Markets will be laser focused on Federal Reserve policy and economic projections next week, looking for signs about where interest rates are heading.
News related to tariffs, DOGE, geopolitical unrest, NVIDIA earnings, and more significantly impacted U.S. stock markets recently, with the S&P 500 retreating over 2.5% during the second half of February. There are signs that meaningful structural shifts are taking place in the market.
In today’s rapidly evolving financial landscape, advisors are expected to be more than just portfolio managers. Clients don’t just want investment recommendations—they seek a trusted partner who understands their financial needs, offers strategic guidance and provides peace of mind during turbulent times.
It was inevitable. Certain pieces of the market roared to insane valuations last year. Investors poured money into the markets and speculated stocks would keep rising forever. But, sentiment has shifted.
March came in like a lion, much to the bears’ delight. The S&P 500® plunged from its February 19 high on the heels of stern tariff talk and phrases like “a little bit of an adjustment period” from President Trump and the economy entering a “detox period,” as Treasury Secretary Bessent said last week.
US stocks gained after a volatile session as dip buyers emerged after a cooler-than-forecast February inflation report.
In a few short weeks, President Donald Trump has started silencing the buy-the-dip stock traders who set the tone on Wall Street for the better part of two decades.
Recent US stock weakness may be related to a downturn in US economic data and headline shocks related to tariffs.
On the latest Road to Exchange, VettaFi’s Roxanna Islam interviewed author and Bread founder Kyla Scanlon. Scanlon is most known for her work as an influencer and her widely praised book, “In This Economy?,” Scanlon, who dissects and comments on markets in a unique way, will be speaking at the Exchange conference.
As we wade into March, market volatility is at the forefront, leaving investors grappling with uncertainty surrounding tariffs and mixed economic signals. Though the S&P 500 experienced a bounce towards February's end, it slipped 1% overall, revealing lingering challenges for iconic tech stocks and the broader equity landscape.
Global investment themes are shifting toward infrastructure, cybersecurity and energy expansion as demand outpaces supply in key sectors.
For decades, the U.S. dollar’s dominance has rested on two pillars: America’s deep capital markets and its global security alliances. Today, both are under strain.
Economic growth, earnings performance, and rising fiscal spending coupled with "America First" policies are driving international stock markets.
The EV shakeout is underway. When the dust settles, only a few players will remain. Many more will be relegated to the scrapyard of failed ambitions.
Modern direct indexing tools, using sophisticated technology, can identify tax loss opportunities on a daily or even minute-by-minute basis. As time progresses, I believe more advisors will see the potential of direct indexing.
Please join VettaFi and Nasdaq for a free one-hour, Asset Allocation Summit. Register today for this free summit and learn how to take advantage of all that asset allocation has to offer.
US Treasuries surged and investors boosted their bets on Federal Reserve interest-rate cuts Monday as fear of a economic slowdown took hold across US markets.
Apple Inc. is preparing one of the most dramatic software overhauls in the company’s history, aiming to transform the interface of the iPhone, iPad and Mac for a new generation of users.
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.
Though mergers and acquisitions were expected to roar back in 2025 thanks to the new administration, uncertainty around Washington policy appears to be holding back new deals.
It is true that tariffs are a tax. It is also true that tariff policies have been volatile…on and off again…different carve outs…different countries…phone calls that change things. All of this clearly has an impact on the market. So, we are not surprised to see stock market volatility.
On this episode of the “ETF of the Week” podcast, VettaFi’s Head of Research Todd Rosenbluth talks about the KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF (KWEB) with Money Life host Chuck Jaffe. The pair covered a range of topics related to the fund, providing investors with a deeper understanding of the ETF.
Let's take a close look at February's employment report numbers on Full and Part-Time Employment. The latest data shows that 82.5% of total employed workers are full-time (35+ hours) and 17.5% of total employed workers are part-time (<35 hours).
On February 19, 2025, the Fed made a confounding statement about QT, aka balance sheet reduction. Per its latest FOMC minutes: “several participants suggest halting or slowing balance sheet reduction pending debt ceiling resolution.” Might the Fed be offering investors a liquidity warning cloaked as a reaction to a fiscal crisis?
A chorus of Wall Street strategists is warning about rising volatility in the stock market, with Morgan Stanley’s Michael Wilson the latest to sound the alarm on slumping economic growth amid President Donald Trump’s trade wars.
