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Quick – what’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the words Harvard University? Is it “Ivy League college?” “Prestigious institution?” A finishing school for aspiring doctors and lawyers?

Investors endured a flurry of trade headlines and emerging market turmoil in the third quarter, but that didn’t slow down U.S. stocks. The S&P 500 Index rose 7.2% during what has historically been the most volatile quarter of the year (7.7% including dividends), its biggest quarterly gain since the fourth quarter of 2013, its best performance in a third quarter since 2010, and the 11th gain in the past 12 quarters. It is also notable that the S&P 500 did not close up or down 1% on any day during the quarter, only the second time in history that feat has been accomplished during the usually volatile third quarter (1963 was the other time). Here we recap the third quarter and highlight some key factors for markets in the fourth quarter.

The Federal Reserve’s monetary policy meeting will be a focal point for markets this week. The two-day meeting will culminate in a policy decision, new economic projections, and a press conference from Fed Chair Jerome Powell on Wednesday. An interest rate hike is almost a foregone conclusion: Fed funds futures are pricing in a 98% chance of an interest rate increase. Markets will be more focused on implications for policy direction through the end of 2019, as the Fed tries to move toward a neutral policy stance without overtightening.

A major part of my job – perhaps the most important part – is helping people pursue their financial goals in life. Over the course of my career, I’ve discovered that while things like planning, saving, and investing are crucial, it’s equally important to look beyond the numbers. Achievement is about more than just spreadsheets or quarterly statements

Will midterm elections drive mayhem in the markets? The upcoming midterm elections promise to be among the more interesting in recent decades. The Republicans can take comfort in elections generally being about “…the economy, stupid!” Unemployment is at multidecade lows and wages are trending higher.

Strong manufacturing growth is a bellwether for overall economic health. Even though manufacturing is a dwindling part of domestic output, accounting for about 12% of gross domestic product (GDP), strong manufacturing growth has consistently preceded significant phases of GDP growth. Because of this, the Institute for Supply Management’s (ISM) U.S. Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) survey is one of the gauges we monitor in our Recession Watch Dashboard. Over its past five cycles, the U.S. economy has fallen into a recession an average of 46 months after the ISM index peaked [Figure 1].