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What's Driving the Recent Stock Market Volatility?

January 2016 was a particularly difficult month for equity investors, with the major U.S. equity indices in correction territory. China's economic slowdown and negative earnings in the energy sector are the most commonly cited factors for the possibility of a global economic slowdown.

This paper, What's Driving the Recent Stock Market Volatility?, provides retirement plan fiduciaries and investors insight into the stock market volatility, including:

  • the role of China and the energy sector as market drivers; 

  • "dashboard" metrics showing where equity investors should focus their attention in 2016; 

  • an analysis of the long-term relationship between corporate earnings trends and S&P 500 Index performance; and 

  • an overview of the price/earnings (P/E) ratio and how much investors are willing to pay for those earnings. 


If you have any questions about this paper, or would like to begin talking to a trusted advisor, then please get in touch by calling (800) 388-1963 or e-mail us at hbs@hanys.org.

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