Financial markets often move in cycles where enthusiasm drives prices higher, sometimes far beyond what fundamentals justify.
Just a few short years (months?) ago, few would have believed it possible. But it happened: Bitcoin has traded above $100,000 for the first time ever.
Investment themes are highly dynamic, shouldn’t your investment process be too? Learn about a systematic framework to help with identifying and investing across the themes driving markets.
Our Cash Indicator methodology acts as a plan in case of an emergency. This is analogous to the multiple safety systems in a modern automobile, which includes an airbag. Importantly, each of these systems work together to potentially help smooth the ride.
The passive-investing juggernaut is picking up speed — and it’s stirring up fresh angst about the dangers posed by the index-tracking boom across Wall Street.
Over the past few years, I’ve written numerous articles and given numerous presentations on Direct Indexing.
The explosive growth of the ETF industry has attracted a full range of new entrants this year — from smaller individuals to the largest hedge funds in the world. More and more fund managers are making their foray into the world of ETFs.
Will the Fed make one more rate cut to end 2024? One more cut would top off what has been a very positive fall for rate cut hopefuls considering how long the Fed waited.
The BEA's core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index for October showed that core inflation continues to be above the Federal Reserve's 2% long-term target at 2.3%. The October core Consumer Price Index (CPI) release was higher, at 3.3%. The Fed is on record as using core PCE data as its primary inflation gauge.
President-elect Donald Trump’s pick of a crypto proponent to be the next head of the US securities regulator lifted Bitcoin to $100,000 for the first time as traders warmed to the prospect of relaxed regulations.
Emerging-market currencies held gains after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said policymakers could move cautiously as they lower interest rates. The South Korean won rebounded on Wednesday as President Yoon Suk Yeol rapidly reversed his martial law declaration.
While the economy helped President Trump win a second term, it also created expectations that could prove difficult to meet.
At the 2018 Berkshire Annual Meeting, Buffett noted that “multiple times in my life, people have felt the country was more divided than ever.
China’s major technology stocks have been left behind in this year’s global frenzy over artificial intelligence, and a lack of demand for actual AI usage coupled with geopolitical pressures make it unlikely they can cash in anytime soon.
We launched QuantStreet a little over three years ago, and our first accounts went live as of December 2021.
The S&P 500 earnings growth rate will likely come in just below the 6% mark for the third quarter.
We compare investor risk-taking behaviors at the start of the bull market with those nearly 16 years later. We also analyze key market areas that can offer essential diversification to help manage overall portfolio risk.
While politics garner headlines, fundamentals drive the market over the long term.
The WisdomTree BioRevolution Fund (WDNA) is showing signs of recovery, reflecting renewed investor confidence in biotechnology innovation.
The Fed could be ‘slower to lower,' while the Trend continues to rise, with an overly optimistic Crowd due to seasonality and post-election trends.
When it comes to personalized investment strategies, multiple perspectives come into play: the client, the provider and the advisor.
As a result of the election and rate cuts, the stock market indices surged to new highs in anticipation of lower taxes & looser regulations.
Astoria rounds up its 10 ETFs for 2025, providing unique thought leadership and actionable investment ideas.
As of November 29, 2024, the 10-year note was 366 basis points above its historic closing low of 0.52% reached on August 4, 2020.
The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) manufacturing purchasing managers index (PMI) increased to 48.4 in November but remains in contraction territory for an eighth straight month. The index has now contracted for 24 of the past 25 months. The latest reading was better than the forecast of 47.7.
Seven of our eight indexes on our world watch list have posted gains through December 2, 2024. The U.S. S&P 500 finished first with a year-to-date gain of 27.50%. The Hong Kong's Hang Seng finished second with a year-to-date gain of 16.45%. Germany's DAX finished in third with a year-to-date gain of 15.40%.
Big banks have been warning their investors about the competition they face from private credit, electronic market makers and others for some time.
