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Market Outlooks
Corporate credit spreads widened aggressively in March 2020
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Credit markets have seen extreme repricing over the past month as a result of the market stress caused by coronavirus and its impact to the economy. The period through March 26 saw some of the most aggressive corporate spread widening in history, with the worst days experiencing almost twice as much widening as any day in 2008. Global investment grade corporate credit spreads reached 340 basis points after having started the year at 102, and we saw global high yield spreads widen past 1,000 basis points as an index, which is generally the level considered the threshold for individual bonds to be considered part of distressed indices.
Market Outlooks
Examining the relationship between social distancing and economic activity
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As the global spread of COVID-19 continues, the United States’ timeline to practice social distancing has now been extended through the end of April. The crisis continues to evolve, leading to questions of how long the social distance measures will remain, how severe will the infection rate get, and when will peak cases be reached. Gauging the length of these measures is crucial to anticipate the economic impacts to U.S. businesses and consumers.
Market Outlooks
The meaty realities of food production
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Initiatives such as Veganuary and meat-free Mondays are a sign of how patterns of food consumption are changing. People are increasingly aware that their eating habits can come with dramatic environmental and social costs. As investors, we are particularly interested in how companies are managing ESG risks in both their operations and supply chains, as well as whether they are seeking opportunities in high-growth areas such as vegan protein.
Market Outlooks
The state of the municipal market
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What caused the extreme municipal market volatility in March 2020? In a nutshell, fear and panic. But that’s understandable in the face of a virulent, deadly enemy that you can’t see and is difficult to contain without mass testing. The unknown is menacing, and investors reacted as they have historically — by raising cash and improving liquidity. In many ways, it is similar to the 2008-09 crisis when the bursting housing bubble caused an indiscriminate rush to sell any assets other than Treasuries. What was shocking this time was the unprecedented speed of the sell-off, and the ensuing recovery. Even after 30 years in the business, it was quite alarming.
Market Outlooks
Weekly Market Snapshot: May 1, 2020
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Read the Weekly Market Snapshot to stay up-to-date with stock markets and sectors, bond market returns and financial news for the week.
Market Outlooks
Weekly Market Snapshot: March 06, 2020
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Read the Weekly Market Snapshot to stay up-to-date with stock markets and sectors, bond market returns and financial news for the week.
Market Outlooks
Weekly Market Snapshot: February 28, 2020
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Read the Weekly Market Snapshot to stay up-to-date with stock markets and sectors, bond market returns and financial news for the week.
Market Outlooks
Weekly Market Snapshot: February 21, 2020
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Read the Weekly Market Snapshot to stay up-to-date with stock markets and sectors, bond market returns and financial news for the week.
Market Outlooks
Weekly Market Snapshot: February 14, 2020
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Read the Weekly Market Snapshot to stay up-to-date with stock markets and sectors, bond market returns and financial news for the week.
Market Outlooks
Weekly Market Snapshot: February 7, 2020
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Read the Weekly Market Snapshot to stay up-to-date with stock markets and sectors, bond market returns and financial news for the week.
Market Outlooks
Stop Assuming. Start Listening!
FlexShares Exchange Traded Funds recently conducted a national survey of HNW primary breadwinners. The results surprised us. Some of the assumptions that we, as an industry, have made about investors because of gender don’t apply to this group of executives. In your business, making incorrect assumptions can hurt your chances with new prospects and in retaining existing clients. We’ve created this guide to help you artfully approach your engagements to better understand the unique situations your potential and current clients are navigating. We’ve broken it down by topic and offer conversation starter ideas.
Market Outlooks
Weekly Market Snapshot: January 31, 2020
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Read the Weekly Market Snapshot to stay up-to-date with stock markets and sectors, bond market returns and financial news for the week.