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.
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.
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.
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.
Warren Buffett defended stock buybacks in Berkshire Hathaway’s annual letter, pushing back on those railing against the practice he believes benefits all shareholders.
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.
We’ve lived this movie before. Last August, AAII bullish sentiment struck a 52-week high right before the Fed launched its September rate cutting cycle.
The HANDLS Indexes Monthly Income Report for May 2025 underscores notable recoveries across sectors, propelled by easing tariff and trade uncertainties.