…volatility in 2018, with a recovery in most markets in the 2Q of 2018. After equities exhibited negative returns for most markets in the first quarter, US markets generally recovered in the second quarter of 2018. Domestically, the S&P 500 Index, representing large-cap stocks, returned…
…unemployment rate remained low (4.6%). Meanwhile, the Federal Open Market Committee raised the target range for the fed funds rate by 25 basis points, to 0.50%-0.75%, and indicated additional tightening over the next year. Equity Markets Equity markets were mixed in Q4 with the U.S….
A blog by Frederic Slade, CFA, Director, Investments – September 1, 2014 A segment of the capital markets that often gets overlooked is the foreign exchange (FX) market, which trades in the US dollar, Euro, Japanese Yen, British Pound and over 60 other currencies. According…
…money for at least several years. WHAT ARE FIXED INCOME FUNDS? Fixed Income investments are designed to protect the value of your money over short periods of time. These types of investments generally present a low risk of losing principal. Fixed income funds include money…
The Coronavirus epidemic, which began in January, has continued to exact a significant human and financial toll. How have the financial markets reacted? Join us as we examine: Market Impact of the Coronavirus Risks as the Market Sees Them Investment Ramifications Benchmarks for Market Reactions…
…on a calendar basis (monthly, quarterly, annually) or when a threshold is exceeded (e.g. when stocks appreciate by 10% or more versus bonds over a 4-week period). Given that current equity markets are highly valued with the added specter of higher interest rates and geopolitical…
…creating a sound selection and monitoring process of investments for defined contribution plans? Let us share our expertise and guide you through the process. Highlights of the talk will include: Investment Philosophy Investment Process and Approach Investment Policy Statement Monitoring and Review of Investments “…
…of dollars of security purchases, which have recently been partially unwound. In essence, the Fed has evolved from a manager of economic stability to a major player in the bond markets and a driver of stock prices. In terms of interest rates, from a theoretical…
After a long spell of low inflation well below 2% per year1, and with prices even falling in some periods, the United States financial markets are anticipating a transition to a more inflationary environment (also known as “reflation”), whereby prices in the United States economy…
A blog by Frederic Slade, CFA, Assistant Vice President and Senior Director, Investments, Pentegra Retirement Services – January 19, 2016 In my July 2013 blog, “Higher Interest Rates-Is History a Guide?”, the United States economic and capital markets environment was projected going forward from that…
A blog by Frederic Slade, CFA, Assistant Vice President and Senior Director, Investments, Pentegra Retirement Services – January 3, 2017 An important underlying driver of historical United States capital market performance has been the relationship between bond market returns and stock market returns. Statistically, this…
…in the US and globally, and low inflation. In addition, the Fed has injected significant liquidity into the short-term and Treasury markets. Interest rates in many developed countries outside for the US are currently negative: For developed countries outside the US, over half of the…