Yields Fall, Growth Outlook Brightens
Volatility picked up across capital markets as US equities and commodities whipsawed while US treasury yields fell throughout the week. Meanwhile, the prospect for positive near-term growth improved according to US purchasing managers. The Institute for Supply Management’s manufacturing and services indexes both indicated expansion in January, with the ISM Manufacturing Index rising to 52.6 […]
Fed Holds Rates as Markets Weigh New Data
The market digested a myriad of news this week, with a focus on the Federal Reserve, as well as incoming economic data, Megacap earnings, and a looming partial federal government shutdown. As expected, the Federal Reserve kept the federal funds rate on hold at a target range of 3.50%–3.75% at the January meeting, following three […]
US Growth Steady Amid Geopolitical Tensions
Geopolitics continued to dominate headlines and weigh on investor sentiment this week as the US Administration pushed to assert greater control over Greenland. As a result, the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where political leaders and captains of industry gather every year, was marked by a confrontational tone although the heated rhetoric eased after […]
Inflation Eases as Housing and Spending Strengthen
Although geopolitical events and challenges to Fed independence made headlines this week, financial markets looked beyond these developments and focused on inflation and the consumer. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose in December 0.3% month-over-month and 2.7% year-over-year. The core CPI, excluding food and energy, rose less than expected at 0.2% month-over-month, and 2.6% year-over-year. […]
01/09/2026: Markets React to Policy Moves and Economic Signals
The first full week gave market participants an opportunity to assess slew of incoming economic data. The most notable development was a policy proposal attributed to President Trump for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to purchase up to $200 billion of agency mortgage-backed securities to help keep long-term borrowing costs lower, though key details on […]