U.S. Treasury yields rose modestly last week, led by shorter maturities, despite disappointing consumer data. Passage of a government funding bill and optimism over U.S./China negotiations trade sustained rising rates.
Last week, I discussed several “swords of Damocles” that have been hanging over markets. One of those was removed last week when US President Donald Trump signed a bill to continue funding the US government.
The equity market rally that began at the end of December continued last week, with U.S. stocks rising 2.6%, as measured by the S&P 500 Index. Energy led the way, thanks to a 5% jump in oil prices.
The December 2018 National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Survey of Small Business Economic Trends revealed a second year of historic readings which surpassed record levels achieved in 2017.
Following one of the most difficult Decembers in recent years for equity markets, investors surely are pleased to see 2019 begin with a rally in risk assets. One of the key factors fueling this risk appetite is the recent shift in the Federal Reserve’s (the Fed) tone on monetary policy.
Where is the U.S. dollar headed after its sizable appreciation in 2018? It depends on your vantage point. The dollar has gained against most developed market (DM) currencies, but depreciated against emerging market (EM) counterparts so far this year. We see this trend as likely to run on in the short term in the absence of policy surprises.
On the latest edition of Market Week in Review, Chief Investment Strategist Erik Ristuben and Rob Cittadini, director, Americas institutional, discussed slumping U.S. retail sales, stalled economic growth in Germany and the latest numbers from fourth-quarter earnings season.
In the United States, this is a week marked by big spending. As the week began, the U.S. national debt hit the $22 trillion mark – a staggering sum that has nearly doubled over the last decade. But that’s actually not the most daunting news-making figure you’ll hear today.
More than 65 years of market and economic data distilled into one convenient package to help you get ready for the next recession.
A tough fourth quarter led to a solid January, and valuations remain compelling.
To say it was cold in January might qualify as the understatement of the year, akin to something like the Patriots are a pretty good football team – full disclosure, I am NOT a Patriots fan.
Emerging market debt (EMD) has rallied sharply this year, bouncing back from a tough 2018. Is now a good time to add exposure? We would be buyers on any material sell-offs, as we see fundamentals remaining supportive in coming quarters. Our overall view on emerging markets (EMs) favors equities over debt, yet we believe EMD offers attractive income for bond portfolios.