Markets in a Minute

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.  

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.

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.

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.