Bridging the Gap

March 30, 2020

  The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) was passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives and was signed by the President on Friday.  If uncertainty about the impact of the coronavirus was centered on the two unknowns of the infection itself and what the government was doing about it, …

Taking Action

March 23, 2020

  As the measures taken to slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) are beginning to take a toll on the economy through a reduction in activity in travel, dining, entertainment and other consumer spending categories, the U.S. government has been formulating ways to help stem the economic impact on both consumers and businesses. Two …

March Madness

March 16, 2020

  Uncertainty over the economic impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to negatively impact markets. The declaration of a national emergency on Friday allows coordinated action and financial resources to be used to shore up the economy and provide assistance to public health organizations. In our Dissecting Headlines section, we look at the national emergency …

Silver Linings

March 9, 2020

  As markets continue to experience volatility amid economic concerns from the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), we want to look at counterbalancing effects we are seeing to stabilize the economy. We mentioned last week we believe the economy should self-correct over time.  While 10-year Treasury yields have fallen, the Federal Reserve also made the …

Keeping Perspective

March 2, 2020

  Global equity markets had their worst week in several years last week. The weekly decline, due to economic concerns surrounding the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), has pulled all major stock indices into negative territory for the year. Market volatility, which included several large intra-day swings, is indicative of the uncertainty. In our Dissecting …

Animal Spirits on the Rise

June 10, 2019

  Equities rallied last week as moderating economic data and Dovish comments from Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell led investors to the conclusion that a short-term interest rate cut is on the horizon. The Fed Chairman’s speech on June 4th indicated the Fed would take appropriate action to maintain expansion of the economy in the …

Trade War Heads South

June 3, 2019

  Investors were surprised late last week by the announcement that the U.S. would impose a 5% tariff on all goods imported from Mexico and gradually increase them until the flow of illegal immigrants stopped. The economic and political uncertainty of this policy added to the uncertainty currently in the market from the U.S.—China trade …

More Earnings on the Way

April 15, 2019

  The S&P 500 Index had a muted week but then generated some excitement on Friday with earnings from banks such as JP Morgan and Wells Fargo, an energy sector merger announcement with Chevron and Anadarko Petroleum, and Disney’s announcement of its direct-to-consumer media service. The S&P 500 Index closed the week +0.5% higher. The …