GARDNER BROWN ASSOCIATES, INC.
BIO
Louis A. Gardner, President of Gardner Brown Associates Inc., has been in the Financial Services industry for over 30 years. Over the span of his career he has served as an Executive with three major insurance carriers.
Gardner Brown & Associates, Inc was started in 2008 with the objective to allow our firm to work directly with individual and corporate clients in the vast area of financial advisement.
Louis has been named one of the nation's Best Advisors by Medical Economics due to his vast knowledge and expertise in the area of financial advisement. Gardner Brown Associates is able to assist corporate clients in devising executive, core and voluntary benefits and individual clients in all areas of financial matters.
From tackling personal decisions to reaching important milestones, Gardner Brown Associates, Inc. guides you on the path to financial success. As a professional financial planning firm, Gardner Brown Associates, Inc. guarantees optimal results based on your specific needs. We are fueled by our commitment to excellence and go the extra mile to make sure our clients are fully satisfied with the services provided. Get in touch with us today for a free financial advisement consultation.
Securities offered through Lion Street Financial, LLC, member FINRA, SIPC. Investment advisory products and services offered through Lion Street Advisors, LLC, an investment advisor registered with the SEC. Lion Street Financial, LLC and Lion Street Advisors, LLC are affiliated companies but neither is affiliated with Gardner Brown and Associates. Neither of these companies provide tax or legal advice. Representatives may transact business, which includes offering products and services and/or responding to inquiries, only in state(s) in which they are properly registered and/or licensed.
Check the background of this investment professional on FINRA's BrokerCheck.
CONTACT ME
(949) 375-2008 (Tel)
BUSINESS HOURS
Mon - Fri: 7am - 6pm (PST)
Saturday & Sunday: By appointment only
THE MONTH IN BRIEF
Stock prices surged in August as investors cheered positive news of a potential COVID-19 treatment and welcomed a month-long succession of upbeat economic data.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 7.57 percent, the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index climbed 7.01 percent, and the Nasdaq Composite soared 9.59 percent. 1
DOMESTIC ECONOMIC HEALTH
U.S. Markets
Stock prices surged in August as investors cheered positive news of a potential COVID-19 treatment and welcomed a month-long succession of upbeat economic data.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 7.57 percent, the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index climbed 7.01 percent, and the Nasdaq Composite soared 9.59 percent. 1
Solid Foundation
The month’s foundation was set by a series of strong economic reports, including an increase in manufacturing activity, better-than-anticipated factory orders, and a lessening of new jobless claims. 2,3,4
Notching Highs
The S&P 500 index finally broke through resistance, ending the third week of August at a record high and completing the fastest bear market recovery in history. The Nasdaq Composite, having set multiple record highs during the same week, also ended the month at a record high. 5,6
Strong Close to the Month
The final full week of trading was remarkable. Investors were encouraged by news of a potential COVID-19 treatment and a report suggesting U.S. and China negotiators had met to discuss trade issues. Stocks pushed higher still following announcement of the Fed’s inflation policy shift, suggesting that interest rates may remain low for longer than expected.
Sector Scorecard
The majority of industry sectors closed higher in August, with gains in Communication Services (+12.02 percent), Consumer Discretionary (+11.48 percent), Consumer Staples (+4.95 percent), Financials (+5.62 percent), Health Care (+2.11 percent), Industrials (+9.98 percent), Materials (+4.89 percent), Real Estate (+1.81 percent), and Technology (+16.62 percent). Energy (-1.27 percent) and Utilities (-2.28 percent) lost ground. 7
What Investors May Be Talking About in September
The election season is moving into high gear as November draws near. Will uncertainty about the elections be reflected in the stock market?
Since 1992, the S&P 500 has lost an average of 2 percent in the three months leading up to the presidential election but has been higher 43 percent of the time. 8
Keep in mind that the 2 percent average includes the 20 percent drop prior to the 2008 election that was the result of the ongoing credit crisis. 9
While past performance is no guarantee of future results, the lesson may be evident: Prepare for some short-term volatility, without losing sight of your overall investment strategy.
WORLD MARKETS
World Markets
Markets overseas generally trended higher with the MSCI-EAFE Index rising 4.98 percent in August. 10
European markets rose in hopes of a COVID-19 vaccine and another round of economic stimulus. Major markets ended higher, with France gaining 3.42 percent and Germany advancing 5.13 percent. The U.K. lagged a bit, tacking on just 0.70 percent. 11
Pacific Rim stocks turned higher, with Australia picking up 2.24 percent and Hong Kong climbing 2.37 percent. Japan had a strong showing, adding 6.59 percent. 12
Indicators
Gross Domestic Product: Second-quarter GDP contraction was revised from 32.9 percent to 31.7 percent. 13
Employment: The labor market continued to improve, albeit at a slower pace. Employers added 1.8 million jobs in July, and the unemployment rate fell to 10.2 percent. 14
Retail Sales: Consumer spending rose a lower-than-expected 1.2 percent in July. Slower sales of electronics and appliances were offset by an increase in restaurant and bar sales. 15
Industrial Production: Output by the nation’s manufacturers, miners, and utilities rose 3.0 percent. To put that number in perspective, industrial production hit 8.4 percent in February. 16
Housing: Housing starts surged in July, increasing by 22.6 percent. 17
Existing home sales soared 24.7 percent, representing the biggest monthly gain since 1968, when tracking of existing home sales began. 18
New home sales jumped by 13.9 percent, reaching their highest level in over 13 years. 19
Consumer Price Index: Prices of consumer goods rose 0.6 percent in July, with gasoline prices contributing to the increase. 20
Durable Goods Orders: Orders for products designed to last three years or longer gained 11.3 percent, rising for the third consecutive month, as defense aircraft and motor vehicle orders led the way. 21
MONTHLY TIP
“You’ve got to get up every morning with determination if you are going to go to bed with satisfaction . ”
GEORGE LORIMER