Markets in a Minute
Fundamentals of Investing: More Access Doesn’t Always Equal More Returns
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Despite access to investment platforms and educational resources being easier than ever, many investors are finding themselves more anxious about their financial situations. Learn how to stick with tried-and-true investment principles in this week's Markets in a Minute.
Debt Ceiling Debacle
Wednesday, May 10, 2023
Could this be the first time in history that the U.S. defaults on its payments and challenges Hamilton’s legacy? How does the economic landscape shift if we do default? Let’s find out in this week’s Markets in a Minute.
Goldilocks and the Just Right Portfolio
Wednesday, April 26, 2023
In this installment of the “Fables” series, we look to Goldilocks for guidance on how to build the “just right” portfolio for clients. Read more in this week’s Markets in a Minute.
What the Tortoise and the Hare Can Teach Us About Investing
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
Although the allure of making money overnight is incredibly hard to resist, in the long run, slow and steady wins the race. Read more about how time and patience are on investors’ side in this week’s Markets in a Minute.
Battle Royale: Is Commercial Real Estate the Next Shoe to Fall?
Wednesday, March 29, 2023
After many years of accelerated growth backed by low-interest rates, easy credit, and competitive lending, commercial real estate has become the latest area of concern for investors. Read more about how unfolding events could impact banks, property values, and individual investors in this week’s Markets in a Minute.
Is the Banking System at Risk?
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
On March 10, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporate (FDIC) officially took over Silicon Valley Bank in order to protect depositors, marking a remarkably swift end to a bank that had been in business for four decades. Then on March 12, Signature Bank, based in New York City was also taken over by regulators. Collectively, those banks held over $250 billion in client deposits.
Battle Royale: The Federal Reserve vs. Inflation
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
Inflation is looking stubbornly persistent, and the economy is stronger than expected. How much longer can the Fed stick with its current plan of attack? Read the latest Markets in a Minute for the breakdown on recent inflation stats and outlook.
Earnings Season
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
With the Federal Reserve slowing its interest rate increases and inflation slowing to a tolerable level, the question remains: what can companies earn in this softer economic environment? Now that we are halfway through companies reporting their earnings for the fourth quarter of 2022, we can affirm that it’s not going great. Read this week's Markets in a Minute to see why that’s actually a good thing.
Debt Ceiling
Wednesday, February 1, 2023
Here we go again. Democrats and Republicans are locked in a pitched battle over what used to be a fairly routine matter: raising the debt ceiling. Read more to learn about how the debt ceiling works, how previous raises have played out, and what our current situation may mean for the markets in this week’s Markets in a Minute.
Turbulence Ahead: Market Review and Outlook
Wednesday, January 18, 2023
Near-record inflation and both stock and bond market declines in 2022. An inverted yield curve and declining manufacturing activity in early 2023. How did we get here, where do we go next and, most importantly - what should investors do? Learn more in this week’s Markets in a Minute.
The Santa Claus Rally
Wednesday, December 14, 2022
We all know that Santa Claus is real, but what about the Santa Claus Rally? Read more about this mysterious phenomenon and our odds of seeing one this year in this week’s Markets in a Minute.
Crypto vs. Back to Basics?
Wednesday, November 30, 2022
The recent failure of crypto-related business such as FTX has highlighted a void in regulatory oversight in the digital currency world. Read more about why a back to basics approach may serve investors best in our latest Markets in a Minute.
Inflation, Goldilocks, and the Fed
Wednesday, November 16, 2022
With lower-than-expected inflation in the month of October, we may all be wondering if there are
brighter economic days ahead. Read more about the impact of inflation and Fed rate increases on the
economy in this week’s Markets in a Minute.
Quarterly Review & Outlook
Wednesday, October 19, 2022
In the third quarter of 2022, the S&P 500’s bear market reached ten months old, the Fed continued to tighten monetary policy as inflation accelerated, and recession predictions fill news headlines. In fact, with stocks down more than 25% and bonds overall down more than 15%, this year will go down, by some measures, as the worst start to the year since 1969. Read the latest Markets in a Minute for more on what brought us here and how investors can navigate the market volatility.
The R-Word -- Are We in a Recession?
Tuesday, October 04, 2022
Are we headed toward a recession? The answer is, we’ll get there… eventually. Read on for the “road signs” that can help us estimate when we might arrive and what we can do before we get there.
Commodities & Housing
Tuesday, September 20, 2022
As the S&P 500’s bear market completes its ninth month, two areas of the economy have experienced rapid changes: commodity price spikes coupled with impending shortages and a housing boom that is quickly petering out. How serious are these risks to the global economy and markets? Let’s discuss in this week’s Markets in a Minute.
