Knowledge Center

U.S. Economy and Markets: Domestic equity markets were positive in May, as the Wilshire 5000 Total Market Index^SM returned 1.30% and the S&P 500 Index returned 1.29%.

U.S. Economy and Markets: Domestic equity markets were positive in April, as the Wilshire 5000 Total Market Index^SM returned 0.54% and the S&P 500 Index returned 0.96%.

Economic Highlights: Real GDP finished the year on an underwhelming but positive note, expanding at an annual rate of 2.2% during the fourth quarter. Economic growth for all of 2014 was 2.4% despite a contraction during the first quarter. Consumer spending drove growth during the fourth quarter, reflecting improvement in employment conditions and lower gas prices.

MARCH 17, 2015 (4:22)—Wilshire Funds Management President Jason Schwarz on giving individual investors access to liquid alternatives.

U.S. Economy and Markets: Domestic equity markets were positive in February, as the Wilshire 5000 Total Market Index^SM returned 5.70% and the S&P 500 Index returned 5.75%.

The Wilshire Total Allocation Portfolios take alternative investing to the next logical step—creating six risk-based strategic models that combine long only asset classes (stocks and bonds) with alternatives. The Wilshire Total Allocation Portfolios give financial advisors the tools necessary to confidently invest client assets in alternatives while maintaining the client’s established asset allocation strategy.

Key components of successful long-term investing include setting a risk-appropriate, diversified asset allocation policy, resisting the temptation to look at your balance every day, and not chasing performance. Many investors may start with the right mix of stocks and bonds, but will fail to monitor and manage their exposures over time.

U.S. Economy and Markets: Domestic equity markets were negative in January, as the Wilshire 5000 Total Market Index^SM returned -2.77% and the S&P 500 Index returned -3.00%. Market volatility increased in January, with the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) ending the month at 20.97.

At the end of 2013, the Federal Reserve announced plans to taper its bond-buying program, a decision based largely upon positive economic data and steadily improving employment figures. Throughout 2014, the U.S. economy continued to gain momentum and the Federal Reserve incrementally reduced its asset purchases by $10 billion at each Federal Open Market Committee meeting.

Webinar Replay: 2014 Year In Review & 2015 Outlook: A Q&A with Wilshire Funds Management CIO Cleo Chang.