| Provided by our strategic partner Gradient Investments All data is for the week ended June 11, 2021 Stocks Equity indices were generally higher last week with the benchmark S&P 500 advancing 0.43%, the NASDAQ gaining 1.85% and the Russell 2000 rising 2.18%. Overseas markets were also positive with the developed markets index (MSCI EAFE) up 0.34% and the emerging markets index edging up 0.09%. In the US, growth stocks outperformed value stocks and smaller caps outperformed larger caps. By sector, real estate and health care were the leaders while financials and materials were the laggards.1 Fixed Income Interest rates fell and bond values rose, with the benchmark 10-year treasuries declining 9 basis points to end the week with a 1.47% yield (after touching 1.74% at the end of March).2 This occurred despite a report that inflation that rose to 2008 levels. (See Economic Data below.) Commodities After rising dramatically earlier in the year, to a level not seen in more than 10 years, the price of copper has regressed from the recent peak. Currently $4.50 per unit, copper is down from its May 11 high of $4.76. This may be an indicator that general inflation has peaked post-pandemic along with the price of stocks in the materials sector.3 Economic Data Headline inflation (all items) accelerated to 5.0% on an annualized basis in May, a 13-year high and in line with consensus expectations. Price gains for used cars and trucks stood out with a 7.3% month over month gain which accounted for one-third of the all-items increase. This is evidence that supply chain issues are taking a toll on some sectors.4 The personal consumption expenditures inflation – which is of greatest interest to the Federal Reserve –rose just 2.6%, annualized, in the most recent data.5 The number of open job vacancies reached an all-time high of 9.3 million in April or roughly one job opening for every unemployed individual in the US. Vacancies were 1 million ahead of expectations. Also, the number of people who quit their jobs reached a series high of 2.7% of total employment—a 20 year high.6 Company News7 CyrusOne Inc. (CONE), a G50 holding, shares rose following merger news of other companies in the datacenter real estate investment trust subsector.8 CyrusOne had received takeover interest two years ago from several infrastructure funds, and an activist investor revealed a new stake last month.9 CONE shares rose 6.80% for the week. Eli Lilly & Co. (LLY), a Core Select holding, rose strongly following FDA approval of another drug company’s treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, the first such approval in a category for which Eli Lilly has a promising drug in development. Shares of LLY gained 10.92% for the week.10 Varonis Systems (VRNS), a Core Select and G33 holding, rose 10.69% last week as stocks of cyber security firms climbed on rising expectations for revenues and earnings following a sharp increase in cyber-attacks following the hack of Colonial Pipeline.11 Did you know… The most powerful commercial radio station ever was WLW (700KHz AM) in Cincinnati. During certain times in the 1930s, it broadcasted 500kW radiated power which covered half the globe at night. Neighbors within the vicinity of the transmitter heard the audio in their pots, pans, and mattresses. Mariann Montagne, CFA Portfolio Manager Sources: 1 JP Morgan Weekly Market Recap 6-14-21 2 US Treasury 3 Barron’s, “Copper Prices Are Going Nowhere” 6-10-21 4 US Bureau of Labor Statistics 6-10-21 5 Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland 6-10-21 6 US Bureau of Labor Statistics 6-8-21 7 All weekly changes in company stock prices: Yahoo Finance 8 QTS Realty Trust to be Acquired by Blackstone 6-4-21 9 Reuters, “Jana Partners Took New Stake In CyrusOne” 5-17-21 10 Food & Drug Administration press release 6-7-21 11 Forbes, “Cyber Security Stocks to Watch” 6-9-21 Advisory services are offered through American Retirement Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor in the State of Michigan. Insurance products and services are offered through American Retirement Solutions an affiliated company. American Retirement Advisors, Inc. and American Retirement Solutions are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any government agency. The information contained herein should in no way be construed or interpreted as a solicitation to sell or offer to sell advisory services to any residents of any State other than the State of Michigan or where otherwise legally permitted. All written content is for information purposes only. It is not intended to provide any tax or legal advice or provide the basis for any financial decisions. Moreover, this material has been derived from sources believed to be reliable but is not guaranteed as to accuracy and completeness and does not purport to be a complete analysis of the materials discussed. |