Q1 Market Commentary: A Look Back & Ahead
MODERNIST’S ASSET CLASS INVESTING PORTFOLIOS ARE STRATEGICALLY INVESTED WITH A FOCUS ON LONG-TERM PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES. PORTFOLIO ALLOCATIONS AND INVESTMENTS ARE NOT ADJUSTED IN RESPONSE TO MARKET NEWS OR ECONOMIC EVENTS; HOWEVER, OUR INVESTMENT COMMITTEE EVALUATES AND REPORTS ON MARKET AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS TO PROVIDE OUR INVESTORS WITH PERSPECTIVE AND TO PUT PORTFOLIO PERFORMANCE IN PROPER CONTEXT.
As evidence-based investors, we use an approach fueled by data with over 50 years of research, rooted in diversification, and tax conscious investment options. Time has proven the value of investing. While these quarterly market reviews are helpful for staying informed, we also love to remind our clients and community: focus on what you can control, remember the big picture, and stick to your plan.
market snapshot
Global equity markets were once again mixed in the first quarter with U.S. markets falling while international stocks rose sharply. Small value lagged over the quarter both domestically and internationally, with U.S. small value stocks underperforming the broad U.S. market by 3.0% and international small value trailing broad international markets by 0.4%.
Fixed income returns in the U.S. were strongly positive in the first quarter as rates fell over the quarter. The decrease in rates was driven by mounting concerns over an economic slowdown fueled by escalating trade tensions.
Economic Spotlight: U.S. Tariffs—A Shock to the System?
Policy changes often have a domino effect on the economy. For example, if the government lays off workers, unemployment can rise, leading to lower consumer spending and slower economic growth. Similarly, tariffs may drive up prices consumers pay for imported goods, increasing demand for domestic products and potentially contributing to inflation. The overall impact depends on the significance and duration of these changes.
Apollo Global Management used a model similar to the Federal Reserve's model of the U.S. economy to assess the potential effects of tariffs and DOGE policies on GDP and inflation. Their projections show GDP could drop about 0.5% over the coming quarters, while inflation could rise slightly by 0.2%.
In other words, these factors are expected to cause a small and temporary economic slowdown—pushing prices up a little and slowing growth. However, the impact is not expected to be strong enough to cause a recession, depending on the approach of the current administration, especially it’s continued “uncertainty” impact on business decision-making.
slower growth expected amid shifting trade policies
Main Takeaway
The U.S. economy shows early signs of slowing in 2025 as uncertain trade policy rattled markets in the first quarter and into early April. As of April 3, the Atlanta Fed projected a 2.8% contraction for the first quarter, driven by slower consumer spending and a surge in imports ahead of tariffs.
Top Risks
The risk of a broader trade war has escalated with the Trump administration's early April announcement of new tariffs, which triggered swift and negative responses from the market and U.S. trade partners. Consumer spending has slowed, consumer confidence has declined, and small business uncertainty is nearing its highest levels since the 1970s.
Sources of Stability
The consensus odds of a recession remain low at around 35%. Some challenges that slowed economic growth in the first quarter, like poor weather and a spike in imports ahead of potential tariffs, are unlikely to happen again in the second quarter. While the tariffs in particular raised uncertainty, it is anticipated this will most likely cause a temporary slowdown.
KEY ECONOMIC INDICATORS: AREAS TO WATCH
U.S. Economic Growth
The U.S. economy grew at an annualized rate of 2.4% (1) in Q4, but early signs of slowing have emerged this year. As of April 3, the Atlanta Fed projected a 2.8% contraction (2) in real GDP for Q1. This reversal is largely driven by an 11.9% surge in U.S. imports (3)— the second-largest monthly increase since 1992—coupled with weaker-than-expected ISM manufacturing data.
Inflation Trajectory
Inflation remains above the Fed's 2% target, but recent data offers some encouraging signs. In February, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose just 0.2% (4, bringing the annual inflation rate down to 2.8% from 2.9% in December. Shelter costs, the biggest driver of inflation, climbed 4.2%, their slowest pace since December 2021. However, the inflation outlook remains highly uncertain, as future tariff policies add another layer of unpredictability.
Monetary Policy
The Fed has held the federal funds target rate steady at 4.25%–4.50% following both its January and March meetings. At the March meeting, Chair Powell emphasized elevated uncertainty around the future path of interest rates, largely stemming from the new administration’s evolving trade, immigration, and fiscal policies.
