The S&P 500 gained +5.9% in the 1st quarter of 2011. For all of calendar year 2010, the S&P 500 gained +15.1%. The S&P 500 has gained an average of +9.7% per year (total return) over the last 50 calendar years (i.e., 1961-2010) (source: BTN Research).
As of its end of the 1st quarter closing value (1326), the S&P 500 is still -18% below its all-time closing high of 1565 set on 10/09/07. (source: BTN Research).
The international stock index EAFE gained +3.4% YTD (total return) through 03/31/11 and is up +10.4% on a trailing 1-year basis as of the end of the first quarter this year. The EAFE stock index has bested the S&P 500 on a total return basis in 7 of the previous 10 calendar years. The EAFE is an unmanaged index that is generally considered representative of the international stock market (source: BTN Research).
The small-cap Russell 2000 is up +7.9% YTD (total return) through 03/31/11 and is up +25.8% on a trailing 1-year basis as of that date. The Russell 2000 index is an unmanaged index of small-cap securities which generally involve greater risks (source: BTN Research).
The yield on the 10-year Treasury note was 3.46% on 03/31/11. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note was 8.05% on 03/31/91 or 20 years ago (source: Treasury Department).
No comments:
Post a Comment