The third quarter saw increased volatility with the bond market providing great returns then the stock market. For the first time since 2016, value stocks outperformed growth stocks. In the fourth quarter, we expect increased volatility as the market comes to the realization that the China trade issue is a [...]

The S&P 500 index overcame increased Chinese tariffs, threats of Mexican tariffs and a slowing economy to finish the second quarter up 4.6%. For the first half of the year the S&P 500 index returned 19.56%. At Virtue Asset Management, we believe the S&P 500 is close to fairly valued. [...]

The first quarter of 2019 has started out well with the equity markets rebounding from their 2018 loss. For the first quarter the S&P 500 Index returned 13.65%. The strong return was powered by a price to earnings (P/E) multiple expansion. The P/E ratio started 2019 at 17.89 and ended [...]

In 2018, the bull market’s nine-year stretch ended. The S&P 500 Index finished 2018 down 4.38%. The negative return was driven by a 13.52% decrease in the fourth quarter. The final earnings for the S&P 500 for 2018 haven’t been reported as of now, but they are expected to be [...]

A strong economy continues to overshadow trade tariffs and turmoil in Washington. For the United States, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth was a very strong 4.2% in the second quarter. However, earnings for the second quarter were lower than analysts’ predictions. Therefore, the recent returns in the U.S. stock market [...]

The eight-year bull market was barely extended in the first half of 2018.  Virtue Asset Management continues to recommend that investors maintain their stock exposure at the lower end of their target range. For the full year, we expect the S&P 500 to have returns in the range of negative [...]

At Virtue Asset Management, we believe that the first quarter of 2018 introduced us to stock market vigilantes who are selling the stock market to try and influence the decisions of President Trump and the US Government. These selling actions have contributed to the rise in volatility.  We expect increased [...]

In 2017, the bull market in stocks continued for a ninth year. The S&P 500 Index returned 21.83% for the year. The increase in stock prices was driven by higher earnings and a price to earnings (P/E) multiple expansion. The market has viewed the Trump economy in a positive light. [...]

The strength of the stock market continued in the third quarter. The S&P 500 Index was up 4.48% for the quarter and 14.24% for the year. The strength in U.S. Large Cap as measured by the S&P 500 Index was driven by the S&P 500 Growth Index with returns of [...]

The first half of the year continued the seven-year bull market for stocks with the S&P 500 up 9.17%. Virtue Asset Management continues to recommend over-weighting US Large Cap stocks versus US Mid Cap and US Small Cap. This allocation worked well for the first half of the year with [...]