INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES: FEATURED MARKET DATA
Markets Seeing the Bright Side
As discussed below, November saw mixed economic data. Markets, though, seemed focused on the positive news with safer Treasuries selling off in favor of increased buying in equity markets.
by Laura Fox
INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES: FEATURED MARKET DATA
What is Moving the Dollar?
Over the past year, President Trump has repeatedly blamed the Federal Reserve for setting rates too high and strengthening the US dollar.
by Laura Fox
INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES: FEATURED MARKET DATA
Consumers Feeling Headwinds
Consumer spending has trended down since March and Consumer Confidence declined in September for the second consecutive month.
by Laura Fox
INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES: FEATURED MARKET DATA
Bond Market Volatility
The U.S. Treasury market experienced a surge in volatility in August as displayed by the Merrill Lynch MOVE Index. Despite this volatility, corporate spreads widened only modestly.
by Laura Fox
INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES: FEATURED MARKET DATA
Inflation Expectations in Focus
Inflation expectations increased following the June Fed meeting as the Fed signalized a more dovish stance. However, 5-year and 10-year inflation breakeven rates began declining in advance of the Fed’s July meeting as global growth concerns rose.
by Laura Fox
INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES: FEATURED MARKET DATA
Stocks and Treasuries Diverge
Stock and bond markets are expressing divergent views of the future. Typically, stock prices and bond yields rise together. Bond yields began to decline in the 4th quarter of 2018 and stocks declined as expected. However, stocks recovered in late December while bond yields have continued to fall.
by Laura Fox
INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES: FEATURED MARKET DATA
Personal Income & Spending Surprise to Upside
The recent Personal Income and Spending report showed that consumers, who represent over half of the U.S. economy, exceeded forecasts for income and spending in April. This healthy increase followed strong spending in March, which was the best monthly increase since 2009.
by Laura Fox
INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES: FEATURED MARKET DATA
GDP May Fall From Strong Q1
Rising exports, lower imports and higher inventory offset weaker growth in consumer spending and business investments. Final sales to domestic purchasers rose only 1.3% for the quarter. This measure of domestic demand fell for the third consecutive quarter. Despite some underlying weakness, the GDP report exceeded much lower expectations from earlier this year.
by Laura Fox
INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES: FEATURED MARKET DATA
Growth Concerns Invert Yield Curve
On March 22, amid signs of weaker global growth, 10-year US Treasuries closed at a lower yield compared to 3-month Treasury Bills for the first time since 2007. This inversion of the Treasury curve continued the next four trading days. An inverted yield curve means investors think short-term rates will fall.
by Laura Fox
INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES: FEATURED MARKET DATA
Manufacturing Still Matters
Growth declined at U.S. manufacturing firms in February. The ISM manufacturing index fell to 54.2 in February, a two-year low and below market expectations of 55.8. Four of the five primary components: orders, employment, production and deliveries, all declined.
by Laura Fox 