June was a positive month for global equity markets, contributing to strong quarterly gains.
The economy continued to reopen, with confidence figures and consumer spending rebounding strongly.
Localized virus outbreaks mean the risks to the recovery and market rally are still out there.
Positive June Caps Off Strong Quarter
June was a positive month for markets. The S&P 500 returned 1.99 percent, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) gained 1.82 percent, and the Nasdaq Composite rose 6.07 percent. On a quarterly basis, the Nasdaq led the way, climbing 30.95 percent, while the DJIA gained 18.51 percent and the S&P increased by 20.54 percent.
The strong results came despite worsening fundamentals. According to Bloomberg Intelligence, as of June 26, the estimated earnings growth rate for the S&P 500 in the second quarter is -44.1 percent. The market rally suggests investors expect a continued recovery, however.
From a technical perspective, U.S. markets were mixed in June. The S&P 500 finished the month above its 200-day moving average. The DJIA broke above trend early in the month before finishing June below its 200-day moving average. The Nasdaq spent the entire month above its 200-day trendline.
The story was similar internationally. The MSCI EAFE Index gained 3.41 percent in June and 14.88 percent for the quarter. Emerging markets gained 7.40 percent in June and 18.18 percent for the quarter. The developed and emerging market indices remained below their 200-day moving averages at month-end.
Fixed income markets had a solid month and quarter, driven by continued support from the Federal Reserve. The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield started the period at 0.62 percent, hit a high of 0.91 percent in early June, and then fell back to 0.66 percent at quarter-end. The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index rose by 0.63 percent during the month and 2.90 percent for the quarter.
High-yield fixed income also had a strong quarter. The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield Index gained 0.98 percent in June and 10.18 percent for the quarter.
Local Outbreaks Cause National Case Numbers To Rise
Despite positive market news, public health data released during June showed some setbacks. We finished the quarter with the highest level of active coronavirus cases in the U.S. on record, fueled by concentrated outbreaks in several states. The daily case growth rate remained under control at the national level, however.
Testing continued to improve in June, ending the month with a new daily high of roughly 650,000 tests, compared with roughly 400,000 at the end of May. Current testing levels are still not high enough to track and contain the disease on a national level, however.
Data Shows Continued Economic Rebound
The data released in June pointed to a faster-than-expected rebound in economic activity. May’s retail sales report was a highlight, with headline sales rising 17.7 percent. Personal spending rose by 8.2 percent.
The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Survey improved from 85.9 in May to 98.1 in June. This was the largest single-month increase for the index since 2011, as you can see in Figure 1.
May’s employment report showed 2.5 million jobs were created, against estimates for a loss of 7.5 million jobs. We’ve also seen initial jobless claims and continuing unemployment claims decline.
Business confidence rose in May after hitting multiyear lows in April. This improving confidence translated into faster spending growth. May’s durable goods orders report showed a 15.8 percent increase, indicating businesses were willing to spend as reopening efforts took hold.
Risks To Economic Recovery Remain
Although the positive economic news we received in June was encouraging, most of the data was backward looking. It should be noted that risks to the economic recovery and market rally are still out there. Given this uncertainty, a well-diversified portfolio that matches timelines and risk levels remains the best path forward for most investors; however, you should consult with your financial advisor if concerns remain.
Information according to Bloomberg, unless stated otherwise.
Please see important disclosures.
Disclosures
Market Commentary Disclosure
Certain sections of this commentary contain forward-looking statements based on our reasonable expectations, estimates, projections, and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties, which are difficult to predict. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Diversification does not assure a profit or protect against loss in declining markets. All indices are unmanaged and investors cannot invest directly into an index. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is a price-weighted average of 30actively traded blue-chip stocks. The S&P 500 Index is a broad-based measurement of changes in stock market conditions based on the average performance of 500 widely held common stocks. The Nasdaq Composite Index measures the performance of all issues listed in the Nasdaq Stock Market, except for rights, warrants, units, and convertible debentures. The MSCI EAFE Index is a float-adjusted market capitalization index designed to measure developed market equity performance, excluding the U.S. and Canada. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index is a market capitalization-weighted index composed of companies representative of the market structure of 26 emerging market countries in Europe, Latin America, and the Pacific Basin. It excludes closed markets and those shares in otherwise free markets that are not purchasable by foreigners. The Bloomberg Barclays Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged market value-weighted index representing securities that are SEC registered, taxable, and dollar-denominated. It covers the U.S. investment-grade fixed-rate bond market, with index components for a combination of the Bloomberg Barclays government and corporate securities, mortgage-backed pass-through securities, and asset-backed securities.
Hosler Wealth Management, LLC is located at 700 S Montezuma St, Prescott, AZ 86305 and can be reached at 928-218-3619. Securities and Advisory Services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network® Member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser. Tax and accounting services offered by Hosler Wealth Management, LLC are separate and unrelated to Commonwealth. Commonwealth does not provide tax or legal advice. Fixed insurance products and services offered through CES Insurance Agency.
Authored by Brad McMillan, CFA®, CAIA, MAI, managing principal, chief investment officer, and Sam Millette, manager, fixed income, at Commonwealth Financial Network®.
