U.S. stock markets closed May mixed, with large company stocks down and small company and tech stocks up for the month. Year to date the S&P index is barely positive while small caps are up 2.5% and tech stocks (NASDAQ) are up 5.6%. International stocks slowed in May after soaring in April and a strong start this year. Health care continued its steady climb of the past two years.
U.S. GDP has slowed and European economies are soaring. The booming cash flow into U.S. stocks has slowed this year. While the flow is still positive, the rate has dropped over the past few months. Emerging market economies are weakened by the strong dollar. Perhaps the dollar is too strong now. A current concern is the high level of cash going into private (not publicly traded) tech firms. This is the investment arena of venture capitalists yet most of the cash flow is from mutual funds and hedge funds.
A meadow charms with random nature while a park calms with structured and maintained separate areas. A garden is a created space offering tranquility. With the weeding and mulching and pruning done, the serenity is well earned and deeply satisfying.
