Blogs

By: Paul Dickson, Director of Research and Giri Krishnan, Senior Portfolio Manager Is the check engine light flickering? Economic data has become more mixed with signs of both growth and fragility. If the Fed wants to engineer a “soft-landing,” or perhaps even the elusive “no-landing” scenario we discussed last quarter, it will have to start cutting interest rates sooner rather than later. We look to the September Fed Meeting as the start of a series of rate cuts. The classic description of the Federal Reserve’s job (the Fed) is to know when to remove the punchbowl from the party. The...

Quarterly Market Review: Q1 2024 By: Paul Dickson, Director of Research and Giri Krishnan, Senior Portfolio Manager Could there be “no landing” for the U.S. Economy? In defiance of the expectations of many economists, the U.S. Economy continues to show remarkable resiliency. The surprisingly strong economy of 2023 appears poised to continue into 2024, pushing back forecasts for Federal Reserve rate cuts. This raises expectations that 2024 could avoid a significant slowdown altogether. If the eventual end of this business cycle is extended much further, pundits will claim it as evidence of a...

Quarterly Market Review: Q4 2023 By: Paul Dickson, Director of Research and Giri Krishnan, Senior Portfolio Manager The “Soft-Landing” Has Become the Default Scenario The Federal Reserve signaled that it is likely done with rate hikes. The markets responded favorably, nearly doubling the annual return on the S&P 500. This signaling also moved the U.S. Aggregate Bond market from being in the red to having a decisively positive year. The pivot in policymakers’ outlook was somewhat of a surprise given that the data-informed policy has not improved nearly as much as their stance has changed. While...

Experts across the United States are increasingly worried that people’s savings and investments won’t be enough to last through retirement. Financial wellness holds the keys to a long and prosperous retirement, but you must know how to achieve it. But what is financial wellness? How easily can you attain it, and how might best practices differ depending on your age? Understanding the Potential Retirement Crisis Americans are facing a multi-faceted retirement and savings crisis that has many experts worried. Those on the verge of retirement may not have enough between their savings and Social...

Consider working with a financial professional to help improve your financial health A financial professional can help you not only make key financial decisions, but also identify your priorities and guide you toward achieving your financial goals — including retirement. Here are three reasons why seeking professional advice about your financial future may be a smart move. Objectivity Sometimes your emotional biases can make it difficult to look at your own financial situation with clear eyes. A common example: people may know they need to save for retirement, but they often have difficulty...