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June 30, 2020 By Bruce Hosler
Presented by Bruce Hosler
Financial Market Quarterly Highlights, Q2 2020
Positive June Caps Off Strong Quarter
June was a positive month for markets. The S&P 500 returned 1.99 percent, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) gained 1.82 percent, and the Nasdaq Composite rose 6.07 percent. On a quarterly basis, the Nasdaq led the way, climbing 30.95 percent, while the DJIA gained 18.51 percent and the S&P increased by 20.54 percent.
The strong results came despite worsening fundamentals. According to Bloomberg Intelligence, as of June 26, the estimated earnings growth rate for the S&P 500 in the second quarter is -44.1 percent. The market rally suggests investors expect a continued recovery, however.
From a technical perspective, U.S. markets were mixed in June. The S&P 500 finished the month above its 200-day moving average. The DJIA broke above trend early in the month before finishing June below its 200-day moving average. The Nasdaq spent the entire month above its 200-day trendline.
The story was similar internationally. The MSCI EAFE Index gained 3.41 percent in June and 14.88 percent for the quarter. Emerging markets gained 7.40 percent in June and 18.18 percent for the quarter. The developed and emerging market indices remained below their 200-day moving averages at month-end.
Fixed income markets had a solid month and quarter, driven by continued support from the Federal Reserve. The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield started the period at 0.62 percent, hit a high of 0.91 percent in early June, and then fell back to 0.66 percent at quarter-end. The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index rose by 0.63 percent during the month and 2.90 percent for the quarter.
High-yield fixed income also had a strong quarter. The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield Index gained 0.98 percent in June and 10.18 percent for the quarter.
Local Outbreaks Cause National Case Numbers To Rise
Despite positive market news, public health data released during June showed some setbacks. We finished the quarter with the highest level of active coronavirus cases in the U.S. on record, fueled by concentrated outbreaks in several states. The daily case growth rate remained under control at the national level, however.
Testing continued to improve in June, ending the month with a new daily high of roughly 650,000 tests, compared with roughly 400,000 at the end of May. Current testing levels are still not high enough to track and contain the disease on a national level, however.
Data Shows Continued Economic Rebound
The data released in June pointed to a faster-than-expected rebound in economic activity. May’s retail sales report was a highlight, with headline sales rising 17.7 percent. Personal spending rose by 8.2 percent.
The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Survey improved from 85.9 in May to 98.1 in June. This was the largest single-month increase for the index since 2011, as you can see in Figure 1.
May’s employment report showed 2.5 million jobs were created, against estimates for a loss of 7.5 million jobs. We’ve also seen initial jobless claims and continuing unemployment claims decline.
Business confidence rose in May after hitting multiyear lows in April. This improving confidence translated into faster spending growth. May’s durable goods orders report showed a 15.8 percent increase, indicating businesses were willing to spend as reopening efforts took hold.
Risks To Economic Recovery Remain
Although the positive economic news we received in June was encouraging, most of the data was backward looking. It should be noted that risks to the economic recovery and market rally are still out there. Given this uncertainty, a well-diversified portfolio that matches timelines and risk levels remains the best path forward for most investors; however, you should consult with your financial advisor if concerns remain.
Information according to Bloomberg, unless stated otherwise.
Please see important disclosures.
Disclosures
Market Commentary Disclosure
Certain sections of this commentary contain forward-looking statements based on our reasonable expectations, estimates, projections, and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties, which are difficult to predict. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Diversification does not assure a profit or protect against loss in declining markets. All indices are unmanaged and investors cannot invest directly into an index. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is a price-weighted average of 30actively traded blue-chip stocks. The S&P 500 Index is a broad-based measurement of changes in stock market conditions based on the average performance of 500 widely held common stocks. The Nasdaq Composite Index measures the performance of all issues listed in the Nasdaq Stock Market, except for rights, warrants, units, and convertible debentures. The MSCI EAFE Index is a float-adjusted market capitalization index designed to measure developed market equity performance, excluding the U.S. and Canada. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index is a market capitalization-weighted index composed of companies representative of the market structure of 26 emerging market countries in Europe, Latin America, and the Pacific Basin. It excludes closed markets and those shares in otherwise free markets that are not purchasable by foreigners. The Bloomberg Barclays Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged market value-weighted index representing securities that are SEC registered, taxable, and dollar-denominated. It covers the U.S. investment-grade fixed-rate bond market, with index components for a combination of the Bloomberg Barclays government and corporate securities, mortgage-backed pass-through securities, and asset-backed securities.
Hosler Wealth Management, LLC is located at 700 S Montezuma St, Prescott, AZ 86305 and can be reached at 928-218-3619. Securities and Advisory Services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network® Member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser. Tax and accounting services offered by Hosler Wealth Management, LLC are separate and unrelated to Commonwealth. Commonwealth does not provide tax or legal advice. Fixed insurance products and services offered through CES Insurance Agency.
Authored by Brad McMillan, CFA®, CAIA, MAI, managing principal, chief investment officer, and Sam Millette, manager, fixed income, at Commonwealth Financial Network®.
© 2022 Commonwealth Financial Network®
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