The Market Barometer remained at a Normal reading for the second straight month in April. The S&P 500 increased 3.8% in March, and posted a 10.6% for the first quarter of 2013. The average US Active Equity fund lagged the S&P 500 by 0.2% for the quarter. Over the past year, the average US Active Equity fund has underperformed the index by 2.3%. The international MSCI EAFE Index increased 0.8% during March, while the International Active Equity added 1.1%. The average international active equity manager has underperformed the index by 2.6% over the past twelve months.

Quantitative managers became the best performing US strategy in March with a 4.1% return for the month. US Valuation remained the best performing equity strategy over the past year, gaining 13.6% but still lagging the S&P 500 by 0.4%. International Market Conditions remained the best one month strategy by posting a 1.9% gain in March while International Profitability posted the best one year return of 10.3%.

Download the Full Report: Athena Perspectives – April 2013

The Market Barometer returned to a Normal reading after spending three out of the last four months in Strong territory. The S&P 500 increased 1.4% in February while the average US Active Equity fund returned 0.9% for the month. Over the past year, the average US Active Equity fund has underperformed the index by 3.4%. The international MSCI EAFE Index decreased -0.9% during February, while the International Active Equity managers also decreased, losing -0.7%. The average international active equity manager has underperformed the index by 2.4% over the past twelve months.

Valuation managers remained the best performing US strategy in February with a 1.0% return for the month. US Valuation is also the best performing equity strategy over the past year, gaining 11.5% but still lagging the S&P 500 by 2.0%. International Market Conditions was the best one month strategy by remaining flat in February while International Profitability posted the best one year return of 9.9%.

Download the Full Report: Athena Perspectives – March 2013

The Market Barometer remained Strong for a second month straight. The US equity market started 2013 with the S&P increasing by 5.2% in January. The average US Active Equity fund outperformed the S&P 500 by 0.3% for the month but lagged the index by 3.1% over the past year. The international MSCI EAFE Index increased by 5.3% during January, while the International Active Equity managers underperformed by posting a 3.7% return. The average international active equity managers have underperformed the index by 3.5% over the past twelve months.

Valuation managers became the best performing US strategy in January with a 5.8% return for the month. US Future Growth, which dominated much of 2012, has fallen out of the top five performing strategies over the past year. International Social Considerations posted the best one month return of 4.4% in January while International Profitability posted the best one year return of 14.8%.

Download the Full Report:  Athena Perspectives – February 2013