF (XLP), Energy Sector SPDR ETF (XLE), Financial Sector SPDR ETF (XLF), Health Care Sector SPDR ETF (XLV), Industrial Sector SPDR ETF (XLI), Materials Sector SPDR ETF (XLB), Technology Sector SPDR ETF (XLK), Communication Services Sector SPDR ETF (XLC), Utilities Sector SPDR ETF (XLU), Real Estate Sector SPDR ETF (XLRE).
Additional Sources (Individual Sections)
Past performance does not guarantee future results. The performance information shown herein is based on total returns with dividends reinvested and does not reflect the deduction of advisory and/or other fees normally incurred in the management of a portfolio.
Stock performance and fundamental data is based on the following instruments: SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY), SPDR Dow Jones ETF (DIA), iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM), iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (IWF), iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF (IWD), iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA), iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM), Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ).
Fixed Income performance is based on the following instruments: iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (AGG), iShares Investment Grade Corporate ETF (LQD), iShares National Muni Bond ETF (MUB), iShares High Yield Corporate ETF (HYG).
Fixed Income yields and key rates are based on the following instruments: Bloomberg US Aggregate, ICE BofA US Corporate, ICE BofA US Municipal Securities, ICE BofA US High Yield, 2 Year US Benchmark Bond, 10 Year US Benchmark Bond, 30 Year US Benchmark Bond, 30 Year US Fixed Mortgage Rate, US Prime Rate.
Commodity prices are based on the following instruments: Crude Oil WTI (NYM $/bbl), Gasoline Regular U.S. Gulf Coast ($/gal), Natural Gas (NYM $/mmbtu), Propane (NYM $/gal), Ethanol (CRB $/gallon), Gold (NYM $/ozt), Silver (NYM $/ozt), Copper NYMEX ($/lb), U.S. Midwest Domestic Hot-Rolled Coil Steel (NYM $/st), Corn (CBT $/bu), Soybeans (Chicago $/bu).
U.S. Style performance is based on the following instruments: iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF (IWD), SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY), iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (IWF), iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF (IWS), iShares Russell Midcap ETF (IWR), iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF (IWP), iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF (IWN), iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM), iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF (IWO).
U.S. Sector performance is based on the following instruments: Consumer Discretionary Sector SPDR ETF (XLY), Consumer Staples Sector SPDR ETF (XLP), Energy Sector SPDR ETF (XLE), Financial Sector SPDR ETF (XLF), Health Care Sector SPDR ETF (XLV), Industrial Sector SPDR ETF (XLI), Materials Sector SPDR ETF (XLB), Technology Sector SPDR ETF (XLK), Communication Services Sector SPDR ETF (XLC), Utilities Sector SPDR ETF (XLU), Real Estate Sector SPDR ETF (XLRE).