The Markets and Trade Trade was the big theme this month once again, with China suggesting it could restrict exports of rare earth elements to the US, as well as a rise in US-Mexico trade tensions Thursday night. Consequently, the prices of oil and other industrial commodities fell, while the price of gold was lifted [...]
Our confidence in our long-held view that a shifting policy mix will cause economic growth to slow in 2019 has only strengthened in recent months. The turmoil in markets suggests that others are anticipating the slowdown as well. As the fiscal stimulus fades and monetary tightening intensifies, we expect GDP growth to slow coming into [...]
This year has marked the 10th anniversary of the onset of the global financial crisis which precipitated a bear market in equities around the world and the biggest global recession since the Great Depression. While both financial markets and economies have fully recovered from this trauma, its memory continues to induce a more cautious attitude in the [...]
As we approach the end of 2018, the economy is performing well and is in its 10th year of economic expansion. Unemployment is low, GDP growth is solid and operating earnings are exceptionally strong. Year to date through September 30th, the S&P Index increased 10.56% and the FTSE All World Ex-US Index decreased -3.20%. For [...]
Last month, trade and tariff discussions dominated the headlines. For the month of August, the S&P 500 increased 3.26%, as the FTSE All World Ex-U.S. Index was flat. Year to date through August 31st, the S&P 500 was up 9.94% and the FTSE All World Ex-U.S. Index declined -1.53%. Aside from market performance, investors focused [...]
During the last month, investors watched as the economy continued “heating up.” For the month of July, the S&P 500 Index was up 3.72% and the FTSE All World Ex-U.S. Index increased 2.24%. Year to date through July 31st, the S&P 500 gained 6.47% and the FTSE All World Ex-U.S. declined -1.53%. Despite many geo-political [...]
Halfway through 2018, the economy is performing well – economic indicators are strong, consumer spending is solid, corporate earnings are exceptional and the Fed continues to take steps to tighten policy. Year to date through June 30th, the S&P Index increased 2.6% and the FTSE All World Ex-US Index decreased -3.7%. For the quarter, the [...]
During the last month, investors navigated concerns of rising interest rates and inflation while they watched trade tariffs and the U.S. – North Korea summit unfold. For the month of May, the S&P 500 increased 2.41%, as the FTSE All World Ex-U.S. Index decreased -2.12%. Year to date through May 31st, the S&P 500 was [...]
Volatility and mediocre returns continued in the month of April as investors navigated concerns of rising interest rates and inflation. For the month of April, the S&P 500 slightly declined -.38%, as the FTSE All World Ex-U.S. Index increased 1.76%. Year to date through April 30th, the S&P 500 and the FTSE All World Ex-U.S. [...]
In the first quarter of 2018, volatility returned to the markets after two years of relative calm. Though the economy is on strong footing, indexes for the quarter returned mixed results. For the quarter, the S&P 500 decreased -.8% and the FTSE All World Ex-Us Index declined -1.31%. Investors watched as technology company troubles, tariffs, [...]
