The yield on the 10-year note ended April 25, 2025 at 4.29%. Meanwhile, the 2-year note ended at 3.74% and the 30-year note ended at 4.74%.
A well-planned defensive strategy can position equity portfolios to be resilient in a very harsh market environment.
Google parent Alphabet Inc. reported first-quarter revenue and profit that exceeded analysts’ expectations, buoyed by continued strength in its search advertising business.
Jerome Powell’s determination to ensure any jump in prices stemming from Donald Trump’s tariffs don’t spread through the economy has earned him the moniker “Mr. Too Late” from the president.
It was supposed to be a slam dunk: once President Donald Trump was reelected, the US crypto industry would get its long-awaited regulatory clarity in the form of fresh new laws to govern the asset class.
Treasuries jumped after comments by a Federal Reserve official bolstered odds that the central bank will cut interest rates as early as June.
Banking leaders and policymakers gathered for the International Monetary Fund’s spring meetings downplayed the prospect of a looming financial crisis, despite warnings that the US-led trade war threatens global market stability.
Asia-Pacific will likely be the hardest hit region from a steep increase in U.S. tariffs.
Downgrades and defaults can detract from corporate bond portfolio performance. Let’s look at how applying fundamental credit research may help reduce these risks.
A raft of reciprocal tariffs between China and the US could bruise China’s export revenues in the short term. But its domestically focused economic engine and shrinking dependency on US trade should minimize fallout in the long run.
Many retirees hold substantial assets in traditional IRAs and taxable brokerage accounts. When planning for retirement income and considering your legacy, Roth IRA conversions can be a strategic way to reduce your tax burden and maximize the wealth you pass on to your heirs.
Risk-assets struggled amidst extremely volatile price action as investors weighed the probabilities of tariffs hitting profits and valuations.
How our open platform of best-of-breed managers allows us to distill complexity in the face of market turbulence by tapping into their collective intelligence.
A tax-advantaged account offers certain tax benefits to encourage individuals to save or invest for specific purposes, such as retirement, education or healthcare. These accounts can help you lower your taxable income, defer taxes or avoid taxes altogether if used for qualified expenses.
A historic sell-off enhances value, with high yields, strong fundamentals, and ample reserves mitigating policy risks.
Even with tariff uncertainty, there’s no stopping the engine of ETF creation. More than 288 new ETFs have already launched this year.
Uncertainty surrounding trade policy is a key driver of our forecast this quarter, which includes an increased probability of a recession.
The Kansas City Fed Manufacturing Survey revealed regional activity declined modestly in April, with the composite index at -4. This marks the 20th consecutive month the index has been negative. Future expectations stayed positive, though they eased from 10 in March to 6 in April.
As chief investment officer of Yale University for more than three decades, David Swensen redefined institutional investing.
Existing home sales sank in March with their largest monthly decline since 2022. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), existing home sales fell 5.9% from February, hitting a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.02 million units in March.
A group of ETF traders are betting against a spirited rebound in the stock market, as they pay up for short positions and withdraw money from bullish strategies.
President Donald Trump’s chaotic policies are spurring some investors to “sell America,” but Vanguard Group Chief Executive Officer Salim Ramji said he still believes in the underlying strength of the US economy.
In the week ending April 19th, initial jobless claims were at a seasonally adjusted level of 222,000. This represents an increase of 6,000 from the previous week's figure. The latest reading was consistent with the forecast.
A fundamental lesson in finance is a security’s price should be the present value of all future cash flows.
Recent volatility has pushed yields to historically high levels, potentially creating opportunities in municipal bonds, especially for higher-net-worth investors.
The bond market has been extremely volatile the past couple of weeks since the introduction of global tariffs by the US. Bond yields have sold off almost 50 basis points, and today we'd like to examine why did that occur, what's next, and how should investors think about duration in this environment?
President Trump has been a vocal admirer of China’s Great Wall, built by the country’s emperors to protect their territory from outside aggression. In his first term, he compared his plan to build a border wall with that historic structure.
Coming off a wild ending to a disappointing first quarter, investors must navigate unsettled capital markets and decipher a wave of incoming policy news.
