Quarterly Market Update for Q4 2025: Navigating Conflicting Signals
Investors experience market swings as a normal part of investing, and this year has been no exception. While market declines – such as the tariff-driven sell-off – can be uncomfortable, they also create opportunities to invest at more attractive valuations. On the other hand, when markets recover and climb to record levels, some investors may […]
How Government Shutdowns Affect Markets and the Economy
Washington is back in the headlines as the federal government faces a shutdown if policymakers can’t reach a new funding agreement. This adds to a year in which government policies around trade, taxes, immigration, and more have created uncertainty for the economy and markets. For investors, it’s natural to wonder how politics might affect their […]
Key Perspectives on Jobs and Mixed Economic Signals
Investors often find themselves looking in the rearview mirror even when they know that what lies ahead is most important. Recent reports, which are naturally backward-looking, have some investors and policymakers concerned about the economy, leading some to wonder if there will be a recession. In today’s context, there are signs that the job market […]
The Role of Dividends as the Fed Cuts Rates
The late Jack Bogle observed that “successful investing is about owning businesses and reaping the huge rewards provided by the dividends and earnings growth of our nation’s—and, for that matter, the world’s—corporations.” This wisdom is relevant today because the benefit of owning stocks is not just about capturing long-run price returns, but also in the […]
Monthly Market Update for August: Markets Climb on Fed Expectations and Earnings Growth
The stock market climbed to new all-time highs in August, while bonds also contributed positively to portfolios. This occurred despite continued uncertainty around tariffs, Fed independence, and technology stocks. The month began with U.S. tariffs going into effect against most major trading partners after the initial 90-day pause. A federal appeals court later ruled that […]
Fed Rate Cuts: What Is the Bond Market Signaling to Investors?
Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s recent speech at the Fed’s annual Jackson Hole conference, which has been covered extensively in the media, reinforced that an interest rate cut in September is likely. Powell emphasized that while there is uncertainty around tariffs and inflation, these concerns need to be balanced against supporting the job market. Markets have […]
How Investors Can Keep Up With Inflation
When it comes to natural disasters, it’s important to be prepared for earthquakes and erosion alike. Even though one is immediate and dramatic while the other is slow and gradual, both require careful planning and protective measures. Economic forces are no different – the most challenging situations that households and businesses face aren’t always sudden […]
The Magnificent 7, AI, and Concentration Risk
The challenge facing investors today isn’t whether artificial intelligence will transform the economy, but how to maintain portfolio balance as the market climbs to new all-time highs. While it’s tempting to focus exclusively on companies that have performed well recently, investing for long-term goals requires a thoughtful approach to both growth and risk management. Mega-cap […]
Monthly Market Update for July: Market All-Time Highs Amid a Noisy Period
The S&P 500 notched ten new all-time highs in July, fueled by strong corporate earnings, resilient economic data, and new trade deals ahead of the tariff deadline. This included six consecutive record closes in the second half of the month, all of which contributed to year-to-date gains of 7.8% for the S&P 500. However, market […]
What Corporate Earnings Reveal About Tariffs
While investors always look to corporate earnings for clues about how businesses are performing, the current earnings season arguably carries greater importance due to tariffs. Although major stock market indices have reached new all-time highs as trade tensions have stabilized, there is still uncertainty as to how tariffs might affect consumers and businesses. Fortunately, new […]
