March saw continued volatility, in a year that so far has rotated back and forth between negative and positive returns across the major market indices.  While February had erased the January losses, March just like the winter lion that has gripped much of the country became a winter bear, taking back much of February's bounce back. 

Two of the major month's stories revolved around: 

1. Strong dollar weighs especially heavy on large-caps

2.  Fed decision and Janet Yellen's press conference  

The Fed removed the word "patient" and are setting the stage for slight rate increase before year end.  They are conflicted because while jobs look good and people are spending money aided by the extra money they are saving on gas, housing still looks weak, the stronger dollar is hurting exports, and there is still no inflation.  The Fed continues it's agonizing choice of words in terms of the language used, in apparent fear of causing a "temper tantrum" in the markets.  A return to a more normal level of interest rates would be very helpful for the Fed to have as a tool to fight the next recession, whenever it comes.