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F E A T U R E D
A R T I C L E
2020 Quarter 2 Market Review

In the same way equity markets tumbled quickly in the first quarter, we saw a rapid rebound. US equity markets rallied strongly with a return of 20.5% for the quarter. Despite being the best quarter since 1998 and one of the top 10 quarters in history, year-to-date returns were still in negative territory at -3.1%.1   

Concentration was the name of the game. Performance of the US equity markets has been concentrated in a few stocks over the past few years – Facebook, Amazon, Netflix, Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet (Google). The performance of these six stocks contributed 5.4% to the S&P 500 return while the remaining 494 stocks contributed -8.4% to the S&P 500 return year to date.2  

A trio of sectors saw returns over 30% for the quarter. Consumer discretionary was the leader of the pack at 32.5% as consumer spending picked up in the second quarter followed by energy and technology, both seeing returns of 30.5% for the quarter. Year-to-date only two sectors saw positive returns – technology and consumer discretionary – while energy was the worst performing sector, down 35.3% year to date due to the -50.5% return seen in the first quarter.3
Smaller cap stocks turned the tables while value and dividend equities still trailed. After many quarters, smaller caps saw the first quarter of outperformance relative to the larger caps and growth as higher beta stocks rallied. Mid- and small-caps outperformed by 3.5% and 1.4% respectively for the quarter. Large-cap value trailed large-cap growth by 13.1% over the quarter and by 23.5% for the year to date. Similarly, dividend equities with their large exposure to financials, utilities and energy trailed the broad market by around 10% for the quarter and by 18% year to date.4 

Global equities saw their best quarter since 1999 with only one country seeing a negative return for the quarter. Emerging markets fared better than developed markets, benefiting from the rebound in commodity prices but both still trailed the US markets for the quarter and year to date. Only one emerging market country, China, saw a positive return year-to-date at 3.6%.5  

Unlike the equity markets, the US bond market trailed international and emerging market bonds for the quarter. Rebounding strongly, the emerging markets were the strongest region with a return of 10.0% and the developed markets saw a return of 3.4% benefiting from dollar weakness as a result of the unprecedented monetary and fiscal stimulus.6 
US bond markets also saw positive returns across the board. Like equities, sectors that saw the biggest drops in the first quarter rebounded strongly to lead the pack in the second quarter. However, the broad bond index saw a return similar to the first quarter as the weakness seen in Treasuries countered the strength seen in the credit markets.7 

In the US markets credit saw the strongest returns with high-yield at 10.2% and investment grade at 9.0%. While investment-grade credit returns were lifted into positive territory year-to-date at 5.0%, high-yield were still negative at -3.8%.8 

REITS and commodities also saw rebounds in the quarter, 13.2% and 5.1% respectively, but they were not as strong as the higher-beta asset classes. The almost 100% price surge in WTI oil helped lift the energy sector while the steady gains of gold, rising in 5 of the 6 months year to date led to a 17.1% return year-to-date.9 

Asset classes are represented by the following indexes:
1Source: Morningstar, S&P Dow Jones Indices
2Source: FactSet
3Source: Morningstar, S&P Dow Jones Indices
4Ibid.
5Source: Morningstar, S&P Dow Jones Indices
6Source: Morningstar, MSCI
7Source: Morningstar, Bloomberg Barclays Indices
8Ibid.
9Source: Morningstar, FTSE, Bloomberg Barclays Indices

AssetMark, Inc. 1655 Grant Street 10th Floor
Concord, CA 94520-2445
800-664-5345

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
This report is for informational purposes only, and is not a solicitation, and should not be considered as investment or tax advice. The information has been drawn from sources believed to be reliable, but its accuracy is not guaranteed, and is subject to change. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Asset allocation alone cannot eliminate the risk of fluctuating prices and uncertain returns. There is no guarantee that a diversified portfolio will outperform a non-diversified portfolio in any given market environment. No investment strategy, such as asset allocation, can guarantee a profit or protect against a loss. Actual client results will vary based on investment selection, timing, and market conditions. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.AssetMark, Inc. is an investment adviser registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. ©2020 AssetMark, Inc. All rights reserved.
15049 | C20-15780 | 07/2020 | EXP 07/31/2021
U.S. Home Sales Rack Up Record Gain; Tight Supply, COVID-19 seen Slowing Momentum
U.S. home sales increased by the most on record in June, boosted by historically low mortgage rates, but the outlook for the housing market is being clouded by low inventory and high unemployment amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The report from the National Association of Realtors on Wednesday, July 22nd 2020, which also showed house prices rising to an all-time high last month, confirmed a shift toward bigger homes and properties away from urban centers as companies allow employees flexibility to work from home because of the coronavirus.

