The Fragreport

Markets moved higher in February as continued optimism was generated by fiscal stimulus, accommodative monetary policy, and COVID-19 vaccine rollouts. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 3.20%, the S&P 500 gained 2.60%, while the NASDAQ lagged with a gain of .90%.

Results from the 2020 Election are pointing towards a divided government reducing the risk of significant policy changes and impact on market trajectory while advancements in COVID-19 vaccines and prospects of an accommodative Federal Reserve maintain a positive outlook for markets.

The S&P 500 rose for the fifth straight month setting an all-time high and recording its best August since 1986 rising 7.0%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also continued to rally gaining 7.6% while the NASDAQ Composite hit new all-time highs on multiple trading sessions rising a strong 9.6% for the month.

Equity markets continued their upward march in July on stronger economic data, continued central bank support and better than expected corporate earnings. These factors provided the necessary boost to investor sentiment to raise markets to new recovery highs.

Equity markets continued their upward rise in June, with the S&P 500 having its best quarterly performance since 1998. The Nasdaq Composite rose for the first time above 10,000, rising 6% for the month of June. The S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial gained respectively 1.8% and 1.7%, with all indexes rising for three consecutive months.

Equity markets staged a strong rally in April continuing into May. The combination of government stimulus, Federal Reserve activating liquidity programs combined with monetary policy accommodation and optimism over businesses re-opening across the country drove markets higher.