As an economic commentator on CNBC was trying to describe how much longer the stock and bond markets might stay down, she said the day-after-day bad news is as irritating as her kids asking, “Are we there yet?” on a car ride. Hearing that triggered childhood memories of my family’s frequent car trips. Around 1970, […]
May 17, 2022 Market Commentary
Market UpdateIt is still hard for me to fathom that my high school years were over forty years ago. Back in the day, mainly because of my size versus my talent, I was quite the athlete. I will spare you my Al Bundy stories of gridiron glory, but I want to tell you about two-a-day practices. […]
Market Update – March 2022
Market UpdateAs most all of us are aware by now, financial markets have been off to a rocky start to 2022. After several very strong years for stocks, this recent pullback is not, statistically, unexpected or unusual. However, there does seem to be more than the usual number of concerns in the financial markets now. In […]
2021 Year-End Observations
Market UpdateAs we have promised in the past, we want to write to you when we think we can add insight into what is happening in the financial markets. This time of year, many sources offer their year-end summaries or their 2022 forecasts. The summaries might be a nice reminder and accurate, but they are the […]
Time is Relative – Market Update, 1st Quarter 2019
Market UpdateMost of those reading this update are of a generation that was born and raised well before the Internet. We can remember buying something from a catalog or cereal box and having to wait six weeks for our special purchase to arrive. Let’s imagine that you mailed your order, marked the wall calendar for six […]
Year in Review and Looking Forward
Market UpdateIn our January write-up, we typically begin by reviewing the previous year. Last year proved to be one of the most difficult years in a while. At Bill Few Associates, we preach diversification. Our belief is that when you hold a diversified portfolio, at least some portion of your portfolio is working at all times. […]
Financial Market Commentary – 3rd Quarter of 2018
Market UpdateIt’s All a Matter of Perspective! As US equities enter into the longest bull market for stocks in modern history, the question I have been asked most frequently is, what happens next? Is a stock market crash imminent, or is this bull market different and capable of running even longer? If my crystal ball […]
The Rocky Road to Nowhere – 2018 First Quarter Review
Market UpdateTom Beilstein, CFA Co-CIO, Bill Few Associates, Inc. The first quarter of 2018 saw the return of volatility as market participants weighed the good news versus the bad news. The S&P 500 started the year off on a positive note as investors digested the possible benefits from corporate and individual tax cuts, rallying 7.6% through […]
2015 in Review and a Look Ahead to 2016
Financial Market Update, Market UpdateLike Treading Water Last year, the returns for most financial investment categories were flat to mildly negative. For a well-diversified portfolio of investments, the lack of progress for 2015 felt like treading water; basically going nowhere. I am sure most of you know how to swim and to tread water. Treading water takes a lot […]
Quarterly Update: Now is the Time to Ask Why
Market UpdateOctober 6, 2015 Mike Kauffelt, Chief Investment Officer As I am sure most of you have noticed, over the past six weeks, the stock markets have had a difficult time. In the third quarter of this year, every major stock index in the US and internationally had a negative return. This pullback in stock performance has […]