Investors are scrambling to decide if Donald Trump’s impending return to the White House will sustain or derail the rally in emerging-market bonds witnessed under Joe Biden.
The question on “everyone’s” mind, whether the back or the front, is where will the stock market be in two, three, six years?
Trump's election win spurred market optimism, driving rallies in equities, crypto, and cyclical sector.
Let’s take a look at five of VettaFi's articles that significantly resonated with the community in 2024.
Valid until the market close on December 31, 2024
This article provides an update on the monthly moving averages we track for the S&P 500 and the Ivy Portfolio after the close of the last business day of the month.
The yield on the 10-year note ended November 29, 2024 at 4.18%, the 2-year note ended at 4.13%, and the 30-year at 4.36%.
2024 is set to enter Wall Street’s hall of fame of bull years.
A group of one dozen US Bitcoin exchange-traded funds is on the cusp of a record monthly net inflow, bolstered by the digital asset’s historic surge toward $100,000 on President-elect Donald Trump’s embrace of crypto.
The boom in portfolio trading, where investors can buy or sell scores of corporate bonds with just a few clicks of a mouse, is fueling mega trades that were rare in credit markets just a few years ago.
You're interested in investing in municipal bonds, but which type—general obligation or revenue—is best for you? We break it down.
The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index® rose in November to the highest level since January. The index increased to 111.7 this month from October's upwardly revised 109.6. This month's reading was slightly lower compared to the 111.8 forecasted.
Home prices continued to trend upwards in September as the benchmark 20-city index rose for a twentieth consecutive month to a new all-time high. The S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Index revealed seasonally adjusted home prices for the 20-city index saw a 0.2% increase month-over-month (MoM) and a 4.6% increase year-over-year (YoY). After adjusting for inflation, the MoM was reduced to -0.2% and the YoY was -0.6%.
Merrie Zhang shares how direct indexing works, the potential benefits of it, and best practices on selecting a provider.
VettaFi spoke recently with Nate Williams, a vice president and ETF specialist with Franklin Templeton, about the growth of its ETF business.
Some post-election stock market excitement has receded, but the story of strong breadth—which predated the election—has not changed and continues to support the market for now.
Going into Thanksgiving week, we are reassured of two things we already knew about artificial intelligence, but that could play a role in portfolio allocation decisions for the new year.
Following President Trump’s re-election, the S&P 500 has seen an impressive surge, climbing past 6,000 and sparking significant optimism in the financial markets. Unsurprisingly, the rush by perma-bulls to make long-term predictions is remarkable.
For most of the last fifty years, fixed income investing has been characterized by owning some combination of Municipals, Corporates, Treasuries and Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities.
There’s been a sea change among tech investors during the past month: Software stocks are hot, while semiconductor makers are not.
For investors looking to get ahead of the greater bond market, Eaton Vance's Total Return Bond ETF can do the trick.
Take a moment to understand a few recent breakthroughs in medicine and explore a few ways to get actionable exposure to them with ETFs.
Advisors that ignore – or are unable – to conduct bottom-up financial analysis will continue to mistakenly base their valuation assertions on dated charts and calendars with predictably flawed results.
What are the key drivers of the gold market? Let’s delve into it.
This week, at the North American Blockchain Summit in Dallas, Texas, I had the distinct privilege of moderating a fireside chat with former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
Treasury inflation-protected securities can help buffer a portfolio against inflation. However, it's important to understand their unique characteristics and complex nature.
Generosity knows no season. But as the year-end holidays approach, many of your clients may be thinking about making a charitable donation or increasing their charitable giving.
Actively managed ETFs are among the fastest-growing products in the broader ETF space.
Donald Trump’s presidency is set to bring a fresh bout of volatility to markets, supercharging an options boom driven by retail traders.
Amid a red-hot run in the shares of MicroStrategy Inc. last month, Matt Tuttle got some bad news from the prime brokers for his booming leveraged ETF linked to the shares of the crypto-centric company.
