With the Fed's final 2025 meeting approaching, markets anticipate a third rate cut amid labor weakness, though the FOMC remains publicly divided on balancing a cooling job market against sticky inflation.
A mid-month bout of volatility focused primarily on the AI tech giants gave way to a broader rally in November’s final days amidst renewed expectations the US Federal Reserve (Fed) will cut interest rates in the coming weeks.
With Thanksgiving around the corner, there’s so much to be thankful for in 2025, especially for investors. After a challenging start to the year, the economy and markets regained their footing quickly, with nearly all asset classes on track for solid gains heading into year-end. Looking ahead, there are reasons for optimism to continue into 2026 as well.
While headlines often speculate about an AI bubble, we believe the long-term outlook for technology remains strong. Periodic volatility is a normal part of any innovation cycle and unlikely to derail our constructive view on equities.
It’s been one year since President Trump secured his second term, and we’re taking stock of how the economy and financial markets have performed during that time, highlighting both the wins and the challenges.
This convergence creates a thrilling, unpredictable day for sports enthusiasts packed with drama. Interestingly, the financial markets are gearing up for their own version of a 'Sports Equinox' week. Just as fans juggle overlapping games on October 27, investors will face a crowded calendar of potentially market-moving events that have our attention.
Tech and its derivatives have led returns thus far. After hefty multiple expansion, earnings will need to take the driver’s seat.
Goodbye summer, hello fall! As the sun sets on another season, we’re swapping beach days and backyard barbeques for crisp mornings, vibrant foliage, football weekends, and everything pumpkin spice.
The Fed operates under a dual mandate: to promote price stability and maximum employment. Lately, employment has taken center stage, prompting the Fed to resume its easing cycle with a 0.25% rate cut this week.
As summer fades and the first hints of fall appear, football fans have reason to celebrate – the new season officially kicked off last night. But while excitement builds on the field, the equity market may be losing steam.
Don’t Worry, Be Happy! Heading into summer, markets faced a wave of uncertainty—from shifting tariffs and debt ceiling debates to questions around the fate of the ‘Big, Beautiful Bill.’
Winding Down The Summer! While summer ‘officially’ lasts until late September, Labor Day marks its ‘unofficial’ close – and it’s fast approaching. That makes now the perfect time to hit the beach, prep and get organized for the school year, or sneak in a last-minute getaway.
The Fed confronts a dilemma as hiring slows while inflation heats up.
Last week brought a wave of headlines for investors to digest – on both the macro and micro fronts.
With the August 1 trade deadline fast approaching, America’s trading partners are racing to finalize agreements in hopes of securing more favorable terms before the higher tariffs announced by President Trump take effect.
Will he or won’t he? That’s the question on investors’ minds as tensions rise between President Trump and Fed Chair Jerome Powell.
The sweeping 900-page tax and spending law signed on July 4 introduces a wide array of provisions that touch nearly every American in one way or another.
Tensions in the Middle East and their effect on oil prices have dominated the recent news headlines—and for good reason. A rise in oil prices, especially if it lasts, can push up inflation and slow down economic growth.
The calm before the storm is here – and the Fed knows it won’t last. This week’s Fed meeting is expected to be relatively straightforward.
Sell in May and Go Away? This old market saying tends to resurface around Memorial Day, suggesting investors should scale back their equity exposure ahead of what’s perceived as a seasonally weaker stretch for stocks.
President Trump’s tariff maneuvers sent financial markets on a rollercoaster. The shock from his aggressive trade policies triggered a surge in volatility, briefly pushing the VIX above 50 – an extremely rare event.
The roller coaster continues! A stronger than expected first quarter earnings season and encouraging signs on the trade front—highlighted by the US-UK trade deal—helped lift the S&P 500 from its April 8 near-bear market lows, reversing nearly all post-Liberation Day (April 2) losses.
This week marks the first 100 days of President Trump’s second term in office—and what a rollercoaster it has been for the financial markets! While presidents often enjoy a ‘honeymoon period’ at the start of their tenure, Trump wasted no time ‘flooding the zone’ by pushing forward many of his key initiatives.