Chief Investment Officer Larry Adam notes with volatility on the rise, maintaining a long-term view is key.
During periods of market volatility and declines, investors get concerned. They question their long-term objectives and whether they have more risk in their portfolios than they can tolerate. These are reasonable thoughts to have at times like these.
While gold has offered some protection during stock market downturns by either rising or declining by less than equities, its current high price levels and historical patterns suggest that future returns may be limited.
The utilities sector could offer up a safe haven sector that traders could also take advantage of during heavy market fluctuations.
Margin debt is the amount of money an investor borrows from their broker via a margin account. Margin debt is often seen as a measure of investor sentiment and risk appetite. High levels of margin debt can signal confidence, but extreme spikes may also indicate excessive speculation, increasing the risk of market instability.
Tax filing season may be over for many, but tax planning is an important focus year-round. Consider post-tax season strategies including optimizing deductions or adjusting retirement contributions. Our Bill Cass shares some tax planning ideas to consider.
While many investors have been scared away from tech giants at the center of this year’s equity rout, the companies are likely to continue plowing money into buybacks that will offer at least one source of continuing support for the stocks.
Big US banks are navigating a choppy environment just two years after the last round of turmoil, this time with almost no one questioning the industry’s ability to ride out whatever is coming.
Private lenders led by Apollo Global Management Inc. and Blackstone Inc. are providing a $4 billion loan to support Thoma Bravo’s acquisition of Boeing Co.’s flight navigation unit and other digital assets, according to people with knowledge of the deal.
Kestra Private Wealth Services (Kestra PWS), a registered investment adviser subsidiary of Kestra Financial, Inc., today announced it has welcomed Turas Wealth Partners (Turas), a wealth management firm led by father-son duo John and Shea Marmion, to its platform.
Theoretical forecasts and earnings announcements may provide initial insights as to the impact of current tariff proposals, although estimates may be imprecise.
Despite mounting evidence of disinflation and a weakening economy, Chair Powell’s tone remains too hawkish—and I believe that’s a mistake. The latest inflation readings came in soft, money supply growth continues to undershoot, and even jobless claims are inching higher.
Many investors are wondering what to think of the volatility and uncertainty that has been pulsing through financial markets over the past few weeks.
In financial markets, few technical patterns generate as much attention and anxiety as the death cross.
Stock markets have been rattled by trade war tensions and economic uncertainty driven by US tariff policies. Yet history suggests that equities have usually performed well in the aftermath of peak market volatility.
Practically every financial meltdown or crisis can be traced back to a misunderstanding of which assets are “risk-free.” Investors think they have a risk-free asset — it could be a mortgage-backed security, shares in a Bernie Madoff fund, Greek debt — and are surprised when it turns out not to be.
With many of the big financial reports out of the way, the S&P 500 blended EPS growth rate for Q1 stands at 7.2%. Thus far only 12% of S&P 500 constituents have released results.
It’s been another strong year for ETF demand. ETFs gathered approximately $350 billion of new money year-to-date through April 16.
A reintroduction of SLR relief to balance treasury market stability and systemic risk would likely produce several market effects.
BNY’s Ben Slavin provides an in-depth look at recent ETF trading and flows, and unpacks the latest on the ETF share class structure and product innovation. VettaFi’s Kirsten Chang highlights five noteworthy ETF launches.
Andrew Leigh is a very good storyteller, making “How Economics Explains the World” an easy and fun read. In the hands of someone unfamiliar with basic economic reasoning, it might lead them to pursue economics further. Even if you’re farther along in your economic education, we almost always benefit from relearning things we already know, but in a new light.
No matter what form of compensation you take, it is impossible to eliminate “conflicts” to the extent assumed by the proponents of a new fiduciary standard.
Nomura Holdings Inc. is telling clients to stay invested through the turmoil that’s pervaded financial markets during the escalating trade tensions. With its $1.8 billion acquisition of an asset management business, the Japanese brokerage is putting its money where its mouth is.
If the US slides into recession, banks will be ready – at least according to commentary on their earnings calls last week.
Emerging-market (EM) stocks might not seem an obvious choice for anxious investors during a trade war. But history suggests that past volatility peaks have created favorable moments to invest in EM stocks.
