Category: Q4 2024

US stocks continued to lift higher during the back half of 2024, with the market strength rounding out 2 years of strong appreciation. During 2024, the S&P 500® appreciated 23.3% which added to a 24.2% return for 2023. The strength in equity markets has been fueled by a healthy economy which has been driven by…

Equity market performance was mixed in the 4th quarter of 2024.  The Russell 2500™ Value (R25V) Index declined 0.26%, the Russell 2500™ Growth (R25G) Index was up 2.43%, and the S&P 500® Index (S&P) rose 2.41%. Small/Mid cap equity performance was robust in November (R25V +8.82%) following Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 Presidential election. …

Macroeconomics and interest rate levels continued to dominate the factors driving U.S. equity performance. As a result, small-cap stocks experienced volatility in the fourth quarter, ultimately ending the period flattish. Initial strong post-election gains were erased as monthly inflation reports remained elevated, and the Federal Reserve signaled a more restrained approach to future rate cuts,…

The Russell 2500™ Index returned 0.62% in the fourth quarter of 2024, as the market rally following the U.S. elections proved to be short-lived.   The strongest-performing sectors in the index were Information Technology (+6.85%) and Financials (+6.57%), while pressure in Health Care (-6.33%) and Materials (-5.98%) served as offsets.  For the full year 2024, the index…

Equity market performance was mixed in the 4th quarter of 2024.  The Russell 2000® Value (R2V) Index declined 1.06%, the Russell 2000® Growth (R2G) Index was up 1.70%, and the S&P 500® Index (S&P) rose 2.41%.  Small cap performance was robust in November (R2V +9.6%) following Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 Presidential election.  Potential for…

The Market: U.S. small-cap stocks experienced volatility in the fourth quarter, ultimately ending the period relatively flat. Post-election gains were erased after the Federal Reserve signaled a more restrained approach to future rate cuts, highlighting uncertainty around monetary policy and its implications for businesses. Nevertheless, the Fed’s stance reflects confidence in the U.S. economy, underpinned…

The Market: U.S. small-cap stocks experienced volatility in the fourth quarter, ultimately ending the period relatively flat. Post-election gains were erased after the Federal Reserve signaled a more restrained approach to future rate cuts, highlighting uncertainty around monetary policy and its implications for businesses. Nevertheless, the Fed’s stance reflects confidence in the U.S. economy, underpinned…

Macroeconomics and interest rate levels continued to dominate the factors driving U.S. equity performance. As a result, small-cap stocks experienced volatility in the fourth quarter, ultimately ending the period relatively flat. Initial strong post-election gains were erased as monthly inflation reports remained elevated, and the Federal Reserve signaled a more restrained approach to future rate…

Market Review The Russell Microcap® Index returned 5.89% in the fourth quarter of 2024, outperforming the Russell 2000® +0.33%, Russell 1000® +2.75% and S&P 500® +2.41%. Unusually robust performance from early-stage companies with exposure to themes such as aerial drones, quantum computing, and artificial intelligence were important contributors to the index performance this quarter. At…

Market Review The Russell Microcap® Index returned 5.89% in the fourth quarter of 2024, outperforming the Russell 2000® +0.33%, Russell 1000® +2.75% and S&P 500® +2.41%. Unusually robust performance from early-stage companies with exposure to themes such as aerial drones, quantum computing, and artificial intelligence were important contributors to the index performance this quarter. At the…

The Russell 2500™ index returned 0.62% in the fourth quarter of 2024, as the market rally following the U.S. elections proved to be short-lived.   The strongest performing sectors in the index were Information Technology (+6.85%) and Financials (+6.57%), while pressure in Health Care (-6.33%) and Materials (-5.98%) served as offsets.  For the full year 2024, the…

For 4Q, the Bank Sector Strategy returned 11.66% (gross of fees) and 11.38% (net of fees) vs. the Russell 2000® Value Bank Subsector benchmark of 5.36%.  For the full year 2024, the Bank Sector Strategy returned 29.22% (gross of fees) and 27.93% (net of fees) vs. the Russell 2000® Value Bank Subsector benchmark of 14.77%.  Additional…

Equity market performance was mixed in the 4th quarter of 2024.  The Russell Midcap® Value (RMV) Index declined 1.7%, while the S&P 500® Index (S&P) rose 2.4%.  Performance was robust in November (RMV +7.4%) following Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 Presidential election.  Potential for less regulation, increased M&A activity, and faster economic growth under a…