Think of the drafting process like investing—scouts meticulously rank players based on their strength, speed, flexibility, and mental acuity, much like we analyze the economy and financial markets to shape our outlook. The true value of these players might take years to unfold...
Chief Investment Officer Larry Adam notes with volatility on the rise, maintaining a long-term view is key.
After sparking the steepest plunge in financial markets since the global pandemic five years ago, President Donald Trump’s administration made another dramatic pivot in its trade war strategy on April 9: It paused for 90 days the “reciprocal” tariffs that had been in effect for less than 24 hours.
Tariff Turbulence. The President’s long-anticipated tariff announcement on April 2 has come and gone. Our hopes for some clarity, so the uncertainty weighing on confidence and the equity market could subside, were dashed after we heard the breadth and magnitude of the administration’s tariff plan.
Economic activity hit a soft patch in the first quarter—whether it was fueled by the big pullback in confidence or one-off factors such as cold weather, a harsh flu season and an acceleration of imports ahead of pre- announced tariffs, our economist expects the slowdown will prove short-lived.
Happy National Countdown Day! Yes, you read that right—today is a day to celebrate the excitement and sometimes anxious anticipation that comes with planning for an upcoming event.
Keep calm and carry on. Recent weeks have seen financial markets rattled by swirling news headlines, tariff whiplash, and rising economic uncertainty.
At the start of the year, our Investment Strategy Committee outlook was positive for both the economy and the equity market, supported by strong consumer, labor market, and corporate fundamentals.
We highlight some underreported positive developments that could keep economic growth on track and support higher equity prices in the months ahead.
We detail some key factors driving the recent market volatility and provide our perspective on how we believe these events may unfold and impact the economy and financial markets.
Are European equities poised for a sustained recovery relative to U.S. equities? We outline five reasons why, as long-term investors, we continue to favor U.S. equities over European equities.
financial markets are becoming uneasy as President Trump follows through on his campaign promises to impose or threaten new tariffs to improve trade imbalances or achieve some of his policy priorities
We provide an update on the 4Q24 earnings season and explain why our positive outlook on tech- related companies remains unchanged.
Raymond James CIO Larry Adam looks at how the proposed tariffs may impact the economy and financial markets.
As we close the chapter on Biden’s presidency, we take a moment to reflect on his legacy.
US equities had a stellar 2024, with the S&P 500 up 25%, but the year ended on a softer note. The sharp rise in bond yields has caught the market's eye
As we turn the page on 2024 and look ahead into 2025, the key question on investors' minds is: can 2024’s positive momentum in the economy and financial markets continue into 2025?
The year ahead may present challenges as markets and the economy look to maintain momentum.
December's market activity highlights the need for caution in the near term.
Happy Holidays! As the page for the new calendar year will soon turn, three cheers for a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year! With 2024 rapidly drawing to a close, we reflect on the year and all that’s transpired—our readers are wonderful, the economy remains in good shape, and market returns have been stellar for those who participate.
The markets sure had a lot to process this year – from surprisingly resilient economic data, to the Fed kicking off its easing cycle to an unprecedented presidential election season.
As we look through our financial lens and reflect upon everything that has transpired in 2024, we have compiled a list of the top ten economic and market-oriented things that we are most grateful for this year.
Wait, what? The Fed cut interest rates and bond yields went up, not down. Yes, you read that right.
With the outcome of the election now known, we will continue to assess how policy changes impact our broader view.
Get ready to ‘roll back’ the clocks! That’s right, Daylight Savings Time (DST) ends this weekend. This twice-a-year ritual is followed by every US state (except Arizona and Hawaii) and nearly 70 countries across the globe, but not everyone supports it.
The long and winding road to one of the most unusual presidential elections in history is coming to an end – with Election Day now just 11 days away.
The S&P 500 is on track to deliver its second consecutive year of 20+% returns – a milestone it has not achieved since 1998. It is also on pace to deliver its strongest performance leading into an election year since 1932.
