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1st Quarter 2008 Newsletter
Investors were cautious during the first quarter of 2008, preferring to wait out market developments and watch the effects of
recent actions taken by the Federal Reserve Board (“Fed”). Many responded to the market’s volatility by seeking safety in
treasury bonds. Overall, economic signals were mixed, but the Fed’s quick and decisive actions to inject liquidity in the
system were taken by many as a strong positive signal of government.
First Quarter Markets
The markets saw a few trend reversals, including value stocks taking the lead over growth, as well as emerging markets
declining within most equity styles. The ‘flight to quality’ continues as investors favored treasuries over credit. The US dollar
lost terrain against both the Euro and the Yen by 7.59% and 10.76% respectively (source: Bloomberg).
The graph below shows returns for the first quarter of 2008 for the major indexes. Here are a few of the trends and returns that
we think are particularly noteworthy:
quarter (source: mscibarra.com).
the discount rate and Fed Funds Rate (sources: Lehman Brothers, Bloomberg; Federal Reserve Board).
1) 30-day T-Bill yields declined from 3.09% to 1.22%
2) 10-year note yields declined from 3.91% to 3.45%
3) 30-year bond yields declined from 4.35% to 4.30%.
U.S. Economic Report
Cuts in the Fed Funds rate at the January and March meetings of the Federal Reserve Board brought the rate down to a
current level of 2.25%. Analysts anticipate another 25 bps cut to the Fed Funds rate (source Bloomberg survey on March 11,
2008). The revised Gross Domestic Product (GDP) number for the fourth quarter of 2007 came out below expectations at a
0.6% growth rate (source: Bureau of Economic Analysis). Expectations for the first quarter of 2008 (according to the
Bloomberg survey conducted on March 11, 2008) are for GDP to check in at a modest 0.1%.
Oil prices continued to trend higher and ended the quarter 5.83% over year-end 2007 levels. Commodities, as measured by
the Dow Jones/AIG Commodity index, were up 9.60% for the period. (sources: Federal Reserve Board; Bloomberg, closing
prices at the end of trading date on March 31, 2008).
While the slowdown in the housing market and tightening in the credit markets remain problematic, economists are now
watching consumer sentiment and unemployment as major concerns. A mild recession seems to be already priced into the
markets as the second half of the year offers a more optimistic outlook based on expected GDP growth and the confidence
that the Fed has injected into the markets (source: Bloomberg).
Staying on track
Today’s valuations suggest that patient investors with a long-term investment horizon and a diversified portfolio will be
rewarded. In times like this, it is important that clients stay the course and avoid emotional reactions.
Of course, as the markets shift and your needs and goals evolve, a reassessment and “fine tuning” of your portfolio may be
appropriate. We welcome the opportunity to spend time with you reviewing your financial objectives and answering any
questions you may have.
Regards,
Robert Valentine
recent actions taken by the Federal Reserve Board (“Fed”). Many responded to the market’s volatility by seeking safety in
treasury bonds. Overall, economic signals were mixed, but the Fed’s quick and decisive actions to inject liquidity in the
system were taken by many as a strong positive signal of government.
First Quarter Markets
The markets saw a few trend reversals, including value stocks taking the lead over growth, as well as emerging markets
declining within most equity styles. The ‘flight to quality’ continues as investors favored treasuries over credit. The US dollar
lost terrain against both the Euro and the Yen by 7.59% and 10.76% respectively (source: Bloomberg).
The graph below shows returns for the first quarter of 2008 for the major indexes. Here are a few of the trends and returns that
we think are particularly noteworthy:
- Within the overall U.S. equity market, value stocks outperformed growth stocks. However, the results were mixed by
- Aided by the weakness of US currency, developed markets outperformed the broad US equity markets in dollar
quarter (source: mscibarra.com).
- Emerging markets underperformed the US and Developed equity markets. The biggest laggards were India,
- Real estate, as measured by the Dow Jones Wilshire REIT Index, provided a modest positive return fueled mainly
- In the fixed income space, US corporate spreads widened against treasuries near all time high levels as a result of
the discount rate and Fed Funds Rate (sources: Lehman Brothers, Bloomberg; Federal Reserve Board).