The U.S. has poured more than $120 billion into Ukraine since its war with Russia began three years ago, but with a new administration in Washington, that support is grinding to a halt.
Will artificial intelligence take my job? This question is really starting to preoccupy me and millions of other white-collar workers. There’s even a word for it — FOBO, or fear of becoming obsolete — and, regrettably, our apprehension isn’t entirely unfounded.
The moving average for vehicle sales per capita series peaked in August 1978. Fast forward more than 45 years, it is now down 37.2% from that peak.
The Nasdaq 100 Index sank into a correction on Friday, as investors continue to sour on the megacap technology stocks that led the stock market rally over the past two years.
Broadcom Inc. shares jumped after the chip supplier for Apple Inc. and other big tech companies gave an upbeat forecast, reassuring investors that spending on artificial intelligence computing remains healthy.
One month into President Donald Trump’s new term, financial markets are adjusting to a rapidly shifting economic and policy environment. Investors are watching closely as tariffs, interest rate expectations and regulatory changes take center stage.
Volatility is back in town. Tariff jitters and concerns about growth and inflation have resulted in an S&P 500® dip and the Cboe Volatility Index (VIX) jumping above 20. Investors grapple with a very sanguine backdrop painted by the fourth-quarter earnings season and policy uncertainty.
The "2025+ Outlook Report" offers an analysis of how robotics, AI, and healthcare technology are converging to reshape industries globally.
Developing-nation assets jumped on bets higher tariffs will slow the US economy and divert investment flows into other markets.
Applications for US unemployment benefits fell last week and returned to muted levels seen at the start of the year, offering some relief after other reports pointed to worsening labor-market conditions.
Many ASEAN members punch above their economic weight in international trade. But their power may also make them targets in the mounting global trade battle.
As daily headlines drive volatility, the market has avoided overreacting thus far.
We view quarterly earnings season as a critical checkup on how markets are handling current challenges.
Here is a look at real (inflation-adjusted) charts of the S&P 500, Dow 30, and Nasdaq composite since their 2000 highs. We've updated this through the February 2025 close.
The February U.S. Services Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) from S&P Global came in at 51.0, higher than the 49.7 forecast. The reading marks the 25th consecutive month of expansion but is the slowest growth since November 2023.
Unlike most of the rest of the world, I will attempt to minimize all there is to say about the beginning of the next 4 years, as the persistent yack and what to make of it reverberates in all corners of the financial globe.
In this primer we define small cap growth funds, provide practical suggestions on how to invest in them, and explain why we believe they are a strategically important asset class.
February’s market turbulence saw investors pivot toward defensive strategies as policy uncertainty intensified, driving a broad market rotation from mega-cap tech stocks to bonds, gold, and international equities.
Ultra-wealthy investors have unique needs and goals. While a typical high net worth client is focused on the next dozen years, these more deep-pocketed clients – like their institutional counterparts – have a much longer time horizon.
President Trump’s nomination of Paul Atkins as the next SEC Chair signals a potential sea change in regulatory approach, one that could dramatically reshape the landscape of alternative investments.
Many major stocks connected to artificial intelligence have lost their luster of late, but perhaps none more so than Microsoft Corp.
We wrote in last month's letter that the U.S. stock market had to meet lofty earnings expectations to maintain its strong performance relative to global benchmarks, while the latter had a lower bar because of considerably cheaper valuation multiples and higher dividend yields.
The AI breakthrough spotlights some of China’s distinctive features that deserve closer attention from investors.
It’s not U.S. tariffs we need to be fixated on to gauge China’s economic growth trajectory but the ability of its leadership to rebuild confidence among entrepreneurs and consumers.
On this episode of the “ETF of the Week” podcast, VettaFi’s head of research, Todd Rosenbluth, discussed the CoinShares Valkyrie Bitcoin Miners ETF (WGMI) with Chuck Jaffe of Money Life. The pair discussed several topics related to the fund to give investors a deeper understanding of the ETF overall.
By acknowledging that we are not always rational and are subject to cognitive biases, we can better understand market anomalies and develop strategies to mitigate – and even take advantage of – their impact.
There’s an old Wall Street saying that “the stock market is not the economy.” That’s usually true. But, in this economic cycle, stock market gains have become an increasingly important driver of consumer spending, helping to fuel growth as other areas of the economy cool.
