Blog Investment Management
Bonds historically have helped stabilize portfolios when markets—particularly stock markets—grow volatile. The US bond market has recorded positive returns, before inflation, in all but four years since 1976. High-quality bonds, in particular, have typically held their value when stocks have endured their worst periods of performance. 2022 has been an outlier – bonds haven’t stabilized…
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The macroeconomic factors of rising interest rates and stubborn inflation remained chief concerns and weighed down both stocks and bonds. Despite a strong employment picture, economic data continued to moderate, and markets priced in a rising risk of recession in 2023. Stocks ended the quarter at reasonable valuations and bond yields were at their highest…
Read MoreDuring this time of market volatility, we want to share the things we are doing and some things that you can do to help ease your worries. Rebalancing your portfolio. Volatile times can lead to rebalancing opportunities. Market changes can skew your allocation from its original target. We may rebalance your portfolio by selling positions…
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• Stocks and bonds had a difficult start to 2022, falling together through the first half of the year. Rising interest rates amid an inflation spike was the main catalyst. • The economic backdrop remained uncertain with the U.S. economy contracting in the 1st quarter. Data was mixed but recessions risks increased. • Better…
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As we move into spring and leave behind the last signs of a long winter, many worries from a chilly start to the year for markets, unfortunately, are still with us. The S&P 500 Index had its worst April in more than 40 years, and the decline has continued in May leaving the index down…
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Series I Savings Bonds (also called I-bonds) are currently earning 9.62%. The rate is determined in part by inflation, and changes every six months. The interest is tax-deferred until redeemed. If you have extra cash on the sidelines over your “rainy-day fund”, consider purchasing I-bonds to help your money keep up with inflation. These bonds…
Read More• The war in Ukraine, high inflation, and rising interest rates increased volatility. Both stock and bonds fell during the quarter. • Corporate balance sheets and earnings were on track to hit record highs in 2022. • The risks to an economic slowdown increased but the U.S. economy still appeared on track to grow through…
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If you missed part 1 on the current inflation environment, here is a quick summary: Inflation is at 40-year highs in the United States. However, sustained periods of elevated inflation in the U.S. are rare. Over the past 100 years, U.S. inflation has stayed below 5% the vast majority of the time. In the aftermath…
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It has been a rough start to the year for risk assets with the S&P 500 off 11%+ and U.S. growth stocks down even more. Both the Fed’s hawkish pivot and the Russia/Ukraine conflict have weighed on risk assets. We haven’t seen a 10% correction in the S&P 500 since March 2020, and we only…
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Market Update: February 2023
It’s been an encouraging start to the year after a challenging 2022. Falling inflation, interest rates, and decent earnings have provided fuel for a nice market run to start the year. The S&P 500 is up over 8% this year and up over 15% since it bottomed in October 2022. Bonds (1) are up over…
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