The hype cycle around artificial intelligence (AI) often moves faster than the capabilities it touts.
Eitelman began by assessing the health of the U.S. economy through hard and soft data. He explained that hard data refers to measures of actual spending and economic activity, while soft data refers to how companies and consumers respond to surveys.
Tariff uncertainty, a weakening US dollar, and surging Treasury yields are flashing warning signs for investors. Explore how political risks, fiscal policy, and global volatility are reshaping capital flows and market confidence.
A fundamental lesson in finance is a security’s price should be the present value of all future cash flows. Cash flows typically consist of a regular string of dividend payments and an assumed liquidation value at the end of the time horizon.
U.S. defensives and international lead.a
Compare corporate and municipal bonds, including risks, returns, and tax benefits. Learn which bond type fits your investment goals.
In general, European countries have infused so much socialism and regulation into their economies that their economic growth has lagged behind the U.S. As a result, their GDP per capita is a third lower than in the U.S.
On this episode of the “ETF of the Week” podcast, VettaFi’s Head of Research, Todd Rosenbluth, discussed the SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (SDY) 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.
These are scary times. No surprise, the typical advice is to stay the course — that it will all work out fine — but those near retirement should take heed.
Active management has not disappeared — it has simply evolved. Rather than focusing on outdated stock selection methodologies, today’s most effective active strategies center on active portfolio construction and dynamic asset allocation.
As we have learned repeatedly, the Fed will take extensive emergency measures if it perceives liquidity problems. Even above their congressional mandated objective of managing employment and prices, the Fed's top priority is preserving the banks.
Banks including Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and JPMorgan Chase & Co. can thank the White House’s aggressive disruptions on tariff policy and other issues for record hauls from equities trading in the first quarter, when market volatility began to surge.
Markets were rattled by tariff announcements in early April. Here are three takeaways for investors considering preferred securities, investment-grade and high-yield corporate bonds.
The hedge fund chiefs had gathered for a private event convened by Goldman Sachs Group Inc. at a luxury hotel in the United Arab Emirates capital. It came against the backdrop of tariff-driven turmoil that’s roiled global markets.
Inflation risk has been a significant topic of discussion in the mainstream media for the last few years.
In nominal terms, the yellow metal set multiple new all-time highs this week, exceeding $3,300 an ounce for the first time ever on Wednesday. And on an inflation-adjusted basis, gold also notched a new record price, surpassing the longstanding record set in 1980.
Today we are going to look at some of the uncertainties in our world and then explore some ways to gain a little certainty.
Investing in stocks so far in 2025 has not been for the faint of heart. Some market indices have undergone wild swings, flirting with bear-market territory
The first quarter of 2025 marked a significant departure from the preceding two years, which had been characterized by an improving global economy and correspondingly positive market returns. Market performance in Q1 was dominated by abrupt, short-term policy shifts rather than longer-term economic trends, and tariffs became the foremost concern for market participants.
Retail sales surged as consumers seemingly bought ahead of tariffs while a volatile stock market experienced a sharp mid-week sell-off.
While the April 2 tariff announcements were more severe than anticipated, Vanguard’s active fixed income managers were well-prepared for the subsequent market reaction.
Less favorable seasonal technicals, increased focus on municipal-specific policy risks, and severe volatility spurred by higher-than-anticipated tariff increases weighed heavilyon sentiment and resulted in deeply negative total returns and significant underperformance versus Treasuries in March and early April.
Talk of a recession is everywhere. The case is simple: Liberation Day delivered the biggest increase in tariffs in a century. Consumer prices will rise. Purchasing power will decline. Recession…right?
Rapid U.S. policy changes pose challenges for investors accustomed to a global financial system anchored in U.S. markets and assets.
The deferral of “reciprocal” tariffs on most U.S. trading partners suggests that the peak of tariff uncertainty may have passed.
Banks blew Q1 earnings expectations out of the water, benefitting from high trading volumes, but CEO commentary remains cautious for 2025.
If I had a dollar for every time I heard or read the word recession in the last week, well, I’d have enough not to be financially worried about one. Add a dollar for every mention of tariffs and I’d be comfortably flushed with cash.
Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland President Beth Hammack said she’s keeping an open mind about the direction of interest rates because of uncertainty over President Donald Trump’s policies and how they will affect the economy.
Right now we are in an incredibly complicated environment with regard to U.S. tariff policy gyrations and its whipsawing impact on global equity markets. One thing we can confidently assert is that however the trade negotiations play out, there will be higher tariffs and this will be negative for U.S. growth.
Audiences worldwide turn to Netflix for escapism. Wall Street is doing the same.
Canadians poured a record amount into US equities in February, even as a movement to boycott US products and vacations gained momentum.
LPL Financial LLC announced today that financial advisor Steve Jones of Tenacity Investment Group has joined LPL Financial’s broker-dealer, Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) and custodial platforms.
This month’s panic-driven selling across municipal bonds — fueled by the boom in ETFs — is proving a mixed blessing for investors in a normally sedate market corner.
One day doesn’t make a trend, but wary small-caps investors may find some comfort in knowing the Russell 2000 Index jumped 8.50% on Wednesday
Fixed Income
Treasury Yields Snapshot: April 25, 2025
The yield on the 10-year note ended April 25, 2025 at 4.29%. Meanwhile, the 2-year note ended at 3.74% and the 30-year note ended at 4.74%.
Defense and Discipline: How to Stay Calm in Unruly Equity Markets
A well-planned defensive strategy can position equity portfolios to be resilient in a very harsh market environment.
Alphabet’s Sales Beat Estimates on Google Search Ad Business
Google parent Alphabet Inc. reported first-quarter revenue and profit that exceeded analysts’ expectations, buoyed by continued strength in its search advertising business.
For Fed’s Powell, Being ‘Mr. Too Late’ Is Better Than Being Wrong
Jerome Powell’s determination to ensure any jump in prices stemming from Donald Trump’s tariffs don’t spread through the economy has earned him the moniker “Mr. Too Late” from the president.
Crypto Industry Is Hedging Its Bets on Format and Timing of US Legislation
It was supposed to be a slam dunk: once President Donald Trump was reelected, the US crypto industry would get its long-awaited regulatory clarity in the form of fresh new laws to govern the asset class.
US Bonds Rally as Fed’s Hammack Revives Odds of a June Rate Cut
Treasuries jumped after comments by a Federal Reserve official bolstered odds that the central bank will cut interest rates as early as June.
Financial Crisis Seen as a Distant Threat at IMF Meeting
Banking leaders and policymakers gathered for the International Monetary Fund’s spring meetings downplayed the prospect of a looming financial crisis, despite warnings that the US-led trade war threatens global market stability.
It’s Complicated
Asia-Pacific will likely be the hardest hit region from a steep increase in U.S. tariffs.
Avoiding Fallen Angels: When Credit Research Matters Most
Downgrades and defaults can detract from corporate bond portfolio performance. Let’s look at how applying fundamental credit research may help reduce these risks.
Chinese Equities: Investing in Stocks That Transcend Tariff Turmoil
A raft of reciprocal tariffs between China and the US could bruise China’s export revenues in the short term. But its domestically focused economic engine and shrinking dependency on US trade should minimize fallout in the long run.
Roth IRA Conversions in Retirement: How to Successfully Minimize Taxes & Maximize Wealth
Many retirees hold substantial assets in traditional IRAs and taxable brokerage accounts. When planning for retirement income and considering your legacy, Roth IRA conversions can be a strategic way to reduce your tax burden and maximize the wealth you pass on to your heirs.
Investing Alongside Change
Risk-assets struggled amidst extremely volatile price action as investors weighed the probabilities of tariffs hitting profits and valuations.
Tariff-Fueled Volatility Reveals Access to Best Ideas
How our open platform of best-of-breed managers allows us to distill complexity in the face of market turbulence by tapping into their collective intelligence.
Tax-Advantaged Accounts: A Powerful Addition to Your Financial Plan
A tax-advantaged account offers certain tax benefits to encourage individuals to save or invest for specific purposes, such as retirement, education or healthcare. These accounts can help you lower your taxable income, defer taxes or avoid taxes altogether if used for qualified expenses.