President Xi Jinping heads into China’s biggest political huddle of the year with his economy finally getting back some swagger. Donald Trump’s rising tariffs will test Beijing’s ability to sustain that momentum.
For some time now, there have been plenty of reasons to worry about Big Tech stocks. Stretched valuations after a big run up, heavy spending on artificial intelligence and lofty expectations for future growth. For months, though, none of it seemed to matter.
More than a century ago, then-Representative William McKinley pursued an aggressive tariff strategy that sought to protect American industry and reduce reliance on foreign imports. The McKinley Tariff Act of 1890 raised import duties to an average of 50%, one of the highest levels in U.S. history.
With major US policy change unfolding, flexibility across and within asset classes will be critical.
U.S. equity investors face an interesting allocation question in 2025: Why buy anything other than the S&P 500?
Tencent Holdings Ltd. became the latest tech company to unveil or enhance an AI model intended to eclipse DeepSeek, joining a spate of rollouts since the startup’s emergence energized the US-China technology race.
The decision to drill for oil is not primarily driven by government mandates or regulatory pressure, but rather by market forces.
The perfect pairing for your U.S. large-cap portfolio?
Artificial intelligence is pushing humanity toward a more efficient future, but like any world-changing technology will eventually crash and hurt investors, according to longtime Wall Street doomsayer Jeremy Grantham.
We delve into the unprecedented level of equity risk investors are taking, the record-high uncertainty measures facing further impacts from deglobalization, and the benefits of maintaining a diversified portfolio through it all.
President Donald Trump would like to offer migrants who want to work in the US a “gold card,” akin to a green card, with one significant difference: the price tag.
The long-anticipated “infrastructure week” has finally arrived. This is a cornerstone of the administration’s agenda.
New orders for manufactured durable goods rose to $286.00B in January. This represents a 3.1% increase from the previous month and a 3.4% rise from one year ago. The latest reading was better than the expected 2.0% growth.
Investors hoping that Nvidia Corp.’s earnings would rejuvenate the artificial intelligence trade didn’t exactly get the report they wanted.
Nvidia Corp., the chipmaker at the center of an AI spending boom, delivered good-but-not-great quarterly numbers on Wednesday, drawing a muted response from investors accustomed to blowout results.
If Trump tariffs Chinese, European, or Canadian products, those countries tend to enact counter-balancing tariffs on U.S. products. Such slows demand for goods and services between all parties, again a deflationary process.
Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) takes a pivotal role in shaping how America approaches cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.
Nvidia, the biggest AI chip firm, reports Wednesday with investors watching sales of Nvidia's newest chips and worried about cheaper competition from systems like DeepSeek.
The U.S. economy remains structurally productive. American Economic Exceptionalism is powered by innovation and labor flexibility.
Nvidia Corp.’s earnings are set to dictate whether artificial intelligence can regain its status as the key driver behind Wall Street gains — or trigger more weakness after the Magnificent Seven group of technology stocks fell into correction territory.
Healthcare stocks were hurt by volatility from factors that include policy-related uncertainty, which hasn’t faded since the US election.
Dean LeBaron’s name may not be familiar to many readers, especially those who only began their careers in the 21st century. But all of us should know who he is. Before there was even a term for it, Dean was the first truly successful quant.
We explore drivers that may contribute to continued outperformance of European stocks since the bull market began in October 2022.
Don’t choose technology for the firm that you were, or even the firm you are now. Choose technology for the firm you want to become in five years.
Investors should not be overly distracted by the recent spate of political headlines and social media updates.
A crowded trade is defined as a position characterized by a high concentration of institutional investors relative to the underlying liquidity.
Donald Trump’s administration is sketching out tougher versions of US semiconductor curbs and pressuring key allies to escalate their restrictions on China’s chip industry, an early indication the new US president plans to expand efforts that began under Joe Biden to limit Beijing’s technological prowess.
Earnings season is winding down, and the spotlight will soon shift toward 2025 trends after an impressive end to last year.
For the latest Road to Exchange video, TMX VettaFi Investment Strategist Cinthia Murphy interviewed Lead-Lag Report publisher Michael Gayed. The two discussed market uncertainty, trusted filters, and the value of in-person events.
