JSK Financial Services

As 2019 approaches, and with US stocks outperforming non-US stocks in recent years, some investors have again turned their attention towards the role that global diversification plays in their portfolios. For the five-year period ending October 31, 2018, the S&P 500 Index had an annualized return of 11.34% while the MSCI World ex USA Index returned 1.86%, and the MSCI Emerging Markets Index returned 0.78%. As US stocks have outperformed international and emerging markets stocks over the last several years, some investors might be reconsidering the benefits of investing outside the US.

After logging strong returns in 2017, global equity markets delivered negative returns in US dollar terms in 2018. Common news stories in 2018 included reports on global economic growth, corporate earnings, record low unemployment in the US, the implementation of Brexit, US trade wars with China and other countries, and a flattening US Treasury yield curve. Global equity markets delivered positive returns through September, followed by a decline in the fourth quarter, resulting in a −4.4% return for the S&P 500 and −9.4% for the MSCI All Country World Index for the year. You can read more about performance in our Q4 market review.

The total U.S. market continued to move higher, while the international markets were negative for the quarter, minimizing overall portfolio returns. For more specific details on the overall market performance view our quarterly report here.

There has been big news in the financial services world as the Final Fiduciary Rule is being modified and expanded.

This presentation provides details in regards to how the financial markets performed for the second quarter of 2015.

What is a financial advisor for?

"One view is that advisors have unique insights into market direction that give their client an advantage. The truth is that no one knows what will happen next in investment markets; soothsayer is not one of the roles a financial advisor should play. The value of a financial advisor is not dependent on the state of the markets; professional advisors help investors manage their emotions and stay invested over a long-term horizon, in order to have the best possible investment experience."

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"In the popular TV program MasterChef, contestants face a series of cooking challenges. From low quality ingredients to inadequate preparation and poor implementation, so many things can, and do, go wrong. It’s a bit like investing" 

Hm, the First Quarter 2015 Market Report is missing, but check out our guide on Pursuing a Better Investment Experience below:

With snow on the ground, here  is an interesting article to keep the weather in perspective.