A Crowded Summit Major asset classes are near record levels following a rewarding first half for investors.   Source: Interactive Data Corporation It’s the Economy Continuing progress has occurred despite controversies here at home and abroad, and this has surprised many commentators. However, there is precedent for such market resilience. It all depends on the…

Rising Markets The first quarter was rewarding for investors. U.S. and foreign equity markets performed well and bonds also provided positive returns. Bartlett’s economic and market outlook has been positive in recent times, but we must admit to being pleasantly surprised by such a vigorous start to the year. ECONOMIC PROGRESS Higher stock prices paralleled…

From Scary to Satisfying We reflect on 2016 with gratitude for good stock market performance and an economy that improved steadily after a poor first quarter. This progress defied so many skeptics. However, it’s also important to remember the start of the year. At the low on February 11, we had the worst year-opening selloff…

Defying the Skeptics U.S. and foreign equity markets performed well during the third quarter. Stocks were buoyed by modest economic growth, tame inflation, and low long-term interest rates. Bonds also delivered positive returns. This progress put major investment benchmarks in positive territory for the year-to-date, as detailed below. We are very pleased by this progress…

1st Half Review Julian Fellowes, mastermind of the hit series Downton Abbey, could not have written a more compelling script for financial markets in the first half of 2016. Investors watched episodes of panic and anxiety, scenes of disorder and chaos, installments of resilience and recovery, and were left in suspense as to what may…