Outlook on Municipal Bonds: Seeking Opportunity Amid Volatility
A historic sell-off enhances value, with high yields, strong fundamentals, and ample reserves mitigating policy risks.
ETF Market Booms: Record Launches & Sophisticated Strategies
Even with tariff uncertainty, there’s no stopping the engine of ETF creation. More than 288 new ETFs have already launched this year.
Asset Allocation Quarterly: 2nd Quarter 2025
Uncertainty surrounding trade policy is a key driver of our forecast this quarter, which includes an increased probability of a recession.
Kansas City Fed Manufacturing: Activity Declined Modestly in April
The Kansas City Fed Manufacturing Survey revealed regional activity declined modestly in April, with the composite index at -4. This marks the 20th consecutive month the index has been negative. Future expectations stayed positive, though they eased from 10 in March to 6 in April.
Yale Signals That Private Equity May Have Peaked
As chief investment officer of Yale University for more than three decades, David Swensen redefined institutional investing.
Existing Home Sales Sink 5.9% in March
Existing home sales sank in March with their largest monthly decline since 2022. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), existing home sales fell 5.9% from February, hitting a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.02 million units in March.
Bearish ETF Alarms Blare After a $373 Million Short Bet
A group of ETF traders are betting against a spirited rebound in the stock market, as they pay up for short positions and withdraw money from bullish strategies.
Vanguard CEO Says US Exceptionalism ‘Absolutely’ Hasn’t Peaked
President Donald Trump’s chaotic policies are spurring some investors to “sell America,” but Vanguard Group Chief Executive Officer Salim Ramji said he still believes in the underlying strength of the US economy.
Unemployment Claims Up 6K, Consistent with Expectations
In the week ending April 19th, initial jobless claims were at a seasonally adjusted level of 222,000. This represents an increase of 6,000 from the previous week's figure. The latest reading was consistent with the forecast.
The Trade-Off in Covered Call Strategies
A fundamental lesson in finance is a security’s price should be the present value of all future cash flows.
Why the Tariff Rollout Spooked the Muni Market
Recent volatility has pushed yields to historically high levels, potentially creating opportunities in municipal bonds, especially for higher-net-worth investors.
Anatomy of a US Treasury Sell-Off
The bond market has been extremely volatile the past couple of weeks since the introduction of global tariffs by the US. Bond yields have sold off almost 50 basis points, and today we'd like to examine why did that occur, what's next, and how should investors think about duration in this environment?
The Great Wall
President Trump has been a vocal admirer of China’s Great Wall, built by the country’s emperors to protect their territory from outside aggression. In his first term, he compared his plan to build a border wall with that historic structure.
Capital Markets Outlook 2Q 2025: At the Intersection of Fear and Hope
Coming off a wild ending to a disappointing first quarter, investors must navigate unsettled capital markets and decipher a wave of incoming policy news.
Tariffs, Policy Uncertainty Weighs on Economic, Investing Outlooks
Chief Investment Officer Larry Adam notes with volatility on the rise, maintaining a long-term view is key.
Is It Time for Investors to Play the Long Game?
During periods of market volatility and declines, investors get concerned. They question their long-term objectives and whether they have more risk in their portfolios than they can tolerate. These are reasonable thoughts to have at times like these.
Gold $5,000?
While gold has offered some protection during stock market downturns by either rising or declining by less than equities, its current high price levels and historical patterns suggest that future returns may be limited.
Utilities Stocks Could Offer Investors Safe Haven Sector
The utilities sector could offer up a safe haven sector that traders could also take advantage of during heavy market fluctuations.
Utilities Stocks Could Offer Investors Safe Haven Sector
The utilities sector could offer up a safe haven sector that traders could also take advantage of during heavy market fluctuations.
Margin Debt: March 2025
Margin debt is the amount of money an investor borrows from their broker via a margin account. Margin debt is often seen as a measure of investor sentiment and risk appetite. High levels of margin debt can signal confidence, but extreme spikes may also indicate excessive speculation, increasing the risk of market instability.
