Upon rising nearly 20 percent over the past 12 months, gold prices are making headlines and sparking intrigue among investors. While investors may be tempted to associate increased equity volatility (as measured by the VIX Index) to gold’s recent … [Read more...]
Market Commentary | Third Quarter 2019
Headline-driven volatility characterized the third quarter of 2019, with bonds posting higher gains than equities1. The S&P 500 was up 1.7% for the quarter, and bonds1 were up 2.27%. Ups... The Federal Reserve cut interest rates twice … [Read more...]
What do tariffs mean for my investments?
The stock market has seen both positive and negative volatility over the past few weeks as headlines have focused on trade tariff announcements between the United States and China. While this has been a recurring theme throughout 2018 and 2019, … [Read more...]
Despite headlines, markets are up
Quarterly Performance Despite increasing trade tensions, geopolitical turmoil, and downward revisions to global growth forecasts, nearly all asset classes posted positive returns in the second quarter. The S&P 500 was up 4.3%, International … [Read more...]
Recessions…misunderstood?
Over the last 70 years, the U.S. has experienced 11 recessions. Recessions have become less frequent since the Federal Reserve got ahold of inflation in the 1980s and learned to balance growth and employment with the associated inflation that comes … [Read more...]
Long-term strategy using short-term numbers
The first quarter of 2019 offered the antithesis of the last quarter of 2018. Global equities rallied, up over 12%1 in the first three months of the year, while global bonds also posted positive returns2 as interest rates fell. Sentiment is much more … [Read more...]
A ten-year lookback
Global markets have soared in the first two months of the year. Investors have regained their confidence in the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy, and markets seem to have priced in optimistic scenarios playing out in the global landscape. As we near … [Read more...]
Volatility returns for investors – but that’s actually the norm
In many ways, 2018 was a paradox of a year. US equities and 10-year Treasuries both had negative returns, which almost never happens. Cash was the highest performing asset class for the year1. The United States posted some of the strongest economic … [Read more...]
Dissecting the U.S. Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum
March 2018 If 2017 lulled market participants to sleep, then the turbulent start to 2018 has been a wake-up call. Just when the dust seemed to settle on February’s bout of market volatility, investors are now contemplating the impact of a … [Read more...]
Federal Reserve Rate Hike – What does it mean?
The Federal Reserve (Fed) raised interest rates by 0.25% (25 basis points) to a range of 1.25% to 1.50%. This is the third 25 basis point rate hike in 2017 and is in-line with forecasts set by Fed officials earlier this year. Key Points: Fed … [Read more...]