Inflation has ticked up recently, leaving many investors fearing that its time to prepare portfolios for rising prices. According to Russ, while this fear isnt irrational, its too early to restructure a portfolio around a big shift in the inflation outlook. Russ explains.

Economic data showing improving U.S. growth helped the market kick off a strong start to the second half of the year. Russ believes the economic strength is likely to continue, and he shares two moves investors may want to consider to position portfolios for such an environment.

The one segment of the U.S. economy that still appears to be lagging is also the biggest: household consumption. Russ explains why slower consumer spending is likely to continue dragging down U.S. economic growth, noting three implications for investors.

Given that U.S. stocks are no longer cheap and most stock market bargains are now found overseas, Russ believes that U.S. investors should look abroad for equity opportunities.

So far, 2014 has been the year of the falling stocks in Japan. But according to Russ, Japan still stands out as one of the few potential bargains in the developed world. He explains.

For much of 2014, equities advanced despite disturbing world news headlines. However, that changed last week because there is a clear link between the events in Iraq and the global economy: energy prices. Russ explains, noting two investing implications of an energy price spike.

Its hard not to see some disconnect between recent disturbing world news headlines and the markets quiet advance. Russ examines why this disconnect is rational in the short term, but not necessarily in the long term, and gives three rules of thumb for how investors can potentially respond.

Major central banks are no longer moving in lockstep. While the Fed is pulling back, other central banks are maintaining very easy monetary policy. Russ explains three implications this new dynamic has for investors.

Both stocks and bonds have rallied and are looking expensive. BlackRock Global Chief Investment Strategist Russ Koesterich suggests that investors need to look for relative value, which is why we still prefer stocks over bonds.

Given the recent extraordinary performance of most equity markets, many investors are wondering whether the bull market has run its course. Russ explains why valuation alone doesn't signal an imminent correction.

What could lead to a more severe market correction? While theres a long list of things that could go wrong in 2014, Russ lists four market risks to pay attention to this summer.

In a reversal of 2013s performance, stocks are struggling to hold onto gains while bond yields are plunging, leaving many investors asking: How should I be positioning for the long term? Russ explains why he still advocates sticking with stocks.

Stocks have floundered, while bonds continue to rally. Markets are showing a sharp reversal from 2013, when stocks were up strongly while bonds struggled. We maintain our long-term preference for equities and suggest investors exercise caution before adding to positions in bonds.

While the United States is aging at a much slower pace than much of the rest of the world, the U.S. population will almost certainly continue to age. As Russ explains, this has three implications for the U.S. economy.

According to many market watchers, 2014 was supposed to be the year of the so-called Great Rotation out of bonds and into stocks. However, as Russ writes, were actually seeing the reverse happen lately, though the case for stocks is still quite strong

An old market adage says to sell in May and go away. While now actually may be a good time to trim positions and lower risk, this isnt because of the calendar month. Russ explains.

How long will low rates ? and the accompanying search for yield ? continue? Russ weighs in.

Five years into an equity bull market, investors say they?re still cautious. However, Americans hold as much risk in their financial portfolios as they did during the tech bubble in 2000. Russ explains what?s behind this trend and what it means for investors.

As the second quarter of 2014 gets underway, many investors are wondering how they should adjust their portfolios given the events of the first three months of the year. Russ shares five investing opportunities that he and his BlackRock colleagues think are worth considering this spring.

Major changes are coming to the MSCI Frontier Markets 100 Index. Russ K explains the significance and why it reinforces his view that investors should have an allocation to the frontier.

The recent sluggish performance of U.S. stocks is leading some market watchers to question whether we?re witnessing the bursting of an equity bubble. Russ explains that while U.S. equities overall are not in a bubble, valuations have started to become an issue, particularly for certain segments of the market.

Many investors have been concerned about the Chinese market lately and are asking Russ whether they should abandon Chinese stocks. Russ explains why his answer is still no, at least for the long term.

Stocks have traded in a relatively narrow range for the past two weeks, but beneath the surface, some of last year?s winners are shaping up to be this year?s losers. Russ explains the shifts he?s seeing and what they mean for investors.

There?s been a lot of talk lately about raising the minimum wage, both on the federal and local level. Russ and an investment strategist on his team weigh in on what higher minimum wages could mean for the economy and for investors.

