Posts by buffalobuilt

The S&P 500 Index® posted a +15.2% return for the second quarter, marking its strongest quarterly performance since Q2 2020. This second quarter strength has propelled the S&P 500 index® to a +10.2% year-to-date return despite a -4.3% performance during the first quarter. The second quarter performance was marked by broad participation, with almost all…

Despite entering 2026 with a constructive backdrop for markets – resilient growth, strong corporate earnings, and easing inflation expectations – the first quarter of 2026 served as a reminder that geopolitical events, such as the current conflict in Iran, can temporarily drive market performance. The S&P 500 Index® posted a -4.3% return for the quarter, only…

In the fourth quarter of 2025, equity markets benefitted from strong corporate earnings, better-than-expected economic growth and a shift to a more neutral monetary policy stance, which produced a 2.7% return in the quarter for the S&P 500 Index. This return capped off a third consecutive year of double-digit returns for the S&P 500 Index…

The US economy experienced a slowdown in the first half of 2025, with annualized growth averaging 1.4%, down from 2.8% year/year in 2024. Yet, in the third quarter of the year, US equities delivered a solid run, with major indexes reaching fresh all-time highs amid robust earnings growth, optimism over potential Federal Reserve (Fed) interest…

On the heels of a strong equity market in both 2023 and 2024, the first quarter of 2025 appeared to continue the march higher. The S&P 500 Index® rose by 4.6% through February 17th (the boom) but then fell 8.5% from that date to the quarter end (the gloom) due to President Trump’s aggressive tariff…

2024 proved to be an unexpectedly good year for the equity markets with every major sector posting positive returns. Consensus expectations were bearish at the beginning of the year with most economists expecting little or no growth. Fortunately, the pundits were wrong as US GDP grew nicely, inflation slowed and the election was conclusive, all of which…

We experienced another strong quarter for the markets with the S&P 500 Index posting a 5.9% gain in the third quarter of 2024, adding to the positive previous two quarters.  Albeit a bit choppy mid-quarter, sparked by renewed fears of a recession and the sudden unwinding of big financial bets in Japan, the equity markets…

For the third quarter in a row, US stocks posted gains with the S&P 500 Index rising 4.3% for the second quarter of 2024. Similar to the start of the year, the market was helped by economic and earnings data that exceeded expectations. Other contributing factors included a steady but slow decline in inflation, a quick adoption…

Following on the heels of a strong final quarter in 2023 for the equity markets, the First Quarter of 2024 provided more of the same with major indices posting positive returns. Continuing economic growth, declining inflation and better than expected earnings guidance from corporations provided encouragement to investors. It appears the Federal Reserve may be able…

2023 proved to be a very interesting year in the markets and a good reminder as to why investors should remain invested, well diversified and patient. We began the year in a cloud of bearishness and finished the year in a burst of exuberance. The year-end rally occurred following Fed Chair Powell’s comments, as inflation…