Despite markets enduring their worst quarter in two years, with all asset classes in negative territory, the final two weeks of the opening quarter of 2022 brought an impressive rebound.
Global equity markets finished the year with another strong quarter. Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) led the way, returning 17.14% (per the Wilshire REIT Index). This was followed by U.S. large company stocks, returning 11.03% (per the S&P 500).
After five consecutive quarters of strong returns, the global equity market rally paused during the third quarter, with a downturn concentrated in the last two weeks of September.
The second quarter saw continued strength in equity markets. Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) led the way, returning 12.84% (per the Wilshire REIT Index). This was followed by the S&P 500, returning 8.55%...
The first quarter saw equity markets continue their strong run following the lows reached just over a year ago. Domestic small and small value stocks led the way again this quarter, returning 12.70% and 21.17%, respectively (per the Russell 2000 / 2000 Value).
The third quarter saw equity markets continue their recovery from the March 23rd lows. International small company stocks (per the MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index) led the way, returning 10.25% for the quarter, followed by emerging markets (per the MSCI EM Index) with a 9.56% return.
The second quarter 2020 saw a significant rebound in equity markets following the jolting declines in the first quarter. Domestic small company stocks (per the Russell 2000 Index) led the way with a return of 25.42%, followed by the S&P 500 with a return of 20.54%.
To say that equity markets had a challenging start to 2020 would be an understatement. The record highs reached in mid-February by the S&P 500 seem like a distant memory after the 30% drop in March – the quickest decline from a new high ever recorded.