Monthly Investment Updates
What you need to know
December 2024 Investment Update
Markets hit record highs in November 2024, marking the strongest month of the year for major indices. Strategic Advisory Partners breaks down the key drivers behind this historic performance and shares our perspective on positioning portfolios as we head into year-end.
November 2024 Investment Update
As we head into year-end, our November note highlights the market’s recent movements, tax-planning opportunities, and charitable giving strategies to maximize your financial goals. From tactical rebalancing to supporting your charitable interests, we’re focused on making the most of the unique planning opportunities this season brings. With 2025 in sight, we’re here to support your vision, whether it’s managing investments, planning for new goals, or staying on track with required distributions.
October 2024 Investment Update
As we navigate through a period of significant events—from the Federal Reserve’s recent rate drop to the volatility of an election year and the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina—it’s clear that uncertainty is a constant. In this month’s note, we focus on the opportunities within these challenges, emphasizing long-term strategies like trend-following and diversification to keep your portfolio resilient. Our commitment remains unwavering: to guide you with clarity and confidence, ensuring your financial goals stay on track regardless of the market landscape.
September 2024 Investment Update
As we fall into September, the financial markets are abuzz with speculation about the Federal Reserve’s upcoming policy meeting on September 17-18, 2024. While some expect a possible rate cut due to recent market fluctuations, our focus at Strategic Advisory Partners is on a different but equally important topic: The September Effect.
August 2024 Investment Update
This month’s update also draws parallels to the ongoing Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where we reflect on the journey of Olympic athletes, such as local Greensboro gold medalist Joey Cheek. His experience underscores the challenge of finding purpose and fulfillment after reaching the pinnacle of success—a relevant reminder as we plan for retirement and the life beyond. Like athletes adjusting to life post-competition, retirees should focus on continuing to make impactful financial decisions to enrich their retirement years and secure their legacy.
July 2024 Investment Update
In recent months, the stock market has shown robust gains amidst broader economic challenges such as rising costs and interest rates, leaving many individuals apprehensive about future trends. A notable indicator, the “Buffett indicator,” which compares the total value of U.S. stocks to the GDP, reached 204.9% by the end of May, signaling historically high stock valuations. Looking ahead, uncertainties loom over whether stocks will continue to rise or face potential declines, influenced by factors like electoral outcomes, policy changes, and global events.
The Federal Reserve’s decision to maintain current interest rates reflects a cautious approach, projecting only one rate cut by year-end and anticipating higher long-term rates despite moderate progress on inflation. Concurrently, a decline in job openings suggests potential shifts in economic conditions, impacting unemployment rates and stability. Moreover, crude oil prices have recently surged amid expectations of a Fed rate cut, emphasizing the need for vigilance among investors and consumers regarding economic indicators and their financial implications.
June 2024 Investment Update
Last month we discussed the tendency of markets to experience downturns and how trend following often takes a wait-and-see approach during small declines. April’s U.S. equity market declines were erased in May, as the market bounced back and set new all-time highs. This illustrates that trend following is less about predicting outcomes and more about maintaining a disciplined process. This investing approach enables decisive action without second-guessing, which we think is a significant advantage.
In this month’s Note, we discuss our continued wait-and-see approach in fixed income, which has been significantly affected by what’s been happening — or not happening — with interest rates. Despite predictions of cuts in 2024, higher rates have persisted.
May 2024 Investment Update
In this month’s note, we delve deeper into the S&P 500’s performance, particularly examining monthly declines of 5% or more. Moreover, we underscore one of the prime advantages of trend following: its capacity to guide investor behavior with a disciplined, repeatable approach that fosters rational decision-making amidst turbulent times. We firmly believe that this approach is the cornerstone of long-term wealth accumulation and is instrumental in helping our clients realize their financial aspirations.
April 2024 Investment Update
In this month’s update, we encourage clients to embrace the present market environment rather than succumbing to worry. We reflect on the resilience of the S&P 500, poised for one of its best first-quarter performances in nearly a century, highlighting the importance of systematic investing. Our asset-level overview explores the robust performance of equities and real estate markets, alongside insights into fixed income and alternatives. Additionally, we analyze three potential catalysts for trend changes, including the Federal Reserve’s rate decisions and shifts in the mortgage-backed securities market. The editorial section delves into historical data, revealing intriguing patterns in the market’s performance, and emphasizes the significance of a systematic investment approach. Overall, we aim to provide clients with actionable insights while encouraging them to enjoy the current market momentum.
