Also In this Issue: Outlook — Modest Equity Returns Amid Higher Volatility | Quarterly Performance Benchmarks | Fixed Income Commentary Download PDF Volatility reigns: It just feels better on the upside By Theresa Gusman Volatility reigned in the first quarter. The US stocks surged higher, posting their best quarter in nearly a decade and offsetting the fourth quarter downdraft. Equity markets rebounded worldwide led by China, as US-China trade tensions eased, and the Fed signaled that it is unlikely to raise rates in 2019. The first quarter was the mirror image of the fourth. Growth stocks outperformed value, small outperformed large, economically sensitive sectors topped the performance charts, oil prices rebounded, and China was the top performing market in the world. We remain convinced that the fourth quarter ushered in a period of equity market volatility (which always feels better on the upside), asynchronous and decelerating global economic and profit growth, and negative earnings surprises.
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