The second quarter of 2022 saw equity markets finish lower for a second straight quarter. The decline in the S&P 500 in the first half of 2022 has been the largest since 1970. Inflation concerns were the biggest drag on risk sentiment in the second quarter.
US equities came under pressure in the first quarter of 2022 with the S&P 500 suffering its first quarterly decline since the depths of the pandemic in March 2020. While the Fed’s hawkish policy pivot dominated the headlines …
US equities were higher in 2021 with the S&P 500 up for a third straight year. There were a number of big themes in focus during the year. Covid vaccinations formed a key piece of the bullish narrative, particularly over the first several months of the year.
The majority of equity indices ended down for the third quarter of 2021 though the S&P 500 put up a positive return for a sixth straight quarter. For most of the quarter, markets performed well against the background of easy financial conditions…
