Chinese equities delivered significant negative returns in 2021 while other emerging and developed markets returns have been positive.

Q2 2021 registered the second-highest quarterly Private Equity deal activity in a decade.

As vaccines became available to more people across the globe, most countries, including the U.S., started a return to normalcy.

Major capital markets around the world delivered uniformly positive results in the month of April with investors emboldened by reaffirmed commitments to accommodative stimulus and the demonstrable gains made toward wider scale vaccination. Importantly, these factors stoked tangible gains across a host of economic data, suggesting the bid to return to normal is both viable and, perhaps, imminent.

Crescent’s Quarterly Considerations report includes the following data: Second Quarter 2021 Market Events, Asset Class Performance, Market Themes, Fixed Income Market, Equity Market and Alternatives Market Updates, Economic Review, Diversification and Financial Markets Performance.

Investing conditions remain, in our opinion, advantageous as we enter the second half of the year, yet we are mindful that the very sharp recoveries of the economy and many markets will require heightened investor vigilance.

Here’s a summary of Asset Class Performance, Financial Markets Performance, and other Market Updates as of June 30, 2021.

Recent returns, greater accessibility and broader backing of Bitcoin have led to broader adoption by investors, custodians and developers. While recent returns, low correlations and significant network growth are promising, significant risks from other cryptocurrencies, regulators and geographic concentration must be assessed carefully. Investors should consider the suitability of Bitcoin in the context of their specific situation and portfolio.

U.S. inflation has been a hot topic this year, and rightfully so, as historic fiscal stimulus programs, ultra-accommodative monetary policy and an economy moving ever closer to self-sustaining status nudged inflation expectations higher.

Here’s a summary of Asset Class Performance, Financial Markets Performance, and other Market Updates as of May 31, 2021.

Major capital markets around the world delivered uniformly positive results in the month of April with investors emboldened by reaffirmed commitments to accommodative stimulus and the demonstrable gains made toward wider scale vaccination. Importantly, these factors stoked tangible gains across a host of economic data, suggesting the bid to return to normal is both viable and, perhaps, imminent.

On April 28, the White House released the “American Families Plan” which outlines the administration’s goals for investing in children, families and U.S. workers. The proposal would include $1 trillion of spending and $800 billion of tax cuts over a 10-year period. The plan would largely be funded by tax increases targeted for high income taxpayers, raising $1.5 trillion over a decade.

Here’s a summary of Asset Class Performance, Financial Markets Performance, and other Market Updates as of April 30, 2021.

The “For the 99.5% Act” as proposed threatens many areas of estate planning, but which provisions (if any) become law will be determined in the coming months.

Crescent’s Quarterly Considerations report includes the following data: First Quarter 2021 Market Events, Asset Class Performance, Market Themes, Fixed Income Market, Equity Market and Alternatives Market Updates, Economic Review, Diversification and Financial Markets Performance.

As of March 31, 2021, here’s a summary of Asset Class Performance and Financial Markets Performance, and Market Updates.

In March, loosening COVID restrictions, coupled with the new $1.9 trillion stimulus bill, supported increased business activity and rising inflation expectations.

As expected, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) left the federal funds rate near the zero bound and affirmed its plan to continue with asset purchases at current levels.