Quarterly Market Review: Q1 2022

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For the quarter, U.S. stocks (as measured by the Russell 3000 Index) lost 5.3%, and nonU.S. developed market stocks (as measured by the MSCI World Ex U.S. IMI Index) lost 5.2%. Emerging market stocks (as measured by the MSCI Emerging Markets IMI Index) lost 6.6%.

The U.S. Dollar Index, a measure of the value of the United States dollar relative to a basket of foreign currencies, increased during the quarter—the U.S. dollar increased by 2.4% compared to foreign currencies. Over the past 12 months, the U.S. dollar increased by 5.4%. The increase in the dollar is a headwind to non-U.S. investments held by U.S. investors for the last 12 months.

U.S. interest rates increased during the quarter as the Federal Reserve raised the target range of the Fed Funds rate from 0.0%-0.25% to 0.25%-0.50%. This is the first rate change since March 2020. However, markets have currently priced in the expectation of nine rate hikes during the remainder of 2022.

U.S. Economic Review

The final reading for fourth quarter annualized GDP growth of 6.9% showed continued economic expansion and a rebound from the previous quarter’s more sluggish growth. The unemployment rate continues to shrink with a reading of 3.6% to end the first quarter. Domestic inflation showed a reading of 5.4% in February 2022 as the Fed’s preferred gauge of overall inflation, the core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index that excludes food and energy, remained well above the Fed’s long-term target average of 2.0%.

Financial Markets Review

Domestically, all size and style equity categories were down during the quarter. International developed stock markets also posted negative performance—with the exception of international large-cap value stocks—and were negatively impacted during the quarter by the strengthening U.S. dollar. International value stocks were the best performing asset class and U.S. small-cap stocks were the worst performing asset class during the quarter. The economic uncertainty caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, coupled with rising bond yields as a result of tight labor markets, elevated inflation, and Fed intervention caused U.S. and global bond returns to move in tandem with stocks, with each down over 2.0% for the quarter.

Source: Morningstar Direct, April 2022. Market segment (Index representation) as follows: U.S. Large-Cap Stocks (Russell 1000 Index), U.S. Value Stocks (Russell 1000 Value Index), U.S. Small-Cap Stocks (Russell 2000 Index), U.S. REIT Stocks (Dow Jones U.S. Select REIT Index), International Value Stocks (MSCI World Ex USA Value Index (net div.)), International Small-Cap Stocks (MSCI World Ex USA Small Index (net div.)), Emerging Markets Value Stocks (MSCI Emerging Markets IMI Value Index (net div)), U.S. Short-Term Bonds (ICE BofA 1-3Y US Corp&Govt TR), Global Bonds (FTSE WGBI 1-5 Yr Hdg USD).

U.S. Stocks

In the U.S., large-cap stocks outperformed small-cap stocks in all style categories. Value stocks outperformed growth stocks in all size categories. Among the nine style boxes, large-cap value stocks performed the best and both small-cap and mid-cap growth stocks had the lowest return during the quarter.

International Stocks

In developed international markets, large-cap stocks outperformed small-cap stocks in all style categories for the quarter. Value stocks outperformed growth stocks in all size categories. Among the nine style boxes, international large-cap value stocks performed the best and international mid-cap growth stocks had the lowest return during the quarter.

A diversified index mix of 60% stocks and 40% bonds would have lost 4.0% during the first quarter.

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For informational and educational purposes only, and should not be construed as specific investment, accounting, legal or tax advice. 60/40 Index Mix: 30% U.S. Large Cap (S&P 500 Index), 6% U.S. Small Value (Russell 2000 Value Index), 12% International Large Cap (MSCI World ex USA Index net div.), 6% International Small Value (MSCI World ex USA Small Value Index net div.), 6% Emerging Markets Total Stock Market (MSCI EM IMI net div.), 20% Global Short Bonds (FTSE WGBI 1-5yr Hdg USD Index), 20% U.S. Intermediate Government Bonds (BBgBarc US Govt Interm TR index).

Indexes are unmanaged baskets of securities that are not available for direct investment by investors. Index performance does not reflect the expenses associated with the management of an actual portfolio. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Foreign securities involve additional risks, including foreign currency changes, political risks, foreign taxes, and different methods of accounting and financial reporting. Emerging markets involve additional risks, including, but not limited to, currency fluctuation, political instability, foreign taxes, and different methods of accounting and financial reporting. All investments involve risk, including the loss of principal, and cannot be guaranteed against loss by a bank, custodian, or any other financial institution.