Despite what many of my critics think, I am agnostic about cryptocurrency. However, I am willing to shed light on details that most crypto supporters refuse to discuss or even acknowledge.
In a market as broad, opaque and inefficient as the municipal bond market, in which compliance oversight and efficiency are paramount, these initial efficiency gains are just the tip of what may prove to be a transformative technology iceberg.
With our most reliable valuation measures more extreme than both the 1929 and 2000 market peaks, we continue to believe that the stock market is tracing out the extended peak of the third great speculative bubble in U.S. history.
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. pledged to invest more than 380 billion yuan ($53 billion) on AI infrastructure such as data centers over the next three years, a major commitment that underscores the e-commerce pioneer’s ambitions of becoming a leader in artificial intelligence.
The Trump administration took aim at China with a series of moves involving investment, trade and other issues that raises the risk ties may soon worsen between the US and its top economic rival.
There are several answers, but an important financial one is that recent fundamental market changes have been much more disruptive for egg buyers than computer-processing users.
Salesforce Inc. has signed a multibillion-dollar cloud deal with Alphabet Inc.’s Google, part of a larger effort to combine forces and attract corporate customers currently using Microsoft Corp.’s productivity and artificial intelligence products.
None of us outside Trump’s inner circle know what the real goals are. What looks like needless chaos might lead to benefits that outweigh the costs. One potential benefit is revenue. Could the tariffs produce significant tax revenue that would help reduce the federal debt? The president seems to think so.
Innovative ETFs
Latest Inflation Readings Put the Federal Reserve in a Bind
Markets will be laser focused on Federal Reserve policy and economic projections next week, looking for signs about where interest rates are heading.
Quality Is On Sale
News related to tariffs, DOGE, geopolitical unrest, NVIDIA earnings, and more significantly impacted U.S. stock markets recently, with the S&P 500 retreating over 2.5% during the second half of February. There are signs that meaningful structural shifts are taking place in the market.
Becoming Your Client’s Financial MD: A New Advisory Mindset
In today’s rapidly evolving financial landscape, advisors are expected to be more than just portfolio managers. Clients don’t just want investment recommendations—they seek a trusted partner who understands their financial needs, offers strategic guidance and provides peace of mind during turbulent times.
Are You Ready for the Rotation?
It was inevitable. Certain pieces of the market roared to insane valuations last year. Investors poured money into the markets and speculated stocks would keep rising forever. But, sentiment has shifted.
Honeywell’s Planned Spinoff and What It Means Amid Macro Volatility
March came in like a lion, much to the bears’ delight. The S&P 500® plunged from its February 19 high on the heels of stern tariff talk and phrases like “a little bit of an adjustment period” from President Trump and the economy entering a “detox period,” as Treasury Secretary Bessent said last week.
US Stocks Rebound After Volatile Session on Softer CPI Data
US stocks gained after a volatile session as dip buyers emerged after a cooler-than-forecast February inflation report.
‘Buy The Dip’ Calls Fade as Trump Selloffs Rattle Wall Street
In a few short weeks, President Donald Trump has started silencing the buy-the-dip stock traders who set the tone on Wall Street for the better part of two decades.
Data Determination vs. Headline ‘Hell’: Making Sense of the US Market’s Crosscurrents
Recent US stock weakness may be related to a downturn in US economic data and headline shocks related to tariffs.
Road to Exchange: Kyla Scanlon on Human Economics
On the latest Road to Exchange, VettaFi’s Roxanna Islam interviewed author and Bread founder Kyla Scanlon. Scanlon is most known for her work as an influencer and her widely praised book, “In This Economy?,” Scanlon, who dissects and comments on markets in a unique way, will be speaking at the Exchange conference.
Navigating Market Turbulence: Decoding the Impact of Tariffs and Economic Trends
As we wade into March, market volatility is at the forefront, leaving investors grappling with uncertainty surrounding tariffs and mixed economic signals. Though the S&P 500 experienced a bounce towards February's end, it slipped 1% overall, revealing lingering challenges for iconic tech stocks and the broader equity landscape.
From AI to Infrastructure: The 10 Investment Themes Defining the Next Five Years
Global investment themes are shifting toward infrastructure, cybersecurity and energy expansion as demand outpaces supply in key sectors.
Why the U.S. Dollar Is Losing Some of Its Luster
For decades, the U.S. dollar’s dominance has rested on two pillars: America’s deep capital markets and its global security alliances. Today, both are under strain.
