Market insights and analysis

How dynamic, risk-managed investment solutions are performing in the current market environment

4th Quarter | 2023

Quarterly recap

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Current market environment performance of dynamic, risk-managed investment solutions.

Wall Street jazz

Jazz has been a part of my life since the 1960s. I’ve always loved the combination of individuality and collaboration that is specifically a part of the modal, hard-bop version of traditional jazz.

The major U.S. stock indexes were up last week. The S&P 500 gained 2.29%, the NASDAQ rose 2.85%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 1.97%, and the Russell 2000 small-cap index added 1.60%.

U.S. equity markets posted gains in all three indexes last week. The S&P 500 gained 2.31%, the NASDAQ Composite went up 2.86%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.97%.

Last week, the gold spot price increased by 0.44% and the U.S. Dollar Index went up by 0.96%. The Gold Bullion Strategy Fund (QGLDX) gained 0.27% for the week.

In February, 15 exchange-traded products (“ETPs”) were added to the ETF Deathwatch list, and 62 were removed, bringing the total down to 449.

With tax season upon us, investors may be thinking about the most beneficial—and tax-efficient—ways to make charitable donations.

The major U.S. stock indexes were down last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.01%, the S&P 500 fell 0.13%, the NASDAQ dipped 0.70%, and the Russell 2000 small-cap index dropped 2.08%.

Last week, the gold spot price went down 1.06% and the U.S. Dollar Index went up 0.7%. The Gold Bullion Strategy Fund (QGLDX) was down 1.03% for the week.

Quantified Funds 3/18/24

U.S. equity markets posted gains in one of the three indexes last week. The S&P 500 went down 0.09%, the NASDAQ Composite lost 0.68%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.01%.

This week is the fourth “anniversary” of the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring COVID to be a global pandemic.

The major U.S. stock market indexes were mostly down last week. The S&P 500 decreased by 0.26%, the NASDAQ Composite was down 1.17%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.93%, and the Russell 2000 small-capitalization index rose 0.30%.

U.S. equity markets posted losses in all three indexes last week. The S&P 500 lost 0.23%, the NASDAQ Composite decreased by 1.15%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average went down 0.85%.

Last week, the gold spot price went up 4.61% and the U.S. Dollar Index lost 1.11%. The Gold Bullion Strategy Fund (QGLDX) gained 4.5% for the week.

The major U.S. stock market indexes were mostly up last week. The Russell 2000 gained 2.96%, the NASDAQ rose 1.74%, and the S&P 500 Index increased by 0.95%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell slightly for the week.

My wife, Abby, and I are in the market for a new car to accommodate us and our awesome 2-year-old and 4-year-old girls.

U.S. equity markets posted gains in two of the three indexes last week. The S&P 500 was up 0.99%, the NASDAQ Composite went up 1.76%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average returned 0%.

Last week, the gold spot price went up 2.33% and the U.S. Dollar Index decreased by 0.07%. The Gold Bullion Strategy Fund (QGLDX) increased by 2.26% for the week.

In January, 19 exchange-traded products (“ETPs”) were added to the Deathwatch list, and 23 were removed, bringing the total down to 496.

Market Update 2/26/24

The major U.S. stock market indexes were mostly up last week. The S&P 500 increased by 1.66%, the NASDAQ Composite was up 1.40%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.30%, and the Russell 2000 small-capitalization index fell 0.79%.

U.S. equity markets posted gains in all three indexes last week. The S&P 500 was up 1.68%, the NASDAQ Composite went up 1.41%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 1.30%.

Last week, the gold spot price rose 1.08% and the U.S. Dollar Index decreased by 0.33%. The Gold Bullion Strategy Fund (QGLDX) increased by 1.21% for the week.

The Declaration of Independence sets out one of our unalienable rights as the pursuit of happiness. Yet there has been much debate over the centuries about what happiness truly is and how we can obtain it.

Market Update 2/20/24

The major U.S. stock indexes were mostly down last week. The Russell 2000 small-cap index added 1.13%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.11%, the S&P 500 fell 0.42%, and the NASDAQ dipped 1.34%.

U.S. equity markets posted gains in one of the three indexes last week. The S&P 500 went down 0.35%, the NASDAQ Composite fell 1.31%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average went up 0.02%.

Last week, the gold spot price lost 0.53% and the U.S. Dollar Index rose 0.16%. The Gold Bullion Strategy Fund (QGLDX) fell 0.68% for the week.

Have you ever thought about running a family-friendly farm featuring llamas, alpacas, sheep, goats, and more? Starting a charter boat business in the Florida Keys or opening a bed-and-breakfast in the Pacific Northwest?