- According to the US Department of Treasury, yields continued to decline during the first quarter across all durations
1) 30-day T-Bill yields declined from 3.09% to 1.22%
2) 10-year note yields declined from 3.91% to 3.45%
3) 30-year bond yields declined from 4.35% to 4.30%.
U.S. Economic Report
Cuts in the Fed Funds rate at the January and March meetings of the Federal Reserve Board brought the rate down to a
current level of 2.25%. Analysts anticipate another 25 bps cut to the Fed Funds rate (source Bloomberg survey on March 11,
2008). The revised Gross Domestic Product (GDP) number for the fourth quarter of 2007 came out below expectations at a
0.6% growth rate (source: Bureau of Economic Analysis). Expectations for the first quarter of 2008 (according to the
Bloomberg survey conducted on March 11, 2008) are for GDP to check in at a modest 0.1%.
Oil prices continued to trend higher and ended the quarter 5.83% over year-end 2007 levels. Commodities, as measured by
the Dow Jones/AIG Commodity index, were up 9.60% for the period. (sources: Federal Reserve Board; Bloomberg, closing
prices at the end of trading date on March 31, 2008).
While the slowdown in the housing market and tightening in the credit markets remain problematic, economists are now
watching consumer sentiment and unemployment as major concerns. A mild recession seems to be already priced into the
markets as the second half of the year offers a more optimistic outlook based on expected GDP growth and the confidence
that the Fed has injected into the markets (source: Bloomberg).
Staying on track
Today’s valuations suggest that patient investors with a long-term investment horizon and a diversified portfolio will be
rewarded. In times like this, it is important that clients stay the course and avoid emotional reactions.
Of course, as the markets shift and your needs and goals evolve, a reassessment and “fine tuning” of your portfolio may be
appropriate. We welcome the opportunity to spend time with you reviewing your financial objectives and answering any
questions you may have.
Regards,
Robert Valentine
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Robert Valentine, Ca. Insurance License# 0C23496, is a Registered Investment Advisor Representative with Financial and Retirement Management, a Registered Investment Advisor and a
registered representative with Securities America, Inc., a Registered Broker Dealer. Securities offered through Securities America, Inc., Member NASD/SIPC. Financial and Retirement
Management and Securities America are not affiliated. This site has been published for residents of AZ, CA, FL, IL, MI, MO, and TX. All information herein has been prepared solely for
informational purposes, and it is not an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any security or instrument or to participate in any particular trading strategy. Financial
and Retirement Management does not make any representations or warranties as to the accuracy, timeliness, suitability, completeness, or relevance of any information prepared by any
unaffiliated third party, whether linked to this web site or incorporated herein, and takes no responsibility. All such information is provided solely for convenience purposes only.
Financial and Retirement Management and Securities America do not endorse, control, or receive compensation from any of the third party advertisers within this website. Neither
Financial and Retirement Management or Securities America are affiliated with any of the firms or entities listed unless specifically stated.
registered representative with Securities America, Inc., a Registered Broker Dealer. Securities offered through Securities America, Inc., Member NASD/SIPC. Financial and Retirement
Management and Securities America are not affiliated. This site has been published for residents of AZ, CA, FL, IL, MI, MO, and TX. All information herein has been prepared solely for
informational purposes, and it is not an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any security or instrument or to participate in any particular trading strategy. Financial
and Retirement Management does not make any representations or warranties as to the accuracy, timeliness, suitability, completeness, or relevance of any information prepared by any
unaffiliated third party, whether linked to this web site or incorporated herein, and takes no responsibility. All such information is provided solely for convenience purposes only.
Financial and Retirement Management and Securities America do not endorse, control, or receive compensation from any of the third party advertisers within this website. Neither
Financial and Retirement Management or Securities America are affiliated with any of the firms or entities listed unless specifically stated.
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