Making International Great Again?
Economic growth, earnings performance, and rising fiscal spending coupled with "America First" policies are driving international stock markets.
The EV Shakeout
The EV shakeout is underway. When the dust settles, only a few players will remain. Many more will be relegated to the scrapyard of failed ambitions.
Still Working the Night Shift
Modern direct indexing tools, using sophisticated technology, can identify tax loss opportunities on a daily or even minute-by-minute basis. As time progresses, I believe more advisors will see the potential of direct indexing.
Revisiting Direct Indexing in 2025
Modern direct indexing tools, using sophisticated technology, can identify tax loss opportunities on a daily or even minute-by-minute basis. As time progresses, I believe more advisors will see the potential of direct indexing.
Asset Allocation Summit
Please join VettaFi and Nasdaq for a free one-hour, Asset Allocation Summit. Register today for this free summit and learn how to take advantage of all that asset allocation has to offer.
US Bonds Rose as Recession Angst Fuels Haven Demand
US Treasuries surged and investors boosted their bets on Federal Reserve interest-rate cuts Monday as fear of a economic slowdown took hold across US markets.
Apple Readies Dramatic Software Overhaul for iPhone, iPad and Mac
Apple Inc. is preparing one of the most dramatic software overhauls in the company’s history, aiming to transform the interface of the iPhone, iPad and Mac for a new generation of users.
Despite Recent Volatility, We Maintain Our Constructive Outlook
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.
M&A Still on Hold Amid Policy Uncertainty
Though mergers and acquisitions were expected to roar back in 2025 thanks to the new administration, uncertainty around Washington policy appears to be holding back new deals.
It's Not All About Tariffs
It is true that tariffs are a tax. It is also true that tariff policies have been volatile…on and off again…different carve outs…different countries…phone calls that change things. All of this clearly has an impact on the market. So, we are not surprised to see stock market volatility.
ETF of the Week: KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF (KWEB)
On this episode of the “ETF of the Week” podcast, VettaFi’s Head of Research Todd Rosenbluth talks about the KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF (KWEB) with Money Life host Chuck Jaffe. The pair covered a range of topics related to the fund, providing investors with a deeper understanding of the ETF.
A Closer Look at Full-time and Part-time Employment: February 2025
Let's take a close look at February's employment report numbers on Full and Part-Time Employment. The latest data shows that 82.5% of total employed workers are full-time (35+ hours) and 17.5% of total employed workers are part-time (<35 hours).
Never Let a Crisis Go to Waste
On February 19, 2025, the Fed made a confounding statement about QT, aka balance sheet reduction. Per its latest FOMC minutes: “several participants suggest halting or slowing balance sheet reduction pending debt ceiling resolution.” Might the Fed be offering investors a liquidity warning cloaked as a reaction to a fiscal crisis?
Strategists See More S&P 500 Volatility as Tariff Fears Kick In
A chorus of Wall Street strategists is warning about rising volatility in the stock market, with Morgan Stanley’s Michael Wilson the latest to sound the alarm on slumping economic growth amid President Donald Trump’s trade wars.
European Defense Stocks Go Parabolic as War Spending Surges
The U.S. has poured more than $120 billion into Ukraine since its war with Russia began three years ago, but with a new administration in Washington, that support is grinding to a halt.
How To Hedge Against AI Stealing Your Job
Will artificial intelligence take my job? This question is really starting to preoccupy me and millions of other white-collar workers. There’s even a word for it — FOBO, or fear of becoming obsolete — and, regrettably, our apprehension isn’t entirely unfounded.
Vehicle Sales: February 2025
The moving average for vehicle sales per capita series peaked in August 1978. Fast forward more than 45 years, it is now down 37.2% from that peak.
Nasdaq 100 Tumbles Into a Correction as Tech Selloff Intensifies
The Nasdaq 100 Index sank into a correction on Friday, as investors continue to sour on the megacap technology stocks that led the stock market rally over the past two years.
Broadcom Shares Jump as AI Growth Fuels Upbeat Forecast
Broadcom Inc. shares jumped after the chip supplier for Apple Inc. and other big tech companies gave an upbeat forecast, reassuring investors that spending on artificial intelligence computing remains healthy.
