Sit Investment Associates provides quality investment management expertise in domestic and international growth equities and fixed income. Investment management services are offered across four channels: Separate Accounts, Private Investment Funds, Collective Investment Funds, and Mutual Funds. We take pride in serving as a true extension of our clients’ operations, providing highly individualized service in an increasingly challenging economic and financial environment.
We view investing as the practice of applying a consistent philosophy and decision-making process over meaningful time periods. In fact, the firm’s success is built on long-term client relationships, which in turn are built on a foundation of trust, commitment, understanding, and expertise.
The firm is owned by its seasoned investment professionals, who work hands-on in every aspect of the investment process and client service. We are 100 percent committed to achieving clients’ investment objectives, because our clients’ success results in our success.
Market Commentary
July 9, 2021
U.S. real GDP is on pace to expand +6.5 percent in 2021, its highest annual growth rate since 1984, as the economy rebounds and achieves new heights. We estimate real GDP will increase +10 percent in the June quarter but moderate in subsequent quarters as comparisons become more challenging. We believe above-trendline growth will persist through at least 2022, supported by pent-up demand, employment gains, inventory restocking, fixed investment, and favorable government policies.
The S&P 500 Index posted its second best first-half gain since 1998, producing a total return of +15.3 percent for the first six months of 2021 (vs +18.5 percent in 2019 and +17.7 percent in 1998). Against a stable price-to-earnings multiple, rising earnings projections drove all the S&P 500’s first-half performance. Over 85 percent of S&P 500 constituents beat the consensus EPS expectation for the March quarter, the largest percentage in at least the past two decades.
The U.S. economy is booming, confidence is rebounding, government policies are stimulating, leading indicators are rising, and interest rates are near record lows – can it get much better? Probably not. At least not from a rate of change perspective. The economic expansion may be far from over, but momentum is probably peaking, at least for perhaps the next 12-24 months (depending on when the next economic catalysts emerge). Even though decelerating economic growth does not signal an end to the equity bull market, it typically denotes an inflection point in sector and style performance.
For our latest full Global Investment Outlook & Strategy Update, download the .pdf document.
