Economic Blog

Nearly four months ago, in late February, the 10-year Treasury yield broke to its lowest level ever, undercutting the record lows from 2016 of 1.32%. Over the following two weeks, as fears surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic intensified, interest rates experienced an unprecedented collapse, with the yield on the 10-year Treasury note eventually trading as low as 0.31% on March 9 (Bloomberg). However, consumers who rushed to refinance loans in mid-March may have been surprised to find that mortgage rates, which typically track the path of longer-term Treasury rates, actually spiked significantly during that time. Continue reading →

DAILY INSIGHTS

US stocks opened lower. Investors continue to parse COVID-19-related headlines this morning amid some earnings news and international economic data. European indexes are slightly lower following Consumer Price Index reports that were reported in-line with consensus. Asian markets were higher, led by a gain of more than 1% in Japan’s Nikkei and bolstered by solid and better-than-expected official Chinese Purchasing Manager’s Index (PMI) data. Continue reading →

DAILY INSIGHTS

Stocks opened higher. The latest wave of COVID-19 cases is not bothering US markets this morning, even as some re-openings in southern and western states have been put on hold. Facebook weakness is trimming the Nasdaq’s gains, while Boeing gains are boosting the Dow. European markets are matching US gains in midday trading, while Asian markets were broadly lower overnight, led down by Japan’s Nikkei. Continue reading →

Market Blog

Although the fight against COVID-19 continues to dominate the headlines and our thoughts are with those affected, this is an election year and as we get closer to November it will begin to garner more attention. Next week in our Weekly Market Commentary, we will discuss the election in more detail, but today we wanted to share a very interesting connection between the stock market and election. Continue reading →

Market Blog

Index Performance – Week ending 6/26/20

S&P 500 Index: -2.9%

Dow Jones Industrial Average:  -3.3%

Nasdaq Composite:  -1.9%

Continue reading →

DAILY INSIGHTS

Stocks flat. US stocks opened slightly lower in the midst of higher COVID-19 numbers dominating the conversation. China’s market was closed Friday, but other Asian markets were green. European markets were also comfortably higher in midday trading, as the European Union offered to limit the scope of the digital tax it had threatened with the United States. Continue reading →

Economic Blog

The economy is moving in the right direction, as many economic data points are coming in substantially better than what the economists expected. From May job gains coming in more than 10 million higher than expected and retail sales soaring a record 18%, how quickly the economy is bouncing back has surprised nearly everyone. Continue reading →

Market Blog

What is a Collateralized Loan Obligation (CLO)? Continue reading →

DAILY INSIGHTS

Stocks struggling to regain footing. After Wednesday’s losses and headlines dominated by COVID-19, it won’t be easy for stocks to regain their footing today. The Nasdaq is holding up better and near flat this morning after its eight-session win streak ended yesterday. Asian markets were mixed on light holiday volume, with Japan among the laggards as the Nikkei dipped 1.2%. European markets are holding up relatively well and are mixed in midday trading. Continue reading →

Market Vlog

“Why did God create economists? To make weathermen look good!” Continue reading →