Trump’s Economic Landscape: What Investors Need to Know
One month into President Donald Trump’s new term, financial markets are adjusting to a rapidly shifting economic and policy environment. Investors are watching closely as tariffs, interest rate expectations and regulatory changes take center stage.
March’s Interim Data Highlights: Economic Clues from Costco, Taiwan Semi, and Brokers
Volatility is back in town. Tariff jitters and concerns about growth and inflation have resulted in an S&P 500® dip and the Cboe Volatility Index (VIX) jumping above 20. Investors grapple with a very sanguine backdrop painted by the fourth-quarter earnings season and policy uncertainty.
The Next Frontier: How Robotics, AI & Healthcare Tech Are Transforming Industries in 2025 & Beyond
The "2025+ Outlook Report" offers an analysis of how robotics, AI, and healthcare technology are converging to reshape industries globally.
Emerging-Market Assets Rally as Doubts Mount Over US Growth
Developing-nation assets jumped on bets higher tariffs will slow the US economy and divert investment flows into other markets.
US Jobless Claims Drop, Allaying Concerns About Labor Market
Applications for US unemployment benefits fell last week and returned to muted levels seen at the start of the year, offering some relief after other reports pointed to worsening labor-market conditions.
Southeast Asia Tries To Preserve Trade
Many ASEAN members punch above their economic weight in international trade. But their power may also make them targets in the mounting global trade battle.
Strength of US Economy Continues to Offer Stability
As daily headlines drive volatility, the market has avoided overreacting thus far.
Q4 Earnings Recap: US Large-Cap Earnings Justify Their Current Valuation
We view quarterly earnings season as a critical checkup on how markets are handling current challenges.
The S&P 500, Dow and Nasdaq Since 2000 Highs as of February 2025
Here is a look at real (inflation-adjusted) charts of the S&P 500, Dow 30, and Nasdaq composite since their 2000 highs. We've updated this through the February 2025 close.
S&P Global Services PMI: Slowest Growth Since November 2023
The February U.S. Services Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) from S&P Global came in at 51.0, higher than the 49.7 forecast. The reading marks the 25th consecutive month of expansion but is the slowest growth since November 2023.
Anarchy in the USA
Unlike most of the rest of the world, I will attempt to minimize all there is to say about the beginning of the next 4 years, as the persistent yack and what to make of it reverberates in all corners of the financial globe.
What is a Small Cap Growth Fund?
In this primer we define small cap growth funds, provide practical suggestions on how to invest in them, and explain why we believe they are a strategically important asset class.
Wall Street Goes Defensive as Policy Uncertainty Rattles Markets
February’s market turbulence saw investors pivot toward defensive strategies as policy uncertainty intensified, driving a broad market rotation from mega-cap tech stocks to bonds, gold, and international equities.
Why Ultra-Wealthy Investors Can – and Should – Invest Like an Institution
Ultra-wealthy investors have unique needs and goals. While a typical high net worth client is focused on the next dozen years, these more deep-pocketed clients – like their institutional counterparts – have a much longer time horizon.
Atkins' SEC and the New Dawn for Alternative Investments
President Trump’s nomination of Paul Atkins as the next SEC Chair signals a potential sea change in regulatory approach, one that could dramatically reshape the landscape of alternative investments.
Microsoft’s Fading AI Mojo Keeps Shares in Lengthy Purgatory
Many major stocks connected to artificial intelligence have lost their luster of late, but perhaps none more so than Microsoft Corp.
QuantStreet March 2025 Letter: Geopolitics
We wrote in last month's letter that the U.S. stock market had to meet lofty earnings expectations to maintain its strong performance relative to global benchmarks, while the latter had a lower bar because of considerably cheaper valuation multiples and higher dividend yields.
What Does the DeepSeek Halo Teach Us About Chinese Stocks?
The AI breakthrough spotlights some of China’s distinctive features that deserve closer attention from investors.
Don’t Worry About China Tariffs
It’s not U.S. tariffs we need to be fixated on to gauge China’s economic growth trajectory but the ability of its leadership to rebuild confidence among entrepreneurs and consumers.
ETF of the Week: CoinShares Valkyrie Bitcoin Miners ETF (WGMI)
On this episode of the “ETF of the Week” podcast, VettaFi’s head of research, Todd Rosenbluth, discussed the CoinShares Valkyrie Bitcoin Miners ETF (WGMI) with Chuck Jaffe of Money Life. The pair discussed several topics related to the fund to give investors a deeper understanding of the ETF overall.
