Periodic Table of Investments - 2014

REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts) led the way with a 30.4% gain during 2014.  REITs also had the lowest correlation to the S&P 500 for any asset class besides bonds.  The low correlation of REITs to equities makes it an important piece of a diversified portfolio.  Long Term Treasuries posted the second largest gain for the year at 27.5% boosted by falling interest rates.

This chart shows the annual returns for fifteen different asset classes over the last twenty years illustrating the importance of diversification across asset classes. Returns are sorted from best to worst for each year. Clicking on the index name on the left hand side will highlight the returns for that index for each year.

 

All information, data and analysis provided by this website is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security.  The information on this website is provided “AS IS” and without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied.  Although North Star Capital Management, LLC (North Star) believes the information provided by this website to be accurate, we do not guarantee its accuracy.

It is important to note that using charts and graphs to help make investment decisions has many limitations.  Economic data is often revised after the fact.  The market is forward looking and anticipates future events.  The unexpected can and will happen.  The market is continually changing.  The conditions of the past are different from the present. 

North Star does not provide investment advice through this website.  Investment advice should be tailored to meet an individual's risk tolerance and objectives.  Before rendering advice, North Star will always provide North Star’s Part II of Form ADV Brochure, help the client prepare a Client Investment Policy Statement and require execution of an Investment Advisory Agreement.  A copy of our brochure and privacy policy is available on request.  Nothing on this website should be interpreted to state or imply that past results are an indication of future performance.

Charting Last Week (1/20 - 1/23/15)

The Daily Leading Index increased by 0.04% percentage points to 7.45%. The Daily Coincident Index is at 4.43%. The Daily Leading Index page on the tab above is updated daily during the week.

Stock prices were up for the week.  Bond prices were up except for International Treasury Bonds (BWX) which fell as the European Central Bank launched another round of Quantitative Easing.  The charts below show the normal trading ranges for various indices for the last six months. The red (or green) area indicates 2-3 standard deviations above (or below) the normal 21 day trading range. The gray area indicates 1-2 standard deviations above (or below) the normal 21 day trading range.

Earnings season for the S&P 500 is starting up. With 19% of the S&P 500 reporting earnings for last quarter, operating full year earnings are on pace to be up 7.9% year over year. This is down from 12.0% growth last quarter. This week will be the busiest week for earnings reports with 35.5% of the S&P 500 reporting earnings.

 The Leading Indicator for International Developed Markets (EFA) increased by 0.03% percentage points to 0.68%. The Leading Indicator for International Emerging Markets (EEM) is at 4.67%. On the chart below, you can click on the blue and red buttons to see the Leading Indicator growth rate and an ETF for each country.

All information, data and analysis provided by this website is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security.   Click here for more details.

These charts have limitations.  Economic data is often revised after the fact.  The market is forward looking and anticipates future events.  The unexpected can and will happen.  The market is continually changing.  The conditions of the past are different from the present.  Past performance is not an indication of future performance.

Charting Last Week (1/12 - 1/16/15)

The Daily Leading Index decreased by 0.54% percentage points to 7.89%. The Daily Coincident Index decreased to 4.443%. The Daily Leading Index page on the tab above is updated daily during the week.

Earnings season for the S&P 500 is starting up. With 11% of the S&P 500 reporting earnings for last quarter, operating full year earnings are on pace to be up 7.9% year over year. This is down from 12.0% growth last quarter.

Stock prices were mixed for the week. Bond prices were mostly up as interest rates fell further. The charts below show the normal trading ranges for various indices for the last six months. The red (or green) area indicates 2-3 standard deviations above (or below) the normal 21 day trading range. The gray area indicates 1-2 standard deviations above (or below) the normal 21 day trading range.

The Leading Indicator for International Developed Markets (EFA) increased by 0.01% percentage points to 0.64%. The Leading Indicator for International Emerging Markets (EEM) is at 4.67%. On the chart below, you can click on the blue and red buttons to see the Leading Indicator growth rate and an ETF for each country.

All information, data and analysis provided by this website is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security.   Click here for more details.

