The S&P 500’s Monthly Decline—A Negative Sign for the Economy?

The S&P 500 Index (SPY) continued its negative run for a second consecutive month in March, as trade war fears and geopolitical tensions made investors risk-averse. The S&P 500 Index declined ~3.9% in February and ~2.7% in March, with these declines primarily being driven by increased trade tensions rather than any change in the underlying fundamentals. The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (or LEI) uses the performance of the S&P 500 Index (VOO) as one the constituents of the LEI.