Zephyr Blog

It’s probably a fair assumption to say that most investors are happy 2022 is in the books.  After enjoying the longest bull market in history, from after the financial crisis in 2009 to the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the bear finally officially rose from its slumber and dominated Wall Street. There’s no sugar-coating the fact that if you had money invested in the financial markets in 2022 it was an unpleasant year, perhaps even one of the worst you will experience as an investor. Click here to read more

Turbulence remains the signal feature of 2022: global markets are under significant stress due to rising interest rates, inflation, energy shortages, food shortages, the war in Ukraine and weakness of most currencies relative to the dollar. Investors around the world are selling equities and bonds, not just here in the U.S. Stocks are in bear market downtrends (defined as a decline over 20%), and bonds are broadly down for the year. Click here to read more

The first half of 2022 has been a nightmare for even the most seasoned of investors. When looking back, from the March 2020 lows until January 2022, investors were treated to a 21-month bull market that saw equity markets rise nicely. Since then, the S&P 500 has dropped 20.6%, its worst first six months of a year since 1970. Click here to read more

During the last few years, borrowers and spenders have enjoyed historically low interest rates. However, analysts all agreed that at the Federal Reserve’s June meeting, interest rates were going to be increased. Although rising interest rates have been anticipated, many Americans aren’t feeling prepared for the effects of these new rates. Combined with today’s exorbitant gas prices, the continued forward push of inflation rates, and supply chain/inventory issues, many households are feeling the effects of interest rate increases. Click here to read more

The first quarter of 2022 ushered in our first real correction and a few formal bear markets at the sector and country level, since the last pandemic bear market in February/March of 2020. All things considered, the range of possible outcomes for the remainder of 2022 is far wider now than any time in the last decade. Click here to read more

2021 closed as a banner year for many investors.  Although history will record the Covid pandemic for causing one of the sharpest recessions ever felt by the global economy, the rebound investors continue to see nearly two years later has been just as remarkable. Post-pandemic equity markets in 2021 saw the S&P 500 create 70 record closes, the last one on Wednesday, December 29. The DJIA also realized 45 record closes in 2021.  Click here to read more

Happy New Year and welcome to 2022! We hope that you and your family had an enjoyable holiday season. We look forward to what this new year has to offer.

Our primary goal for the new year is to continue to help optimize your journey toward your financial goals. A key component to this is to identify items that you may anticipate needing our assistance with. In order to start the new year proactively, included in this communication is a 2022 Checklist to help you identify items you may want to address with us over the next year. Click here to read more

Interest rates are important to investors and they are currently at or near all-time lows. At this past June’s Federal Reserve meeting, interest rates were kept at a range of 0%-0.25% and it was indicated that they will remain near zero until the economy recovers from the effects of COVID-19. The central bank stated that the federal funds rates will remain near zero, “until it is confident that the economy has weathered recent events and is on track to achieve its maximum employment and price stability goals.” Click here to read more

After a sharp waterfall drop in March, major equity markets advanced strongly in the second quarter. Following the Dow Jones Industrial Average's (DJIA) worst first quarter ever the index posted its best second quarter performance since 1938 rising over 17%. The S&P 500 ended the quarter up 20%, achieving its largest quarterly gain since 1998. Click here to read more

No one expected the longest bull market in history to see its demise brought on by a virus. While U.S. equity markets were able to withstand a trade war with China, a presidential impeachment, the potential for a global recession, and global uncertainty, including Brexit and civil wars in the Middle East, the U.S. economy was ambushed by a silent and highly contagious virus. Click here to read more

After an 11-year bull market, the longest in history, equity markets have entered into bear market territory. A bear market is defined as a downward move of 20% from a recent high and as of today all three major U.S. indexes (DJIA, S&P 500, and NASDAQ) have reached those levels.  click here to read more

The last few days of February created confusing and turbulent times for investors.  The rough stock market fluctuations created a rollercoaster-type of ride that has attracted almost every media outlet.  During this time period, the S&P 500 had its worst day since 2011, as it presented a historic streak of negative moves... click here to read more

As we look back and reflect on what was predicted by many to be a year of worry and concern, equity markets advanced heavily in 2019 and investors were rewarded.  The final month of the year brought several new highs for both the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA).click here to read more

After some concerns and declines during the summer, major equity markets showed advances in the month of September and finished positive for the third quarter of 2019. 

Some prominent investment themes from earlier in the year continued to surface in the third quarter producing volatile trading, but at the quarter’s end had no real impact. The U.S.-China trade conflict continued to capture investors’ attentions and fluctuated equity markets. click here to read more

What if you gave a party and nobody came? The U.S. economy is finding out as we speak. The expansion that began in July 2009 turns ten years old this month, and no one seems to care. An expansion and bull market that have been derided from the get-go as “artificial,” “manufactured,” and “propped up by money printing” continues to be unloved, yet manages to keep chugging along like the Energizer bunny. click here to read more

During the first three months of 2019, investors had a lot to cheer about as U.S. equity markets came roaring back to life after a fall off the prior quarter.  This helped many of the major indexes to recoup a good portion of the losses that they suffered in the final months of 2018  click here to read more

   After a long period of respectable returns, many investors in equities during the fourth quarter of 2018 experienced losses. This fourth quarter was filled with a great deal of uncertainty, which is the equity markets least favorite scenario. Major concerns included interest rate hikes and trade wars. Click hear to read more.