ESGB - Despite Continued Uncertainty Financial Markets Start 2023 With Gains
2023-05-02 02:15:00 ET
Summary
- Stock and bond markets ended the first quarter of 2023 with solid gains despite investor concerns.
- Gains in the stock and bond markets were primarily driven by a continued decline in interest rates, the rate of inflation, and surprisingly resilient economic data.
- Foreign developed markets outperformed the S&P 500 through the first three months of the year, as economic data in Europe was better than expected and European banks were viewed as mostly insulated from the U.S. regional bank crisis.
Stock and bond markets ended the first quarter of 2023 with solid gains, even though investors remained concerned about inflation, continued interest rate hikes by the Federal reserve, whether Congress will vote to increase the debt ceiling and worsening relations with China.
An important new concern was bank failures. Two large banks failed and two others came close.
Currently, this has happened to only a small number of banks. It does not appear to be a systemic problem. The relatively unforeseen nature of the banking scare is just another example of why it is not possible to predict market returns.
Gains in the stock and bond markets were primarily driven by a continued decline in interest rates, the rate of inflation, and surprisingly resilient economic data (including continued low unemployment and better-than-expected corporate earnings). Those trends increased investors’ hopes that the Fed could deliver an economic soft landing (soft landing means the economy slows but avoids a recession).
Note that declines in the rate of inflation are often misunderstood. A “decline in inflation” means that prices are not increasing as rapidly as before; it does not mean that prices are declining. With most goods and services, price increases are permanent.
Different stock indexes posted significantly different returns during the quarter.
Foreign developed markets outperformed the S&P 500 through the first three months of the year, as economic data in Europe was better than expected and European banks were viewed as mostly insulated from the U.S. regional bank crisis. Emerging markets underperformed developed markets because of still-elevated geopolitical stress, as U.S.-China tensions rose following the Chinese spy balloon affair. Note that China is still considered an emerging market.
Bond investors finally saw positive returns.
This remains a tumultuous time in the stock and bond markets. Investors are facing the highest interest rates in decades, the worst geopolitical tensions in years, and a very uncertain economic outlook that deteriorated in the wake of recent bank failures.
Yet, despite all this uncertainty, most sectors of the stock and bond markets did well over the past six months after hitting lows in October 2022. The real long-term drivers of market performance - steady economic growth, the labor market and U.S. corporate earnings - proved resilient during the first quarter.
At Arthur Stein Financial, we realize there are many risks facing both the markets and the economy and are committed to helping clients navigate the always challenging investment environment. We believe it is critical to stay invested, remain patient, and stick to your plan. Part of that plan should be an appropriate allocation target based on your financial position, risk tolerance, and investment timeline.
Editor's Note: The summary bullets for this article were chosen by Seeking Alpha editors.
For further details see:
Despite Continued Uncertainty, Financial Markets Start 2023 With Gains