S&P 500 Closes Strongest Quarter in a Decade

Stocks ended a volatile month with mixed results, with the S&P 500 index registering a 1.8% gain in March, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average, NASDAQ, and Russell 2000 closed the month with 0%, 2.6%, and -2.3% returns, respectively. It was the strongest quarter for the S&P 500 since the second quarter of 2009.

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​During the month, markets were affected by increasing concerns of a slowing global economy, and recession fears escalated when the spread between 10-year and 3-month Treasuries inverted for the first time since 2007. These events were partially offset by strong earnings among notable companies, heavy investor interest in the Levi and Lyft initial public offerings, and hope for a trade deal between the US and China towards the end of the month. 

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