The current market environment represents one of the most tumultuous times in the history of global financial systems. For years, GuideStone has stood for stability and weathered the financial storms that have come our way. As market events continue to unfold, GuideStone will provide updates to keep our participants informed as to the most recent developments.

Market Update — March 31, 2009
During the first quarter, stocks remained under pressure due to continued evidence of a globally synchronized recession. The macroeconomic environment has been challenged by factors including severe employment weakness, massive decline in corporate inventories, growing signs of stress in the commercial real estate market and still-declining housing prices.  Read More ....

Market Update — February 28, 2009
A steady stream of unfavorable news, continued uncertainty surrounding the health of the banking industry, and the lack of clarity about the government’s policy response to the economic and financial crisis translated into further losses for the equity markets in February. Revised data revealed fourth quarter GDP contracted by its largest amount in more than 25 years. Read More ....

Market Update — January 31, 2009
Any investor optimism for the New Year quickly waned as negative economic momentum carried into January and investor fears were reinvigorated by the current crisis in the banking sector. The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index edged downward in January to a record low of 37.7, suggesting that “consumers have begun the New Year with the same degree of pessimism exhibited in the final months of 2008.”  Read More ....

Market Update — December 31, 2008
December ended a very difficult 2008 for investors with, unfortunately, more dismal economic data and further signs of weakness in housing, manufacturing and consumer spending. Early in the month, the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) officially declared the U.S. entered into a recession in December 2007 — making it the longest recession since 1981.  Read More ....

Market Update — December 8, 2008
The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) officially declared the U.S. entered into a recession in December 2007 — making it the longest recession since 1981. Still, current economic data points to a deepening recession as job losses in November reached 533,000 — the largest one-month decline in 34 years.  Read More ....

Market Update — November 16, 2008
A major headline this past week was October retail sales, which declined 2.8% — the fourth consecutive decline — and the largest drop since records began in 1992. Much of the decline is attributable to falling gas prices and dismal auto sales; but the multi-month slide points to further contraction in consumer spending  Read More ....

Market Update — October 19, 2008
The equity markets experienced unprecedented price swings this week as investors were unsure how to digest weak economic data hitting the markets. Among major releases, declining retail sales confirmed the present economic slump and headline CPI registered flat. Read More ....

Market Update — October 12, 2008 
Stock markets around the world experienced a historic sell-off as nervous investors dumped risky assets. The Dow Jones Index experienced its worst weekly decline in its storied 112-year history.  Read more ....