The Fed cut rates by 0.25%, with limited changes to the statement, while Powell's blunt "no" response about any coming political pressure to resign was headline grabbing.
Stocks and yields made slight early gains but attention is mainly on today's U.S. election. ISM Services data and a 10-year note auction lie ahead, and bond volatility is high.
The Treasury yield curve is an important economic indicator that, depending on its shape, can signal changes in market expectations and provide economic insight.
Although investing in in-state municipal bonds may have tax advantages, there can be good reasons to buy out-of-state munis.
Earnings season is shaping up to be relatively strong so far, but the market will likely continue to shift focus to an increasingly murky sales picture.
The tech sector approaches third-quarter earnings season in unusual territory, with investors worried about a slowdown in earnings growth over the last year. Margins loom large.
Tighter fiscal policy in Europe and China may hinder the economic response to easing monetary policy, with a resulting shift in investors' focus.
Agency bonds issued by government-sponsored enterprises can offer slightly higher yields than U.S. Treasury bonds, without requiring bondholders to take on too much additional risk.
Turbulent market conditions can make anyone nervous. Here's what investors should know about dealing with them.
This unique bull market is still young relative to history and, for now, supported by relatively healthy breadth and broadening participation.
Has the Federal Reserve achieved an economic "soft landing"? A resilient U.S. economy suggests it may have.
After the Fed's 50-basis-point rate cut, big banks kick off earnings season amid fears that lower rates could hurt the net-interest income that propelled growth the last two years.
Should China deliver sufficient stimulus to break the cycle of tightening fiscal policy, we may find China, and emerging markets, investable again.
How will the U.S. dollar respond to Federal Reserve rate cuts? The factors that have supported a strong dollar for years remain largely intact.
We believe municipal bonds currently offer a compelling balance of risk and reward for investors in higher tax brackets.
Historically, staying invested has been, in our view, an effective strategy and one to consider when it comes to election years and beyond.
Policy, more likely to be dictated by economic circumstances, may not resemble generous populist proposals, which could limit their impact on stock markets.
Schwab Sector Views is our six- to 12-month outlook for stock sectors, which represent broad sectors of the economy. The Schwab Center for Financial Research (SCFR) combines a factor-based approach with a market and economic assessment to determine the ratings. For the basics on sectors, please see Stock Sectors: What Are They? How Are They Used?
From "how" to "why now," here are four things investors should understand about bond investing.
Policymakers indicated that more interest rate cuts were likely in coming months.
Panic is never a good investment strategy—nor is greed. Here's how disciplined investing helps navigate through volatile environments.
The Federal Reserve is widely expected to begin cutting interest rates at its September meeting. Market performance may depend on whether the pace of cuts is fast or slow.
Certificates of deposit (CDs) and Treasuries both can offer steady, predictable investment income—but how to decide between them? Here are five factors to help you choose.
How are bull and bear markets defined and how should you approach them as an investor?
While the pace of Federal Reserve cuts is in question, all roads lead to lower interest rates.
Given the backdrop of monetary policy stimulus, the global economy is poised for growth and international stocks for continued leadership.
Stock buybacks have boomed in recent years. With corporate cash flows remaining high and potential rate cuts from the Fed, the trend appears set to continue.
Investors should be careful what they wish for in hoping for an aggressive Fed rate cutting cycle, given stocks tend to do better when cuts are slow and steady.
High-yield bonds have been one of the best-performing bond investments so far this year, but there may be better entry points down the road.
Our outlook on the 11 S&P 500 equity sectors.
Although we think it's too early to declare the economy is in a recession, risk is elevated. For investors who are concerned about a recession, municipal bonds may help buffer a portfolio.
It's been 38 years since I began my career on Wall Street and the lessons I learned along the way from some all-time investment greats always hold true.
Looking back at the 14 Fed rate cycles since 1929, certain patterns emerge. Still, investors instead need to examine what factors are driving the Fed now.
Markets were recently rattled by concerns the U.S. may slip into recession, but it's not clear that those fears are justified.
Bond prices whipsawed over the past month as volatility spiked across markets. What's next for fixed income markets?
Common wisdom is that consumers are pulling back on spending, but some green shoots are sprouting that might break ground as big retailers prepare to report second-quarter results.
Having been warned about the risk, investors now ask if the yen carry trade unwind is complete. Here's how far it might still go.
When the Federal Reserve lowers its key short-term interest rate, the impact isn't uniform across the financial universe.
What the Fed's monetary-policy tools signal about the market.
The softening trends in both inflation and labor data are sending a message that monetary policy is too restrictive.
The Federal Reserve kept its policy rate unchanged at the July meeting, but left the door open to rate cuts later this year.
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.
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.
Relatively high yields mean investors who have been focusing on short-term securities wouldn't need to sacrifice much yield if they chose MBS to help limit their reinvestment risk.
As Microsoft, Meta Platforms, chipmakers, and others prepare to report earnings, the AI-driven cloud and chip industries may continue to dominate the technology storyline.
Discover what surprised markets in the second quarter of 2024 and understand the potential drivers of volatility for the third quarter.
Softening inflation supports the potential for a Federal Reserve interest rate cut in coming months, but there are complexities below the surface.
Net interest income helped big banks, which begin reporting second-quarter earnings July 12, but there's concern about how long it can keep going.
Although the market is off to a rough start to the year, we think it should recover.
