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In this edition of the Catalyst Funds and Rational Funds Quarterly Outlook, portfolio managers from across our network of sub-advisors provide their insights into the direction of the investment universe. In addition to a macroeconomic overview, we also include their thoughts on equities, bonds, commodities, and a special section on currencies.

Investors and advisors have a lot on their plates these days and keeping clients engaged while helping them protect themselves and sleep at night is as difficult as it’s ever been. I thought I would spend a little time this week highlighting some important ideas that can help streamline the process of keeping happier clients and helping them reach their goals in difficult markets.

Investors and advisors have a lot on their plates these days and keeping clients engaged while helping them protect themselves and sleep at night is as difficult as it’s ever been. I thought I would spend a little time this week highlighting some important ideas that can help streamline the process of keeping happier clients and helping them reach their goals in difficult markets.

In my 30-year career working in financial services, I have been a Financial Advisor, a professional trader, and a long-term investor of iconic brands (along with a host of other roles in the industry). As someone who has worked directly with advisors for most of my career, I have a lot of empathy for you and your team during these tumultuous times. Managing hundreds or thousands of client portfolios is hard enough, but managing their emotions through a cycle is a monumental task, particularly now.

In the "return generation business", institutional investors have a big edge over retail investors. The WHY is what's most important: institutional investors have access to the smartest asset managers in the world, have the time, experience, and resources to assess all potential investment ideas, have a long-term time horizon (wide lens investing), and act opportunistically when asset prices get weak.

The 3-month and 30-year yield curve can provide valuable insights into the state of the economy and future market volatility. By paying attention to the shape of the yield curve, investors can better understand market sentiment and adjust their strategies accordingly.

The difficulties of navigating markets in 2022 are well chronicled. Very difficult years tend to create investor PTSD, which often holds them back from uncovering opportunities. In my conversations with advisors and analyzing money flow data, there appears to be lingering apprehension for risk-taking initiatives.

As in previous years, the Federal Reserve was clear. It said it was going to raise rates, and it did. Many investors learned last year, to their peril, not to fight the Fed. Going forward, the Fed has said it will raise rates and keep them elevated. Many investors will most likely learn the same lesson this year. Don't fight the Fed…