Tax Planning Should be a Focus for All seasons
Tax filing season may be over for many, but tax planning is an important focus year-round. Consider post-tax season strategies including optimizing deductions or adjusting retirement contributions. Our Bill Cass shares some tax planning ideas to consider.
Tech Giants to Plow $500 Billion Cash Hoard Into More Buybacks
While many investors have been scared away from tech giants at the center of this year’s equity rout, the companies are likely to continue plowing money into buybacks that will offer at least one source of continuing support for the stocks.
US Banks Ride Out Market Turmoil Thanks to Capital Buildup They Opposed
Big US banks are navigating a choppy environment just two years after the last round of turmoil, this time with almost no one questioning the industry’s ability to ride out whatever is coming.
Apollo, Blackstone Lead $4 Billion Loan for Boeing Unit
Private lenders led by Apollo Global Management Inc. and Blackstone Inc. are providing a $4 billion loan to support Thoma Bravo’s acquisition of Boeing Co.’s flight navigation unit and other digital assets, according to people with knowledge of the deal.
Turas Wealth Partners Joins Kestra Private Wealth Services To Further Focus on Client Experience
Kestra Private Wealth Services (Kestra PWS), a registered investment adviser subsidiary of Kestra Financial, Inc., today announced it has welcomed Turas Wealth Partners (Turas), a wealth management firm led by father-son duo John and Shea Marmion, to its platform.
Early Impacts of the Trade War
Theoretical forecasts and earnings announcements may provide initial insights as to the impact of current tariff proposals, although estimates may be imprecise.
Powell Downplays Progress, Risks Becoming Trump’s Scapegoat
Despite mounting evidence of disinflation and a weakening economy, Chair Powell’s tone remains too hawkish—and I believe that’s a mistake. The latest inflation readings came in soft, money supply growth continues to undershoot, and even jobless claims are inching higher.
Opportunities
Many investors are wondering what to think of the volatility and uncertainty that has been pulsing through financial markets over the past few weeks.
The Death Cross and Market Bottoms
In financial markets, few technical patterns generate as much attention and anxiety as the death cross.
Gauging the Fear Factor: From Volatility Peaks to Equity Returns
Stock markets have been rattled by trade war tensions and economic uncertainty driven by US tariff policies. Yet history suggests that equities have usually performed well in the aftermath of peak market volatility.
US Bonds Have Never Been Risk-Free, and Never Will Be
Practically every financial meltdown or crisis can be traced back to a misunderstanding of which assets are “risk-free.” Investors think they have a risk-free asset — it could be a mortgage-backed security, shares in a Bernie Madoff fund, Greek debt — and are surprised when it turns out not to be.
Magnificent 7 Earnings Out this Week will Shed Light on Big Tech’s Tariff Concerns
With many of the big financial reports out of the way, the S&P 500 blended EPS growth rate for Q1 stands at 7.2%. Thus far only 12% of S&P 500 constituents have released results.
Risk-Off Fixed Income in Demand in April
It’s been another strong year for ETF demand. ETFs gathered approximately $350 billion of new money year-to-date through April 16.
Balancing Treasury Market Stability and Systemic Risk
A reintroduction of SLR relief to balance treasury market stability and systemic risk would likely produce several market effects.
BNY’s Ben Slavin on ETF Trading, Flows, Share Class Structure, & Innovation
BNY’s Ben Slavin provides an in-depth look at recent ETF trading and flows, and unpacks the latest on the ETF share class structure and product innovation. VettaFi’s Kirsten Chang highlights five noteworthy ETF launches.
Is Economics About Everything? A Review of ‘How Economics Explains the World'
Andrew Leigh is a very good storyteller, making “How Economics Explains the World” an easy and fun read. In the hands of someone unfamiliar with basic economic reasoning, it might lead them to pursue economics further. Even if you’re farther along in your economic education, we almost always benefit from relearning things we already know, but in a new light.
Separating ‘Fiduciary’ From ‘Compensation’
No matter what form of compensation you take, it is impossible to eliminate “conflicts” to the extent assumed by the proponents of a new fiduciary standard.
