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Market Outlooks
Weekly Investment Commentary: Markets continue to rise, but so do inflation risks
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U.S. equities added to 2021 gains last week, with the S&P 500, Nasdaq and Russell 2000 again reaching intra-week record highs. This performance corresponded with a steady VIX reading in the relatively low mid-20s. Sector returns were mixed, led by energy and technology, which added 4.9% and 2.3%, respectively, while utilities lost 1.5%.
Market Outlooks
Weekly Investment Commentary: U.S. equities rebound as investors focus on fundamentals
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In a reversal from last week, U.S. equities experienced their best week since November 2020. Losses due to the volatility surrounding GameStop headlines were completely erased, as the S&P 500, Nasdaq and Russell 2000 all reached record highs. All 11 sectors experienced gains, 10 advancing by greater than 2%, with six advancing almost 5% or more.
Fixed Income Insights
Weekly Fixed Income Commentary: Risk-on tone steepens the Treasury yield curve
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Longer U.S. Treasury yields rose steadily last week, while shorter maturity yields held steady. 2-year Treasury yields reached an all-time low just as longer yields rose to February 2020 levels. Last week’s pervasive risk-on sentiment helped even higher-risk sectors produce positive total returns.
Fixed Income Insights
Weekly Fixed Income Commentary: Risk-off sentiment pushes U.S. Treasury yields slightly lower
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U.S. Treasury yields ended last week a few basis points lower across maturities. Investors were concerned with the slow rate of coronavirus vaccinations, as well as potentially delayed fiscal stimulus. The Federal Reserve (Fed) acknowledged that the pace of economic recovery has slowed, indicating that asset purchases and the policy rate will remain unchanged.
Market Outlooks
Weekly Investment Commentary: The rise of the individual investor
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Thanks to a bout of volatility, U.S. equities experienced their worst week of trading in three months and ended January on a negative note. Broad indexes sought to sustain fresh highs to start the week, but soon realized losses largely due to the unexpected force of individual investors.
Fixed Income Insights
Weekly Fixed Income Commentary: Treasury yields remain stable in a quiet week
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U.S. Treasury yields were little changed last week, as the Federal Reserve (Fed) was in a pre-meeting communications blackout period and there were few notable economic releases. No significant policy changes are expected at this week’s Fed meeting, but asset purchases are expected to continue for some time.