Market Update 2/12/24

The major U.S. stock indexes were up last week. The Russell 2000 small-cap index gained 2.41%, the NASDAQ rose 2.31%, the S&P 500 increased by 1.37%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 0.04%.

U.S. equity markets posted gains in all three indexes last week. The S&P 500 gained 1.40%, the NASDAQ Composite rose 2.34%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 0.09%.

Last week, the gold spot price fell 0.76% and the U.S. Dollar Index increased by 0.18%. The Gold Bullion Strategy Fund (QGLDX) fell 0.62% for the week.

Change is a constant

As has probably been the case for all of you, change has been a significant part of my life. I was fortunate that when I attended college, times they were “a-changin’.”

Jerry Wagner’s recent article, which focused on New Year’s resolutions and Flexible Plan Investments’ approach to goals-based investing, caught my attention.

Last week, the stock market continued its upward trend, buoyed by positive economic and inflation news. The Russell 2000 small-capitalization index rose 1.75%, the S&P 500 Index gained 1.06%, the NASDAQ Composite increased by 0.94%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up by 0.65%.

U.S. equity markets posted gains in all three indexes last week. The S&P 500 went up 1.07%, the NASDAQ Composite rose 0.94%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average went up 0.65%.

Last week, the gold spot price lost 0.54% and the U.S. Dollar Index gained 0.14%. The Gold Bullion Strategy Fund (QGLDX) decreased by 0.62% for the week.

In December, 21 exchange-traded products (“ETPs”) were added to the ETF Deathwatch list and 37 were removed, bringing the total to 500.

Most major stock market indexes finished higher last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.7%, the S&P 500 Index rose 1.1%, and the NASDAQ Composite climbed 2.3%. The Russell 2000 small-capitalization index lost 0.5%.

I visited New York City a few years ago. I sat for over an hour as the plane was prepared and de-iced in the middle of what seemed to be unending snowfall. As I watched the snowflakes dance about outside my window, I was struck by their quick and random movements.

U.S. equity markets posted gains in all three indexes last week. The S&P 500 increased by 1.19%, the NASDAQ Composite gained 2.26%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.76%.

Last week, the gold spot price decreased by 0.96% and the U.S. Dollar Index increased by 0.86%. The Gold Bullion Strategy Fund (QGLDX) went down 0.95% for the week.

It’s mid-January, and people are still talking about New Year’s resolutions. Although setting goals for the new year was a big deal when I was a kid, I have not thought much about it in the last couple of decades or so.

The final quarter of 2023 saw global equity markets riding a wave of optimism. Central to this was the growing belief that interest rates, which the Federal Reserve hiked to combat inflation, might soon be cut. The U.S. stock market exemplified this trend, as evidenced by surges in the major indexes such as the S&P 500.

U.S. equity markets posted gains in all three indexes last week. The S&P 500 gained 1.87%, the NASDAQ Composite rose 3.09%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average went up by 0.35%. Seven of the 11 sectors were up last week; Information Technology, which posted the best return, was up 4.87%.

Last week, the gold spot price increased by 0.18% and the U.S. Dollar Index fell by 0.01%. The Gold Bullion Strategy Fund (QGLDX) went up by 0.14% for the week.

Regardless of location or team loyalty, I think a part of us all resonates with the Detroit Lions’ recent win over the Minnesota Vikings. That victory not only concluded Detroit’s regular season with an impressive 12-5* record, tying its best performance set in 1991, but it also marked the team’s first NFC North division win since 1993.

The major U.S. stock market indexes were down last week. The Russell 2000 small-capitalization index fell 3.75%, the NASDAQ Composite was down 3.25%, the S&P 500 decreased by 1.52%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.59%.

U.S. equity markets posted losses in all three indexes last week. The S&P 500 was down 1.50%, the NASDAQ Composite was down 3.23%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average went down 0.56%.

Last week, the gold spot price decreased by 0.85% and the U.S. Dollar Index gained 1.06%. The Gold Bullion Strategy Fund (QGLDX) lost 0.99% for the week.

Seasonal musings

When I sat down to write this article, my wife was beginning to take down the Christmas decorations. She loves Christmas and tries to make our home as festive as possible for the holidays. When they all come down in January, it is a bit depressing.

The major U.S. stock indexes posted mixed performance last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.81%, the S&P 500 Index gained 0.32%, the NASDAQ increased by 0.12%, and the Russell 2000 small-cap index declined by 0.34%.

Last week, the gold spot price was up 0.48% and the U.S. Dollar Index was down 0.36%. The Gold Bullion Strategy Fund (QGLDX) was up 0.46% for the week.