Investors and money managers alike were happy to say goodbye to 2015 as the S&P 500 closed the year on the downside for the first time since 2008. So far, 2016 has not fared better in its first week with global markets suffering.
There is much uncertainty and bad news out there to justify the negative sentiment:
- Oil continues its slide which many believe is a telling sign of a global slowdown
- There is fear of a slowdown in China and such has seen its stock market halt a few times due to mass selling
- The US Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the first time since June 2006 and has hinted at 3 or 4 more in 2016
- North Korea has an H bomb (ok, probably not)