FYI: Below is our asset class performance matrix for Q1 2016 using key ETFs traded on U.S. exchanges. A ridiculously strong March propelled US stocks into the green for the quarter, but just barely so. As shown, the S&P 500 SPY ETF finished Q1 up 0.81% year-to-date. The Dow 30 (DIA) more than doubled that at +1.96%, while the Tech and Biotech heavy Nasdaq 100 (QQQ) finished down 2.4%.
Eight of ten sectors were up in Q1, led by Consumer Staples (XLP), Utilities (XLU), Telecom (IYZ), and Industrials (XLI). The two sectors in the red for the quarter were Financials (XLF) and Health Care (XLV) — both falling nearly 6%.
Outside of the US, Brazil (EWZ) won the quarter with a gain of 27%! Italy (EWI) was the big loser at -11.21%. Looking at commodities, gold and silver rallied 10%+ in Q1, while oil and natural gas finished down 10%+ even though they surged in March. Finally, Treasury ETFs rose nicely in Q1 with the 20+ Year Treasury (TLT) gaining the most at +8.7
Regards,
Ted
https://www.bespokepremium.com/think-big-blog/bespokes-asset-class-performance-matrix-q1-2016/
Comments
Oil tumbled 4 percent on Friday to open the second quarter, after a Saudi prince reportedly said the kingdom will not freeze production without Iran and other major producers doing so and data showed the global crude glut was likely to grow.
Brent crude fell $1.70, or 4.2 percent, to $39.07 a barrel by 11:29 a.m. ET. It was on track to a similar loss on the week, after ending the first quarter up 6 percent and March 15 percent higher.
U.S. crude fell $1.40 to $36.94 a barrel. It was on track to a 6 percent drop on the week, after a first-quarter gain of 4 percent and March rally of 14 percent.
The dollar's .DXY first rebound in a week after stronger-than-expected U.S. jobs data added pressure on oil,
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-global-oil-idUSKCN0WX00R
1st Quarter Wrap
The March rebound has made an impact on longer return windows too. For instance, nearly all corners of global markets are now in the black for year-to-date comparisons through the end of 2016’s first quarter....for the moment the rearview mirror is offering a new excuse to think positively.
1
http://www.capitalspectator.com/major-asset-classes-march-2016-performance-review/
Also; @Junkster's munis remain strong
Nuveen Muni High Inc Opp NMZ
NMZ (Price) 1 mo+1.14 ytd+2.85 1yr+8.13 3yr+8.31
http://performance.morningstar.com/funds/cef/total-returns.action?t=NMZ®ion=usa&culture=en_US
SPDR Select Sector Fund - Energy Select Sector Stock Chart
Read more: http://www.nasdaq.com/symbol/xle/stock-chart#ixzz44bC3QaOM
XLE
61.00 -0.92 (-1.49%)
Real-time: 2:00PM EDT 4/01/2016