SANTA MONICA, Calif., Jan. 10, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- The U.S. equity markets posted a solid 4th quarter gain of 2.21%, as the Dow Jones Wilshire 5000 finished the year with a respectable 6.38% return for 2005, according to Wilshire Associates a global leader in investment technology, investment consulting and investment management.
Rebounding from the bear markets of 2000-2002, 2005 marked the third consecutive year of positive results. Small capitalization stocks surrendered their leadership role, at least temporarily, as large caps outperformed during the quarter. Micro-caps lagged larger size segments, with the Dow Jones Wilshire Microcap index returning 0.62% and 1.23% for the quarter and year, respectively. Continuing a recent trend, growth stocks outpaced value across capitalization segments for both the quarter and year.
---------------------------------- ----------- ----------- ---------- U.S. Equity Monthly (%) 4th Qtr (%) 1 Year (%) ---------------------------------- ----------- ----------- ---------- Dow Jones Wilshire 5000 0.14 2.21 6.38 S&P 500 0.03 2.09 4.91 Dow Jones Wilshire 4500 0.48 2.70 10.03 Dow Jones Wilshire REIT 0.10 2.52 13.82 ---------------------------------- ----------- ----------- ---------- U.S. Equity by Size/Style ---------------------------------- ----------- ----------- ---------- Dow Jones Wilshire 2500 0.13 2.24 6.47 ---------------------------------- ----------- ----------- ---------- Dow Jones Wilshire - Large Cap 0.13 2.32 6.35 Dow Jones Wilshire Large Growth -0.05 3.12 7.08 Dow Jones Wilshire Large Value 0.29 1.61 5.75 Dow Jones Wilshire - Small Cap 0.10 1.65 7.38 Dow Jones Wilshire Small Growth 0.54 2.49 9.69 Dow Jones Wilshire Small Value -0.32 0.85 5.29 ---------------------------------- ----------- ----------- ---------- Dow Jones Wilshire Microcap 0.80 0.62 1.23 ---------------------------------- ----------- ----------- ----------
"Despite a pullback in the 4th quarter, the energy and utilities sectors led the way in 2005, posting returns of 35%% and 15%, respectively," noted Steven J. Foresti, managing director, Wilshire Associates. "Interestingly, the compression in yield spreads did not stop the financial sector from posting a solid 6.1% gain in 2005 with a strong run up of 7% in the 4th quarter. The consumer discretionary and telecommunication services sectors lagged the broader market, with annual returns of about -4.6% and -2.3%, respectively."
About Wilshire Associates
Wilshire Associates is a leading global investment technology, investment consulting and investment management firm with four business units: Wilshire Analytics, Wilshire Funds Management, Wilshire Consulting, and Wilshire Private Markets. Wilshire Analytics develops and provides superior risk management, portfolio analysis, asset allocation and performance measurement solutions to fund managers, banks, insurers, consultants and other institutional investment organizations around the world.
The firm was founded in 1972, revolutionizing the industry by pioneering the application of investment analytics and research to investment management for the institutional marketplace. Wilshire also is credited with helping to develop the field of quantitative investment analysis that uses mathematical tools to analyze market risks. All other business units evolved from Wilshire's strong analytics foundation.
Wilshire developed the index now known as the Dow Jones Wilshire 5000(sm) Composite Index, the first asset/liability models for pension funds, the first U.S. equity style metrics work and many other "firsts" as the firm grew to more than 300 employees serving the investment needs of institutional and high net worth clients around the world.
Based in Santa Monica, CA, Wilshire provides services to clients in more than 20 countries representing in excess of 600 organizations with assets totaling more than $12.5 trillion. With eight offices on four continents, Wilshire Associates and its affiliates are dedicated to providing clients with the highest quality counsel, products and services. Please visit www.wilshire.com for more information.