Fiscal Policy
Projections from the Congressional Budget Office’s (CBO) latest Budget and Economic Outlook underscore the urgency posed by rising national debt. Over the next decade, federal spending is expected to average 24% of GDP, while revenues will lag at just 18% of GDP. These projections assume the scheduled expiration of key provisions in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) at the end of 2025. If those tax cuts are extended without offsetting measures, deficits could widen further. (5) However, the Trump administration aims to reduce the deficit to 3% of GDP by 2028. (6)
Labor Market
The latest labor market data would suggest a stable job market, with 151,000 jobs added in February and unemployment edging up to 4.1%. (1) January’s JOLTS report showed job openings rising to 7.7 million (2), maintaining a 1.1-to-1 ratio of openings to workers, while hires and layoffs remained steady. However, a report from Challenger, Gray & Christmas revealed planned job cuts surged 245% (3) to 172,017 in February, the highest since July 2020.
Consumer spending
Consumer spending slowed from its Q4 pace, signaling headwinds for the economy. The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index dropped by 7.2 points to 92.94, the fourth straight monthly decline. The Expectations Index, which gauges consumers’ short-term outlook on income, business, and labor market conditions, plummeted to 65.2—well below the critical recession-signaling threshold of 80.
Global Economy
Global economic growth remained sluggish in the fourth quarter with the euro area and U.K. posting negligible GDP gains of 0.0% (5) and 0.1% (5), respectively, while Japan fared only slightly better, expanding 0.6% (5). Consensus estimates for a global recession in 2025 have inched higher in Q1 but remain relatively low, holding at 35% or less for the U.S., U.K., and Europe.
Yield Curve
The fixed income markets reversed their Q4 trend as Treasury yields declined across the curve in Q1. Yields on the 2-year, 5-year, 10-year, and 30-year Treasuries fell by 0.36%, 0.42%, 0.35%, and 0.19%, respectively. The Treasury curve steepened ever so slightly, with the 2-year/10-year spread widening by 0.01% to 0.34%. Rates moved lower amid mounting concerns over an economic slowdown fueled by escalating trade tensions.
Thanks to our reliance on long-term evidence-based investing principals, we know that short term data is too noisy to determine our investing choices. Yet, we always like to offer our review of markets because we believe this information should be accessible to all!
Investment Planning Implications
Where do markets go from here?
The not-so-magnificent 7. The once-shining stars of the market, known as the “Magnificent 7,” have dimmed in 2025, with every member under water through the first quarter. At the end of Q1, the group averaged a disappointing -15.7% year-to-date return, lagging a significant 11.0% behind the broader Russell 3000 index.
International is back. After years of underperformance, international markets are making a strong comeback in 2025. Through March 31, international developed stocks, as measured by the MSCI World ex-USA IMI Index, have posted impressive gains of 5.8%, outpacing the Russell 3000 Index by a robust 10.5% margin. With more modest valuations across international markets, we believe this rally could have the legs to sustain itself over the long term.
Interest rate uncertainty persists. The outlook for interest rates remains uncertain following the latest Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting. While the updated Fed dot plot continues to project two additional rate cuts in 2025, Chair Powell emphasized during his press conference that major policy shifts under the new administration will take time to fully materialize. As a result, the Fed is positioned to remain patient and wait for greater clarity before making further moves.
What are the investment planning implications?
Stay the course. The sharp sell-off in early April triggered by worse-than-anticipated tariff announcements reminds us that volatility is not only common, but often sudden. Investors who react to headlines risk missing the longer-term recovery that historically follows such pullbacks.
Expect volatility. Uncertain tariff policies have fueled a large increase in stock market volatility. Over the past 45 years, the S&P 500 has experienced an average intra-year decline of -14%. Yet, despite these dips, the index still posted positive annual returns in 34 of those years. In our view, the biggest risk to long-term financial plans is overreacting to short-term volatility.
Explore all of your options. Incorporating new and unique sources of risk and return, such as alternative investments, can be an effective way to diversify exposure to traditional stock and bond market risks. Alternative investments, including private credit, reinsurance, and market neutral strategies, often exhibit lower correlations with public markets, providing portfolio stability during periods of equity and fixed income volatility, though they may not be suitable for all investors.
