First-Quarter 2017 Market Gains Show March Ended Like a Lamb

The U.S. stock market in March finished like a proverbial lamb and leaves uncertainty about whether the pro-growth agenda of U.S. President Donald Trump actually will deliver the economic lift investors have been expecting.

U.S. stocks didn’t rise much in March, in contrast to their rally in January and February.But stocks elsewhere showed strong gains in March.

As talk of President Trump’s possible border tax waned, at least for the short term, international stocks rose. In fact, overseas stocks ended the first quarter of 2016 with higher returns than U.S. stocks.

The S&P 500 returned only 0.10% during March 2016, even though it jumped 6.03% for the first quarter. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.61% for March but still notched a 5.14% return during the quarter. The Russell 2000 inched up just 0.14% for March and only 2.48% for the quarter.

Bob Carlson, the editor of Retirement Watch, pointed to the All-Country World Index rising 1.23% for March and soaring 6.84% for the first quarter of 2016. In addition, emerging market stocks jumped 2.49% in March and 11.31% for the full quarter, he added.

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Paul Dykewicz is the editorial director of Eagle Financial Publications, editor of StockInvestor.com and DividendInvestor, a columnist for Townhall and Townhall Finance, a commentator and the author of an inspirational book, “Holy Smokes! Golden Guidance from Notre Dame’s Championship Chaplain,” with a Foreword by legendary football coach Lou Holtz. Visit Paul’s website at www.holysmokesbook.com and follow him on Twitter @PaulDykewicz.

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