Uncertainty ahead of the election may have resulted in lower corporate capex and M&A trends, but hope abounds that 2025 could bring about renewed animal spirits.
Charles Schwab Corp.’s incoming chief executive officer, Rick Wurster, said the firm is looking to offer spot cryptocurrency trading once US regulations make doing so easier — something that’s more likely once President-elect Donald Trump takes office.
“Overheated” is how short-sellers Citron Research described MicroStrategy Inc. on Thursday.
Fidelity Investments is expanding its reach in the competitive world of systematic strategies for the masses, with the launch of five new active ETFs.
Sirion Skulpone of Goldman Sachs Asset Management talks through the risks of being concentrated in individual stocks.
Vanguard has a pair of bond options if fixed income investors are looking to get active with their portfolio.
In Europe, the ECB stimulates a sluggish economy while in the UK, the problem is inflation. In contrast, the US responds to stronger growth.
The inverse correlation between bonds and stocks has returned, broadening potential for risk-adjusted returns in multi-asset portfolios.
Bitcoin approached the historic $100,000 level, fueled by optimism that President-elect Donald Trump’s support for crypto heralds a boom as the US pivots to friendly regulations in place of a crackdown.
Is inflation tamed? It's a key question that got lost in election coverage. It looms more than a new administration does over portfolios.
For most of the last fifty years, fixed income investing has been characterized by owning some combination of Municipals, Corporates, Treasuries and Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities which has worked well with periods of secular disinflation.
Bitcoin climbed to a record high for a second consecutive day, with MicroStrategy Inc. accelerating the pace of its massive purchases of the cryptocurrency.
Nouriel Roubini is seizing on Donald Trump’s inflation-threatening policy agenda to make a case for an alternative haven trade to Treasuries in a world of elevated volatility.
Bitcoin set another all-time high, supported by a series of developments highlighting the deepening embrace of the digital-asset industry in the US under crypto cheerleader Donald Trump.
The global transition to clean energy should open opportunities for fixed income investors in bond funds that focus on the ESG theme.
Change is the sum of fundamental trends, the gradual elimination of accumulated extremes, and the random arrival of new shocks.
Investor exuberance has rarely been so optimistic. In a recent post, we discussed investor expectations of returns over the next year, according to the Conference Board’s Sentiment Index.
Market prognosticators and the financial media will often point to a particular piece of anecdotal evidence as bullish or bearish. Quite often, the evidence is intuitively appealing as a contrarian indicator.
Last week’s selloff, which comes on the heels of what has been a generally successful earnings season for Corporate America, has investors bracing for one final test: a reading on the state of the consumer from a series of retail bellwethers who report in the coming days.
If Wall Street learned one thing during Donald Trump’s first term as president, it’s that the stock market is a way he keeps score. At various points he took credit for equities rallies, urged Americans to buy the dip, and even considered firing Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, who he blamed for a selloff.
With President-elect Donald Trump set to assume office in January, the U.S. military and cybersecurity sectors could experience sweeping changes, creating opportunities for investors who recognize the long-term growth potential in defense and technology.
Municipal bonds broke their winning streak in October, posting negative total returns alongside broader fixed income assets.
Nominal retail sales in October were up 0.40% month-over-month (MoM) and up 2.85% year-over-year (YoY). However, after adjusting for inflation, real retail sales were up 0.15% MoM and up 0.27% YoY.
The Census Bureau's Advance Retail Sales Report for October revealed headline sales were up 0.4% last month. The latest reading was higher than the expected 0.3% monthly growth in consumer spending.
Big Tech stocks have had a relatively muted reaction to Donald Trump’s election victory, as investors parse how his second term might play out. So far, many are reserving judgment.
Larry Fink turned to big deals to get BlackRock Inc. out in front of a decade of money gushing into index funds. Now he’s doing the same to make sure his firm isn’t left behind in the stampede into private assets.
