The latter part of 2013 was a strong period for equities and other risk assets such as high yield bonds, despite the mixed tone of economic and financial news and uncertainty as to when and by how much the U.S. Federal Reserve would begin to gradually reduce (or “taper”) its asset purchase programs. Stock markets rallied in September when the Fed defied investors’ expectations with its decision to delay tapering. The momentum was disrupted temporarily, however, when the U.S. debt ceiling debate led to a partial government shutdown, roiling financial markets globally until a compromise was struck in mid-October. The remainder of 2013 was generally positive for developed market stocks, while fixed income and emerging market investments struggled as Fed tapering became increasingly imminent. When the central bank ultimately announced its tapering plans in mid-December, equity investors reacted positively, as this action signaled the Fed’s perception of real improvement in the economy.

Most asset classes continued to move higher in 2014 despite the pull back in Fed stimulus. The year got off to a rocky start, however. A number of emerging economies showed signs of financial stress while facing the broader headwind of diminishing global liquidity. These risks, combined with disappointing U.S. economic data, caused equities to decline in January while bond markets found renewed strength from investors seeking relatively safer assets.

Although these headwinds persisted, equities were back on the rise in February as investors were encouraged by a one-year extension of the U.S. debt ceiling and market-friendly comments from the new Fed Chairwoman, Janet Yellen. While it was clear that U.S. economic data had softened, investors were assuaged by increasing evidence that the trend was temporary and weather-related, and continued to take on risk given expectations that growth would pick up later in the year.

In the months that followed, interest rates trended lower and bond prices climbed higher in the modest growth environment. Financial markets exhibited a remarkably low level of volatility despite rising geopolitical risks and mixed global economic news. Tensions in Russia and Ukraine and signs of decelerating growth in China caused some turbulence, but markets were resilient as investors focused on signs of improvement in the U.S. recovery, stronger corporate earnings and increased merger-and-acquisition activity. Importantly, investors were comforted by comments from the Fed offering reassurance that no changes to short-term interest rates were on the horizon.

In the low-rate environment, investors looked to equities as a source of yield, pushing major indices to record highs. As stock prices moved higher, investors soon became wary of stretched valuations and a new theme emerged in the markets. Stocks that had experienced significant price appreciation in 2013, particularly growth and momentum names, broadly declined as investors fled to stocks with cheaper valuations. This rotation resulted in the strongest performers of 2013 struggling most in 2014, and vice versa. Especially hard hit were U.S. small cap and European stocks where earnings growth had not kept pace with recent market gains. In contrast, emerging market stocks benefited from the trend. As a number of developing countries took steps to stabilize their finances, investors looked past political risks — hardly batting an eye at a military coup in Thailand — and poured back into these attractively priced investments.

Asset prices tend to be more vulnerable to bad news when investors believe valuations are stretched. Consequently, markets came under pressure in July as geopolitical tensions intensified with the tragic downing of a Malaysian civilian airliner over Ukraine, the continued fragmentation of Iraq and a ground war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. As the period came to a close, financial troubles in Argentina and Portugal as well as new U.S. and European sanctions on Russia were additional headwinds for the markets.

Despite a host of challenges, most asset classes generated solid returns for the six- and 12-month periods ended July 31, 2014, with equities generally outperforming fixed income. Emerging market equities delivered impressive gains. Developed markets also performed well, although small cap stocks lagged due to relatively higher valuations. Most fixed income assets produced positive returns even as the Fed reduced its open-market purchases. Tax-exempt municipal bonds benefited from a favorable supply-and-demand environment. Short-term interest rates remained near zero, keeping yields on money market securities close to historic lows.

At BlackRock, we believe investors need to think globally, extend their scope across a broad array of asset classes and be prepared to move freely as market conditions change over time. We encourage you to talk with your financial advisor and visit blackrock.com for further insight about investing in today’s world.

Sincerely,