A single quarter can tell very different stories across stocks, bonds, and global markets. Explore the forces behind third-quarter performance and discover why preparing for the unexpected can matter more than predicting the next market winner. Over the past two decades, how large was the average annual return gap between the best- and worst-performing developed…
READ MORERecord market highs tell only part of the story. Our October Market Summary explores how rising oil prices, higher interest rates, and AI investment are pulling markets in different directions—and what to watch as we head into year-end. Why did high-yield corporate bonds outperform investment-grade bonds in the third quarter, even as investors became more…
READ MOREDespite renewed geopolitical tensions, rising oil prices, and a pullback in AI stocks, the broader market remained surprisingly resilient in July. Discover why investors are demanding more discipline from AI companies—and what inflation concerns could mean for the Federal Reserve. What caused investors to shift their focus from AI growth and spending to profitability and…
READ MOREFrom shifting interest-rate expectations and geopolitical tensions to unprecedented AI investment and major demographic changes, the investment landscape is evolving quickly. This quarterly commentary explores the forces shaping today’s markets—and why a disciplined, diversified investment strategy remains essential amid uncertainty. What key economic and market trends could contribute to continued inflation and volatility in the…
READ MOREMarkets delivered a strong second quarter, with positive returns across stocks, bonds, and real estate despite plenty of headlines around inflation, interest rates, and geopolitical uncertainty. This quarter’s review is a helpful reminder that short-term market bumps can feel uncomfortable, but staying focused on the long-term picture remains key. Which asset class had the strongest…
READ MOREQ2 tested investors with geopolitical conflict, an oil shock, inflation pressure, and a Federal Reserve that shifted from discussing cuts to signaling a possible hike. Despite those headwinds, markets pushed higher, led by AI-driven semiconductor strength and broader participation from small caps, midcaps, and international stocks. How did the reversal in oil prices influence inflation…
READ MOREMarkets reached new highs in May, but the story beneath the surface was more complex: technology and AI-related investments continued to lead, while most other sectors struggled. This month’s update explores how geopolitical tensions, oil prices, inflation concerns, and the AI infrastructure boom are shaping markets and investor expectations. What two major themes does the…
READ MOREApril’s market rebound was swift and dramatic, with stocks setting new highs as geopolitical tensions eased and investors regained confidence. But beneath the rally, unresolved oil disruptions and a widening divide between AI winners and losers suggest the market’s next chapter may be more complicated than the headline numbers imply. What unresolved issue could continue…
READ MORERoy Sullivan, “The Human Lightning Rod,” is listed in Guinness World Records for being struck by lightning seven times between 1942 and 1977, more than any other person in recorded history. In more recent years, like Sullivan, the global economy has been subjected to multiple shocks: COVID-19 in 2020, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022,…
READ MOREThis report features world capital market performance and a timeline of events for the past quarter. It begins with a global overview, then features the returns of stock and bond asset classes in the US and international markets. The report concludes with a quarterly topic regarding country debt and stock returns. Click Here to View…
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