World Markets Review for First Quarter 2019 | Capital Group

World Markets Review

April 2019

World Markets Review for First Quarter 2019

Global stocks rallied on signs of progress in U.S.-China trade negotiations and clear indications that the U.S. Federal Reserve has placed its interest rate-hiking plans on hold. Easing monetary policy in Europe and China also helped to boost markets as central bankers around the world acknowledged the impact of slowing global economic growth.

Technology stocks led markets higher amid the strongest first-quarter rally in more than two decades. Economically sensitive sectors, including energy and industrials, advanced sharply as investors reset expectations for interest rates and the global trade environment. All sectors rose, but financials and health care stocks lagged the overall market.

Equity Index Returns (%)

March 2019

1Q 2019

YTD 2018

U.S.

dollar

Local

currency

U.S.

dollar

Local

currency

U.S.

dollar

Local

currency

S&P 500

1.9

1.9

13.6

13.6

–4.4

–4.4

MSCI ACWI

1.3

1.6

12.2

12.3

–9.4

–7.7

MSCI ACWI ex USA

0.6

1.3

10.3

10.5

–14.2

–10.6

MSCI World

1.3

1.6

12.5

12.6

–8.7

–7.4

MSCI Emerging Markets IMI

0.9

1.4

9.7

9.6

–15.0

–10.5

MSCI EAFE

0.6

1.3

10.0

10.6

–13.8

–11.0

MSCI Europe

0.6

2.0

10.8

11.6

–14.9

–10.6

MSCI Pacific

0.7

0.3

8.5

9.0

–12.0

–11.7


Source: RIMES

You might also like: World Markets Review for February 2019

Related Topics

Investments are not FDIC-insured, nor are they deposits of or guaranteed by a bank or any other entity, so they may lose value.

Investors should carefully consider investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. This and other important information is contained in the mutual fund prospectuses and summary prospectuses, which can be obtained from a financial professional, and should be read carefully before investing. Similar information about collective investment trusts can be obtained from Capital Group or participants’ plan provider or employer. 

Statements attributed to an individual represent the opinions of that individual as of the date published and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Capital Group or its affiliates. This information is intended to highlight issues and should not be considered advice, an endorsement or a recommendation. 

This content, developed by Capital Group, home of American Funds, should not be used as a primary basis for investment decisions and is not intended to serve as impartial investment or fiduciary advice.

Terms and Definitions
MSCI All Country World ex USA Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure equity market results in the global developed and emerging markets, excluding the United States. The index consists of more than 40 developed and emerging market country indexes. Results reflect dividends gross of withholding taxes. This index is unmanaged, and its results include reinvested dividends and/or distributions but do not reflect the effect of sales charges, commissions, account fees, expenses or U.S. federal income taxes.
MSCI All Country World Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure equity market results in the global developed and emerging markets, consisting of more than 40 developed and emerging market country indexes. Results reflect dividends gross of withholding taxes. This index is unmanaged, and its results include reinvested dividends and/or distributions but do not reflect the effect of sales charges, commissions, account fees, expenses or U.S. federal income taxes.
MSCI EAFE (Europe, Australasia, Far East) Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure developed equity market results, excluding the United States and Canada. Results reflect dividends gross of withholding taxes. This index is unmanaged, and its results include reinvested dividends and/or distributions but do not reflect the effect of sales charges, commissions, account fees, expenses or U.S. federal income taxes.
MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Markets Index measures large, mid and small-cap segments, covering approximately 99% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization of more than 20 emerging equity markets.
MSCI Europe Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure results of more than 10 developed equity markets in Europe. Results reflect dividends net of withholding taxes. This index is unmanaged, and its results include reinvested dividends and/or distributions but do not reflect the effect of sales charges, commissions, account fees, expenses or U.S. federal income taxes.
MSCI Pacific Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization- weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market results across 5 Developed Markets countries in the Pacific region.
MSCI World Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure equity market results of developed markets. The index consists of more than 20 developed market country indexes, including the United States. Results reflect dividends gross of withholding taxes. This index is unmanaged, and its results include reinvested dividends and/or distributions but do not reflect the effect of sales charges, commissions, account fees, expenses or U.S. federal income taxes.
S&P 500 Index is a market capitalization-weighted index based on the results of approximately 500 widely held common stocks. This index is unmanaged, and its results include reinvested dividends and/or distributions but do not reflect the effect of sales charges, commissions, account fees, expenses or U.S. federal income taxes.
Closex