This year was already a landmark one for exchange-traded funds, but as of Friday the ETF universe can add another superlative: biggest annual inflows on record.
A year-round focus on taxes can unlock value for investors in higher brackets—and it can help advisors prove their own value.
As a major corn and soybean consumer, China is keeping prices in limbo. A potential trade war could add additional intrigue.
Following a tense presidential election, equity markets roared to record highs – the S&P 500 put on its best weekly showing in over a year.
Wholesale inflation rose 0.2% last month, matching economist estimates. The producer price index for final demand was up 0.3% month-over-month (s.a.). On an annual basis, headline PPI accelerated from 1.9% in September to 2.4% in October.
Bitcoin spiked above $93,000 for a short period as expectations of further interest-rate reductions by the Federal Reserve added to the impetus from President-elect Donald Trump’s pro-crypto stance.
The election results triggered a positive market response. The S&P 500 rose +2.5% on Wednesday following the election.
Recent insights from Natixis Investment Managers breaks down a few fixed income risks that investors may not be aware of.
Exchange-Traded Products
Leverage And Speculation Are At Extremes
Financial markets often move in cycles where enthusiasm drives prices higher, sometimes far beyond what fundamentals justify.
Bitcoin’s Rise to $100,000 Signals Global Adoption Shift
Just a few short years (months?) ago, few would have believed it possible. But it happened: Bitcoin has traded above $100,000 for the first time ever.
Thematic Investing: Tomorrow’s Themes, Today
Investment themes are highly dynamic, shouldn’t your investment process be too? Learn about a systematic framework to help with identifying and investing across the themes driving markets.
The December 2024 Dashboard: Our Three Layers of Risk Management
Our Cash Indicator methodology acts as a plan in case of an emergency. This is analogous to the multiple safety systems in a modern automobile, which includes an airbag. Importantly, each of these systems work together to potentially help smooth the ride.
A $500 Billion Haul Reignites Passive Controversy on Wall Street
The passive-investing juggernaut is picking up speed — and it’s stirring up fresh angst about the dangers posed by the index-tracking boom across Wall Street.
Direct Indexing: The Smart Strategy Advisors Can’t Afford to Ignore in 2025
Over the past few years, I’ve written numerous articles and given numerous presentations on Direct Indexing.
ETFs Gone Hollywood? Heavyweights Enter the ETF Fray
The explosive growth of the ETF industry has attracted a full range of new entrants this year — from smaller individuals to the largest hedge funds in the world. More and more fund managers are making their foray into the world of ETFs.
Potential December Rate Cut to Kick-Start Active Investing Into 2025
Will the Fed make one more rate cut to end 2024? One more cut would top off what has been a very positive fall for rate cut hopefuls considering how long the Fed waited.
Two Measures of Inflation: October 2024
The BEA's core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index for October showed that core inflation continues to be above the Federal Reserve's 2% long-term target at 2.3%. The October core Consumer Price Index (CPI) release was higher, at 3.3%. The Fed is on record as using core PCE data as its primary inflation gauge.
Bitcoin Soars Past $100,000 on Trump’s Pro-Crypto Pick for SEC
President-elect Donald Trump’s pick of a crypto proponent to be the next head of the US securities regulator lifted Bitcoin to $100,000 for the first time as traders warmed to the prospect of relaxed regulations.
Emerging Currencies Hold Gains After Powell While Won Rebounds
Emerging-market currencies held gains after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said policymakers could move cautiously as they lower interest rates. The South Korean won rebounded on Wednesday as President Yoon Suk Yeol rapidly reversed his martial law declaration.
Monthly Global Economic Report
While the economy helped President Trump win a second term, it also created expectations that could prove difficult to meet.
Q4 2024 Strategy Letter: One More Before Year End
At the 2018 Berkshire Annual Meeting, Buffett noted that “multiple times in my life, people have felt the country was more divided than ever.
