Wilshire 5000 Total Market Index Falls -2.20% in October

Strategic Insights -

The Wilshire 5000 Total Market IndexSM, the definitive benchmark for the broad US stock market, experienced a decline of -2.20% in October, resulting in a year-to-date gain of 3.22% and closing the month at 33,505.10. This downturn was attributed to concerns regarding an increase in COVID cases, greater political uncertainty, and disappointing technology earnings.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Wilshire 5000 Total Market IndexSM fell -2.20% in October, representing an estimated market value loss of $800 billion for the month.
  • Despite a strong recovery in economic data, equity markets declined due to concerns regarding an increase in COVID cases, greater political uncertainty, and disappointing technology earnings.
  • Small-cap stocks outperformed large-cap stocks for the second consecutive month, with a 2.22% gain and -2.54% loss, respectively.
  • Large-cap value outperformed large-cap growth for the second month in a row, with losses of -2.15% and -2.90%, respectively.
  • Utilities rose to become the best-performing sector in October, gaining 4.73%, while Information Technology fell to become the worst-performing sector, shedding -4.60%.
  • International public real estate posted a -2.73% loss for the month and -25.81% loss year-to-date.

Statistics:

  • Estimated market value loss of $800 billion for the month.
  • Estimated market value gain of $875 billion year-to-date.
  • Wilshire 5000 Total Market IndexSM closed at 33,505.10.
  • Small-cap stocks gained 2.22% in October.
  • Large-cap stocks lost -2.54% in October.
  • Utilities sector gained 4.73% in October.
  • Information Technology sector shed -4.60% in October.
  • Wilshire Associates manages $73 billion in assets.
  • Wilshire advises on over $1.1 trillion in assets.

Sources:

  • Wilshire Associates
  • Wilshire US Small-Cap IndexSM
  • Wilshire US Large-Cap IndexSM
  • Wilshire US Large-Cap Value IndexSM
  • Wilshire US Large-Cap Growth IndexSM
  • Wilshire US Small-Cap Value IndexSM
  • Wilshire US Small-Cap Growth IndexSM
  • Wilshire Bond IndexSM
  • Wilshire Risk Parity -- 10%, 12% and 15% Target Volatility IndexesSM