Frazier Allen: Market pullbacks need perspective
January 24, 2016
Clarksville, TN – The first three trading weeks of the year have been marked by volatility in the domestic and global equity markets, garnering the attention of investors and the financial media.
There’s a lot going on with stocks stumbling, bond yields falling and oil prices declining. So, it may be helpful to separate the noise from the underlying fundamentals.
Despite slowdowns in China and Europe, domestic economic growth has held up fairly well, supported by job growth and stronger consumer spending power.
Frazier Allen
Frazier Allen: Third quarter marked by mixed data and volatility
October 5, 2015
Clarksville, TN – Last quarter, many investors watched closely as the Greek debt drama played out on a global stage. Three months later, investors once again are warily watching how international economic conditions impact domestic markets.
Headwinds include worries over slower growth in Europe and Asia; the effects of lower commodity prices; uncertainty over the Federal Reserve’s rate tightening policy and timing; suppressed inflation; and the potential for a U.S. government shutdown either at the beginning of October or during early December.
Frazier Allen
September’s Market volatility extends into October
October 15, 2014
Clarksville, TN – The two weeks of trading this month took investors on a wild ride. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, for example, posted its biggest point gain and loss back to back for the first time since 1997, according to the Wall Street Journal
Last Tuesday’s 273-point “Dow Dive” was reversed by Wednesday’s 275-point “Dow Wow.” But then the Dow slumped again, dropping 335 points on Thursday.
Frazier Allen
Quarterly gains endure September’s volatility
October 4, 2014
Clarksville, TN – September reinforced its reputation as one of the worst months for stocks. The S&P 500, for example, dropped 1.5%. Thankfully, the declines over the past two weeks weren’t enough to entirely erase the gains we have seen over the past quarter.
In fact, the broad-market index, which reached a record high on September 18th, just managed to post its seventh straight quarterly gain.
Frazier Allen
Equity markets slide after an eventful month
August 1, 2014
Clarksville, TN – The last week of July has been eventful on a number of fronts. The economic calendar was packed, geopolitical tensions intensified and Argentina teetered on the edge of default, eventually going over. This is the second time the South American country has defaulted on its debt in the past 13 years.
The default may be short-lived if Argentina can reach an agreement to pay its missed $1.5 billion interest payment.
Frazier Allen
Stocks end quarter mixed despite fewer headwinds
April 4, 2014
Clarksville, TN – March marked the fifth anniversary of the stock market’s bull run, since the bottom in the S&P 500 back in 2009. The most recent quarter was more lackluster, as U.S. stock indices were somewhat flat.
The equity markets showed some resilience during the last week of the month after Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen signaled that “considerable slack” in a “tough” labor market means the central bank will continue its monetary support of the economy for some time.
Frazier Allen
Stocks up despite U.S. Government Budget Impasse
October 2, 2013
Clarksville, TN – The third quarter of the year proved quite eventful.
The Federal Reserve opted to wait a little longer before beginning to dial back its bond purchases, and a budgetary showdown in D.C. resulted in a partial government shutdown on the same day the private healthcare exchanges mandated by the 2010 Affordable Care Act (ACA) opened.
Political tensions arose over whether to defund or delay major provisions of the ACA.
Frazier Allen
Market Update from Frazier Allen, June 23rd, 2013
June 23, 2013
Clarksville, TN – Equities across the globe fell sharply after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke implied that the central bank may start to wind down its asset purchases later this year if the economy continues to improve. The three major domestic indices took a hit, and the CBOE Volatility Index spiked to a new high this year.
The statement triggered a selloff on Wednesday and Thursday, as markets reacted to the prospect of higher interest rates. Many market observers already had forecast when this third round of quantitative easing would dial down, but the markets responded regardless. [Read more]
Fiscal cliff may derail Market momentum gathered in November
December 5, 2012
Clarksville, TN – Even though the market indexes showed little change in November, the end of 2012 looks promising as the U.S. economy rebounded despite a highly contentious election cycle and the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy thanks to some encouraging numbers from key indicators.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average experienced a post-election trough and ended the month north of 13,000, but still flat compared to the end of October. The NASDAQ mirrored the DJIA, bottoming at 2,837 on November 15th to close at a near month-high at 3,010. Likewise, the S&P 500 rallied from a low of 1,353 for November to end the month at 1,416. [Read more]