Nomura Bets Big on US Market Rebound With $1.8 Billion Deal
Nomura Holdings Inc. is telling clients to stay invested through the turmoil that’s pervaded financial markets during the escalating trade tensions. With its $1.8 billion acquisition of an asset management business, the Japanese brokerage is putting its money where its mouth is.
As US Recession Looms, Banks Brace for Worse
If the US slides into recession, banks will be ready – at least according to commentary on their earnings calls last week.
Why Does Volatility Often Lead to Strong Emerging Equity Returns?
Emerging-market (EM) stocks might not seem an obvious choice for anxious investors during a trade war. But history suggests that past volatility peaks have created favorable moments to invest in EM stocks.
Agentic AI: The New Frontier of Intelligence That Acts
The hype cycle around artificial intelligence (AI) often moves faster than the capabilities it touts.
Hard Data Points to Soft Landing: But Confidence Wanes
Eitelman began by assessing the health of the U.S. economy through hard and soft data. He explained that hard data refers to measures of actual spending and economic activity, while soft data refers to how companies and consumers respond to surveys.
Smoke Signals: Dollar Decline, Tariffs and Treasury Yields Surge Signal Market Volatility
Tariff uncertainty, a weakening US dollar, and surging Treasury yields are flashing warning signs for investors. Explore how political risks, fiscal policy, and global volatility are reshaping capital flows and market confidence.
The Trade-Off in Covered Call Strategies
A fundamental lesson in finance is a security’s price should be the present value of all future cash flows. Cash flows typically consist of a regular string of dividend payments and an assumed liquidation value at the end of the time horizon.
Quarterly Recap Q1 2025
U.S. defensives and international lead.a
Corporate vs. Municipal Bonds: Key Differences Every Investor Should Know
Compare corporate and municipal bonds, including risks, returns, and tax benefits. Learn which bond type fits your investment goals.
Europe Can’t Hide Behind America Anymore
In general, European countries have infused so much socialism and regulation into their economies that their economic growth has lagged behind the U.S. As a result, their GDP per capita is a third lower than in the U.S.
SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (SDY)
On this episode of the “ETF of the Week” podcast, VettaFi’s Head of Research, Todd Rosenbluth, discussed the SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (SDY) 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.
A Warning to Baby Boomers and Others Regarding the China-U.S. Trade War
These are scary times. No surprise, the typical advice is to stay the course — that it will all work out fine — but those near retirement should take heed.
The Evolution of Active Management: From Stock Picking to Active Asset Allocation
Active management has not disappeared — it has simply evolved. Rather than focusing on outdated stock selection methodologies, today’s most effective active strategies center on active portfolio construction and dynamic asset allocation.
Swaps & Basis Trades Signal Mounting Liquidity Problems
As we have learned repeatedly, the Fed will take extensive emergency measures if it perceives liquidity problems. Even above their congressional mandated objective of managing employment and prices, the Fed's top priority is preserving the banks.
The Dark Side of Surging Bank Trading Revenue
Banks including Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and JPMorgan Chase & Co. can thank the White House’s aggressive disruptions on tariff policy and other issues for record hauls from equities trading in the first quarter, when market volatility began to surge.
Market Volatility and Corporate Bonds: 3 Takeaways
Markets were rattled by tariff announcements in early April. Here are three takeaways for investors considering preferred securities, investment-grade and high-yield corporate bonds.
Hedge Fund Titans Rattled by US Trade Turmoil Eye Mideast Cash
The hedge fund chiefs had gathered for a private event convened by Goldman Sachs Group Inc. at a luxury hotel in the United Arab Emirates capital. It came against the backdrop of tariff-driven turmoil that’s roiled global markets.
Inflation Risk Is Subsiding Rapidly
Inflation risk has been a significant topic of discussion in the mainstream media for the last few years.
Analysts See Gold at $4,000 as Faith in the U.S. Dollar Tumbles
In nominal terms, the yellow metal set multiple new all-time highs this week, exceeding $3,300 an ounce for the first time ever on Wednesday. And on an inflation-adjusted basis, gold also notched a new record price, surpassing the longstanding record set in 1980.
The Uncertainty World
Today we are going to look at some of the uncertainties in our world and then explore some ways to gain a little certainty.
