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Market Outlooks
Weekly Wire: When it rains
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Most of the focus on COVID-19 has understandably been on its physical impact, but the psychological impact of a pandemic is also worth considering. Social interaction is a huge source of psychological wellbeing, and its loss, paired with concerns about the market, as well as the health and wellbeing of loved ones, can begin to take a psychological toll.
Market Outlooks
Weekly Wire: The Fed lowers, Biden rises…Now what?
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Market volatility continued through the last week due to ongoing concerns surrounding the spread of COVID19, the shifting Democratic presidential candidate landscape, and their combined economic impact. We’ve experienced wild daily moves in the S&P 500 Index (S&P 500), but as of Wednesday’s close, we’re just 7.5% below the all-time high reached on February 19.
Market Outlooks
Continuing concerns regarding COVID-19
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The global equity markets have continued their decline, which began on February 20, in response to fears over the COVID-19 (coronavirus) becoming a global pandemic. The S&P 500 Index fell -12.0% from February 20-27 and is on pace for another decline on February 28. International equity markets have fared better, with the MSCI EAFE and MSCI Emerging Markets indices declining -7.4% and -6.6%, respectively. The last six days has been the fastest correction (10% drawdown) on record for the S&P 500 off an all-time high, which has likely exacerbated market fears. With the drawdown, the markets are pricing in significant earnings declines as a result of the virus, and certainly weaker global economic activity.
Market Outlooks
The Brexit Election: What now for the UK and the EU?
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Few political earthquakes come as big as this one. Boris Johnson has defied his critics and skeptics, including many in his own Party, and redrawn the political map of the UK. It is no small triumph that will become part of British folklore. It takes the Conservative electoral support back to the Thatcher years whilst wrenching seats from Labour that had, in many cases, been regarded as untouchable since the 1930s.
Market Outlooks
Fixed Income Market Update
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U.S. economic data surprised to the upside in December with strong employment and growth results and the Fed remained on hold as expected. Progress on tariffs and U.K. election results lowered geopolitical noise for the time being. These developments led to continued improvement in risk sentiment.
Market Outlooks
Low volatility equities: Why now, why active?
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Against the backdrop of a continuing bull market in equities, investor uncertainty has increased with a number of key economic and geopolitical risks, resulting in rising market volatility.
Investors have logically sought to de-risk* portfolios, and given the low interest rate environment, they have rotated significant amounts of money into defensive equities, resulting in stretched valuations for certain pockets of these stocks. At the same time, equity upside remains attractive as accommodative policy and the potential for trade resolution between the U.S. and China could support future gains. As a result, investors now face three competing objectives: how to de-risk portfolios, without overpaying for defensive equities, while maintaining equity upside.
Market Outlooks
Weekly Wire: Vlog: Quarter-end Q&A 4Q2019
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Tim Holland, CFA, asks and answers those questions we think will be top of mind for clients as they open their quarterly statements and think back on the quarter that was:
Market Outlooks
Weekly Wire: Top 10 blog posts of 2019
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From market perspectives with the weekly wire to behavioral finance and technology insights, these are our top 10 blog posts of 2019.
Behavioral Finance
Should I be worried? An investor litmus test
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As a child, I remember seeing my mother’s wooden plaque of The Serenity Prayer that she kept above our kitchen sink. For those not familiar with this popular prayer, it reads...
Market Outlooks
Growth vs. Value in global developed markets
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Since the mid-1970s, value stocks have generally outperformed growth stocks in developed markets around the globe. The current cycle of growth’s outperformance, starting in 2007, has had both the longest duration and highest magnitude in history.
Market Outlooks
Global Corporate Debt
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US Dollar denominated corporate debt has the highest yield and makes up 66% of global issuance, underscoring its attractiveness in this low rate environment.
Behavioral Finance
There is never a good time to invest
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Consider something you’ve always wanted to do but you’ve put off doing because it scares you. In fact, just think of something you’d eventually like to do but haven’t yet, since you may not even be aware of all your reasons for not having embarked on that journey just yet.