Strong Jobs, Cooling Inflation
May 29, 2026 Constructive comments from the White House on a continuation of the cease fire with Iran supported moderately lower Treasury yields on the week and a positive backdrop for US equity markets. A deescalation between the US and Iran and a sustainable opening of the Strait of Hormuz will be cathartic for global markets in the short-term, however the Chandler team remains cautious over […]
Markets Digest Divided Fed Minutes
May 22, 2026 The minutes from the April 29 Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting were released Wednesday, confirming what the divided 8-to-4 vote had signaled. Officials acknowledged that the energy shock from the conflict with Iran had raised near-term inflation risks but were split on whether the impulse would prove transitory. Several participants noted […]
Inflation Surges, Markets Stay Resilient
May 15, 2026 Kevin Warsh was finally confirmed by the Senate as the new chair of the Federal Reserve this week by a narrow 51-45 margin. For market participants, however, inflation data took center stage, reinforcing concerns that the energy price shock from the conflict with Iran is filtering into the broader U.S. price complex. […]
Iran Conflict, Oil, Jobs, Rates
The conflict with Iran and elevated oil prices continue to dominate market sentiment. The U.S. proposed a memorandum of understanding which would lead to the gradual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and lifting of the American blockade on Iranian ports. The plan includes provisions for the removal of sanctions on Iran and a moratorium […]
Rates Steady, Inflation Signals Persist
The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) held the federal funds rate at 3.50% to 3.75% on April 29, an outcome consistent with expectations but accompanied by data that complicated the path forward for both investors as well as the FOMC. The decision produced the most divided vote since 1992. One policymaker favored a cut, while […]
Markets Climb as Fed Shifts
Kevin Warsh’s Senate Banking Committee confirmation hearing for Federal Reserve Chair on April 21 placed the central bank’s upcoming leadership transition in focus. Warsh, nominated to succeed Chair Jerome Powell when his term expires May 15, emphasized his commitment to operational independence and stated he had made no prior commitments on the direction of interest […]
Geopolitics Shape Markets, Fed Watch
Geopolitical headlines continue to materially impact market sentiment, and the latest news flow has been constructive. Israel and Lebanon agreed to a ten-day ceasefire that appears to be holding, and the larger conflict between the US and Iran is also de-escalating. Although the statements from the US administration point to an imminent deal between the […]
War, Inflation, and Markets Collide
Market volatility this week was driven by updates on the war with Iran along with key data releases providing some insight into the war’s impact on inflation and the US consumer. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil topped $117/barrel prior to Tuesday’s temporary ceasefire announcement and is trading at around $98/barrel as of this writing. […]
Tensions in Middle East Intensify Market Volatility
This week, escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East further intensified volatility across global capital markets. The conflict with Iran continued to weigh on financial markets as diplomatic efforts showed little progress. Iran rejected a 15 point proposal from the United States, instead submitting conditions that included authority over the Strait of Hormuz, while President […]
Fed Holds; Inflation Pressures Persist
The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) held the federal funds rate at 3.50% to 3.75% on Wednesday in an 11 to 1 vote, with Governor Stephen Miran dissenting in favor of a quarter point cut. The accompanying Summary of Economic Projections raised growth forecasts to 2.4% for 2026, lifted headline and core inflation projections to […]
