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2008 Q4 Equity Funds Review

Published on 31 Dec 2008, by Tom Roseen
In 2008 equity funds posted their worst one-year return (-39.54%) in Lipper’s database, which began in 1959. The next closest losing year was 1974, when equity funds shed 24.35% of their value. However, a faint light at the end of the tunnel may be in sight.

2008 Q4 Fixed Income Funds Review

Published on 31 Dec 2008, by Jeff Tjornehoj
After a strong first quarter start (+2.17%), the Barclays (formerly Lehman Brothers—remember them?) U.S. Aggregate Total Return Index fell 1.02% in the second quarter and followed that with a minus 0.48% return in Q3 to stand at 0.68% through three quarters. This was followed by a strong rebound in Q4 (+4.58%) to end 2008 5.24% to the good.

2008 Q3 Equity Funds Review

Published on 30 Sep 2008, by Tom Roseen
Equity funds extended their losing streak in September for the fourth consecutive month, with the average equity fund declining 10.97% for the month—the worst one-month return since August 1998.

2008 Q3 Fixed Income Funds Review

Published on 30 Sep 2008, by Jeff Tjornehoj
When we last reflected on quarterly performance we noted that fixed income funds were dangerously close to breaking through the zero mark at the halfway point of 2008 (+0.15%) and that whatever momentum they had at the start of the year was rapidly eroding.

Special Topic: 2008 Q3 Hedge Fund Review

Published on 30 Sep 2008, by Ferenc Sanderson
Our hedge fund analyst discusses performance trends.

2008 Q2 Equity Funds Review

Published on 30 Jun 2008, by Tom Roseen
Despite posting plus-side returns during April (+5.16%) and May (+2.65%), in June equity funds suffered their worst one-month decline (-7.50%) since September 2002. But for the quarter the group managed to remain close to the breakeven mark, shedding just 0.15% of its value.

2008 Q2 Fixed Income Funds Review

Published on 30 Jun 2008, by Jeff Tjornehoj
To read our recent posting on equity fund performance, one might assume fixed income funds would have had a substantial run to the upside, particularly after equities suffered their worst one-month decline (-7.50%) since June 2002…but that would be wrong. Fixed income funds are now dangerously close to breaking through the zero mark year to date (+0.15%), and what momentum they had to start the quarter seems completely gone.

2008 Q1 Equity Funds Review

Published on 31 Mar 2008, by Tom Roseen
Wild market swings throughout first quarter 2008 played on investors’ psyches, and as a result equity mutual funds posted their worst three-month returns in 23 quarters. The average equity mutual fund declined 9.74% for the quarter ended March 31, 2008.

2008 Q1 Fixed Income Funds Review

Published on 31 Mar 2008, by Jeff Tjornehoj
While equities have indeed suffered, not every bond (or bond fund) has found traction. Formerly staid bond fund classifications such as Ultra-Short Obligation (USO) Funds (-1.63%), intended to be souped-up versions of money market funds, have actually lost ground this year.

Special Topic: 2008 Q1 Earnings Outlook

Published on 31 Mar 2008, by Ashwani Kaul
Reuters Estimates analyst Ashwani Kaul has crunched the numbers and offers listeners a look ahead at corporate estimates, sector by sector.
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