Category: Economic Commentary

U.S. Companies Grow at Rapid Pace  With 61% of the S&P 500 (largest U.S. companies) reporting earnings, this is expected to be the highest earnings growth rate since the 2nd quarter of 2021 with a growth rate of …

SEE THROUGH THE NOISE Objectivity is a key attribute to investing - focusing on data rather than emotions and market noise. Despite the near market correction (prices declining more than -10%) in March on an …

Small Companies Take the Lead  The Russell 2000 index, a representation of small-cap stocks, returned 3.7%, while the large-cap equity S&P 500 index returned -1%. The performance dispersion was a result of each …

Tech Behind Market Rally Since hitting a low in March, stocks rallied nearly 20% to extend its ninth straight weekly advance for the longest run since 2023. This long streak has only occurred a few times over the …

Stocks Look Past Higher Oil Despite a lack of a long-term resolution for the conflict in Iran and oil prices exceeding $100 per barrel, stock markets returned to an all-time high. The MSCI ACWI IMI index advanced more …

Energy Costs Spike Oil traded in New York advanced from $67 per barrel at the beginning of March to above $100 per barrel to close out the month, as traders assessed the implications of the Iranian conflict. The …

Software on Sale A sell-off in software stocks took another step lower in February, as investors reassessed the extreme prices placed on investments relying on artificial intelligence (AI) advancements. The S&P 500 …

2025: YEAR-IN-REVIEW Global equity markets exhibited another year of strong returns, but volatility returned to the forefront as global trade partnerships were redefined. The S&P 500 index, a collection of the …

Rate Cut Regime Paused The Federal Reserve decided to leave interest rates unchanged as an improvement in the U.S. economy was considered in its decision. Federal Reserve officials noted limited job gains and a …