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Weekly Market Update - October 5th
We hope you are doing well. We’ve attached a quarterly review video that discusses the following: How did major asset classes perform in the third quarter? What is the outlook for the fourth quarter and the election?
September Market Update
Here is a recap of market performance for the month of September and year-to-date. September and year-to-date equity returns were opposites of each other. For the year, the S&P 500 has outperformed international and small cap stocks. During September, the S&P 500 trailed them both. Bonds were the best performer last month, and also for the year.
September Mid-Month Update: What returns can I expect?
We hope you are doing well. Here is a recap of market performance for the month of September and year-to-date. So far this month, many stocks have declined, with the S&P 500 leading the way down. Small cap stocks have declined less than the S&P 500, while international stocks and bonds are essentially unchanged. Despite this decline, the S&P 500 remains the leader for the year so far with regard to stock investments. Bonds are also firmly positive.
August Market Update
We hope you are doing well. Here is a recap of market performance for the month of August and year-to-date
Weekly Market Update - August 21
This week, the S&P 500 reached both an intraday all-time high and closing all-time high, before going down. Since March, we have been consistently and gladly reporting stock gains in these communications. While a rising market in a bad economy
Weekly Market Update - August 14
The S&P 500 Index achieved its all-time closing high on February 19, 2020 at 3386. This week, the market continued to approach this level. The following graph, from Strategas Research, is split into two sections. The top shows the following
Your Weekly Market Update - August 7
This week, the S&P 500 trended higher, continuing the positive momentum which has consistently persisted since March 23rd. So far this year, we’ve seen a continuous array of emotional and divisive events, and plenty of volatility
Weekly Market Update - July 24
Market action was mixed this week, leaving stocks little changed for the week. Early on, good news flowed as earning season began and progress continued on a potential new stimulus package. On Thursday, the tech sector came under pressure as this ove
Weekly Market Update - July 17
In the market this week, stock returns were roughly flat, although the S&P 500 did rally back to its most-recent high at 3,232, which it first achieved on June 8th. Since that time period six weeks ago, we have seen two brief market corrections
Weekly Market Update - June 26
In market news, stocks fell sharply on Wednesday, down over -2.5%, but then rose over the remainder of the week and finished the week roughly flat.
Weekly Market Update - June 19
Tomorrow marks the summer solstice and the official beginning of summer, when the sun reaches its northernmost point in the sky, above the Tropic of Cancer. In Ashland, Ohio we get to enjoy a total of 15 hours and 7 minutes of daylight, which makes i
Your Weekly Market Update - June 5
Stocks rallied this week, continuing their strong advance since the most-recent low on March 23rd. While we have seen improvement and progress regarding COVID-19, much of this rally happened before these positive developments. This rally has also
May Market Insight
Stocks continued to rebound strongly in May, led by the Russell 2000 (US small company stocks). The S&P 500 and the MSCI World Ex-US (international stocks) were also up to a lesser extent. The Bloomberg Barclays Aggregate Bond index was slightly up as well.
Weekly Market Update - May 22
We hope you are well and ready to enjoy a beautiful holiday weekend. After declining last week, the S&P 500 increased this week and continues to trade inside a range of 2850-3000.
Weekly Market Update - May 15
We hope this finds you well, and exploring more outside your home, or at least the sunny outdoors. This week, the S&P 500 declined, and bigger picture: has continued to move sideways over the trailing month, from the middle of April until now.
Weekly Market Update - May 8
The S&P 500 continued its grind higher this week – we have continued to see market volatility trending lower as markets have digested much of the current economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.
April Market Insight
Year to date, the low point of the S&P 500 happened on March 23rd. Since that time, stocks have rallied in spite of a host of negative announcements on the economy and record high unemployment.
Your Weekly Market Update - April 24
We hope this finds you well. Here is a recap of this week’s performance in the S&P 500:
Your Weekly Market Update - April 17
We hope this finds you well – and don’t worry, we are almost certain this is the last snowfall of the spring! Here is a recap of this week’s performance in the S&P 500
Weekly Market Update - April 10
We hope this finds you well as we enter the Easter holiday weekend! We had a strong rally in stock markets this week. Here is a brief return summary:
March Market Insight
We hope this finds you well. We will have another post at the end of the week, but for now we wanted to give an update on market performance for the month and year to date
Highlights of the CARES Act
CARES Act for Individuals - On Friday, congress passed, and the President signed into law, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. In addition to providing support to small businesses, the bill provides measures to help individual
A Breath of Fresh Air in the Stock Market
We hope you are staying safe and well! Recently, life has been awkward and uncomfortable for all of us. The past few weeks have not been fun. However, we do believe the drastic measures that have been implemented by state governments are ultimately
Ease the Pain of Repaying Student Loans
Student loan debt is a hot topic and for good reason. Managing the burden that comes during repayment is very difficult. Fortunately, there are ways to get some relief while taking advantage of timely tax breaks at the same time.
All COVID-19 Changes So Far
Right now, your highest priority is the health of those you love and yourself. But if you have time to read about some non-medical but important matters related to the health crisis, here is a summary of IRS action already taken and federal tax
W&H Operating Procedures During COVID-19 - 3.20.20
Based on the current situation concerning COVID-19, Whitcomb & Hess has made the decision to have most of our team begin working from home. This change will not impact our commitment to providing you with high-quality service and timely communica
W&H Weekly Market Update
The recent coronavirus pandemic, and resulting panic, has affected every aspect of our lives – our portfolios, social interactions, expressions on social media, schools, recreation, and stress levels. We are still learning much about the virus
How to Succeed as an Independent Contractor
Are you one of the now 33% of Americans who work as either an independent contractor or freelancer?
W&H Operating Procedures During COVID-19 - 3.16.20
Whitcomb & Hess is blessed to have strong relationships and roots in our Ashland community and beyond. The health of our clients, neighbors, and team members is very important to us.
Bear Markets Bounce
It’s been a historic week to say the least! Schools, professional sports, concerts, and many other social events have been canceled or postponed. Even going to the store has become a stressful event. If you are feeling perplexed, confused,
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