Financial Market Quarterly Commentary | September 2020

Presented by Bruce Hosler

Financial Market Quarterly Highlights, Q3 2020

• Markets dropped in September, but they showed solid gains for the quarter.
• Coronavirus cases increased in September–a sign that risks may rise heading into the fall.
• Economic data released in September pointed to a slowdown, but continued moderate growth remains likely.

Positive Quarter, Despite Rough September

Markets dropped early in September before partially recovering by month-end. The S&P 500 fell 3.80 percent, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) lost 2.18 percent and the Nasdaq Composite declined 5.10 percent. Despite a disappointing month, all three indices ended the quarter in positive territory. The S&P 500 gained 8.93 percent, the DJIA gained 8.22 percent, and the Nasdaq jumped 11.24 percent.
These results were supported by improving fundamentals. According to Bloomberg Intelligence, the blended earnings growth rate for the S&P 500 fell 31.1 percent in the second quarter. This was better than expectations earlier in the quarter for a steeper decline.

Technical factors were also supportive. All three major indices remained above their 200-day moving averages in September, although volatility brought the indices closer to their trend lines.

The story was much the same internationally. The MSCI EAFE Index fell 2.60 percent during the month but gained 4.80 percent for the quarter. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index was down 1.58 percent for the month but up 9.70 percent for the quarter. Both indices spent the month above their respective 200-day moving averages.

Fixed income markets were down slightly in September. The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index lost 0.05 percent but gained 0.62 percent for the quarter.

High-yield fixed income also had a challenging month. The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield Index fell 1.03 percent during the month but gained 4.60 percent for the quarter.

Public Health Picture In U.S. Mixed

The public health situation was mixed during the month and quarter. We saw a rise in cases in July but made progress in reducing local outbreaks in August and early September. Although the national case growth rate finished the quarter below July’s highs, we saw an uptick in cases toward the end of September. This signals that the risks may continue to rise as we head into the fall.

Testing showed progress during the month. The average number of tests increased, although daily test counts were volatile. The positive test rate fell in September and ended the quarter below the World Health Organization’s recommended 5 percent level.

Economy Recovering At Slower Pace

Despite a rebound in spending earlier in the summer, data released in September showed a slowdown in growth, though continued moderate growth remains likely.

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index had its largest monthly increase in more than 17 years. This is a step in the right direction, but Figure 1 shows there’s still a long way to go to get back to pre-pandemic levels.

Consumer confidence was supported by improvements in the job market. More than 3.1 million jobs were added in July and August, bringing the total to more than 10.6 million jobs added since reopening efforts began.

Businesses also showed continued growth during the month. Business confidence, as measured by the Institute for Supply Management Composite index, declined slightly but remained in expansionary territory. Durable goods orders and industrial production both increased but at a slower pace than earlier in the summer.

New and existing home sales hit their highest level since 2006 in August. With rates remaining near record lows and home builder confidence at all-time highs, the housing sector is poised for growth.

Recovery Continues, But Risks Are Rising

Although infections are up, the pandemic is still under control. Fundamentals remain reasonably supportive, and while the economic risks are real, the recovery is moving forward. Given all of this, prospects are positive, but volatility may be on the horizon.

In these uncertain times, maintaining a well-diversified portfolio that matches investor goals and timelines is the best path forward for most investors. If concerns remain, contact your financial advisor to review your plans.

Information according to Bloomberg, unless stated otherwise.

Please see important disclosures.

Disclosures

Market Commentary Disclosure
Certain sections of this commentary contain forward-looking statements based on our reasonable expectations, estimates, projections, and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties, which are difficult to predict. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Diversification does not assure a profit or protect against loss in declining markets. All indices are unmanaged and investors cannot invest directly into an index. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is a price-weighted average of 30 actively traded blue-chip stocks. The S&P 500 Index is a broad-based measurement of changes in stock market conditions based on the average performance of 500 widely held common stocks. The Nasdaq Composite Index measures the performance of all issues listed in the Nasdaq Stock Market, except for rights, warrants, units, and convertible debentures. The MSCI EAFE Index is a float-adjusted market capitalization index designed to measure developed market equity performance, excluding the U.S. and Canada. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index is a market capitalization-weighted index composed of companies representative of the market structure of 26 emerging market countries in Europe, Latin America, and the Pacific Basin. It excludes closed markets and those shares in otherwise free markets that are not purchasable by foreigners. The Bloomberg Barclays Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged market value-weighted index representing securities that are SEC-registered, taxable, and dollar-denominated. It covers the U.S. investment-grade fixed-rate bond market, with index components for a combination of the Bloomberg Barclays government and corporate securities, mortgage-backed pass-through securities, and asset-backed securities.

Hosler Wealth Management, LLC is located at 700 S Montezuma St, Prescott, AZ 86305 and can be reached at 928-218-3619. Securities and Advisory Services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network® Member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser. Tax and accounting services offered by Hosler Wealth Management, LLC are separate and unrelated to Commonwealth. Commonwealth does not provide tax or legal advice. Fixed insurance products and services offered through CES Insurance Agency.

Authored by Brad McMillan, CFA®, CAIA, MAI, managing principal, chief investment officer, and Sam Millette, manager, fixed income, at Commonwealth Financial Network®.

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