Click here to download this commentary in PDF format. Stock market volatility has once again picked up as recent economic data have led markets to reverse course after a strong start to the year. While investors have grown accustomed to daily swings, it’s still important to remember that stock market fluctuations are normal, expected and unavoidable. After all, […]
The bear market in bonds last year was a shock to markets and raised questions around the role of fixed income securities in portfolios. This is because, until 2021, inflation had been steadily falling for 40 years, pushing interest rates lower and bond prices higher. This period supported the idea that bonds act as a stable foundation to […]
Click here to download this commentary in PDF format. Inflation, interest rates and the Fed have been the driving forces behind the market in 2022. These factors broke a number of trends that have influenced portfolio decisions over the past several decades, creating an uncomfortable investment environment. This has kept many investors guessing at what might […]
The global economy has faced many setbacks this year due to inflation, the war in Ukraine, China’s zero-Covid policy, and many other factors. Unlike the U.S. which largely rebounded from the pandemic, many countries have faced a tougher road to recovery. The effects of high energy prices and supply chain problems have only added to these difficulties. Still, there […]
Perhaps no sector of the economy has been impacted by rising interest rates as much as housing. The declines in both housing activity and prices have wide-ranging effects on households and the economy, as well as across financial markets. Like many other sectors, the housing market surged during the pandemic and is now experiencing a hangover. […]
November 23, 2022 2022 has been a historic year for financial markets and a challenging one for investors. With inflation rising at the fastest pace in over 40 years, both stocks and bonds fell into bear markets and reversed some of the strong gains made during the pandemic recovery. As we approach the end of the […]
Major stock market indices have rebounded in October as investors hope for a slowdown in the pace of Fed rate hikes. As of Friday, October 28, the S&P 500 had gained 8.8% over the month and its year-to-date loss was cut to 18%, just slightly better than bear market levels. The Dow is now above correction territory with […]
It’s no secret that this year has been characterized by market and economic uncertainty due to inflation, the Fed, geopolitics, and more. Market unease has been prolonged by the fact that these economic effects take time to evolve. Inflation is not an overnight event but the result of supply and demand factors since 2020, compounded by monetary […]
The latest inflation numbers confirm that the prices of everyday goods and services are still rising despite Fed rate hikes and a slowing economy. Major stock market indices continue to be in or near bear market levels with the S&P 500 down 25% year-to-date, while interest rates jumped further last week with the 10-year Treasury yield […]