Geopolitical Risks Drive Market Focus
August 14, 2026 Tension in the Middle East was a persistent theme this week. Negotiations between the US and Iran remained at a stalemate while attacks resumed in the Straits of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb, pushing gold and crude oil prices higher. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude is trading around $82 per barrel as of […]
Labor Market Softens
August 7, 2026 The July employment report was the week’s dominant story as U.S. employers unexpectedly cut jobs during the month, the first monthly payroll decline in months and a sharp miss against what economists had expected. Meanwhile, oil prices fell as reported progress toward a Strait of Hormuz shipping agreement between Iran and Oman […]
New Whitepaper: Understanding Repurchase Agreements
Local government investment pools (LGIPs) are one of the most common investment products utilized by state and local governments nationwide. Because public funds must be protected while remaining liquid, LGIPs typically invest in low-risk, short-term instruments. One of the most common investments utilized in LGIPs are repurchase agreements, or “repo(s).” Repos are widely used in […]
Treasury Yields Rise on Data
July 24th, 2026 A renewed climb in oil prices and firm economic data pushed U.S. Treasury yields to fresh highs this week. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil moved higher as the ongoing conflict with Iran kept pressure on energy markets, while the July flash Purchasing Managers’ Indexes (PMIs) and a sharp drop in weekly […]
Core Inflation Shows Moderation
July 17th, 2026 The week’s marquee economic data releases showed inflation cooling more than expected in June. Headline Consumer Price Index (CPI) declined 0.4% on the month and eased to 3.5% year-over-year from 4.2%, while core CPI, excluding food and energy, was essentially flat on the month and slowed to 2.6% year-over-year, both below consensus. […]
July 2026 Monthly Bond Market Review
Energy prices and inflation remained the primary drivers of the macro backdrop as the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict entered its third month, disrupting global oil supply. Headline CPI accelerated at the fastest pace in more than three years, reflecting volatility in the energy component. Crude oil, however, retraced roughly 20% from its May–early June peak as diplomatic […]
US Economy Shows Signs of Moderation
July 10th, 2026 Economic data releases from the last two weeks have been mixed and market volatility picked up, primarily driven by renewed military strikes in the Middle East as the ceasefire ended and the conflict entered its fifth month. Notably, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil prices have fallen to $71 per barrel, a decline […]
June 2026 Monthly Bond Market Review
The Iran conflict continues to influence global markets, with Brent crude peaking in late April before easing in May on ceasefire hopes. Elevated energy prices have lifted headline inflation above core measures and weighed on sentiment, while the labor market remains resilient. This mix has reduced the likelihood of near-term rate cuts, prompting the Chandler […]
Energy Pushes CPI Higher
June 12, 2026 Inflation returned to the center of the market narrative this week as the May Consumer Price Index (CPI), released June 10, showed headline prices rising 4.2% from a year earlier, the fastest annual pace in roughly three years and the first reading above 4.0% since 2023. The figure landed against the backdrop […]
Strong Hiring Supports Growth
June 5, 2026 Employment data from this week reinforced that the US labor market remains on solid footing, pushing US Treasury yields higher. Strong hiring, job openings, and performance in the services and manufacturing sectors reinforced the view that the US economy continues to grow despite elevated energy prices. The conflict with Iran continues to […]