Today's retail sales release has us scratching our heads.
The posted number showed strong retail sales for the month of June (ex-autos) with the control...
While the first quarter's CPI prints this year were above expectations, one needs to 'look under the hood' to have a better view on inflation (where it was and where it is going).
Last week the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released their latest ten-year budget projection. Significant deterioration in our fiscal outlook is visible with every release.
This week on the Trading Zone, we explore the complexities of volatility as we approach the upcoming presidential election and also the massive rebalancing in the tech center following the Nvidia hit this past week.
For a long time, the 60/40 portfolio was the cornerstone of financial planning for advisors. This simple strategy, allocating 60% to stocks and 40% to bonds, offered a balance between growth potential and stability. However, recent market trends are challenging the effectiveness of this traditional approach.
Remember, our investment in stocks is a De facto vote of confidence on the economies in which we invest. Earnings, revenue, margins, free cash flow, and the growth of these important metrics is what drives stocks up or down over time.
The discretionary sector struggled as did all growth and quality-oriented areas of the market in 2022. That was a classic re-set and a raging opportunity to add exposure.
The Institute for Supply Management’s monthly survey of purchasing managers came in below expectations for August, while the Bureau of Labor Statistics jobs report indicated that nonfarm payrolls expanded by only 142,000 jobs during the month (against expectations of 161,000 jobs).