First Quarter 2019 Financial Review

Happy Spring!  Welcome to your quarterly summary of salient points about markets, the economy, and your accounts.  Our goal is to provide you with a concise performance report to reflect the activity in your accounts at TD Ameritrade as well as your outside investments.

That’s more like it!

What a relief… Domestic stocks finished their best quarter in nearly a decade.  Several clouds hanging over the financial markets at the end of a terrible Q4 of 2018 cleared up to prompt a strong rebound for stock and bonds.  The S&P 500 closed at 2,834.40, up 0.7% on the day and up 13.1% for the first quarter of 2019.  It marked the strongest quarter for the benchmark stock index since the second quarter of 2009, when stocks were recovering in the wake of a global financial crisis that led to the Great Recession.  It was also the best first quarter for the index since 1998.  With the strong quarterly performance, most market indices are within a few percentages of an all-time high.  Although this feels much better, it causes me to pause and ask the question: how much more can markets rise?

Rebalancing to Reduce Risk and Taking Gains in 2019

As I stated at my Market Forecast in January, I concluded that many of the issues that led to the selloff in the fourth quarter of 2018 were overstated or would resolve themselves.  Recession fears have subsided, China trade talks are progressing, and the Federal Reserve is pausing on raising interest rates.  I remain positive about 2019, but after a 13% gain I expect the rest of the year to be more volatile yet mostly flat.  Now is a good time to reassess your overall allocation and make the necessary changes to reduce risk.  In some cases, this may trigger capital gains – a necessary consequence of mitigating risk and managing for the long term.  We look forward to reviewing the appropriate allocation, liquidity, and risk to accomplish your financial goals.

We will keep our emotions in check and keep your best interest in mind!

We pledge to continuously monitor market developments and, as always, do what is in your best interest.  Please contact us if you have any questions.  Have a great Spring and thank you for your continued confidence!

Sincerely,

JAMES T. ELIOS, MBA, CHFC®, CLU®  | President & CEO | Wealth Advisor

A 30700 Center Ridge Rd., Westlake, OH 44145

P 440.617.9100          E jim@eliosfinancial.com

W www.eliosfinancial.com

Advisory services offered through Elios Financial Group, Inc. a Securities Exchange Commission Registered Investment Advisor (RIA). Securities offered through Private Client Services, Member FINRA/SIPC. Elios Financial Group and Private Client Services are unaffiliated entities.