Skip to main content

Q1 Market Recap - Yin and Yang

Last quarter we reported to you that investors turned decidedly bullish toward equities after the U.S. election. That trend continued in the first quarter of 2017, with the S&P 500 Index hitting an all-time high of 2395.96 on March 1, immediately following President Trump’s conciliatory speech to Congress. That represented a 12% advance in the Index from pre-election levels. The Index closed the quarter off the all-time high, at 2362.72, as investors re-evaluated the probability of President Trump and Congress’ ability to deliver on tax cuts and increased federal spending on infrastructure. The S&P 500 returned a very strong 6.07% in the first quarter—the sixth consecutive quarter of positive returns for the Index.



In Chinese philosophy, yin and yang describe how seemingly opposite or contrary forces may actually be complementary, interconnected, and how they may give rise to each other as they interrelate. The U.S. has entered a period where proposed policy or political risks, the "yin" have moved to the forefront in driving market volatility, the "yang."



Read the Q1 Retirement Market Recap to learn more about the "yin and yang" forces affecting the U.S. market performance, and also review tips on "Understanding Your Retirement Plan Fee Methodology".



If you have any questions, or would like to begin talking to a retirement plan advisor, please get in touch by calling (800) 388-1963 or email us at hbs@hanys.org.

Popular posts from this blog

Employee Benefits Offerings: What Perks Can You Add?

Employee benefits can play a crucial role in attracting and retaining top talent. Beyond compensation and bonuses, offering a variety of perks can significantly enhance employee satisfaction and productivity. But what should you include in your employee benefits offerings?   What are employee benefits?   Employee benefits encompass compensation, bonuses and various perks outside an employee's wage. By offering flexible employee benefits, you can improve employee productivity and loyalty while attracting and retaining talented candidates.   Personalized benefits examples   The type of benefits offered can vary by industry. We've compiled some of the most popular options to help you explore possible employee benefits strategies .  1. Social opportunities   Employee perks don't always have to be tied to a benefits package. Sometimes, the best way to engage your employees can be through social opportunities. Group activities can help im...
Read more

What is Risk Management? 4 Key Topics to Know

Understanding risk management in retirement programs  Managing a retirement program is complex, with multiple layers of risk. For organizations and their leadership, understanding and mitigating these risks is crucial to ensuring the long-term success and reliability of these programs.   It often leaves human resource professionals, employers and program administrators questioning, "What is risk management, and how can we excel at it?"  This blog post explores the various aspects of risk management in retirement program administration and provides actionable insights to help organizations better manage these risks.  The importance of risk management  Retirement programs are designed to benefit participants and beneficiaries, but they come with their own set of risks. These risks can be broadly categorized into four main topics:  Fees  Administration  Investments  Cybersecurity  Each of these topics requires meticulous attention and ...
Read more

Executive disability income protection program: C-suite FAQ

Implementing a comprehensive risk management strategy is imperative for C-level executives and senior management at HANYS member hospitals. One critical, but often overlooked component, is the executive disability income protection program. But what exactly is this program and why is it vital for high-income earners?   With increasing interest in executive disability income protection programs from C-suite executives, TruePlan Benefit and Retirement Advisors interviewed Bernard A. Gleeson, Director, Employee Benefit Services, on Executive disability income protection programs FAQs.  What is an executive disability income protection program?  An executive disability income protection program (EDIPP) is a specialized form of disability insurance designed to supplement existing group disability plans offered by employers. These individual plans provide additional coverage beyond the typical monthly maximum benefit cap found in traditional employer-based offerings. By ov...
Read more