By: Efram Slen, Global Index Product Development Manager, Nasdaq
March certainly roared like a lion this year following two difficult months at the start of 2016. Major U.S. indexes gained more than 6% each during the month of March:
Nasdaq-100 |+6.7%
S&P; 500 |+6.6%
Dow Jones Industrial Average |+7.0%
During the month, Federal Reserve Chair, Janet Yellen, said the central bank will move cautiously as it weighs interest rate hikes in light of a weak global economy and stubbornly low inflation, raising questions about whether policymakers will make a rate move this spring.
Perhaps one of the more interesting stories of the month was the resilient comeback of Emerging Markets. Monetary easing by major central banks, as well as a firming of oil prices and other commodities during much of the quarter, powered emerging market stocks higher.
Nasdaq Emerging Markets Index | +12.7%
Commodities also witnessed a surge:
Nasdaq Commodity Crude Oil ER Index |+8.2%
The Federal Reserve’s cautious stance on future tightening has dampened the U.S. Dollar, aiding a boost to broader commodities.
The Nasdaq Dividend and Income Family were also beneficiaries as yields on 10-Year U.S. Treasuries dropped sharply since mid-March, pushing investors to look elsewhere for yield.
| Index | BBG Ticker | Name | 1-Month Performance |
| DVG | DVG | NASDAQ US Dividend Achievers Select | 6.0% |
| DAA | DAAX | NASDAQ US Broad Dividend Achievers | 6.2% |
| DAY | DAY | NASDAQ US Dividend Achievers 50 | 7.9% |
| DAT | DAT | NASDAQ International Dividend Achievers | 9.8% |
| NQMAUS | NQMAUS | NASDAQ US Multi-Asset Diversified Income | 5.7% |
| NQ96DIVUS | NQ96DVU | NASDAQ Technology Dividend | 9.4% |
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