China Tech Stocks Left Behind in Traders’ Hunt for AI Winners
China’s major technology stocks have been left behind in this year’s global frenzy over artificial intelligence, and a lack of demand for actual AI usage coupled with geopolitical pressures make it unlikely they can cash in anytime soon.
QuantStreet December 2024 Letter: Our Three-Year Anniversary
We launched QuantStreet a little over three years ago, and our first accounts went live as of December 2021.
Positive Earnings Trends Heading into 2025, S&P 500 Price Targets Rolling In
The S&P 500 earnings growth rate will likely come in just below the 6% mark for the third quarter.
Emphasize Value as Investors Increasingly Throw Caution to the Wind
We compare investor risk-taking behaviors at the start of the bull market with those nearly 16 years later. We also analyze key market areas that can offer essential diversification to help manage overall portfolio risk.
Equity Markets Carried in November by Post-election Rally
While politics garner headlines, fundamentals drive the market over the long term.
Opportunities in Biotechnology Will Follow Advancements in the Science
The WisdomTree BioRevolution Fund (WDNA) is showing signs of recovery, reflecting renewed investor confidence in biotechnology innovation.
Tactical Rules Hovering Above Neutral
The Fed could be ‘slower to lower,' while the Trend continues to rise, with an overly optimistic Crowd due to seasonality and post-election trends.
How to Create a Personalized Portfolio with Direct Indexing
When it comes to personalized investment strategies, multiple perspectives come into play: the client, the provider and the advisor.
Trump Wins, Fed Cuts, Market Rips, Now What?
As a result of the election and rate cuts, the stock market indices surged to new highs in anticipation of lower taxes & looser regulations.
Special Report: Astoria’s 10 ETFs for 2025
Astoria rounds up its 10 ETFs for 2025, providing unique thought leadership and actionable investment ideas.
Treasury Yields: A Long-Term Perspective
As of November 29, 2024, the 10-year note was 366 basis points above its historic closing low of 0.52% reached on August 4, 2020.
ISM Manufacturing Index Higher Than Last Month
The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) manufacturing purchasing managers index (PMI) increased to 48.4 in November but remains in contraction territory for an eighth straight month. The index has now contracted for 24 of the past 25 months. The latest reading was better than the forecast of 47.7.
World Markets Watchlist: December 2, 2024
Seven of our eight indexes on our world watch list have posted gains through December 2, 2024. The U.S. S&P 500 finished first with a year-to-date gain of 27.50%. The Hong Kong's Hang Seng finished second with a year-to-date gain of 16.45%. Germany's DAX finished in third with a year-to-date gain of 15.40%.
Investment Banks Will Lose Billions of Dollars to Private Rivals
Big banks have been warning their investors about the competition they face from private credit, electronic market makers and others for some time.
Stocks Versus Bonds Dilemma Hits EM Traders as Trump Returns
Investors are scrambling to decide if Donald Trump’s impending return to the White House will sustain or derail the rally in emerging-market bonds witnessed under Joe Biden.
The Changing Nature of the Stock Market
The question on “everyone’s” mind, whether the back or the front, is where will the stock market be in two, three, six years?
BUZZ Investing: Election Sparks 'Trump Trade' Rally
Trump's election win spurred market optimism, driving rallies in equities, crypto, and cyclical sector.
5 ETF Articles That Broke Through in 2024
Let’s take a look at five of VettaFi's articles that significantly resonated with the community in 2024.
Moving Averages: S&P Finishes November 2024 Up 5.7%
Valid until the market close on December 31, 2024
This article provides an update on the monthly moving averages we track for the S&P 500 and the Ivy Portfolio after the close of the last business day of the month.
Treasury Yields Snapshot: November 29, 2024
The yield on the 10-year note ended November 29, 2024 at 4.18%, the 2-year note ended at 4.13%, and the 30-year at 4.36%.
The Vintage Year for US Stock Markets That Few People Expected
2024 is set to enter Wall Street’s hall of fame of bull years.
