In today’s complex global economy, currency fluctuations play a crucial role in shaping investment outcomes. While we’ve previously emphasized the importance of currency hedging in a U.S. investor’s international portfolio, there’s a subtle aspect that often goes unnoticed: the positive impact of weak currencies for Japanese and European companies and U.S. tolerance of it as a check on Chinese exports.

It is always interesting when commodity prices rise. The market produces various narratives to suggest why prices will keep growing indefinitely. Such applies to all commodities, from oil to orange juice or cocoa beans. For example, Michael Hartnett of BofA recently noted.

If there’s one corner of the equity market that’s trying investors’ patience, it’s small-caps.

JOLTS (job opening data) had a massive surprise, three standard deviations below consensus estimates, the driving job openings to unemployed workers ratio back to pre-pandemic levels.

We have gained a number of new investors and get regular vetting interest from investors who need to understand the roots of our stock-picking discipline.

Looking into the second half of the year, we are optimistic that returns will be stronger, but also expect volatility to remain elevated.

As we move into the second half of 2024, let’s take a look at a familiar market dynamic that’s often misunderstood in commodity investing: Current inventory levels may be much tighter than futures curves are signaling.

Readers of the IMF’s latest annual review of the US economy will be startled to learn that, in the Fund’s estimation, US government debt is on a sustainable path. That assessment makes sense – but it is only as good as the assumptions that underpin it.

European disinflation allowed for a first cut, but the pace from here will be gradual.

The needs of retirement plan sponsors and savers are changing, and advisors may want to consider a value proposition for the “next normal” in the shifting retirement landscape, according to Mike Dullaghan, Retirement Strategist at Franklin Templeton.

Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) measures the price paid for goods and services by consumers. It reflects changes in consumer behavior and captures inflation (or deflation) across a wide range of consumer expenses. Prices for both goods and services are measured.

The Federal Reserve’s balance sheet is one of the world’s most important security portfolios. Yet, its ongoing importance for markets and financial conditions is often underappreciated.

T. Rowe Price research leader Jay Nogueira shares thoughts on his own 2024 outlook as well as the firm's research approach.

Alliance Bernstein converted two short duration mutual funds, worth almost $800 million in assets under management, into ETFs on Monday.

Passive quantitative tightening could be the Bank of Japan’s next step toward normalization. Here’s why.

With a Presidential election less than five months away, expect to hear a great deal of discussion about inequality: the gap between the rich, the poor, and the middle class.

I will never forget the first auction I witnessed. It took place during one of the many summers that I spent on a farm. The auctioneer talked exceedingly quickly, but those in the crowd seemed to understand everything he said.

Defending my love of dividends consumes a lot of my time. Sometimes I’ll pull out my track record. Other times I explain how owning boring and stable dividend stocks means I spend less time watching and worrying about them.

While the European Central Bank cut policy rates by 25 basis points to 3.75% on its deposit facility, the trajectory beyond June remains unclear.

There was a significant reaction in the bond market to the latest job growth figures, which exceeded expectations. The positive surprise led to a sharp 10 basis point rise in long bond yields. Interestingly, equity markets remained resilient in the face of this increase, suggesting a collective market relief that we are not heading toward a slowdown or recession.

While early earnings guidance for Q2 is more a mixed bag, and not all months will look like this, May was a great month for equity investors. The adage, “Sell in May and go away” hasn’t seemed to work out so well over the last few decades.

In 2022, we discussed the market’s deviations from long-term growth trends. That discussion centered on Jeremy Grantham’s commentary about market bubbles.

I’m writing you from Cape Town, South Africa, where I’ve been warmly welcomed and reminded how much I enjoy international travel (well, except for jet lag!). Our world has so many wonders most people never get to experience. Of course, “there’s no place like home,” but seeing other places makes me happy, too.

This week, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) significantly upgraded its profitability projections for airlines in 2024. The trade group now expects net profits to reach $30.5 billion, an increase from $27.4 billion in 2023.

The most important precondition for the U.S. dollar to lose its dominance would be the existence of a viable alternative currency, which currently does not exist.

We think today’s market landscape calls for a different mix in multi-asset income strategies.

In this article, Russ Koesterich discusses the YTD strength of energy stocks and why it could continue.

Being an equity growth investor has been a rewarding experience in the past year. Watching growth run-up has made for exciting charts.

It’s not just bitcoin’s price that’s expanding. The blockchain on which bitcoin resides -- one of the pioneers in the space -- is also rapidly adding heft.

Investors’ enthusiasm for growth stocks remains high and growth equities are in the midst of another lengthy run of beating value rivals.

For investors looking to position defensively within equities but avoid equity growth FOMO, look to the VictoryShares free cash flow ETFs.

New data from Goldman Sachs reports that younger generations of investors are using more personal investment plans to prepare for retirement.

While governments responsibly issue debt to fund public investment and dampen the business cycle, the US federal government has borrowed at an increasingly prolificate pace over recent decades.

After a weak April, markets bounced back in May, with the S&P 500 staging a breathtaking rally in the final few hours of trading on Friday, May 31.

Higher coupons and interest payments can make premium municipal bonds worth the extra upfront cost.

Historically, the level of U.S. debt has had no correlation with the performance of the stock or bond markets.

Take a look at the VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX). That fund is higher by 24.55% for the 90 days ending June 3.

Why is there so much angst among investors? The mixed economic signals may have a lot to do with it.

European value stocks offer a compelling case for short- and long-term investment opportunities, supported by strong fundamentals, attractive valuations, and favorable market conditions.

Treasury bonds are rallying, which opens the pathway for investment opportunities in three Vanguard exchange-traded funds.

Portfolio Manager Peeyush Mittal says even as Narendra Modi looks set to remain as Prime Minister, India’s domestic growth agenda faces a pause until the political landscape takes shape following the country’s elections.

Here are some financial planning considerations and steps newlyweds may want to take after the wedding. Our Bill Cass highlights some of the key areas.

Summer hiring promises more than just monetary rewards for teens.

A defining feature of the post-COVID investment regime has been the persistence of elevated market uncertainty and volatility. The below visual highlights how this has led to a wider range of market performance outcomes, focusing in on the vast difference between the last two calendar years.

When a Cinderella story comes out of nowhere to win a championship, fans are ecstatic (just like I was watching Tom Brady win his first Super Bowl against the heavily favored Rams).

You’ve probably heard the term “direct indexing.” It seems like everyone is talking about it. You’ve probably also read that sales of direct indexing products are booming. But what exactly is direct indexing?

Investment-grade corporate bonds aren’t doing much to thrill fixed income investors so far this year.

Here we are through the first five months of 2024, and you could say the more things change, the more they stay the same. What exactly do we mean, you might ask?

More investors opt for market flexibility with active funds as inflows are outshining their passive peers in the current market environment.

Positive corporate earnings and greater participation from sectors other than technology carried stocks forward.