Investment Counsel Reports

Over the past 3 months, stocks continued their advance and added to gains banked in the first half of 2024. As we had written and observed in our prior report, the level of gains has been very unevenly distributed between various market segments.

A small group of technology stocks produced heady gains during the quarter. This elite exuberance is a concentration risk that should make investors wary. Our disciplined, low-risk approach favors a prudent investment approach over the long term.

The beginning of 2024 offered a continuation of positive returns for equity investors. Despite worrying data points and some echos of market risks from years past, the net results were rewarding.

Market Summary Stock market averages raced higher to end the final 3 months of the year at a high point. There were real moments of weakness within the quarter and the year, as many stock measures were in negative territory for meaningful periods of time. The S&P 500...