Mixed Signals on the Economy from Stocks and Bonds The stock market kicked off 2019 with a bang as investor confidence in the U.S. economy rose, due to an accommodative fed, higher corporate earnings and a truce on the trade war with China. At...
Read moreIs the Bond Market Signaling a Recession?
Is the Bond Market Signaling a Recession? The bond market has once again captured headlines, with concerns focused on a potential inversion in the yield curve. An inverted yield curve, defined broadly as short-term bonds paying more than...
Read moreBreaking Down Brexit
Breaking Down Brexit The news of Brexit has captured multiple headlines recently, and it is a topic that is still likely a source of widespread confusion. Many investors may find themselves wondering why and how it matters. This week’s...
Read moreImportant Lessons From the Bull Market’s 10th Anniversary
Important Lessons From the Bull Market’s 10th Anniversary March 9, 2019 marked the 10-year anniversary of the S&P 500 beginning its climb from the bear-market lows of March 2009. The index has delivered a whopping 400% cumulative total return...
Read moreThe Rally in 2019 – A Tale of Two Assets
The Rally in 2019 – A Tale of Two Assets So far, 2019 has proven to be a very different year in markets compared to 2018. Prospects of a U.S./China trade deal and a “patient” Federal Reserve (Fed) have led to a sharp rally, reversing the losses...
Read moreBrexit, Fed & Trade – The List to Watch in Q1 2019
Brexit, Fed & Trade – The List to Watch in Q1 2019 Brexit, U.S./China trade and the Federal Reserve’s (Fed’s) monetary policy decision are some of the key events shaping markets so far in the first quarter of 2019. This week, a “patient” Fed...
Read moreUnderstanding the Impact of the Government Shutdown
Understanding the Impact of the Government Shutdown Rating agency Standard and Poor’s estimates the overall impact from the partial government shutdown could shave a modest $1.2 billion off the $19 trillion U.S. economy for each week the...
Read moreKeep Calm and Carry On
Keep Calm and Carry On The one certainty of investing is that your portfolio will experience volatility. The recent market turbulence is not as abnormal as headlines would have you believe. In fact, markets have returned to a more normal level of...
Read moreWhat Does a Yield Curve Have to Do with a Recession?
What Does a Yield Curve Have to Do with a Recession? The yield curve – and a potential inversion in the yield curve – has been the subject of much concern in the markets recently and caused a sharp sell-off this past Tuesday. An inverted yield...
Read moreWhat’s Next for International Stocks?
What’s Next for International Stocks? After outperforming in 2017, international equities have lagged domestic equities significantly in 2018. Many investors are now wondering if they should continue to hang on to international stocks in...
Read moreHarvesting Season for Tax Savings
Harvesting Season for Tax Savings Using investment losses to offset taxes on gains – a strategy known as tax-loss harvesting – can be an effective way for investors to potentially reduce their tax liability. By minimizing their investment-related...
Read moreMarket Correction vs. Bear Market
Market Correction vs. Bear Market October 2018 was a spooky month. The S&P 500 Index once again entered correction territory as it declined -10% from its peak during the summer. The continued pattern of declines again raises the question: Is...
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