How did the stock market do last week (August 22-26, 2016)?
Last week, August 22-26, 2016, was a rough week for the stock market and all indexes, including bonds. All stock market indexes ended the week down and the Fed’s speech from Jackson Hole, Wyoming hinted at raising rates sooner than market expectations. Next week the August jobs report will be released, which should impact the Federal Reserve’s looming rate decision.
Last Week’s Stock and Bond Index Performance (August 22-26, 2016)
- NASDAQ -0.4% (YTD 4.2%)
- Dow Jones Industrial Average -0.8% (YTD 5.6%)
- S&P 500 Index -0.7% (YTD 6.1%)
- U.S. Aggregate Bond Index -0.1% (YTD 5.4%)
How did my retirement portfolio perform last week (August 22-26, 2016)?
Below is a snapshot of my three biggest retirement portfolio movers in terms of percentage lost last week. Everything in my portfolio was down!
The below funds are held within my work 401(k) plan as well as two separate Roth IRA plans. All accounts are held with Vanguard.
- Vanguard REIT Index Fund (VGSLX) -0.9%
- Vanguard Target Retirement Fund 2040 (VFORX) -0.6%
- Vanguard Small-Cap Value Index Fund (VSIAX) -0.3%
Year-to-date my retirement portfolio is up 8.6%. I am my own portfolio manager. I don’t have help from a certified financial planner. I was a liberal arts major and I do all my own research on investing. My philosophy is to use low-cost index funds and its been working for me for a decade.