Monthly Market Commentary
July 2019 Market Commentary
ECONOMIC UPDATE Trade worries contributed to increased market expectations of a Fed rate cut.Three events during the week of June 17 eased investor concerns and boosted risk assets.The FOMC did not cut rates at the June 19 meeting. However, updated forward guidance...
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ECONOMIC UPDATE Market sentiment turned notably bearish in May following a breakdown in U.S./China negotiationsThe Trump administration also decided to “weaponize” trade versus Mexico to affect immigration policyThe markets had largely been focused on the inflation...
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ECONOMIC UPDATE Q1 GDP growth was better than expected, but the underlying components were less favorableDisinflation concerns have been voiced by some Fed leaders, leading the market to price a higher probability of a 2019 rate cutFed Chair Powell did not share those...
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ECONOMIC UPDATE The sharp rally in Treasuries raised questions regarding the health of the U.S./global economy and future Fed policy The March FOMC meeting was more dovish than expected, with no projected rate hikes in 2019 according to the median participant forecast...
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ECONOMIC UPDATE Risk markets maintained positive momentum in February on expectations of a dovish Fed and a trade agreement between the U.S. and China U.S. economic data trend has slowed relative to expectations in recent weeks January 30 FOMC minutes suggested the...
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ECONOMIC UPDATE Riskier assets bounced back in January following a rough end to 2018 A more dovish Fed was the primary source of improved sentiment At the January meeting, the FOMC called for “patience” regarding future policy decisions, and a separate statement...
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ECONOMIC UPDATE The Fed has received much popular criticism for raising the fed funds rate again in December, as Fed leaders resisted pressure to act in support of equity markets While markets are focused heavily on Fed interest...
read moreDecember 2018 Market Commentary
ECONOMIC UPDATE Financial markets remained volatile in November on concerns of tighter monetary policies, U.S./China trade relations, and slowing global growth Fed Chair Powell appeased the markets by tempering the perceived hawkishness of his October comments The...
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ECONOMIC UPDATE Heightened market anxiety in October was attributable to the same general macro factors affecting markets in recent months, as well as corporate earnings concerns The domestic data trend remained solid over the month, including a better than expected...
read moreOctober 2018 Market Commentary
ECONOMIC UPDATE Market sentiment improved in September, with investors seemingly shrugging off the latest negative trade headlines Italian fiscal woes present another potential source of market volatility in the near term The Fed continues to move forward with gradual...
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