Investment Outlook – 4th Quarter 2011
January 17, 2012
We are pleased to report that our portfolio performed very well during the fourth quarter and that 2011, on balance, was a year of solid, positive returns. Yet, if we had to name 2011, it would be ‘the year of volatility’. This is due to the increasing market sensitivity to negative headwinds such as the [...]
Investment Outlook – 3rd Quarter 2011
October 1, 2011
The current economic expansion has ushered in various superlatives as it inches along. “Slowest recovery”, “weakest pace of jobs growth” and “biggest economic stimulus” are all examples drawn from the headlines. Such was the mindset during the quarter as world stock markets retracted on forecasts of slowing economic conditions and continued concerns over Europe’s debt problems.
Investment Outlook – 2nd Quarter 2011
July 1, 2011
Economists and the financial media enjoy naming notable periods of time. ‘Soft-patch’ is the term coined to describe May and June of 2011, during which markets focused on weaker than expected economic data releases and negative news from Europe. Despite these hurdles, our portfolios continue to perform well.
Investment Outlook – 1st Quarter 2011
April 1, 2011
The first quarter of 2011 continued many trends from 2010; solid stock market gains were fueled by powerful corporate earnings growth, additional job creation, and the general level of interest rates edged higher. Read full text
Investment Outlook – 4th Quarter 2010
January 1, 2011
With the positive investment results of 2010 relegated to history, we want to recap some highlights and support our optimistic view of the upcoming year. The fourth quarter alone offered a year’s worth of market driving events, but three in particular stand out for their market impact: the mid-term election, the Federal Reserve decision to [...]
Investment Outlook – 3rd Quarter 2010
October 1, 2010
Amid increasing volatility in markets, our portfolios ended the quarter with positive returns. Volatility remains high and will persist as we approach the November elections, the tax debate continues and new economic data is released. Much has been written this year about the risks of a double-dip recession, deflation and slow job creation. According to [...]
Investment Outlook – 2nd Quarter 2010
July 1, 2010
The stock market recovery that began in March ’09, came to an abrupt halt in the second quarter. Stock indexes are down about 15% from their highs of early April and off about 7% year to date. Keeping with our long term history of not participating in all of the market’s downside, our equity portfolio [...]
Investment Outlook – 1st Quarter 2010
April 1, 2010
Our stock portfolios were up over 7% in the 1st quarter, compared to 5.4% for the S&P 500 and 4.9% for the Russell 3000 Growth Index. Performance was led by oil service, health care, retail, and financial positions. Read full text
Investment Outlook – 4th Quarter 2009
January 1, 2010
As it became increasingly clear that the “great recession” had ended and a recovery was under way, the stock market rally gained strength. For the year, the S&P 500 was up 26.5% and the Russell 3000 Growth Index was up 37%. Our stock portfolios were up over 40% in 2009. WhileU.S.corporate earnings for the entire [...]
Investment Outlook – 3rd Quarter 2009
October 1, 2009
The robust recovery in the stock market over the past six months reflects confidence that the global recession has hit bottom and a recovery is now under way. We share that opinion. Read Full Text