US equity markets declined slightly more than 2% last week as investors monitor the gradual process for individual states to reopen their economies.  The S&P 500 index has trended sideways for the last month, remaining rangebound between approximately 2,800 and 2,900 after advancing roughly 30% through April 17 from the recent low marked on March 23. 

US equity markets declined slightly more than 2% last week as investors monitor the gradual process for individual states to reopen their economies.  The S&P 500 index has trended sideways for the last month, remaining rangebound between approximately 2,800 and 2,900 after advancing roughly 30% through April 17 from the recent low marked on March 23. 

US equity markets declined slightly more than 2% last week as investors monitor the gradual process for individual states to reopen their economies.  The S&P 500 index has trended sideways for the last month, remaining rangebound between approximately 2,800 and 2,900 after advancing roughly 30% through April 17 from the recent low marked on March 23. 

US equity markets declined slightly more than 2% last week as investors monitor the gradual process for individual states to reopen their economies.  The S&P 500 index has trended sideways for the last month, remaining rangebound between approximately 2,800 and 2,900 after advancing roughly 30% through April 17 from the recent low marked on March 23. 

After a difficult first quarter of 2020 for investors, April provided a much-needed reprieve as markets rallied sharply. US large cap equities, as measured by the S&P 500 index, had their best month in decades returning nearly 13%. Investors appeared optimistic that the significant stimulus provided by governments and central banks, lower energy prices, and evidence of potential new treatments for the COVID-19 virus could result in a swift recovery.