The economic data is coming in very good for markets. Starting with GDP, we observed a modest growth rate of around 2% in the first half of the year. While not spectacular, it’s far from recessionary conditions. This level of growth, with slight inventory accumulation, suggests a stable economic backdrop.
I chaired an international economics conference in Canada earlier this month. Delegates from all over the world attended to discuss the issues of the day. Following is an abridged version of the meeting summary that I offered during the closing session.
Overly optimistic investor expectations of market returns may be a problem.
Potential for another trade war fueled by a rise in global protectionist policies has investors revisiting the potential impact on stocks, inflation, and economic growth.
The US Department of Labor (DOL) offers eight tips for advisors to use to review target-date funds. Our Mike Dullaghan illustrates how to use the DOL tips in preparation for plan review season.
The rise of LLMs and public availability of generative AI tools has driven a wave of excitement over AI’s potential to transform society, economies, and workflows.
Our outlook on the 11 S&P 500 equity sectors.
As gold prices continue to rise, investors may want to consider gold miners, which are offering incredible value.
Macro drivers mixed with market narratives last week to sustain the volatility cocktail being served in July
The Federal Reserve (Fed) doesn’t like to spook markets, that is the reason why it has crafted its communication on monetary policy to give indications way in advance and nothing has been pointing to a change of heart that could lead to a surprise move next week.
Improving inflation and growth scenarios should enhance the equities and bond dynamic for multi-asset investors.
Listen to enough politicians and it won’t take long to hear about the lack of “affordable” healthcare, drugs, daycare, and housing. This was going on long before inflation returned after COVID. Everyone wants affordable things.
The price of ether fell in the wake of the launch of the spot ether ETFs on Tuesday, July 23. Ether (ETH) declined 7.82% in its first three days of spot ether ETF trading.
President Joe Biden’s withdrawal and endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris has sent shockwaves through the political establishment, and while former President Donald Trump remains the frontrunner, the wind has certainly shifted in Harris’s favor.
Yes, the market could continue to rotate massively from large-cap to small and mid-capitalization companies. However, given the current levels of bullish sentiment and allocations against a backdrop of weakening economic data and widening spreads, this suggests the current rotation may be nothing more than a significant short-covering rally.
Progress toward a goal usually isn’t linear. The first 50% isn’t too bad, the next 40% is harder, and the last 10% consumes most of the effort and resources. Business strategists call this the “last mile” problem… and it applies to inflation, too.
Economic indicators are released every week to provide insight into the overall health and performance of an economy.
The Momentum factor picked up where it left off at the end of the first quarter, turning in another standout performance in the April-through-June timeframe and ending the second quarter as the factor most relevant to positive performance.
As we approach the end of the fiscal year, investors should be focusing on the Treasury General Account as one factor of many that may impact global liquidity, and in turn, market performance in the coming two quarters.
With growth moderating and inflation cooling, the US seems on track for a soft landing—as markets digest a stream of incoming information. Equity performance may be on the verge of broadening beyond a handful of stocks, and still-sizable bond yields bolster return potential.
The small cap rally has primarily been a de-risking event. It's unclear at this point whether it’s just a blip or the beginning of a new trend in market leadership.
The equities market could see small-caps outrunning their large-cap peers as more investors are shifting to small-cap stocks.
In June, Capital Group added seven new actively managed products. Its executives were in New York last week to ring the NYSE closing bell.
While gold prices rise due to heightened geopolitical uncertainty, the US stock market is breaking records, and global demand for the dollar remains robust. This can be attributed to growing confidence in the US economy, which continues to surprise on the upside.
Increasing the tax efficiency of a retiree’s income portfolio with the NEOS ETF suite may offer several benefits.
Despite all the hoopla surrounding technology stocks in the first half of the year, software names struggled.
It's been another strong first half for the U.S. ETF industry, with overall flows set to challenge or surpass historic records.
The second quarter began with inflation concerns causing a negative return in April, but improved inflation led to a more hopeful market in May and June, with AI and semiconductor stocks leading.
The economy and markets have emerged from the pandemic fundamentally changed. For equity investors, we believe this means a different opportunity set than the one that prevailed over the past decade and a half ― and one that favors alpha (excess return) over beta (market return).
I almost exclusively talk about stocks here in Dividend Digest because dividends are at the root of my strategy. But most income investing includes some level of exposure to debt.
The big story making the rounds this summer is the spike in the small-cap Russell 2000 since the release of the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, which shocked the market by printing 0.0% month-over-month in June.
Western demand and monetary policy are having an important impact on economic prospects for the Asia-Pacific region.
US stock markets have remained bullish in the face of deepening domestic and international risks, owing to three key factors. But with two of these coming under pressure, the durability of the current cycle will depend on the third: the US Federal Reserve.
The ongoing global electrification is spurring a demand for copper, but supply shortages could portend higher prices in the future.
Calamos understands time in the market vs. timing the market, but they also understand uncertainty surrounding election.
For taxable investors, an appreciating portfolio can be a mixed blessing. But regular loss harvesting isn’t the only way to reduce your portfolio’s tax bill, especially as its value rises. We share some important tax-management techniques for the future.
Following the historic decision by President Biden to drop out of the 2024 race, Raymond James CIO Larry Adam provides insight into his team's economic and market outlook.
With a recent IRS announcement, heirs now have clarity on the 10-year rule for distributions from inherited retirement accounts. Our Bill Cass details the final regulations.
The bitcoin halving event in April 2024 reduced the block reward for miners, which is expected to increase bitcoin’s price.
Qraft Technologies took AI-driven investment products to the next level with the launch of the LG-QRAFT AI-Powered U.S. Large Cap Core ETF (LQAI) in November of 2023. The firm partnered with LG AI Research, an artificial intelligence (AI) research hub of South Korea's LG Group, to create LQAI.
The appetite for nuclear energy is growing fast. Here in the US, most adults now favor expanding our nuclear power capabilities because it’s a great alternative to fossil fuels. Unlike wind or solar, nuclear provides energy around the clock. So, why haven’t we built more nuclear power plants?
The momentum we've seen in U.S. equity markets over the past year continued in the second quarter of 2024. With large technology stocks leading the wave, the S&P 500 index has risen 23% in the 12 months ended June 30.
Host Nate Geraci sat down with VettaFi's Lara Crigger and Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan to discuss small-cap stocks and spot ether ETFs.
When looking to pair yield and credit quality, corporate bonds are an ideal option, especially when it comes to investment-grade.
Real estate stocks have taken a hefty beating this year, with REITs having the sole distinction of being the lone S&P 500 group in the red.
While it's too early to declare small caps' recent outperformance as a meaningful trend shift, we continue to think high-quality companies and industries will likely perform well.
Slower spending is a part of the return to normal economic conditions.
On the latest edition of Market Week in Review, Director of Investment Strategies, Shailesh Kshatriya, discussed the recent strength in U.S. small cap stocks and the likelihood of a September rate cut from the Fed. He also provided an update on the latest inflation numbers from Canada and the UK.
Warren Buffett's continued focus on US industrials reflects their strong economic moat, high profitability, and attractive valuations, aligning with his value investing principles and offering substantial growth potential. Macro tailwinds make the opportunity especially compelling.
In a recent The Wall Street Journal article, Jason Zweig correctly pointed out that 85% of active stock-picking funds and ETFs had underperformed their benchmark.
