April represented a step back following March’s gains, aside from Managed Futures being the star of the show this month. Commodities demonstrated resilience, posting a modest +0.95% growth despite the turbulence induced by the prospects of normalizing financial conditions. This volatility led to portfolio recalibration across sectors. Managed futures strategies once more, demonstrating relative resilience, […]
Category: Market Commentary
10
May
2024
08
Apr
2024
Asset Class Scoreboard: March 2024
March wasn’t all positive for the asset class scoreboard, where the scoreboard was split with gains and mild drawdowns, but all landed above the red. Commodities led returns at +4.45%, driven higher by resilient demand for energy and materials. Managed futures strategies delivered solid outperformance of +3.20% through wary exposures. Their flexible mandates rattled dynamic […]
12
Mar
2024
Asset Class Scoreboard: February 2024
Equity markets extended January gains in February, with new all time highs in the US as the S&P 500 rose by +5.22%. Internationally, developed markets progressed +3.03% on balance. While Bonds renewed their march higher in rates, losing -1.36% as rates creeped higher on fears the eventual easing by the Fed may be pushed off […]
13
Feb
2024
Asset Class Scoreboard: January 2024
Commodity prices rose to start the new year, with the GSG index gaining a solid +4.39%, supported by tight supply conditions and manufacturing activity. Elsewhere, most assets pulled back as investors adapted to a higher rate of uncertainty globally. U.S. equities exhibited relative resilience, with the S&P climbing +1.59% after 2023 saw mild gains. By […]
17
Jan
2024
Asset Class Scoreboard: December 2023
In reflecting upon 2023’s performance results across asset classes, it is apparent this year posed considerable challenges for capital markets amidst the ongoing macroeconomic transition. Persistent inflationary pressures and central bank tightening created headwinds for many segments throughout the period. While equities maintained respectable full-year gains, considerable monthly volatility was witnessed as geopolitical and economic […]
07
Dec
2023
Asset Class Performance: NOV 2023
BOOM! And here we go – quite a change this November as we saw several asset classes book gains as easing inflation pressures lifted investor sentiment. Real estate investment trusts powered ahead by 12.29%, signaling strength in the property sector. Domestic stocks also shot up 9.13%, while developed international markets rose 8.28%, demonstrating a renewed […]
08
Nov
2023
Asset Class Scoreboard: October 2023
October’s performance results underscored the challenging economic shrinking in the current economy. With inflation persisting and the central bank’s aggressive rate hike, most asset classes suffered declines against this uncertain backdrop, closing this 3rd quarter. Commodities retreated -3.91% as recessionary concerns weighed on industrial materials and energy prices from their summer highs. Equities also corrected, […]
03
Aug
2023
Asset Class Scoreboard: JULY 2023
Despite Commodities Surge, July Returns Fail to Excite Most investors were hoping for fireworks in July, however, returns this month largely fell flat, with a few exceptions. The bright spot was commodities, as measured by the GSG ETF. The index surged +10.83% in July, its best month this year. Crude oil prices rose […]
12
Jul
2023
Asset Class Scoreboard: June 2023
In June, most asset classes delivered gains: U.S. stocks soared – S&P 500 up 6.48% fueled by economic optimism. World stocks rose 4.63% on brightening global growth outlook. Real estate returned 5.73% due to low rates and economic reopening. Bonds were flat – total bond market down 0.22% as investors favored stocks. Commodities gained – […]
05
Jun
2023
Asset Class Scoreboard: May 2023
While most major asset classes struggled in May, U.S. stocks managed to eke out small gains, driven by strength in large tech companies. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Hedge funds and bonds both posted small losses for the month. Hedge funds returned -0.65% while bonds declined 1.16% according to the data. Despite […]
