Market Commentary
The global economy’s biggest X factor in 2019

Equity markets received some relief in late January, when the Federal Reserve decidedly shifted tone on interest rate increases for 2019. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said that “the case for raising rates has weakened somewhat,”1 adding that the Fed is increasingly concerned about the effects of policy-related headwinds from trade disputes,[…]
Read MoreStocks surge but small business becomes skittish

While market volatility may have you fearful of what’s next, a recession may be further off than you think. Read on to get the details.
Best January Rally in Over 30 Years – stocks recovered sharply in January, with the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average delivering the best start to a year since the 1980s.[…]
Investor pessimism could be a plus for the market

Investor sentiment has made a notable shift over the last two years or so, and the pendulum swing may actually help explain why 2018 was such a disappointing year for stocks.
Flashback to 2017 – the buzzword when describing the global economy was “synchronized global recovery,” referring to the widely-held expectation that all developed economies were (finally) expected to grow convincingly and in unison.[…]
Fed holds steady, China wobbles, earnings slide

The Fed surprised investors with its announcement to stay steady and hold rates, while earnings season seems to be heading steadily on a downward trend. Read on to get the details:
The Fed’s Pleasant Surprise – Many Fed and market-watchers did not expect the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates at the recent January meeting – so it wasn’t much of a surprise when Jerome Powell announced the Fed would hold rates steady.[…]
Who wins with Fed interest rate hikes?

The Federal Reserve’s decision to raise interest rates at the December 18-19 meeting last year was a source of contention for the equity markets. In fact, just about every rate increase last year (four total) was met with short-term volatility – a reckoning that the era of easy money was officially coming to a close.[…]
Read MoreWhy are all asset classes moving in lockstep?

Could asset correlations add fuel to the market rally? And what do we see for trade negotiations and the government shutdown? Read on to get our view.
Are Tightly Correlated Assets a Cause for Concern? – a pattern has emerged in the new year,[…]
The Market Mover that No One is Talking About

The sharp and sudden selling pressure that characterized equity market action in December appears to have subsided in the new year – at least for now. In examining the causes of downside volatility, the most commonly cited reasons were fears of an escalated trade war with China,[…]
Read MoreInterest rates, Brexit, earnings revisions add to market volatility

From rising rates and their effect on the markets to the Brexit’s failed plan attempts and PG&E filing for bankruptcy, this week was filled with ups and downs. Through it all, one factor seems to remain consistent – volatility. Read on to get the Zacks view.[…]
Read MoreChinese trade breakthrough could spark market

Apple, Inc. stunned Wall Street last week when the company issued a rare cut to its revenue forecast for the upcoming quarter – the first time it has slashed expectations in more than 15 years. Markets don’t like downward earnings revisions,[…]
Read MoreBear market or correction? Here’s our view.

From U.S. and China trade talks, to negotiations surrounding the Government shutdown and the Fed releasing minutes from their December meeting, this week was packed with events investors need to keep an eye on. Read on to get our view on the outcome.[…]
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