Market Trends & Outlook

Banking Crisis Is How It Starts, Recession Is How It Ends

Historically, once the Fed opens dollar swap lines, further monetary accommodations follow from rate cuts to “quantitative easing” and other liquidity operations. Of course, such is always in response to a banking crisis, credit-related event, recession, or a combination.

Fiduciary Responsibility, Know Your Customer, Focus on Suitability: How Advisors Can Act in Their Clients’ Best Interests When It Matters Most

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.

Fiduciary Responsibility, Know Your Customer, Focus on Suitability: How Advisors Can Act in Their Clients’ Best Interests When It Matters Most

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.

Helping Investors Thrive: Focusing on What We Can Control

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.

February HANDLS Market Recap: Back to Earth

After a strong rally in January, both equity and fixed income markets took it on the chin in February. The Core Large Cap Equity category returned -4.0% as the Federal Reserve’s monetary tightening policy drove concerns about a potential economic slowdown. On the fixed income side, ongoing inflation concerns pushed interest rates higher, dragging the Core Fixed Income category to a -2.8% return.

February HANDLS Market Recap: Back to Earth

After a strong rally in January, both equity and fixed income markets took it on the chin in February. The Core Large Cap Equity category returned -4.0% as the Federal Reserve’s monetary tightening policy drove concerns about a potential economic slowdown. On the fixed income side, ongoing inflation concerns pushed interest rates higher, dragging the Core Fixed Income category to a -2.8% return.

Buffett On Buybacks

Warren Buffett defended stock buybacks in Berkshire Hathaway’s annual letter, pushing back on those railing against the practice he believes benefits all shareholders.

Speak Loudly Because You Carry A Small Stick

The big question facing the Fed is whether they should increase the Fed Funds rate by 25bps or 50bps on March 22, 2023. If Jerome Powell cared for our advice, we would tell him to take the opposite approach of President Theodore Roosevelt. Speak loudly because your stick isn’t that big anymore.  

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