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Monthly Market Monitor - August 2014 Recap

Market Indices1AugustYear-to-Date
S&P 5004.00%9.89%
Russell 30004.20%9.23%
MSCI EAFE-0.15%2.56%
MSCI Emerging Markets2.25%10.63%
Barclays US Aggregate Bond1.10%4.81%
Barclays Municipal1.21%7.47%
Barclays US Corporate High Yield1.59%5.70%



  • Following a July loss, the S&P 500 rebounded 4.9% from a two-month low on August 7th.
  • The Federal Reserve affirms accommodative policy, noting significant slack in labor markets.
  • U.S. Treasuries rallied as buyers avoided European sovereign debt yields at record lows.

Equities rebounded in August as investors welcomed improving economic conditions and strong corporate profit reports amid a growing belief that the Federal Reserve will continue to support growth, even as some policymakers signaled a desire to raise rates. A jump in business investment led government officials to upwardly revise their estimate of second quarter GDP growth from 4% to 4.2%. Rising optimism helped investors to overlook intensifying military incursions by ISIS forces in Iraq and Russia's entry into eastern Ukraine. The S&P 500, having its best monthly return since February, closed above 2,000 for the first time ever on August 26th, finishing the month at 2,003, a new all-time record high. Over $1 trillion was added to the value of global equities in August, reaching a record $66.2 trillion. The value of stocks worldwide stood at $63 trillion at the September 2007 peak prior to the financial crisis, and fell to as low at $25 trillion in March 2009.

Small-cap stocks outperformed large-caps as the Russell 2000, the 2,000 smallest companies within the Russell 3000 Index, rebounded 5% in August after a 6.1% loss in July. Mid-cap stocks, as measured by the Russell Mid Cap Index, gained 4.8% last month, extending 2014 gains to 10.6%. Growth stocks widened their lead over value as the Russell 1000 Growth Index rose 4.6% in August, whereas the Russell 1000 Value Index gained 3.7%. Year-to-date however, the Russell 1000 Value Index continued to outperform the Russell 1000 Growth Index (10.4% versus 9.5% respectively).

Nine of the ten major sector groups rallied in August, with Utilities (+5%), Healthcare (+4.9%) and Consumer Staples (+4.7%) gaining the most. Energy (+2.2%) rose the least, while Telecom (-1%) fell. All ten sectors are higher so far this year with Healthcare (+16.1%) and Utilities (+16.1%) leading the way, followed by Technology (+14.9%).

Overseas developed markets underperformed the U.S. last month as the MSCI EAFE Index fell fractionally. Europe's STOXX 600 (+2.1%) posted its first gain since May after the region's central bank signaled readiness to implement new stimulus, possibly a bond-buying program. Emerging markets, as measured by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, rose 2.3% in August, finishing near a three-year high. Emerging markets underperformed the U.S. last month, but outperformed on a YTD basis.

Treasuries, as measured by the Barclays U.S. Government Bond Index, rallied 1% in August, lifting YTD gains to 3.5%. The yield on the 10-year U.S. T-Note fell 22 basis points during the month to 2.34%. U.S. investment grade bonds, as measured by the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, returned 1.1% in August, extending its YTD gains to 4.8%. The Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield Index, a proxy for non-investment grade corporate bonds, rose 1.6%, boosting its YTD return to 5.7%. The Barclays Municipal Bond Index rose 1.2% last month and has gained 7.5% YTD.
  1. Morningstar Direct (all performance percentages are total return based, which include reinvested dividend, interest)

This information is compiled by Cetera Investment Management.

About Cetera Investment Management
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No independent analysis has been performed and the material should not be construed as investment advice. Investment decisions should not be based on this material since the information contained here is a singular update, and prudent investment decisions require the analysis of a much broader collection of facts and context. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, we make no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. The opinions expressed are as of the date published and may change without notice. Any forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, may not materialize, and are subject to revision.

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