February 8, 2012 Market Update
I hope you are having a great start to 2012. The S&P 500 has rallied off of its October lows almost 25 percent, and is now showing signs of exhaustion. Volume on the buy side throughout the entire upswing has been significantly below average, with large volume days occurring only when the market is selling. This is a consistent indicator throughout history of a lack of investor conviction that a sustainable advance can be maintained. Last year was quite the roller coaster, and investor sentiment for 2012 remains very bullish as evidenced by historically low levels of cash held in...
Read MoreJohn Brotherton’s February 3, 2012 Market Update as heard on AM 550 KFYI
Click to listen: John Brotherton’s February 3, 2012 Market Update
Read MoreJohn Brotherton’s January 27, 2012 Market Update as heard on AM 550 KFYI
Click to listen: John Brotherton’s January 27, 2012 Market Update
Read MoreJohn Brotherton’s Tax Tips As Heard On AM 550 KFYI
In cased you missed them, please listen to the below replay of John’s tax tips. John Brotherton’s Tuition Credit Tip John Brotherton’s New Car Sales Tax Deduction Tip
Read MoreJohn Brotherton’s January 20, 2012 Market Update as heard on AM 550 KFYI
Click to listen to the update: John Brotherton’s January 20, 2012 Market Update
Read MoreEnd of Fourth Quarter 2011
The year 2011 ended on a positive note, after some of the highest market volatility on record. The S&P 500 Total Return Index gained 11.8% in the fourth quarter after dropping almost 14% in the third quarter. When the dust settled, it finished the year up a slight 2.1% thanks entirely to its dividend yield. Foreign stocks failed to rebound significantly during the quarter from their 19% third quarter decline, leaving the MSCI EAFE Total Return Index with a loss of 11.7% on the year. Bonds continued their 30 year bull market as investors sought their perceived safety, with the...
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