Up Off the Mat

June 8, 2020

  While the economy still has room for improvement, the stock market has staged an impressive recovery. Coming off the March low, the S&P 500 Index has advanced 45%. The containment of COVID-19, Federal Reserve’s actions to provide liquidity into the financial system, and continued incremental positive news on the opening of the economy have …

Consumers, Start your Engines

June 1, 2020

  Despite the widespread economic displacement from the COVID-19 lockdown, an optimistic case can be made for a rebound in consumer activity over the next few months. The U.S. consumer accounts for approximately two-thirds of economic activity, so a healthy consumer is the engine of the U.S. economy. With the continued phase-in of activity, workers …

Stepping Out

May 25, 2020

  What did you do this weekend? Some consumers purchased groceries, got takeout food, or dined at a restaurant. Some would-be travelers stayed home, where as others drove or flew on trips. Some consumers went to a mall or big box store, shopped at a small business, or received packages at their homes. The U.S. …

Almost Summer

May 18, 2020

  Increased testing for COVID-19 is providing greater knowledge of the extent of the spread of the virus and its lethality. Several biotech and pharmaceutical companies are progressing with the development and testing of potential vaccines. The world keeps moving forward toward a gradual re-opening of social and economic activity. At the same time, Federal …

Let’s Get Back to Work

May 11, 2020

  Focus on the impact of the COVID crisis and the pace of re-opening of the world economy has made the first quarter earnings reporting season somewhat less impactful than usual. The sharp downturn in economic activity made forecasting difficult and even many companies were unable to accurately provide guidance on the impact on their …

Replenishing

May 4, 2020

  Incremental social and economic activity continues across the globe.  Some harder hit countries and specific areas of the United States will take longer to re-open, but the transition can be seen as restrictions on individuals and businesses in many areas continue to relax.  Increased economic activity should follow. For first quarter earnings, 275 companies …

Opening Day

April 27, 2020

  Some States have begun partial re-opening of previously closed businesses and activities, and several other States have been discussing re-opening plans. The opening of the economy is likely to be state-by-state and industry-by-industry.  COVID cases have risen where testing has increased, but hospitalizations and deaths appear to have peaked in most States giving governors …

The End of the Beginning

April 20, 2020

  The equity markets put together back-to-back winning weeks as the economy and COVID-19 news is less worse than it was potentially forecast to be just a few weeks ago. The curve appears to be flattening on COVID, select parts of the U.S. are set to be opened this month, and most of the early …

Looking Under the Hood

April 13, 2020

  Global equity markets had a strong recovery rally last week as scenarios begin to firm up of when the COVID-19 peaks in various countries and the global economy begins to re-open.  While the social and economic recovery is likely to last several months or longer, the financial markets tend to anticipate outcomes and a …