White House Financial & Settlement Solutions, LLC

  We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving last week! Markets ended higher during the holiday-shortened trading week. In an encouraging sign of broadening participation, about 55% of S&P 500 stocks were trading above their 200-day moving average as of Friday morning, more than doubling since the end of October. Moreover, the equal-weight S&P 500 increased 3.2% last week. That was substantially more than the 2.2% rise for the market-cap weighted S&P 500 and the largest percentage point outperformance for the equal-weight index in almost five months. Sentiment is improving according to the most recent AAII Sentiment Survey. The percentage of bullish investors increased slightly to 45.3%, coming in above the historical long-term average of 37.5%. Bearish investors declined to 23.6%, below the historical average of 31.0%. The overall report continues to reflect building bullish market sentiment as markets during this recovery. Fixed Income Higher The Bloomberg Aggregat...

  U.S. markets ended higher this week amid continued improving market sentiment. Moreover, international markets ended higher amid investor expectations for lower interest rates next year.  The Russell 2000 rebounded this week from the index’s negative return last week following the index’s solid rebound two weeks ago as small cap fundamentals remain questionable amid cheap valuations. According to the most recent AAII Sentiment Survey, the percentage of bullish investors increased slightly from 42.6% to 43.8%, above the historical long-term average of 37.5%. This week bearish investors increased to over 28% from 27.2%, still below the historical average. Neutral investors declined to 28.1% from 30.2%, below its historical average.  The overall report continues to reflect strong improve bullish market sentiment as markets have rebounded. Fixed Income Higher The Bloomberg Aggregate Bond Index rebounded this week from last week’s decline following Powell’s comments. In addi...

  U.S. markets ended mostly higher this week amid improving market sentiment. Seasonality is presently a bullish talking point for equities after three straight month of losses and a volatile October. According to Bespoke Investment Group, historically (going back to 1945), November has been the third best month of the year with an average gain of 1.47% and positive returns two-thirds of the time.  International equities finished lower over continued economic concerns, however many European companies reported better-than-expected results. The Russell 2000 had a negative week after last week’s rebound as investors are concerned about small cap fundamentals.   The earnings outlook for small-caps has been significantly more challenging as the companies grapple with higher inflation and higher rates. According to the most recent AAII Sentiment Survey, the percentage of bullish investors jumped from over 29% to 42.6%, which is above the historical long-term average of 37....