From Equity Research
Equity markets finished strongly in 2021 overcoming concerns on multiple fronts providing a third year of gains for investors with the S&P 500® index up over 27% for the year. Year-end market enthusiasm reflected ongoing effects from stimulative policies as well as optimism that 2022 may prove to be a turning point for the pandemic. During December, equities added to gains for the year while the VIX Index or “fear gauge” declined as the new year approached. For the full month, all three major equity indexes increased with the Dow Jones Industrial Average up 5.4%, the S&P 500® index up 4.4%, and the smaller cap weighted Russell 2000® increasing 2.1%.