Crisis Mode, Portfolios, and Responses: A Buffer or an Amplifier?
In this week’s commentary we employ lots of graphs, which in our humble opinion, tell us an unfolding story that might be full of challenges but also portfolio opportunities. So, first a quick refresher of market crashes. Source: CNBC Then, a helicopter view of the...
Weekly Market Update
Market Action Global equities were dramatically lower on the week, officially entering bear territory for the first time in 11 years. On Thursday, the S&P 500 suffered its largest one-day percentage drop since 1987 while Europe suffered is largest one-day drop on...
When Volatility and Turmoil March On
The market moves of this week have certainly garnered a lot of attention and inspired much ink to be spilled speculating on causes, meaning, significance, and future ramifications. Indulge us as we add our own voice to the mix. While stocks had their largest point...
Weekly Market Update
Market Action Global equities increased slightly on the week, but the coronavirus outbreak continues to influence markets. The yield on the US 10-year Treasury note hit an all-time low of 0.67% before bouncing back up to 0.76% The price of a barrel of West Texas...
Fed in Action, Volatility, and Expectations: Are There Any Clear Signs?
The Fed cut rates yesterday by 50 bps. It was a move expected but not between meetings of the FOMC. Such a rush sent the wrong signals, generated some panic (“they know something”), misfired, undermined credibility, and limited its ability to act when the next...
Crossroads: At the Intersection of Geopolitics and Geoeconomics
Here is a summary of the most important events that unfolded last month, and which may affect economic, financial and geopolitical issues in the months ahead: North America The last week of February, global markets had the worst week on record since the 2008 financial...
Weekly Market Update
Market Action Global equities fell dramatically this week as the coronavirus spread outside of China at a high rate, and fears of a global recession skyrocketed. US stocks had their worst week since the 2008 financial crisis. The S&P 500 index experienced the...
Market Outlook: Demand-Side and Supply-Chain Risks
The Coronavirus is spreading beyond China and that shook the markets both last Friday and even more so yesterday to the point that equity indexes are down for the year. On the other hand, long-term Treasuries and gold continue performing very well. Both of them are up...
Weekly Market Update
Market Action Re-emerged fears over the spread of the coronavirus seem to be the cause of the fall of global equities this week. The yield on the US 10-year Treasury note fell 11 basis points to 1.46% while the yield on the US 30-year Treasury bond hit a record low of...
Debt, Aristotle, and the Fed: A Virtuous Vice?
There is little doubt that the accommodative/expansionary monetary policy of the last 10+ years has been chasing investors and funds out the risk curve but also down the quality ladder. The voracious issuance of corporate debt has been encouraged by a dovish Fed,...
