For all the challenges, concerns, and volatility that January presented investors, February brought the exact opposite. And, as you might expect, the monthly performance of the major U.S. stock market indices was quite different from January to February. To sum it up: Volatility was crushed, bullish sentiment surged, and the S&P 500 recorded its best “February” since 1998.
So what brought about the sudden change in market complexion?
All signs point to Europe… a mix of stimulus (moar QE please!) and kick-the-can with Greece took away some near-term fears (catalysts) and allowed investors to get comfortable again. Seems that sovereign debt cocktail doesn’t like to be stirred.
Other happenings during the month included a Nikkei breakout to 14 year highs, the continuation of a monster German DAX rally, continued Euro weakness / US Dollar strength, and a bonds shellacking for good measure.
But those observations only scratch the surface. There was so much more going on and captured on See It Market throughout the month. I hope you will take a few moments to review some of our best research posts from the month of February in our latest installment of The Best of See It Market. This is your chance to check in on our work – please feel free to provide feedback/comments any time. We greatly appreciate your readership.
Stocks & Bonds:
- Interest Rate Sensitive ETFs Take A Hit: Watch Those Yields! by CHRIS KIMBLE
- Global Equities Rise As Investor Fears Take A Back Seat by ANDREW NYQUIST
- Trend Traders: Why It’s Time To Put January Behind Us  by CHRIS BURBA
- 3 Reasons The Aging Bull Market Is Running Out Of Steam by BRAD TOMPKINS
- Treasury Bonds No Longer The Safe Bet  by TRADING ON THE MARK
- Further Pain Ahead For The Brazilian ETF (EWZ)?  by SAL CILELLA
- Is Chipotle’s Stock (CMG) Carving Out A Top? Â by JAMES BARTELLONI
- Measuring Market Breadth: A Look Inside The Stock Market by ANDREW THRASHER
- Higher VIX: How Concerned Should Investors Be? by CHRIS CIOVACCO
- Investing For Income In A Negative Interest Rate Environment by DAN NEAGOY
- International ETFs Watchlist: Trends & Thoughts by DAVID FABIAN
- German DAX Pushes Higher: Currency Hedged ETF Outperforming  by KARL SNYDER
- Why Sony’s Stock Could Be In For A Banner Year by AARON JACKSON
- Why The Italian Stock Market Is Readying For Liftoff  by SHELDON MCINTYRE
- 5 Reasons Value Investors Should Avoid ‘Sum Of The Parts’ by ROSS HEART
Currencies  &  Commodities:
- Will Silver Prices Hit New Lows In 2015? by DAVID BUSICK
- Why Crude Oil Production & Prices Do Not Bode Well For Stocks by JEFF VOUDRIE
- Crude Oil: Beware The Bounce by ADAM GRIMES
- How The US Dollar May Impact US Equities: 4 Key Takeaways by JONATHAN BECK
- Why Retail Gas Prices May Have Bottomed by MIKE ZACCARDI
Must-Read Education:
- 10 Great Technical Trading Rules  by STEVE BURNS
- Banking In 2015 And Beyond: The Liquidity Coverage Ratio by ALLAN MILLAR
- Top Trading Links: The Best Around The Financial Web by AARON JACKSON
Look for another installment of “The Best of See It Market” next month. Thanks for reading.
Twitter:Â Â @seeitmarket