US Bitcoin ETFs Head for Record Monthly Inflow on Trump Optimism
A group of one dozen US Bitcoin exchange-traded funds is on the cusp of a record monthly net inflow, bolstered by the digital asset’s historic surge toward $100,000 on President-elect Donald Trump’s embrace of crypto.
Corporate Bond ETFs Are Fueling a Rise in Monster Block Trades
The boom in portfolio trading, where investors can buy or sell scores of corporate bonds with just a few clicks of a mouse, is fueling mega trades that were rare in credit markets just a few years ago.
Choosing Municipal Bonds: GO or Revenue?
You're interested in investing in municipal bonds, but which type—general obligation or revenue—is best for you? We break it down.
Consumer Confidence Rises in November
The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index® rose in November to the highest level since January. The index increased to 111.7 this month from October's upwardly revised 109.6. This month's reading was slightly lower compared to the 111.8 forecasted.
S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Index: Hits New Record High in September
Home prices continued to trend upwards in September as the benchmark 20-city index rose for a twentieth consecutive month to a new all-time high. The S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Index revealed seasonally adjusted home prices for the 20-city index saw a 0.2% increase month-over-month (MoM) and a 4.6% increase year-over-year (YoY). After adjusting for inflation, the MoM was reduced to -0.2% and the YoY was -0.6%.
Keep More of What You Earn With Direct Indexing
Merrie Zhang shares how direct indexing works, the potential benefits of it, and best practices on selecting a provider.
Financial Giant Charts a Differentiated Course in Active ETFs
VettaFi spoke recently with Nate Williams, a vice president and ETF specialist with Franklin Templeton, about the growth of its ETF business.
Breadth of Life: Post-Election Market Trends
Some post-election stock market excitement has receded, but the story of strong breadth—which predated the election—has not changed and continues to support the market for now.
ETFs for Artificial Intelligence’s Broadening Reach
Going into Thanksgiving week, we are reassured of two things we already knew about artificial intelligence, but that could play a role in portfolio allocation decisions for the new year.
Yardeni And The Long History Of Prediction Problems
Following President Trump’s re-election, the S&P 500 has seen an impressive surge, climbing past 6,000 and sparking significant optimism in the financial markets. Unsurprisingly, the rush by perma-bulls to make long-term predictions is remarkable.
CLO Default Rates Are Significantly Lower Than Corporate Default Rates
For most of the last fifty years, fixed income investing has been characterized by owning some combination of Municipals, Corporates, Treasuries and Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities.
Software Is In, Chips Are Out as Traders Position for Trump Era
There’s been a sea change among tech investors during the past month: Software stocks are hot, while semiconductor makers are not.
Outpace the Agg With EVTR’s Core Plus Bond Strategy
For investors looking to get ahead of the greater bond market, Eaton Vance's Total Return Bond ETF can do the trick.
Disruptive Theme of the Week: Breakthroughs in Medicine
Take a moment to understand a few recent breakthroughs in medicine and explore a few ways to get actionable exposure to them with ETFs.
Avoiding Analytical Distortions
Advisors that ignore – or are unable – to conduct bottom-up financial analysis will continue to mistakenly base their valuation assertions on dated charts and calendars with predictably flawed results.
From Rate Cuts to Gold ETFs: Unpacking the Factors Behind the Price Surge
What are the key drivers of the gold market? Let’s delve into it.
Stephen Harper’s Blueprint for Economic Growth and Middle-Class Prosperity
This week, at the North American Blockchain Summit in Dallas, Texas, I had the distinct privilege of moderating a fireside chat with former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
TIPS and Inflation: What to Know Now
Treasury inflation-protected securities can help buffer a portfolio against inflation. However, it's important to understand their unique characteristics and complex nature.
Strategic Giving: How Direct Indexing Could Enhance Charitable Contributions
Generosity knows no season. But as the year-end holidays approach, many of your clients may be thinking about making a charitable donation or increasing their charitable giving.
