Providing Context on Recent Market Volatility

Monthly Client Letter
Written By Jonathan M. Elliott, CPWA®, CRPC®, CDFA®, ChSNC®, CPFA™, RMA®

Monthly Market Summary

  • The S&P 500 Index returned -4.1% during August, underperforming the Russell 2000 Index (-2.0%) for a second consecutive month.

  • Energy (+2.7%) was the top-performing S&P 500 sector during August despite oil prices falling by -9.7%. Utilities (+0.5%) was the only other sector to produce a positive return. Technology (-6.2%) was the worst performing sector as interest rates rose, followed closely by Health Care (-5.8%) and Real Estate (-5.6%).

  • Corporate investment grade bonds generated a -4.4% total return, slightly underperforming corporate high yield bonds’ -4.3% total return.

  • The MSCI EAFE Index of global developed market stocks returned -6.1% during August, underperforming the MSCI Emerging Market Index’s -1.3% return.

Stock & Bond Markets Endure a Bumpy August After July’s Gains

US Style Percentage Returns for August 2022

US Style Percentage Returns for August 2022. Source: MarketDesk Research

The S&P 500 produced a -4.1% return during August, but the headline number doesn’t tell the whole story. Equity markets initially rallied during the first half of the month, with the S&P 500 gaining +4.2% through August 16th as July’s market rally continued. However, the second half of August marked a sharp reversal as the S&P 500’s gave back all its gains plus more. Credit markets also experienced a setback during August as interest rates reversed higher and bonds produced negative returns. The increased volatility across stock and bond markets is being attributed to a wide range of investor views creating a tug-of-war effect in markets and uncertainty regarding how long the Federal Reserve will continue to raise interest rates.

US Sectors Returns for August 2022
US Sector Returns YTD 2022

Federal Reserve Chair Pushes Back Against Hopes for Policy Pivot

The Federal Reserve held its annual August Jackson Hole meeting, and Chair Powell used his speech to forcefully push back against the notion the Fed would pivot and cut interest rates if economic data started to weaken. Powell emphasized the central bank’s “overarching focus right now is to bring inflation back down to our 2 percent goal” and cautioned, “Reducing inflation is likely to require a sustained period of below-trend growth … [and] will also bring some pain to households and businesses.”

Investor hopes for a Fed pivot were one of the primary catalysts that propelled the stock market higher during July and August. Chair Powell’s speech dashed those hopes and sent the S&P 500 down more than -3% on the day of his speech. Why? Two lines from Chair Powell’s speech underscore the Fed’s goal, “There is clearly a job to do in moderating demand to better align with supply. We are committed to doing that job.” This focus on lowering demand for goods and services may increase portfolio volatility during the months ahead as investors debate how long it will take the Fed to achieve its goal and the impact tighter policy will have on the economy.

Our Insights

Featured
Election Driven Rally Pushes US Equities Higher
Election Driven Rally Pushes US Equities Higher

Stocks traded higher this week, with most of the gains occurring after the election. The S&P 500 reached a new all-time high, nearing the key 6,000 level. The broader equity market rally was notable as investors priced in the Trump administration’s pro-growth, reflationary policies. The past few weeks have been packed with market-moving events, but the calendar is expected to settle down as we approach year-end.

Treasury Yields Rise Following the Fed’s September Rate Cut
Treasury Yields Rise Following the Fed’s September Rate Cut

Stocks finished October lower as investors navigated Q3 earnings, the upcoming election, and uncertain Federal Reserve policy. Treasury yields climbed as investors considered the possibility that the Fed may not cut interest rates as much as previously expected. Concerns about fiscal spending also drove Treasury yields higher, with expectations for continued high government spending regardless of the election outcome.

The Next Two Weeks are Filled With Market-Moving Events
The Next Two Weeks are Filled With Market-Moving Events

This week, stocks traded lower after several weeks of consistent gains. The S&P 500 dropped -0.5%, underperforming the Nasdaq 100's +0.3% gain but outperforming the Russell 2000's -2.8% return. The Magnificent 7 rose over +2%, making Growth the only factor to trade higher. The next two weeks are filled with market-moving events, and once they pass, stocks could rally into year-end.

Jonathan M. Elliott, CPWA®, CRPC®, CDFA®, ChSNC®, CPFA™, RMA®

I am currently the Managing Partner for our independent investment advisory firm, Optima Capital Management. Together with my business partners, Todd Bendell CFP® and Clinton Steinhoff, we founded Optima Capital in 2019 as a forward-thinking wealth management firm that serves as an investment fiduciary and family office for high-net-worth individuals and families. In addition to being the Chief Compliance Officer, my role at Optima Capital is portfolio management. I have over 18 years of experience in managing investment strategies and portfolios. I specialize in using fundamental and technical analysis to build custom portfolios that utilize individual equities, bonds, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). I began my financial services career with Merrill Lynch in 2003. At Merrill, I served in the leadership roles of Market Sales Manager and Senior Resident Director for the Scottsdale West Valley Market in Arizona. On Wall Street Magazine recognized me as one of the Top 100 Branch Managers in 2017. I am originally from Saginaw, Michigan, and a marketing graduate from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. I am a Certified Private Wealth Advisor® professional. The CPWA® certification program is an advanced credential created specifically for wealth managers who work with high net worth clients, focusing on the life cycle of wealth: accumulation, preservation, and distribution. In addition, I hold the following designations - Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC®), Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), and Retirement Management Advisor (RMA®). In the community, I am a member of the Central Arizona Estate Planning Council (CAEPC) and serve as an alumni advisor and mentor to student organizations at Arizona State University. My interests include traveling, outdoors, fitness, leadership, entrepreneurship, minimalism, and computer science.

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