The Markets (as of market close January 31, 2015)
(Un)Happy New Year: Fresh uncertainties in Europe, slowing economic growth, anticipation of a looming Federal Reserve rate hike, and a stronger dollar all contributed to a volatile month for equities. The losses weren’t good news for believers in the January Effect (the idea that equities’ behavior in January suggests what might happen during the rest of the year). However, it might also be useful to remember that the S&P 500 lost 3.6% last January but ended 2014 up 11.4%.
Click here to read the rest of this market summary, Market Month: January 2015.