Consider Direct Indexing to Offset Pain From Market Volatility
Investing in stocks so far in 2025 has not been for the faint of heart. Some market indices have undergone wild swings, flirting with bear-market territory
Why Does Volatility Often Lead to Strong Emerging Equity Returns?
Emerging-market (EM) stocks might not seem an obvious choice for anxious investors during a trade war. But history suggests that past volatility peaks have created favorable moments to invest in EM stocks.
Tariff Tremors, Market Rotations, and the Imperative of Optimization
The first quarter of 2025 marked a significant departure from the preceding two years, which had been characterized by an improving global economy and correspondingly positive market returns. Market performance in Q1 was dominated by abrupt, short-term policy shifts rather than longer-term economic trends, and tariffs became the foremost concern for market participants.
Weekly Economic Snapshot: Pre-Tariff Spending Spike Amid Fed Warning
Retail sales surged as consumers seemingly bought ahead of tariffs while a volatile stock market experienced a sharp mid-week sell-off.
Fixed Income Remains Key to Long-Term Diversification
While the April 2 tariff announcements were more severe than anticipated, Vanguard’s active fixed income managers were well-prepared for the subsequent market reaction.
2025 Muni Outlook: Stay Invested and Remain Nimble
Less favorable seasonal technicals, increased focus on municipal-specific policy risks, and severe volatility spurred by higher-than-anticipated tariff increases weighed heavily
on sentiment and resulted in deeply negative total returns and significant underperformance versus Treasuries in March and early April.
4 Reasons to Believe in This Economy
Talk of a recession is everywhere. The case is simple: Liberation Day delivered the biggest increase in tariffs in a century. Consumer prices will rise. Purchasing power will decline. Recession…right?
Trade Wars and the U.S. Dollar
Rapid U.S. policy changes pose challenges for investors accustomed to a global financial system anchored in U.S. markets and assets.
Trade War Will Take a Toll
The deferral of “reciprocal” tariffs on most U.S. trading partners suggests that the peak of tariff uncertainty may have passed.
Banks Outperformed for Q1 but Strike Cautious Tone for the Rest of 2025
Banks blew Q1 earnings expectations out of the water, benefitting from high trading volumes, but CEO commentary remains cautious for 2025.
Gauging the Fear Factor: From Volatility Peaks to Equity Returns
Stock markets have been rattled by trade war tensions and economic uncertainty driven by US tariff policies. Yet history suggests that equities have usually performed well in the aftermath of peak market volatility.
Are Dividend Cuts on the Horizon in 2025?
If I had a dollar for every time I heard or read the word recession in the last week, well, I’d have enough not to be financially worried about one. Add a dollar for every mention of tariffs and I’d be comfortably flushed with cash.
Fed’s Hammack Sees Wide-Ranging Possibilities for Economy, Rates
Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland President Beth Hammack said she’s keeping an open mind about the direction of interest rates because of uncertainty over President Donald Trump’s policies and how they will affect the economy.
Our Thinking on the Markets
Right now we are in an incredibly complicated environment with regard to U.S. tariff policy gyrations and its whipsawing impact on global equity markets. One thing we can confidently assert is that however the trade negotiations play out, there will be higher tariffs and this will be negative for U.S. growth.
Netflix Defies Big Tech Slump as Wall Street Seeks Tariff Haven
Audiences worldwide turn to Netflix for escapism. Wall Street is doing the same.
Canadian Investment in US Stocks Hit Record in February Despite Trade Tension
Canadians poured a record amount into US equities in February, even as a movement to boycott US products and vacations gained momentum.
LPL Financial Welcomes Tenacity Investment Group
LPL Financial LLC announced today that financial advisor Steve Jones of Tenacity Investment Group has joined LPL Financial’s broker-dealer, Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) and custodial platforms.
ETFs Highlight Ease of Trading in Three-Day Selloff for Munis
This month’s panic-driven selling across municipal bonds — fueled by the boom in ETFs — is proving a mixed blessing for investors in a normally sedate market corner.
Small-Caps May Yet Have Their Redemption Day
One day doesn’t make a trend, but wary small-caps investors may find some comfort in knowing the Russell 2000 Index jumped 8.50% on Wednesday