The first quarter of 2017 saw a marked rise in investor optimism as expectations of an improving economy drove U.S. markets higher.  The sectors most impacted by an increase in U.S. regulations and a decrease in fiscal spending over the last eight years—financials, industrials, and materials—were the equity market rally leaders following the November U.S. Presidential election. Riggs’ clients were well-positioned for this rally.  Not surprisingly, after such a quick run up in the U.S. equity markets, the markets are …

Our clients and friends are used to receiving Investment Market Reports from the Riggs’ Team.  This week we thought we would mix it up a bit and give you a sense of what the Riggs’ Team has been up to the last month or so.

In early October, Chief Compliance Officer, Susan Shoemaker, along with our Regulatory Attorney, Thomas Giachetti, Esquire conducted an onsite review of our compliance policies and procedures.  As a best practice, the Firm conducts a periodic …

As the U.S. and the rest of the world woke up this morning, we witnessed a changing of the guard in Washington. This election was much like the Brexit vote, the pundits and prognosticators never saw it coming.

The last time we saw an election outcome like this was in 1948 when President Truman defeated Thomas Dewey.

While that will no doubt be the discussion for talking heads on TV, Facebook, and Twitter, our discussion today is what does this …

With the U.S. Presidential Election less than a week away, we have received several phone calls asking what happens to the stock market, if “Fill in the Name” is elected President.  We thought we would share our thoughts on some of the likely outcomes.

It appears there are three likely outcomes (in no particular order):

• A Democratic President and a Republican Congress
• A Democratic President and a Split Congress
• A Republican President and a Republican Congress

In …

On June 24^th, we sent out an Investor Alert to clients and friends regarding the Brexit vote.  We noted at that time:

In a historic referendum, last night British citizens voted to leave the European Union.  While there were many reasons for the “leave” vote from a rise in nationalism, frustration with the political elite, and economic policies that seemed to have little to no benefit to the populous, the outcome remains the same—the European Union continues to …

The volatility we saw in 2015 has continued into 2016 driven by commodity prices, negative interest rates in Europe and Japan, concerns over China, and a concern that the global economic slowdown could spread to the U.S. economy. Layer on to those concerns the ramping up of Presidential election rhetoric and it is not surprising that volatility in the investment markets continues.

During this period, we have maintained strong cash positions and are taking advantage of bargains as they present …

2015 was a disappointing year for most investors.  With the stock, bond and commodities markets all down for the year, investors had few opportunities to make money.  Perhaps the best description of 2015 was that this past year was like taking a ride on a roller coaster – lots of action little progress.

The chart to the right shows the S&P 500 Index Cap-Weighted (black line) and the S&P 500 Index Equally-Weighted (red line). The fact that both were …

As investors, being patient with the markets is sometimes the hardest part of our job.  Since the beginning of the year, we noted the increase in volatility in the U.S. stock market.  Earlier in the year we began to raise cash in your portfolios as a hedge against a possible market correction.  The good news and the bad news is our concerns were warranted and a market correction did occur.  Typically, during a market correction you will get a bit …

Our theme for 2015 for both the equity market and the bond market has been rising volatility and we have certainly seen that play out as the year progressed. As markets have swung up or down depending on that days headline, whether it is apprehension of a Euro crisis driven by a Greek exit or an improving jobs report here in the US that raises concern of inflation, market volatility is becoming a concern.

The major US equity indices ended …

As we discussed in our January Riggs Report, Volatility But Higher, we expected to see increased volatility in both the equity and fixed income markets in 2015. So far, the year is playing out as we expected. We have seen a slowdown in U.S. economic growth and in the earnings growth for U.S. companies. As a result, the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average indices ended the quarter flat to down. The bond market has moved up and down …