Employment and corporate earnings remained robust, but building headwinds stoked debate about whether the economy was entering a new phase.
Higher interest rates, a stronger dollar, and talk of trade wars injected uncertainty into an economy that otherwise showed signs of continued strength.
The vitality of the business climate appears underappreciated.
Investors responded to a murky economic outlook by gravitating toward growth-oriented names, defensive areas, and larger businesses.
Investors rang in the New Year celebrating the passage of tax cuts but then quickly turned their attention to potential market headwinds.
New trade tariffs, a sixth rate-hike from the Federal Reserve, and budding inflation left investors searching for opportunities that have the potential to thrive in a less accommodative world.
Economic data continues to reflect a buoyant economy.
Strong employment and economic data, and new tax legislation led the major indices to new highs during the period.
An improving energy market, progress on pro-growth tax legislation, and forecasts for a jump in business investment convinced many that the recent surge for equities had staying power.
The investing-by-consensus approach that has dominated the past several years began to fray.
Faced with a murky economic outlook, investors gravitated toward growth-oriented names, defensive areas, and larger businesses.
Investors focused on headlines instead of valuations and stuck with the familiar—and momentum, growth, and perceived safe havens continued to propel the major indices to new heights.
Positive economic data and improving Energy sector fundamentals were overshadowed by geopolitical tensions and the headlines of the day.
Investors reacted to new challenges by sticking with their love affair of momentum and big cap growth stocks.
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