The Independent Market Observer

Monthly Market Risk Update: October 2024 [SlideShare]

October 16, 2024

Stocks continued their rally in September, with all three major U.S. indices up for the month and quarter. The S&P 500 gained 2.14 percent in September and 5.89 percent for the quarter, while the Dow was up 1.96 percent during the month and 8.72 percent for the quarter. The technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite gained 2.76 percent for the month and quarter. Improving fundamentals and solid earnings growth supported these results.

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Monthly Market Risk Update: September 2024 [SlideShare]

September 18, 2024

August was an encouraging month for stocks, as markets were able to end the month in positive territory despite an early-month sell-off. The Dow Jones Industrial Average concluded the month at a record high, while the S&P 500 was close to its own record level. The Nasdaq Composite lagged its peers, but the technology-heavy index still managed to eke out a modest gain during the month.

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Monthly Market Risk Update: August 2024 [SlideShare]

August 21, 2024

July was a mixed month for markets, with two of the three major U.S. equity indices up for the month. The S&P 500 gained 1.22 percent, the Dow Jones Industrial Average grew 4.51 percent, and the Nasdaq Composite was down 0.73 percent. These mixed results came in despite supportive fundamentals, with earnings growth beating analyst expectations.

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Monthly Market Risk Update: July 2024 [SlideShare]

July 17, 2024

June was a solid month for markets, with all three major U.S. equity indices up for the month. The S&P 500 gained 3.59 percent, the Dow Jones Industrial Average grew 1.23 percent, and the Nasdaq Composite was up 6.03 percent. Solid earnings growth and a healthy economic backdrop supported equity markets during the month.

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Monthly Market Risk Update: June 2024 [SlideShare]

June 18, 2024

Markets rallied in May, with all three major U.S. equity indices up for the month. The S&P 500 gained 4.96 percent, the Dow Jones Industrial Average grew 2.58 percent, and the Nasdaq Composite soared 6.98 percent. Equity markets were supported by solid earnings growth and lower interest rates during the month. 

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Monthly Market Risk Update: May 2024 [SlideShare]

May 22, 2024

Markets pulled back in April, as all three major U.S. indices were down for the month. The S&P 500 declined 4.08 percent, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 4.92 percent. The Nasdaq Composite dropped 4.38 percent during the month. The sell-off followed a strong first quarter for stocks and was largely due to rising interest rates in April. 

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Monthly Market Risk Update: April 2024 [SlideShare]

April 24, 2024

Equity markets continued to rally in March, as all three major U.S. indices were up for the month. The S&P 500 gained 3.22 percent in March, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 2.21 percent. The Nasdaq Composite lagged slightly, as the technology-heavy index gained 1.85 percent. Improving fundamentals and a supportive economic backdrop helped support equities during the month.

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Monthly Market Risk Update: March 2024 [SlideShare]

March 20, 2024

Equity markets continued to rally in February, as all three major U.S. indices were up for the month. The S&P 500 gained 5.34 percent in February, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 2.50 percent. The Nasdaq Composite led the way, as the technology-heavy index gained 6.22 percent during the month. Technology stocks rallied notably due to increased investor optimism surrounding the potential for artificial intelligence.

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Monthly Market Risk Update: February 2024 [SlideShare]

February 14, 2024

Equity markets continued to rally in January, as all three major U.S. indices were up for the month. The S&P 500 gained 1.68 percent to start the year, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 1.31 percent. The Nasdaq Composite lagged its peers, as the technology-heavy index gained 1.04 percent in January. While these were smaller gains than those at the end of 2023, this still marked three consecutive months of positive returns for all three indices.

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Monthly Market Risk Update: January 2024 [SlideShare]

January 17, 2024

Equity markets continued to rally in December, with all three major U.S. indices up for the month. The S&P 500 gained 4.54 percent, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 4.93 percent in December. The Nasdaq Composite led the way as the technology-heavy index gained 5.85 percent. Falling interest rates supported higher valuations during the month, leading to positive returns for stocks.

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Certain sections of this commentary contain forward-looking statements that are 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.

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. All indices are unmanaged and investors cannot invest directly in an index.

The MSCI EAFE (Europe, Australia, Far East) Index is a free float‐adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the U.S. and Canada. The MSCI EAFE Index consists of 21 developed market country indices.

One basis point (bp) is equal to 1/100th of 1 percent, or 0.01 percent.

The VIX (CBOE Volatility Index) measures the market’s expectation of 30-day volatility across a wide range of S&P 500 options.

The forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio divides the current share price of the index by its estimated future earnings.

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