The S&P 500 returned 6.2% for the first quarter of 2021. In a continuation from the fourth quarter of 2020, smaller capitalization stocks in the U.S. did significantly better with the Russell 2000 returning 12.7% over the same period. International stocks also fared well with the MSCI ACWI Ex USA index up 3.8%. After a strong start compared to developed markets, emerging market stocks started to pull back midway through the quarter as higher interest rates in the U.S. negatively impacted prospects for emerging economies.
Read more »