Active ETFs Offer Tax Perks, Too
Actively managed ETFs are among the fastest-growing products in the broader ETF space.
Trump Set to Supercharge Options Boom Driven by Retail Investors
Donald Trump’s presidency is set to bring a fresh bout of volatility to markets, supercharging an options boom driven by retail traders.
Booming MicroStrategy ETFs Are Straining Limits at Prime Brokers
Amid a red-hot run in the shares of MicroStrategy Inc. last month, Matt Tuttle got some bad news from the prime brokers for his booming leveraged ETF linked to the shares of the crypto-centric company.
Another Soft Year for Secondaries: Changes on the Way in 2025?
Uncertainty ahead of the election may have resulted in lower corporate capex and M&A trends, but hope abounds that 2025 could bring about renewed animal spirits.
Charles Schwab Eyes Spot Crypto Trading Once Regulations Change
Charles Schwab Corp.’s incoming chief executive officer, Rick Wurster, said the firm is looking to offer spot cryptocurrency trading once US regulations make doing so easier — something that’s more likely once President-elect Donald Trump takes office.
MicroStrategy's Infinite Money Glitch Won’t Last
“Overheated” is how short-sellers Citron Research described MicroStrategy Inc. on Thursday.
Fidelity Ramps Up Quant Franchise With Five New Active ETFs
Fidelity Investments is expanding its reach in the competitive world of systematic strategies for the masses, with the launch of five new active ETFs.
Tackling Concentrated Stock Risk
Sirion Skulpone of Goldman Sachs Asset Management talks through the risks of being concentrated in individual stocks.
As Active ETFs Grow Worldwide, Here's 2 Bond Options
Vanguard has a pair of bond options if fixed income investors are looking to get active with their portfolio.
Central Bank Policy and Global Bond Yields
In Europe, the ECB stimulates a sluggish economy while in the UK, the problem is inflation. In contrast, the US responds to stronger growth.
Negative Correlations, Positive Allocations
The inverse correlation between bonds and stocks has returned, broadening potential for risk-adjusted returns in multi-asset portfolios.
Bitcoin Climbs Closer to $100,000 on Trump’s Support for Crypto
Bitcoin approached the historic $100,000 level, fueled by optimism that President-elect Donald Trump’s support for crypto heralds a boom as the US pivots to friendly regulations in place of a crackdown.
Is Inflation Tamed? The Key Question Ahead of 2025
Is inflation tamed? It's a key question that got lost in election coverage. It looms more than a new administration does over portfolios.
Opportunities Beyond the Traditional Bond Indices
For most of the last fifty years, fixed income investing has been characterized by owning some combination of Municipals, Corporates, Treasuries and Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities which has worked well with periods of secular disinflation.
Bitcoin Rises to Record With MicroStrategy Stepping Up Purchases
Bitcoin climbed to a record high for a second consecutive day, with MicroStrategy Inc. accelerating the pace of its massive purchases of the cryptocurrency.
Roubini Launches Treasury-Alternative ETF to Ride Trump-Era Risk
Nouriel Roubini is seizing on Donald Trump’s inflation-threatening policy agenda to make a case for an alternative haven trade to Treasuries in a world of elevated volatility.
Bitcoin Sets Another Record Amid US’s Growing Embrace of Crypto
Bitcoin set another all-time high, supported by a series of developments highlighting the deepening embrace of the digital-asset industry in the US under crypto cheerleader Donald Trump.
Green Energy Transition Opens ESG Opportunities in Bonds
The global transition to clean energy should open opportunities for fixed income investors in bond funds that focus on the ESG theme.
The Turtle and the Pendulum
Change is the sum of fundamental trends, the gradual elimination of accumulated extremes, and the random arrival of new shocks.
