The New Year Rally After a strong 2019, U.S. stocks initially rang in the New Year by gaining three percent in the first few weeks of January, possibly due to continued optimism of the U.S.-China phase one trade deal. But this rally ended with most major U.S. indices ending the month where they started. Interest …Read More
The Stock and Bond Markets This year continues to be a rewarding one for stock and bond investors alike. Despite the uncertainty introduced by an unresolved trade war, large-cap U.S. stocks closed the month slightly positive. Other types of equities followed a similar pattern. Indices for domestic small-cap stocks, developed international stocks, and emerging market …Read More
The stock market wobbles when the Federal Reserve consistently raises rates. This is normal as businesses and consumers need time to adjust to higher financing costs. In response to the Fed increases, the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield passed through the 3% threshold for the first time in four years. The yield on the benchmark 10-year …Read More
Thomson Reuters estimates that corporate earnings for the S&P 500 may again reach double digits for the second quarter of 2017. In the first quarter of this year, S&P 500 earnings grew by 15% compared to the first quarter of 2016. As of this date, with 60% of S&P 500 corporations reporting, the second quarter …Read More
Although still positive for the month, the so called Trump Rally took a breather in January. There is concern that Trump’s three business-friendly intentions for 1) tax reform, 2) looser regulations, and 3) infrastructure spending are being undermined by anti-immigration actions, protectionism, economic isolation, trade wars, and border taxes. The business and investor communities want …Read More
