2017 ended up being a banner year for many housing-related stocks including homebuilders and home improvement retailers. There were several different macroeconomic factors at play in the U.S. housing market that contributed to the outperformance of housing-related companies last year.  So far for 2018, many economists and analysts have said they are expecting more of […]

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Global economies are constantly in flux and, regardless of whether these changes are positive or negative, overseas developments can have a large impact here in the U.S. Most investors don’t feel the need to monitor macroeconomic factors, but understanding the major aspects at play around the world can help potentially identify risks and as well […]

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Key Takeaways Market reaction from one-time geopolitical events tends to be swift but short-lived Cboe Volatility Index (VIX) and other indicators can help investors gauge the level of perceived market risk Understanding the potential impact of certain events on your portfolio, and comparing to your risk tolerance, can help you prepare Risk is everywhere, all […]

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Key Takeaways Fed Chair Powell seemed to soothe the markets by saying the economy isn’t overheating The Fed still faces a dilemma of how quickly to raise rates without risking economic pain A “gradualist” monetary policy approach looks likely to continue, based on Powell’s comments Without dropping any policy-related bombshells, Fed Chair Jerome Powell still […]

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Key Takeaways Microsoft conference featured new innovation around cloud computing Artificial Intelligence developments also highlighted the conference Tech investors might want to consider keeping an eye on developments as earnings approach With earnings season around the corner, investors are likely to hear a lot about the far-reaching technology realms of cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), […]

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Key Takeaways U.S. midterm elections, the 2018 APEC Summit, and Brexit negotiations take place in November Political events can bring heightened volatility and knee-jerk market reactions Look at the facts, not the headlines, for your investing and trading decisions Political events can often result in knee-jerk reactions and rapid reversals as investors and traders react […]

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The Federal Reserve, or the Fed, is a common topic when it comes to investing and the financial world. Here is a refresher on the history of the Fed and the impact they can have on the economy.   A Brief History of The Federal Reserve After a series of financial crises over the course of the […]

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Key Takeaways Interest rate-sensitive sectors often fall when interest rates rise, and that was the case earlier this year Now some of the interest rate-sensitive sectors are coming back despite the Fed raising rates The rebound may reflect tensions over trade battles and the global economy The U.S. Fed has hiked rates seven times in […]

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Key Takeaways The Fed is the U.S. central bank and affects the economy by determining the cost of borrowing There are two key Fed mandates: monetary stability and maximum employment The Fed uses interest rates to try and maintain a comfortable balance between its two mandates Some people think the Federal Reserve is a wildlife […]

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Key Takeaways Leadership changes can lead to a shift in policy priorities Changing priorities might produce new leaders and laggards among sectors and asset classes The end of the year may be a good time to review your portfolio allocation and strategy The midterm election results are in, and with them comes a list of […]

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