Stock vs. Bond Volatility
Friday, September 02, 2022
With a war in Europe, sky-high energy prices, recession fears, intensifying political divisions, and an on-going global pandemic, it’s no wonder that both stocks and bonds have experienced large gyrations so far this year. In this week’s Markets in a Minute, we discuss what volatility among stocks and bonds means for your portfolio.
Will the Inflation Reduction Act Actually Reduce Inflation?
Wednesday, August 17, 2022
The Inflation Reduction Act was passed by the House has been heralded as a major legislative victory for the president and his party. But will it really matter for the economy or the markets? Read the latest Markets in a Minute to learn more.
Recession? Does it Matter?
Wednesday, August 03, 2022
As economic growth cools and inflation heats up, we are hearing more about recessions. Let’s talk recession and what’s happening with the latest GDP report.
Mid-Year Review and Outlook
Wednesday, July 20, 2022
So far, 2022 has brought surges in inflation fueled by war in Europe, monetary tightening and slower economic growth. As we pass midyear, many of us may be more than a little ready to forget about the first half. Our 2022 theme of downshifting, or slowing of growth, is certainly coming to fruition.
What’s Next for the Housing Market?
Wednesday, June 22, 2022
Lofty prices and higher mortgage rates are beginning to shake the foundation of the single-family housing market. Are we headed for a 2008-style correction? Read the latest Markets in a Minute for our take on what’s next.
Market Volatility
Thursday, May 12, 2022
Stock and bond markets have had a wild ride. What’s driving this recent volatility and what’s an investor to do? Read the latest Markets in a Minute for a back-to-basics playbook for volatile markets.
2022 First Quarter Review & Outlook
Thursday, April 28, 2022
A bruising first quarter for stocks and bonds begs the question: Are markets signaling a recession in 2022, or a downshifting from the torrid growth of 2021? We continue to be in the downshifting camp. Read the latest Markets in a Minute for a recap of first-quarter performance and our outlook for the balance of this year.
Fixed Income
Thursday, March 31, 2022
Buffeted by twin headwinds — rising interest rates and high inflation — the fixed-income market is off to a rough start this year. In the current climate, many investors may be tempted to forgo fixed income entirely. Read about the reasons for continuing to invest in bonds in the latest Markets in a Minute.
Ukraine
Wednesday, March 16, 2022
With the war in Ukraine approaching its one-month mark and inflationary pressures rising, many investors are asking: What’s there to feel good about? The Fed is mulling the same question as it contemplates its next steps. The latest Markets in a Minute offers some answers.
Ukraine
Wednesday, March 02, 2022
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has humanitarian and geopolitical consequences but what are the implications for the global economy and equities? The latest Markets in a Minute explores this question and more.
Inflation
Thursday, February 17, 2022
With inflation hotter than expected and spreading beyond pandemic-affected industries, the Fed appears poised to take more aggressive steps to rein in price increases. What does that mean for stocks? Read the latest Markets in a Minute for a look at how equities have performed during previous rate-hiking cycles.
Investing in an Inflationary Environment
Thursday, February 3, 2022
History offers insight as to how market dynamics can shift during periods of high inflation. Read my latest Markets in a Minute for a look at which sectors shined during the Great Inflation and other lessons that may help investors navigate today’s inflationary environment.
Climate Change
Thursday, December 16, 2021
Climate action is front and center for both the Biden administration and many of the world’s largest companies. Read the latest Markets in a Minute for a look at the opportunities and obstacles in the race to a clean-energy future and the implications for investors.
Quantitative Easing
Thursday, December 2, 2021
The Fed has entered one of the most-difficult phases of its pandemic response as it begins to dial back stimulus measures even before the full effects of its policies are felt and amid new risks. Read the latest Markets in a Minute for a look under the monetary-policy hood and the implications for the markets and the economy.
Bonds
Thursday, November 11, 2021
Despite low rates, rising inflation fears and tight credit spreads, bonds still play an important role in investors’ portfolios. Certain types of fixed-income instruments are actually designed to protect against inflation. Read about the reasons for continuing to invest in fixed income in the latest Markets in a Minute.
Supply Chains
Thursday, October 27, 2021
The pandemic has been blamed for disrupting the global supply chain and stoking inflationary pressures. But other issues have contributed to our supply-chain woes. Read about the reasons for supply chain disruptions and where we go from here in the latest Markets in a Minute.
Cryptocurrency
Thursday, October 14, 2021
Cryptocurrencies have generated a lot of interest among investors, yet they're still something of an enigma. They're also a controversial asset class with a wide range of potential outcomes for investors. Read more in the latest Markets in a Minute on cryptocurrencies...