Market View
Market View features, from Dow Jones and ICMA-RC’s investment professionals, can help you increase your awareness and understanding of the economy and markets, and how current trends may impact your investments and long-term planning.
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2nd Quarter Market Review (as of 03/31/2008)
Capital markets were down modestly in the second quarter of 2008. Bonds, as measured by the Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index, posted a negative return of -1.02% for the most recent quarter but the trailing 1-year return was still a positive 7.12%. U.S. equities, represented by the S&P 500 Index and the Russell 3000 Index, posted negative returns for the second quarter and for the trailing 1-year period. International equity markets, which are often benchmarked relative to the MSCI EAFE Index, also posted negative returns of -1.93% and -10.15% over the quarter and 1-year period, respectively. For the equity markets, positive returns in the months of April and May were overshadowed by steep declines in June reflecting investors concerns over weakness in the overall economy and rising inflation.
Market Snapshot