Recent Updates
12 September
Forward March
Quick Take: Stocks overcame early volatility in the month to notch a fourth consecutive month of gains.[1] Bonds advanced after the Federal Reserve Chairman Powell endorsed imminent rate cuts. [2] US stocks made modest gains in August, after a volatile month saw a series of positive economic data reports override concerns over the […]
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21 August
Roaring First Half Gives Way to Tech Stumble
Quick Take: Stocks and bonds continued their upward trend in June, bolstered by mega technology companies and continued signs of cooling inflationary pressure.[1] Disappointing earnings led to a tech selloff in July, while the market now expects the first rate cuts in September.[2],[3] The summer kicked off in high gear, setting records. The US […]
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28 June
Thoughts From Our Founder: A Bright Future Awaits
As commencement season is in full swing, it’s a great time to celebrate and reflect on the many achievements of our graduating kids, grandkids and other loved ones. On a personal note, my wife Shari and I recently celebrated the graduations of our oldest daughter Alexa from Berkeley Law and our son Jonathan from Wash […]
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28 June
Full Steam Ahead
Quick Take: Stocks set new highs during May as signs of a slowing economy led bond traders to pull forward expectations of rate cuts.[1] Treasuries had their best month in 2024.[2] Stock market performance broke more records in May, as the S&P 500 gained 4.8% while the tech-heavy Nasdaq added 6.9%.[3] Both indexes posted […]
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24 May
Fading Hopes for Rate Cuts
Quick Take: Lingering inflation weighs on investors.[1] With as little as one rate cut now anticipated for 2024, Treasuries sold off, sending yields higher and stocks lower.[2] As investors focused on disappointing inflation readings, major equity indexes ended a five-month winning streak to move lower in April.[3] By the close of the month, the […]
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25 April
Steady Highs for Spring
Quick Take: Stock markets join interest rates in staying higher for longer as economic strength continues.[1] Back in 2022, the phrase “higher for longer” had a tendency to strike fear in markets. The concern was that interest rates would stay high for too long and squash growth. Now that we seem to be […]
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28 March
Record High Stocks Across the Board
Quick Take: Major stock indices continued to reach all-time highs, as the Nasdaq joined the party.[1] Expectations of fewer rate cuts did little to dampen the rally. February saw the stock market surge again, as the S&P 500 kicked off its best start to the year (S&P 500 +5.2% in February) since 2019.[2] Market […]
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29 February
New Year, New Heights
Quick Take: Stocks repeatedly hit all-time highs as they rallied for a third straight month.[1],[2] Fed officials held interest rates steady while Chair Jay Powell all but dashed hopes of a March rate cut.[3] Stock markets rang in the new year with optimism, notching new record highs to mark a bull run that started […]
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19 January
Defying Expectations
Quick Take: Stocks and bonds defied expectations in 2023 as stocks soared and volatile bonds ended up nearly where they started the year.[1] Flash back to the start of 2023, and the mood across markets was glum. Analysts, expecting a looming recession, advised a shift away from stocks towards the relative safety of bonds.[2] […]
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04 January
Thoughts From Our Founder: Reflection and Optimism for What Lies Ahead
As we close the door on 2023, I can’t help but look back at this past year and reflect on the various twists and turns we experienced, most unexpected and some even fitting the description of a “black swan” event- an extremely unexpected event, which results in a decisively negative impact on the markets.[1] Following […]
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15 December
Optimism Ignites Rally
Quick Take: Stocks and bonds had one of its best Novembers in decades as investors speculated the Fed would end its interest rate hiking campaign.[1],[2] “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” Newton’s timeless principle resonates beyond physics, often showing up in market action. In November, stock markets enjoyed a strong […]
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21 November
Under Pressure
Quick Take: US equities markets corrected as US long-term bond yields rose above 5%.1 Battered US stocks dipped to five-month lows as both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq (down 2.2% and 2.8%, respectively) fell into correction territory after dropping 10% from July highs.2, 3, 4, 5 During the third-quarter earnings season, even though around […]
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