“Combien, combien, combien de temps?” –R.E.M., Talk About the Passion, 1983 It has been a difficult stretch for capital markets for a couple of months now. And as we emerge from our Easter/Passover holiday weekend celebrations, investors are left to wonder how much longer will the turbulence that has enveloped capital markets persist as we continue through the spring and into …
Economic & Market Report: Battle Lines
It has been a tumultuous second quarter so far. After only nine trading days, we have seen U.S. stocks as measured by the S&P 500 plunge by more than -15% peak-to-trough in the wake of the “Liberation Day” tariff announcements, only to find their footing and battle their way back since. Although the tariffs for most countries have been paused …
Economic & Market Report: Liberation Day
Liberation Day has arrived for the United States. Unlike in most other countries where it is celebrated in reflection of the end of a past war or the dawn of a new revolution, Liberation Day in the U.S. as it has come to be known is the declaration of promised tariffs to free the country from the import of foreign goods.
Economic & Market Report: Deja Vu
“And I feel like I’ve been here before” -Deja Vu, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, 1970 It’s been a tough time for the U.S. stock market as of late. Over the last four weeks, the headline benchmark S&P 500 Index has fallen by just over -10% peak to trough. And the bounce that has emerged over the past five trading …
Economic & Market Report: The Bright Side
“Some things in life are bad, they can really make you mad Other things just make you swear and curse. When you’re chewing on life’s gristle, don’t grumble, give a whistle And this’ll help things turn out for the best” -Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, Monty Python, 1979 The U.S stock market has certainly been bad lately. …
Economic & Market Report: Tariffs: Listen to the Music
Talk about tariffs continue to pound the news headlines day after day. Taxing imports on goods from other countries such as Canada, Mexico, and China have potential economic impacts that can be troubling for financial markets. These include slower economic growth and the potential for recession as well as rising prices and the threat of high inflation. Amid the turbulence, …
Economic & Market Report: The Drag 7
The so called ‘Magnificent 7’ is the latest grouping of tech and tech adjacent companies that have dominated the stock market in recent years. Its members include the following names in order of market cap: Apple, NVIDIA, Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet (ne Google), Meta Platforms (ne Facebook), and Tesla. Together they make up a staggering +32% of the entire weighting of …
Economic & Market Report: The Rhythm of the Heat
It has been the primary downside risk confronting financial markets for the last few years: the persistent threat of a renewed rise in inflation. The kindling continues to be placed to reignite a new inflationary blaze. Only time will reveal how high the flames will reach if and when the next fire starts to burn. “Often is the case of …
Economic & Market Report: The Fast & The Furious
Another storm rolled across capital markets to start this week. This time, it was the shock headlines over the weekend that the United States would be instituting tariffs against its close neighbor trade partners Canada and Mexico, which cast doubt on the sustainability of economic growth across the region as well as the potential inflationary impact of such measures. But …
Economic & Market Report: Thunderstruck
A storm thundered through the U.S. stock market on Monday.