Behavioral Economics: Managing Your Inner Voice
By acknowledging that we are not always rational and are subject to cognitive biases, we can better understand market anomalies and develop strategies to mitigate – and even take advantage of – their impact.
Where the Stock Market Goes, the US Economy Will Follow
There’s an old Wall Street saying that “the stock market is not the economy.” That’s usually true. But, in this economic cycle, stock market gains have become an increasingly important driver of consumer spending, helping to fuel growth as other areas of the economy cool.
Xi Prepares to Unveil China Stimulus Plan as Trade War Heats Up
President Xi Jinping heads into China’s biggest political huddle of the year with his economy finally getting back some swagger. Donald Trump’s rising tariffs will test Beijing’s ability to sustain that momentum.
Big Tech Pain Is Mounting as Risk-Wary Traders Dump Winners
For some time now, there have been plenty of reasons to worry about Big Tech stocks. Stretched valuations after a big run up, heavy spending on artificial intelligence and lofty expectations for future growth. For months, though, none of it seemed to matter.
President McKinley’s Tariff Mishap Could Be a Warning Sign for Trump’s Trade War
More than a century ago, then-Representative William McKinley pursued an aggressive tariff strategy that sought to protect American industry and reduce reliance on foreign imports. The McKinley Tariff Act of 1890 raised import duties to an average of 50%, one of the highest levels in U.S. history.
Multi-Asset Positioning in a Trump 2.0 Policy Regime
With major US policy change unfolding, flexibility across and within asset classes will be critical.
Mid-Caps: A "Sweet Spot" Opportunity
U.S. equity investors face an interesting allocation question in 2025: Why buy anything other than the S&P 500?
Tencent Fires Up AI Race With Model It Says Outdoes DeepSeek
Tencent Holdings Ltd. became the latest tech company to unveil or enhance an AI model intended to eclipse DeepSeek, joining a spate of rollouts since the startup’s emergence energized the US-China technology race.
The Economics of Oil Production
The decision to drill for oil is not primarily driven by government mandates or regulatory pressure, but rather by market forces.
International Quality
The perfect pairing for your U.S. large-cap portfolio?
Ever-Bearish Grantham Insists AI Is a Bubble Waiting to Pop
Artificial intelligence is pushing humanity toward a more efficient future, but like any world-changing technology will eventually crash and hurt investors, according to longtime Wall Street doomsayer Jeremy Grantham.
Historically Confident Investors Meet Historically Uncertain World
We delve into the unprecedented level of equity risk investors are taking, the record-high uncertainty measures facing further impacts from deglobalization, and the benefits of maintaining a diversified portfolio through it all.
A $5 Million Gold Card for Immigrants Makes Economic Sense
President Donald Trump would like to offer migrants who want to work in the US a “gold card,” akin to a green card, with one significant difference: the price tag.
Trump 2.0: Infrastructure Week Finally Arrives
The long-anticipated “infrastructure week” has finally arrived. This is a cornerstone of the administration’s agenda.
Durable Goods Orders: January 2025
New orders for manufactured durable goods rose to $286.00B in January. This represents a 3.1% increase from the previous month and a 3.4% rise from one year ago. The latest reading was better than the expected 2.0% growth.
Nvidia and Salesforce Leave Bulls Wanting as AI Trade Stalls
Investors hoping that Nvidia Corp.’s earnings would rejuvenate the artificial intelligence trade didn’t exactly get the report they wanted.
Nvidia Sees Mixed Outlook After Two Years of Blowout Results
Nvidia Corp., the chipmaker at the center of an AI spending boom, delivered good-but-not-great quarterly numbers on Wednesday, drawing a muted response from investors accustomed to blowout results.
The Tariff Risk Isn’t In Inflation (Part II)
If Trump tariffs Chinese, European, or Canadian products, those countries tend to enact counter-balancing tariffs on U.S. products. Such slows demand for goods and services between all parties, again a deflationary process.
Leading the Financial Revolution: Senator Lummis, Bitcoin and the Future of U.S. Digital Policy
Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) takes a pivotal role in shaping how America approaches cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.