The upbeat housing market news was overshadowed by a relentless surge in new COVID-19 infections, which has prompted some authorities in the hard hit South and West regions to either shut down businesses again or pause reopenings, threatening the economy’s recovery from the COVID-19 slump.        
“While fundamentals will support some activity, the slow recovery in the economy and labor market will limit the growth in home sales,” said Nancy Vanden Houten, lead U.S. economist at Oxford Economics in New York. “The leveling off in the recovery as new Covid-19 cases surge lends a further downside risk, particularly since hard-hit regions account for the largest shares of home sales.”

Existing home sales jumped 20.7% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.72 million units last month. The percentage gain was the largest since 1968 when the NAR started tracking the series. Sales plunged to a 3.91 million unit pace in May, the lowest level since October 2010.

June’s increase ended three straight months of decreases, though home resales remained 18% below their pre-pandemic level. Economists polled by 
Reuters had forecast sales rebounding 24.5% to a rate of 4.78 million units in June. Existing home sales, which make up about 85% of U.S. home sales, fell 11.3% on a year-on-year basis in June.
The 30-year fixed mortgage rate is at an average of 2.98%, the lowest since 1971, according to data from mortgage finance agency Freddie Mac. Data last week showed homebuilding increased in June by the most in nearly four years. A separate report on Wednesday from the Mortgage Bankers Association showed applications for loans to purchase a home increased 2% last week from a week earlier. 

Stocks on Wall Street were trading higher amid optimism about another round of fiscal stimulus for the economy. The PHLX housing index rose, outperforming the broader stock market. The dollar fell against a basket of currencies. U.S. Treasury prices rose.

Space for Home Offices
Home sales rose surged in all four regions last month. Demand for housing was skewed toward single-family homes, mostly in the suburbs and smaller towns, with people seeking large spaces for home offices and schooling.    
Economists believe the migration to suburbs from city centers could become permanent even if a vaccine is developed for the respiratory illness. A homebuilder survey last week showed strong demand for single-family homes in lower density markets, including small metro areas, rural markets and large metro suburbs.

Single-family home sales advanced 19.9% in June. While multi-family home sales shot up 29.4%, they accounted for only 9% of sales, down from the 12% that is considered the norm for the housing market.

Last month, houses for sale typically stayed on the market for 24 days, down from 26 days in May, and 27 days in June 2019. Sixty-two percent of homes sold in June were on the market for less than a month. Tight supply was causing bidding wars in competitive markets.

First-time buyers accounted for 35% of sales in June, up from 34% in May 2020 and matching the share during the same period in 2019. Individual investors or second-home buyers, who account for many cash sales, bought 9% of homes in June, down from 14% in May. “The resilience of home prices, particularly given the rise in mortgages delinquency rates and increased use of forbearance, has likely pulled many investors to the sidelines,” said Mark Vitner, a senior economist at Wells Fargo Securities in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Title: U.S. home sales rack up record gain; tight supply, COVID-19 seen slowing momentum
Source: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-economy-housing/u-s-existing-home-sales-post-record-increase-in-june-idUSKCN24N22B
© 2020 Reuters. All Rights Reserved.     
Fruity Chia Seed Coconut Popsicles
INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 14 oz can full fat coconut milk
  • 2 tablespoons | 30 ml maple syrup (more or less to taste)
  • 2 tablespoons | 30 ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 3 tablespoons black chia seeds (you can also use white 
  • but won’t get the same speckled effect)
  • 2 cups berries of your choice (I used a mix of sliced strawberries, raspberries and blueberries)

SERVINGS: 10

TIME: 25 Minutes

INSTRUCTIONS:
  1. In a medium sized mixing bowl or jar with a pourable spout, mix together the coconut milk, maple syrup, lemon juice and chia seeds. Whisk together until completely combined. 
  2. Place in the fridge for about 20 minutes to give time for the chia seeds to gel up.
  3. When you’re ready place a few berries at the bottom of the mold. Pour the coconut milk mixture into the mold, filling about 2/3 of the way full. 
  4. Carefully add the rest of your berries to the popsicles mold until the molds are almost full. Add the popsicle sticks, cover and place in the freezer for at least 6 hours or until completely frozen.
Sources: https://www.asaucykitchen.com/fruit-chia-seed-coconut-popsicles/, Produceforkids.com
Scroll down past picture for answers.
Source: http://www.printmysudoku.com
Householder Group Estate and Retirement Specialists LLC. advisors are Registered Representatives with and securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Householder Group Estate and Retirement Specialists LLC., a Registered Investment Advisor and separate entity from LPL Financial.