Exuberance – Investors Have Rarely Been So Optimistic
Investor exuberance has rarely been so optimistic. In a recent post, we discussed investor expectations of returns over the next year, according to the Conference Board’s Sentiment Index.
The Magazine Cover Jinx: Fading the Madness of Popular Press
Market prognosticators and the financial media will often point to a particular piece of anecdotal evidence as bullish or bearish. Quite often, the evidence is intuitively appealing as a contrarian indicator.
Holiday Outlooks Due From Major Retailers in Test of US Consumer
Last week’s selloff, which comes on the heels of what has been a generally successful earnings season for Corporate America, has investors bracing for one final test: a reading on the state of the consumer from a series of retail bellwethers who report in the coming days.
Trump’s Scoreboard Is the S&P 500, and It’s Wall Street’s Best Hope
If Wall Street learned one thing during Donald Trump’s first term as president, it’s that the stock market is a way he keeps score. At various points he took credit for equities rallies, urged Americans to buy the dip, and even considered firing Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, who he blamed for a selloff.
How Trump’s Second Term Could Impact Defense and Cybersecurity Spending
With President-elect Donald Trump set to assume office in January, the U.S. military and cybersecurity sectors could experience sweeping changes, creating opportunities for investors who recognize the long-term growth potential in defense and technology.
Active Management Will Drive Muni Returns in 2024
Municipal bonds broke their winning streak in October, posting negative total returns alongside broader fixed income assets.
The Big Four Recession Indicators: Real Retail Sales Up 0.4% in October
Nominal retail sales in October were up 0.40% month-over-month (MoM) and up 2.85% year-over-year (YoY). However, after adjusting for inflation, real retail sales were up 0.15% MoM and up 0.27% YoY.
Retail Sales Up 0.4% in October, Better Than Expected
The Census Bureau's Advance Retail Sales Report for October revealed headline sales were up 0.4% last month. The latest reading was higher than the expected 0.3% monthly growth in consumer spending.
Big Tech Traders Are in Wait-and-See Mode on Trump’s Second Term
Big Tech stocks have had a relatively muted reaction to Donald Trump’s election victory, as investors parse how his second term might play out. So far, many are reserving judgment.
Fink Pushes BlackRock Into High-Stakes Bet on Private Markets
Larry Fink turned to big deals to get BlackRock Inc. out in front of a decade of money gushing into index funds. Now he’s doing the same to make sure his firm isn’t left behind in the stampede into private assets.
A Near-$1 Trillion ETF Rush This Year Breaks Wall Street Records
This year was already a landmark one for exchange-traded funds, but as of Friday the ETF universe can add another superlative: biggest annual inflows on record.
How Direct Indexing Can Make the Difference for Taxable Investors
A year-round focus on taxes can unlock value for investors in higher brackets—and it can help advisors prove their own value.
China Demand, Trade Wars Keep Ag Commodities in Limbo
As a major corn and soybean consumer, China is keeping prices in limbo. A potential trade war could add additional intrigue.
The Post-Election Flood Into ETFs
Following a tense presidential election, equity markets roared to record highs – the S&P 500 put on its best weekly showing in over a year.
Producer Price Index: Wholesale Inflation Rose in October
Wholesale inflation rose 0.2% last month, matching economist estimates. The producer price index for final demand was up 0.3% month-over-month (s.a.). On an annual basis, headline PPI accelerated from 1.9% in September to 2.4% in October.
Bitcoin Briefly Tops $93,000 on Trump Agenda, Fed Policy Outlook
Bitcoin spiked above $93,000 for a short period as expectations of further interest-rate reductions by the Federal Reserve added to the impetus from President-elect Donald Trump’s pro-crypto stance.
The Election Is Over — What Is Next?
The election results triggered a positive market response. The S&P 500 rose +2.5% on Wednesday following the election.
Avoid These 2 Pitfalls In Fixed Income Investing
Recent insights from Natixis Investment Managers breaks down a few fixed income risks that investors may not be aware of.