Head of U.S. Fixed Income Greg Wilensky and John Lloyd, Lead, Multi-Sector Credit Strategies, discuss Moody’s rating downgrade of the U.S. and what the implications may be for the Treasury market, the Federal Reserve (Fed), and fixed income investors.
The signal of announcing trade pacts is an important start.
QTR Family Wealth, a full-service wealth management firm owned and led by brothers Wes and Chad Hunter, proudly announces the official launch of its independent Registered Investment Advisory (RIA) firm.
Milton Friedman, Art Laffer and other market-believing economists had their long day in the sun during the 1980s and 1990s. Tax rates fell and government spending declined relative to GDP. But – ironically, in the long run, and long after he passed away – John Maynard Keynes got his revenge.
Recent revisions to the IMF’s World Economic Outlook reflect a sobering message: the world economy is entering a more volatile and fragmented era.
Bitcoin was launched in 2008. It was the following year when it was initially used as an actual currency.
After Friday’s close, Moody’s downgraded U.S. treasuries, as S&P had 14 years ago, in 2011. I criticized the downgrade then…and I do now. The government cannot technically default, as the Fed can always buy the bonds for any auction.
As markets rebound from a brief but sharp correction, Journey’s investment team reflects on the impact of tariffs, global diversification, and the evolving role of alternatives in investor portfolios. With caution as the theme, this month’s commentary urges investors to revisit risk tolerance and stay grounded in disciplined, long-term strategies amidst ongoing economic uncertainty.
This is the story of how we got to a moment in history defined by global and national crises. It is the story about how a radical geopolitical transition is taking place as old socio-economic and institutional cycles in the US end and new ones begin.
Fisher Investments recently wrote an interesting article asking whether corporate stock buybacks affect markets.
The recent rally began when Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent struck a more conciliatory tone with China, saying he expected a de-escalation shortly.
Chief Economist Eugenio J. Alemán discusses current economic conditions.
Stocks have rebounded since the White House delayed steep tariffs that were announced in early April, but trade policy remains a potential driver of volatility.
The House Ways & Means Committee advanced a comprehensive tax bill this week. Our Bill Cass discusses the key provisions and how they may impact taxpayers.
Retirement. It’s a phase of life that brings with it unique challenges, particularly when it comes to healthcare. In the U.S., the average lifespan is 79 years (compared to the global average of 73 years).
While April brought further welcome news on the inflation front, underlying consumer fundamentals painted a more concerning picture.
A recent Gallup poll shows gold just passed stocks as Americans’ favorite long-term investment. We explore why it might deserve the top spot.
Major gauges of investment-grade corporate bonds were stung by the April bout of volatility that permeated the bond market.
Technology and trends have made individual investors an important part of the private market.
A rushed exit from conservatorship could increase mortgage rates and worsen home affordability.
While equities are on their way to recovering January 1 levels, enhanced volatility lends itself to active ETF strategies this year.
Technology stocks have been buffeted by market volatility in early 2025, with shares tied to artificial intelligence (AI) hit especially hard.
The 90-day reduction on tariffs between the US and China is a positive development, but some questions remain.
529 plans provide tax benefits, estate planning advantages, and flexible education savings. Our Bill Cass explains how 529 plans can be part of an estate planning strategy.
So far in 2025, markets have had plenty to absorb: the Trump administration’s tariffs, Germany’s latest investment commitments, the implications of the DeepSeek moment, and escalating military conflicts (now including one on the India-Pakistan border).
While the CPI has dipped close to the mythical 2 percent target, core CPI remains elevated.
We maintain a focus on resiliency as elevated yields within high quality fixed income continue to offer attractive opportunities.
After a brief reprieve from all the recession talk while the Fed was raising rates to decades-old high watermarks, the ‘R’ word has come back into vogue once again post-Liberation day.
Despite the announcement of new tariffs, long-term inflation expectations—as measured by the 5y5y inflation rate—have remained stable
On Monday, the U.S. and China announced they will temporarily suspend the high import tariffs they imposed on each other earlier this year.
Keeping your financial plan aligned with your goals, risk tolerance and time horizon.
Our overarching theme for U.S. fixed income has been, and will continue to be, based on the premise that interest rates will stay at more historically “normal” levels, but that, within this backdrop, investors will face heightened volatility.
In this video – Part 2 – Extreme Risk of High Valuation – Chuck Carnevale, Co-Founder of FAST Graphs, aka Mr. Valuation discusses the volatility of the stock market, using the S&P 500 (SPY) as a proxy.
By the end of April, the S&P 500 rallied its way back, recovering nearly all the declines notched in the opening days of the month when President Trump's "Liberation Day" tariff plans tipped markets towards bear territory.
China has been a focal point of American trade policy for many years, but tensions were escalated early in the second Trump term.
Emerging market equities and bonds could benefit if the US dollar weakens—a possible scenario amid tariff turmoil.
When volatility ripped through markets last month, many investors scrambled to respond. Some wanted to quickly adjust specific security exposures. Others wanted to flee to cash or build in protection against additional downside moves. And some rushed to buy the dip.
Certificates of deposit (CDs) and Treasuries both can offer steady, predictable investment income—but how to decide between them? Here are five factors to help you choose.
Flows of gold into Asian ETFs exploded in April, driving global ETF gold holdings higher for the fifth straight month.
Assessing a bear market rally proves challenging when you experience it firsthand. It is only in hindsight that the complete picture reveals itself to investors. Of course, after a bear market rally, investors tend to review their investments and speculate on what they should have done differently.
The surprisingly large reduction in mutual tariffs between China and the U.S. announced early Monday morning has sent the markets flying. Trump has softened his approach dramatically and markets are expecting future deals. The base case: everyone at 10%, China at say 20% is still a jump, but at least will likely prevent a recession. Trade and tariffs remain the main focus for markets.
The more duration risk taken, the more reward or yield demanded by investors. This is why, historically, the yield curve provides incrementally more yield for longer-maturity bonds.
In the report, Portfolio Managers John Kerschner, Nick Childs, and Thomas Polus highlight three reasons why agency mortgage-backed securities (MBS) look attractive in the present environment.
The U.S. may not walk back all of the new tariffs.
In this video, Chuck Carnevale, Co-Founder of FAST Graphs, aka Mr. Valuation discusses the volatility of the stock market, the truth about the S&P 500’s valuation, using the S&P 500 (SPY) as a proxy.
Commonwealth Financial Network®, a national RIA dedicated to providing financial advisors with holistic, integrated business solutions, has initiated a new partnership with Messina College, a two-year, all-residential degree program of Boston College that welcomed its first-ever class of students to the school’s Brookline Campus last summer.
The early-April announcement of a broad new round of tariffs against virtually all U.S. trading partners—followed by a pause for many of them—has triggered a tidal shift in the global economy. Uncertainty created by tariff negotiations, as well as burgeoning federal debt levels and other ongoing concerns, has far-reaching economic implications, leading us to reassess our 2025 outlook.
Tariff talk has been at a fever pitch for the past three months. Its dominance of the news cycle has crowded out discussion of other important economic issues, such as the sustainability of America’s national debt.
The roller coaster continues! A stronger than expected first quarter earnings season and encouraging signs on the trade front—highlighted by the US-UK trade deal—helped lift the S&P 500 from its April 8 near-bear market lows, reversing nearly all post-Liberation Day (April 2) losses.
It may seem risky to lend against recurring revenues, not earnings. With proper underwriting, it doesn’t have to be.
