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.

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.

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.

Equity markets rebounded in November, with all three major U.S. indices up for the month. The S&P 500 gained 9.13 percent, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 9.15 percent in November. The Nasdaq Composite led the way, with the technology-heavy index rising 10.83 percent. Falling interest rates supported higher valuations, leading to positive returns for stocks.

Equity markets continued to drop in October, with all three major U.S. indices down for the third consecutive month. The S&P 500 lost 2.10 percent during the month, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 1.26 percent in October. The Nasdaq Composite saw the largest declines, with the technology-heavy index dropping 2.76 percent for the month. Rising long-term rates weighed on valuations, leading to negative returns for stocks.

Equity markets fell for the second consecutive month in September, causing all three major U.S. indices to end the month and quarter in the red. The S&P 500 lost 4.77 percent during the month, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 3.42 percent. The Nasdaq Composite saw the largest declines, with the technology-heavy index dropping 5.77 percent. Rising long-term rates and concerns surrounding a potential government shutdown at month-end weighed on equities.

My colleague Sam Millette, director, fixed income on Commonwealth’s Investment Management and Research team, helped me put together this month’s Market Risk Update. Thanks for the assist, Sam! Let’s take a closer look.

My colleague Sam Millette, director, fixed income on Commonwealth’s Investment Management and Research team, helped me put together this month’s Market Risk Update. Thanks for the assist, Sam! Let’s take a closer look.

My colleague Sam Millette, director, fixed income on Commonwealth’s Investment Management and Research team, helped me put together this month’s Market Risk Update. Thanks for the assist, Sam! Let’s take a closer look.

My colleague Sam Millette, director, fixed income on Commonwealth’s Investment Management and Research team, helped me put together this month’s Market Risk Update. Thanks for the assist, Sam! Let’s take a closer look.