These charts have limitations.  Economic data is often revised after the fact.  The market is forward looking and anticipates future events.  The unexpected can and will happen.  The market is continually changing.  The conditions of the past are different from the present.  Past performance is not an indication of future performance.

International Leading Indicators - 1/12/15

The Leading Indicator for International Developed Markets (EFA) rose to 0.74% and is 0.15% percentage points higher than last month. The Leading Indicator for International Emerging Markets (EEM) is at 4.42%.

 The OECD released their Leading Indicators for most major countries yesterday. 14 of the 20 countries in the Developed Markets had declining Leading Indices. The Leading Indices declined for 8 out of 15 countries in the Emerging Markets. When available, I have averaged the indicators with the Conference Board's Leading indicators to create a composite for each country. I created Leading Indicators for International Developed Markets (EFA) and International Emerging Markets (EEM) by weighting each country's growth rate by the market share of each country's stocks in the respective funds. On the last chart below, you can click on the blue and red buttons to see the Leading Indicator growth rate and an ETF for various countries.

All information, data and analysis provided by this website is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security.   Click here for more details.

Furthermore, these charts have limitations.  Economic data is often revised after the fact.  The market is forward looking and anticipates future events.  The unexpected can and will happen.  The market is continually changing.  The conditions of the past are different from the present.  Past performance is not an indication of future performance.

Charting Last Week (1/5 - 1/9/15)

The Daily Leading Index decreased by 0.39% percentage points to 7.34%. The Daily Coincident Index increased to 4.66%. The Daily Leading Index page on the tab above is updated daily during the week.

Stock prices were mixed for the week. Bond prices were up as interest rates fell. The 10 Year Treasury broke below 2% for the first time since May of 2013. A year ago the 10 Year Treasury was around 3%. The charts below show the normal trading ranges for various indices for the last six months. The red (or green) area indicates 2-3 standard deviations above (or below) the normal 21 day trading range. The gray area indicates 1-2 standard deviations above (or below) the normal 21 day trading range.

The Leading Indicator for International Developed Markets (EFA) increased by 0.06% percentage points to 0.63%. The Leading Indicator for International Emerging Markets (EEM) is at 4.24%. On the chart below, you can click on the blue and red buttons to see the Leading Indicator growth rate and an ETF for each country.

All information, data and analysis provided by this website is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security.   Click here for more details.

These charts have limitations.  Economic data is often revised after the fact.  The market is forward looking and anticipates future events.  The unexpected can and will happen.  The market is continually changing.  The conditions of the past are different from the present.  Past performance is not an indication of future performance.

Charting Last Week (12/29 - 1/2/15)

Charting Last Week (12/29 - 1/2/15) The Daily Leading Index increased by 0.02% percentage points to 7.74%. The Daily Coincident Index increased to 4.60%. The Daily Leading Index page on the tab above is updated daily during the week.

Stock prices were down for the week, while Bond prices were mostly up. The SP&P 500 (SPY) was up 13.5% in 2014. International Developed Markets (EFA) was down 6.2% for the year and International Emerging Markets (EEM) finished the year down 3.9%. Real Estate Investment Trusts (VNQ) was the big winner in 2014 with an annual gain of 30.4%. Long Term Treasuries (TLT) were close behind with a gain of 27.3% for the year. The charts below show the normal trading ranges for various indices for the last six months. The red (or green) area indicates 2-3 standard deviations above (or below) the normal 21 day trading range. The gray area indicates 1-2 standard deviations above (or below) the normal 21 day trading range.

There were not any updates to the International Leading Indices during the week. The Leading Indicator for International Developed Markets (EFA) is at 0.57%. The Leading Indicator for International Emerging Markets (EEM) is at 4.24%. On the chart below, you can click on the blue and red buttons to see the Leading Indicator growth rate and an ETF for each country.

All information, data and analysis provided by this website is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security.   Click here for more details.

These charts have limitations.  Economic data is often revised after the fact.  The market is forward looking and anticipates future events.  The unexpected can and will happen.  The market is continually changing.  The conditions of the past are different from the present.  Past performance is not an indication of future performance.