Investors were temporarily taken aback last week by the prospect of an earlier-than-expected rate hike. While it?s not yet clear yet whether the market interpreted the Fed correctly, Russ explains that the possibility of higher rates has three implications for investors.

Despite record profits and exceptionally high corporate cash levels, capital spending by U.S. businesses remains subdued. Russ explains why this could change this year as well as what a pickup in capital spending would mean for investors.

In the space of three years, emerging markets have gone from a key strategic asset class to persona non grata. But while Russ shares investors? concerns on the near-term outlook for EM assets, he doesn?t agree that EM stocks should be completely shunned.

How vulnerable might stocks be if turmoil in Ukraine escalates? Russ weighs in and notes which two market segments would be particularly vulnerable.

March 10, 2014, could be considered the fifth birthday of the current equity bull market. Investors looked beyond mixed economic data and turmoil in the Ukraine to push stocks to further gains last week. Stocks still remain a more attractive option relative to traditional bonds and cash.

Some investors looking for a catalyst to move stocks higher in coming months have pointed to the calendar, expecting that markets tend to do better in the spring. Russ gives three reasons why he cautions investors against putting too much faith in the influence of the seasons.

Despite last week's disappointing economic data, stocks rallied to record highs. Russ explains what's behind this disconnect and why stocks may be vulnerable come the spring.

Despite last weeks disappointing economic data, stocks rallied to record highs. Russ explains whats behind this disconnect and why stocks may be vulnerable come the spring.

How much is the weather to blame for recent soft U.S. economic data? While the weather is certainly responsible for some, or perhaps even most, of the recent slowdown, it?s not the whole story, writes Russ.

With all the turmoil in emerging markets recently, some investors may be especially wary of investing in so-called frontier markets. Russ explains why frontier and emerging markets are separate asset classes, each deserving of a strategic allocation.

While two events in Washington last week supported stocks and other risky assets, they overshadowed the release of some relatively disappointing economic numbers providing more evidence of still soft U.S. economic growth.

While U.S. economic fundamentals have improved over the past year, U.S. businesses and consumers both continue to exercise caution, holding back on spending and new investment. Russ explains whats partly behind this puzzling dilemma.

Despite some signs that economic fundamentals are improving - including an improving labor market and rising home prices - U.S. businesses and consumers continue to exercise caution, holding back on spending and new investment. Whats behind this puzzling dilemma? As I write in my new Market Perspectives paper, "The Price of Politics," uncertainty over public policy is partly to blame.

Volatility rose last week and is now close to its long-term average. Economic data has softened, but we do not believe the Federal Reserve will change course. Investors may want to consider adding to equity positions during periods of weakness

The market selloff continued last week, and emerging markets stocks are looking more uncertain in the short term. With U.S. wages under pressure, consumer-related stocks remain an unattractive option. The Federal Reserves tapering program is starting to remove a pillar of support for stocks.

Buy what you know. It’s an old admonition, and on the surface a sensible one. Focusing your investments on those companies that you’re most familiar with should help mitigate the risk of a bad investment choice. Unfortunately, like a lot of conventional wisdom, it’s wrong. Concentrating your portfolio to local investments, while comforting, is a mistake for two reasons.

Last weeks selloff can be attributed to EM turmoil, stretched valuations and mediocre earnings. Volatility is likely to move higher to levels closer to long-term averages. We suggest investors adopt overweight positions in European and Japanese stocks.

For investors who are worried about a correction, Russ provides a look at which traditional safe-haven assets tend to perform best during times of uncertainty.

Last Fridays non-farm payroll report was a huge disappointment. Russ explains what this means for investors.

Russ explains why the U.S. dollar is likely to strengthen in 2014, and what this means for various asset classes.

Russ explains why last years combination of significant multiple expansion and higher interest rates suggests more muted gains for U.S. equities in 2014.

Last week, Russ shared his annual look back at his 2013 economic and investment calls. Now, its time for his annual look forward.

Its time again for Russ Ks annual look back at his economic and investment calls. Find out what he got right - and what he got wrong.

Russ explains the two reasons why the U.S. economic growth picture looks a little rosier in 2014.

While Chinese stocks have massively underperformed their U.S. and developed market counterparts year to date, Russ explains the three reasons why hes still bullish on China.

Worried that the U.S. market is about to tilt into bubble territory? Though Russ doesnt believe that U.S. equities are in a bubble yet, he highlights two sets of data investors can watch to gauge a bubbles arrival.