Our Insights
Global Markets Trade Higher to Start 2023
Looking ahead to 2023, the U.S. economy is forecasted to slow as the cumulative effect of higher interest rates takes hold.
Are International Stocks Finally Ready to Shine?
Today international stocks currently trade at more attractive valuations than U.S. stocks after a decade of underperformance.
4Q 2022 Recap and 1Q 2023 Outlook
Markets faced several challenges in 2022, including high inflation, historic central bank policy, the war in Ukraine, and Covid lockdowns in China.
Ten Rules for the Retirement Road
Financial advisors often recommend various strategies for investors to follow as they plot their way to retirement. If you feel your retirement investment plan is adrift, consider these ten strategies, which could help steer you in the right direction.
The Gift of Dollar Cost Averaging
Dollar-cost averaging (SCA) may be particularly beneficial in a down market like the one we have seen in 2022.
Home Prices Decline as Rising Mortgage Rates Pressure Demand
The U.S. housing market is experiencing a significant slowdown after two years of rapid growth.
Stocks Trade Higher for a Second Consecutive Month
Stocks traded higher for a second consecutive month after another encouraging inflation report. Investors cheered the report as fresh evidence that price pressures are easing after a period of high inflation.
Putting Context Around Recent Stock Market Volatility
Stock market volatility is rising this year after a relatively calm 2021. Financial markets are experiencing bigger moves up and down as investors navigate a long list of events.
Stock Market Rebounds After September Sell-Off
Stock markets remained volatile during October, once again changing direction as investors shifted their views. After declining -9.2% during September, the S&P 500 gained +8.1% during October.
Wage Inflation Puts Additional Pressure on the Federal Reserve
Early inflation pressures were attributed to clogged supply chains and strong demand overwhelming limited supply, but a new source of inflation is gaining attention as supply chains normalize – wage inflation.
3Q 2022 Recap and 4Q 2022 Outlook
The S&P 500 finished the third quarter down -4.9%, while the 2-year Treasury yield reached levels not seen since 2007. This recap covers the third quarter and provides an update on the key questions markets faced at the start of the third quarter.
Managing Your 401(k) Through A Job Transition
When transitioning jobs, consider the implications for your old 401(k) carefully. Preserving the tax benefits of your investments may substantially improve your ability to grow your wealth over time.
Inflation Strikes Again
Investors were surprised by the 0.1% month-over-month increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for August. The report will likely push the Federal Reserve to persist with its aggressive campaign of interest rate increases.
US Manufacturing Forecast Declines
We currently project that the US ISM Manufacturing Purchasing Manager Index will approach 50 during the next three months before dipping below 50 (i.e., manufacturing contraction) during 1Q23.
Consumers Turn to Credit Cards as Inflation Pressures Finances
After declining during the pandemic, data shows consumer credit usage is rising again and is now back above pre-pandemic levels.
Optimizing Your Social Security Benefit Strategy
The ability to optimize the amount of benefits you will receive from Social Security will depend on your situation.
Providing Context on Recent Market Volatility
Investor hopes for a Fed pivot were one of the primary catalysts that propelled the stock market higher during July and August. Chair Powell’s recent speech at Jackson Hole dashed those hopes.
Declining Labor Productivity and Rising Labor Costs
Why is productivity declining? One potential explanation is that pandemic-related themes, such as remote work and inflation, make measuring productivity more difficult and distort the data.
Stocks and Bonds Rally as Investors Debate Federal Reserve Policy
Why the change in attitude? Multiple catalysts could be causing the turnaround, one of which includes investor sentiment being too negative entering July.
Housing Market Cools as Interest Rate Increases Impact Economy
The ongoing housing market slowdown indicates the Federal Reserve’s interest rate increases are already impacting the economy.