Quarterly Market Review: Q2 2022
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For the quarter, U.S. stocks (as measured by the Russell 3000 Index) lost 16.7%, and non-U.S. developed market stocks (as measured by the MSCI World Ex U.S. IMI Index) lost 15.2%. Emerging market stocks (as measured by the MSCI Emerging Markets IMI Index) lost 12.1%.
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 6.5% compared to foreign currencies. Over the past 12 months, the U.S. dollar increased by 13.3%. 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 twice from 0.25%-0.50% to 0.75%-1.00% in May and then again to 1.50%-1.75% in June. The second rate hike of 0.75% was the single largest rate hike approved by the Fed since 1994. However, markets have currently priced in the expectation of seven additional rate hikes during the remainder of 2022, with an implied target range of 3.25%-3.50% by year’s end.
U.S. Economic Review
The final reading for first quarter annualized GDP growth of -1.6% showed a contraction of economic output and is the first negative reading since the first half of 2020. The unemployment rate continues to hold steady with a reading of 3.6% in May 2022. This coincides with a tight labor market that saw approximately 11.4 million job openings for 6 million unemployed workers at the end of April. Domestic inflation showed a reading of 4.7% in May 2022 as the Fed’s preferred gauge of overall inflation, the core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE), remained well above the Fed’s long-term target average of 2.0%. Headline inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), closed out May with a reading of 8.6%. These readings tend to differ primarily because CPI includes volatile categories like food and energy in its methodology while core PCE does not.
Financial Markets Review
Domestically, all size and style equity categories were down during the quarter. International developed stock markets also posted negative performance, and, for U.S. investors, returns were negatively impacted during the quarter by the strengthening U.S. dollar. Emerging Markets value stocks were the best performing asset class and U.S. REITs were the worst performing asset class during the quarter. The economic uncertainty caused by the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, stubbornly high inflation, and the awakening of a long-dormant hawkish Fed caused U.S. and global bonds to lose almost one percent for the quarter and move in the same direction as stocks.
Source: Morningstar Direct, July 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 declined less than small- cap stocks in all style categories with the exception of growth stocks. Value stocks declined less than growth stocks in all size categories. Among the nine style boxes, large-cap value stocks performed the best and mid-cap growth stocks had the lowest return during the quarter.
International Stocks
In developed international markets, large-cap stocks declined less than small-cap stocks in all style categories for the quarter. Like in the U.S., value stocks declined less than growth stocks in all size categories. Among the nine style boxes, international large-cap value stocks performed the best and international small-cap growth stocks had the lowest return during the quarter.
A diversified index mix of 60% stocks and 40% bonds would have lost 9.7% during the second 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. For informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as specific investment, accounting, legal, or tax advice. Certain information is based upon third party data which may become outdated without notice. Third party information is deemed to be reliable, but its accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed. Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) nor any other federal or state agency have approved, determined the accuracy, or confirmed the adequacy of the presented information.