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U.S. equities finished April with their best monthly gain of the year. The S&P 500^® index rose 5.2 percent, bringing its year-to-date return to 11.3 percent. The month began far stronger than it ended, however. All of the gains came in the first two weeks, led by an eclectic mix of real estate, financials, communications services and consumer discretionary stocks, although each of the eleven sector groups were positive. The Russell 1000 growth index climbed 6.8 percent, outpacing the 3.9 percent gain in the 1000 Value index. However, over the final two weeks the growth index fell slightly, while value index managed a fractional gain. Notably, both real estate and financials were strong throughout. 

Minneapolis – April 20, 2021 – Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (NYSE: AMP) recently added two advisor practices to its branch channel with $232 million in combined client assets. Steve Potter joined from Morgan Stanley in Charleston, South Carolina, and separately Frank Gordon, CLU^® and John Beninato, CDFA^® joined from MassMutual in Red Bank, New Jersey. Both practices were looking for a firm with deep expertise and personalized support to help them reach their goals.

A strong start to first quarter earnings season, and another round of solid economic reports helped drive U.S equities to their fourth straight week of gains. The big banks easily exceeded earnings expectations on strength in capital markets activity and the release of loan loss reserves, while surging retail sales and housing starts, falling new jobless claims, and rising consumer sentiment provided further evidence of firming economic activity. And half of all Americans have now been vaccinated with at least one shot, contributing to the growing economic optimism.