Stocks over Bonds, Small Caps over Large

by David Brown, Chief Market Strategist, Sabrient Systems

We’re going to start with what I do know – and then I’ll tell you what I don’t know.

I have a special story for you this week about a pair of stocks, but let’s begin with our usual market overview.

Volatility returned to the marketplace with a vengeance last week, and we should be prepared for more of the same this week. On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday the market moved 2% or more – in opposite directions each day.  The S&P 500 was down 2% on Wednesday, up more than 2% on Thursday, and down again on Friday nearly 3%.

by David Brown, Chief Market Strategist

David Brown

by David Brown, Chief Market Strategist

David Brown

by David Brown, Chief  Market Strategist

David Brown

The market doesn't seem to know which way it wants to go. Last week was literally the mirror image of the previous week. The best style/cap two weeks ago was Small-cap Value; last week it was the worst (-3.4%). The worst style/cap two weeks ago was Large-cap Growth; this week it was the best (-1.9%).

By David Brown, Chief Market Strategist, Sabrient Systems, LLC

David Brown

by David Brown, Chief Market Strategist, Sabrient Systems

David Brown

The market spent the month of August in a fog of mixed and contradictory economic results, often moving up on negative news and down on positive news.  Last week was no exception, and it's doubtful whether we'll get any improved visibility this week, either.