Nvidia Up Next with New Chips, DeepSeek in Focus
Nvidia, the biggest AI chip firm, reports Wednesday with investors watching sales of Nvidia's newest chips and worried about cheaper competition from systems like DeepSeek.
American 'Economic Exceptionalism' Isn't Dead: How the US Is 'Built Different'
The U.S. economy remains structurally productive. American Economic Exceptionalism is powered by innovation and labor flexibility.
Nvidia’s Shaken Aura of Invincibility Is Set for Earnings Test
Nvidia Corp.’s earnings are set to dictate whether artificial intelligence can regain its status as the key driver behind Wall Street gains — or trigger more weakness after the Magnificent Seven group of technology stocks fell into correction territory.
Seeking Stocks with Vitality in the Volatile Healthcare Sector
Healthcare stocks were hurt by volatility from factors that include policy-related uncertainty, which hasn’t faded since the US election.
Adventures of The OG Quant
Dean LeBaron’s name may not be familiar to many readers, especially those who only began their careers in the 21st century. But all of us should know who he is. Before there was even a term for it, Dean was the first truly successful quant.
The New Magnificent Seven?
We explore drivers that may contribute to continued outperformance of European stocks since the bull market began in October 2022.
How to Reduce the Pain When Replacing a Core Technology
Don’t choose technology for the firm that you were, or even the firm you are now. Choose technology for the firm you want to become in five years.
Do Not Let the Headlines Distract: The Private Sector Drives the U.S. Economy & Markets
Investors should not be overly distracted by the recent spate of political headlines and social media updates.
Lost in the Crowd
A crowded trade is defined as a position characterized by a high concentration of institutional investors relative to the underlying liquidity.
Trump Team Seeks to Toughen Biden’s Chip Controls Over China
Donald Trump’s administration is sketching out tougher versions of US semiconductor curbs and pressuring key allies to escalate their restrictions on China’s chip industry, an early indication the new US president plans to expand efforts that began under Joe Biden to limit Beijing’s technological prowess.
Shareholder Meeting Season Gets Going: Tariffs, AI, and Farmland in Focus
Earnings season is winding down, and the spotlight will soon shift toward 2025 trends after an impressive end to last year.
The Road to Exchange: Featuring Michael Gayed of Lead-Lag Media
For the latest Road to Exchange video, TMX VettaFi Investment Strategist Cinthia Murphy interviewed Lead-Lag Report publisher Michael Gayed. The two discussed market uncertainty, trusted filters, and the value of in-person events.
Why Bitcoin Will Not Replace the Dollar
Despite what many of my critics think, I am agnostic about cryptocurrency. However, I am willing to shed light on details that most crypto supporters refuse to discuss or even acknowledge.
Bringing Order to Chaos: AI in the Municipal Bond Market
In a market as broad, opaque and inefficient as the municipal bond market, in which compliance oversight and efficiency are paramount, these initial efficiency gains are just the tip of what may prove to be a transformative technology iceberg.
The Government Deficits Land in the Deepest Pockets
With our most reliable valuation measures more extreme than both the 1929 and 2000 market peaks, we continue to believe that the stock market is tracing out the extended peak of the third great speculative bubble in U.S. history.
Alibaba Plans to Spend $53 Billion on AI in a Major Pivot
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. pledged to invest more than 380 billion yuan ($53 billion) on AI infrastructure such as data centers over the next three years, a major commitment that underscores the e-commerce pioneer’s ambitions of becoming a leader in artificial intelligence.
Trump Targets China With Biggest Salvo So Far in Second Term
The Trump administration took aim at China with a series of moves involving investment, trade and other issues that raises the risk ties may soon worsen between the US and its top economic rival.
Computing Power Is Going the Way of Oil in Markets
There are several answers, but an important financial one is that recent fundamental market changes have been much more disruptive for egg buyers than computer-processing users.
Google Wins Salesforce Cloud Deal in Bid to Counter Microsoft
Salesforce Inc. has signed a multibillion-dollar cloud deal with Alphabet Inc.’s Google, part of a larger effort to combine forces and attract corporate customers currently using Microsoft Corp.’s productivity and artificial intelligence products.
Revenue Thoughts
None of us outside Trump’s inner circle know what the real goals are. What looks like needless chaos might lead to benefits that outweigh the costs. One potential benefit is revenue. Could the tariffs produce significant tax revenue that would help reduce the federal debt? The president seems to think so.