Market dynamics have shifted significantly in 2018, with interest rates continuing to move higher and volatility significantly elevated from last year. Today, investors are facing challenges in finding sources of income and growth from traditional investment portfolios.
The S&P 500 Index has been range-bound in June, mirroring its broader performance in 2018.1 Since reaching an all-time high in late January, the index has traded between approximately 5,000 and 5,550.
Year to date, the S&P 500 Index is up 3.3% and, excluding January’s strong performance, has returned -2.2%.1
Returns within the traditional fixed income market have offered little relief. The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, a benchmark that measures performance across the traditional fixed income investment landscape, has produced a year-to-date return of -1.6%.1
Looking ahead, the traditional 60/40 stock and bond portfolio seems unlikely to deliver the same level of returns investors have enjoyed over the past few decades. Investors may benefit by incorporating alternative sources of income and growth into their portfolios.
