Financial markets at a glance

FINANCIAL MARKETS AT A GLANCE

MARCH 31, 2021 Canadian and U.S. equity sectors were generally positive this month. Short-term and global bonds outperformed, amongst a backdrop of rising yields. Here are the financial markets at a glance.  Download the PDF

	CANADIAN EQUITIES		US EQUITIES
	Sector 9 of the 11 Canadian equity sectors ended the month in positive territory.		Sector Each of the 11 U.S. equity sectors ended the month in positive territory.
	Consumer Staples Financials Communication Services 10.1%  9.8%  6.7%  Materials Healthcare Information Technology 1.0%  -2.2%  -2.7%		Utilities Industrials 10.5% 8.9%  Energy Information Technology 2.8% 1.7%
	Company size Small and medium-sized companies outperformed large corporations.		Company size Small and medium-sized companies outperformed large corporations.
	Small & Medium Businesses Large Corporations		Small & Medium Businesses Large Corporations
	What’s working/What’s not working From a style perspective, dividends, value and low volatility outperformed the broader S&P/TSX Composite Index. Growth and momentum were the weakest performing factors.		What’s working/What’s not working High dividends, value and low volatility were the best performing styles/factors, outperforming the S&P 500 index. Growth and momentum were the weakest performing factors.

	GLOBAL EQUITIES		FIXED INCOME
	Regional   Company size Global small companies outperformed large corporations. Small Businesses Large Corporations What’s working/What’s not working High dividend, value and low volatility outperformed the MSCI World Index. Momentum, Growth and small/mid were positive, but trailed the broader equity market.		Short-term and global active bonds were the strongest relative performers. Short-term and Global Active Bonds Short-term bonds outperformed long-term bonds and corporates outpaced governments. Short-term Bonds Long-term Bonds Corporate Government Bond yields continued to move higher in the month. Yield on the Canada 3-year rose from 0.40% to 0.49%, Canada 5-year rose from 0.88% to 0.99%, Canada 10-year rose from 1.35% to 1.55%, Canada long bond rose from 1.76% to 1.97%

Source: Morningstar Direct, as of March 31, 2021

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May 2021

POSTED BY EMPIRE LIFE INVESTMENTS