Global stock markets declined by nearly 4% in December, closing out a down year on a down note. During the fourth quarter, stocks actually rallied, with U.S. and foreign equities advancing by 7% and 14%, respectively. When it was all said and done, however, equity investors had their worst year since the 2008 financial crisis … as their holdings lost about one-fifth of their value.
Global stock markets advanced 6% in October, with domestic and foreign equites returning approximately 8% and 3%, respectively. The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 14% for its best month in over 45 years. Even after October’s gains, global stocks remain down by just over 21% yearto-date.
Global stock markets advanced 6% in October, with domestic and foreign equites returning approximately 8% and 3%, respectively. The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 14% for its best month in over 45 years. Even after October’s gains, global stocks remain down by just over 21% year-to-date.
Until the second half of the 20th century, America’s population was spread out. Many lived in areas where land was cheap. But as more people moved to the cities, and stricter zoning codes were passed, land prices and housing costs have soared.
Global stocks declined 9.57% in September, finishing down 6.82% for the third quarter, and off more than 25% year-to-date. The three major U.S. indexes, the S&P 500, Dow Industrials, and Nasdaq Composite, all completed their worst first nine months of a calendar year since 2002.
August was rough for virtually all investors, as global stocks and global bonds were each down nearly 4% for the month. While equity investors are still up 3% over the past two months, stock market benchmarks remain down by nearly 18% year-to-date.
Global stocks bounced back with returns of nearly 7% for the month of July. Domestic stocks led the way with gains of over 9% for the month, with growth stocks outperforming their value counterparts. Global equity markets remain down by over 14% year-to-date.
After being in Covid-19 lockdown and receiving three rounds of stimulus payments, U.S. households were able to stash away a substantial amount of extra cash. According to Moody’s Analytics, from the beginning of the pandemic through the end of 2021, U.S. households had built up an additional $2.7 trillion in savings. Moody’s estimates that households have tapped about $114 billion of these extra savings through the first five months of 2022.
After plummeting 8.4% in June, global stock markets are now down by over 20% in just the first six months of 2022. For U.S. stocks, this marks the worst six-month start in over 50 years. Bond investors also suffered through double-digit losses, with the broad U.S. index of fixed-income securities recording its worst first half on record.
Global equity markets were exceptionally volatile in May, as traders struggled to evaluate a complicated economic backdrop. Stocks ultimately ended the month roughly flat, but remain down by double-digits year-to-date.
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