It’s surely a coincidence that the recent market rally occurred during the partial shutdown of the U.S. government   More conventional rally catalysts were the over-sold conditions created by excessive pessimism about growth and a dovish shift from the Federal Reserve. Equity valuations had fallen […]

Last Week China Trade Data Surpasses Expectations – Imports and exports declined in January, but they both surprised to the upside as imports declined less than expected and exports increased year-over-year. Delayed December Retail Sales Come in Soft – The […]

To date, 66% of the companies in the S&P 500 have reported actual results for Q4 2018   In terms of earnings, the percentage of companies reporting actual EPS above estimates (71%) is equal to the five-year average. In aggregate, […]

Last Week Global equities decline after six positive weeks. Global equities experienced their first weekly decline in 2019 driven primarily by declines in non-U.S. regions. U.S. equities were mostly unchanged (0.2%), while non-U.S. developed market (-1.4%) and emerging market equities (-1.2%) both declined. Trade tensions […]

To date, 46% of the companies in the S&P 500 have reported actual results for Q4 2018   In terms of earnings, the percentage of companies reporting actual EPS above estimates (70%) is below the five-year average. In aggregate, companies […]

Last Week Global Equities Recover After Tough Monday. Global equities began last week in decline following news of guidance cuts from companies impacted by slower Chinese growth only to bounce back on dovish Fed comments. Global equities moved 1.5% higher last week led […]

To date, 22% of the companies in the S&P 500 have reported actual results for Q4 2018   In terms of earnings, the percentage of companies reporting actual EPS above estimates (71%) is equal to the five-year average. In aggregate, […]

Last Week Fed Officials May Be Eyeing Early End To Balance Sheet Runoff. The Federal Reserve’s newfound flexibility has led Fed leaders to discuss the possibility of holding a larger portfolio of Treasuries than previously expected when the original wind-down began two […]

Setting the record straight on the Generation-Skipping Transfer tax Forty plus years following the GST tax’s introduction into the tax code and the hits still keep coming. You’ve heard the list of complaints ( and even might have voiced them […]

Last Week Chinese Trade, Industrial and Sales Trends Fall. Chinese imports fell 7.6% year-over-year and exports dropped 4.4%. Global equity markets responded negatively Monday with all major regions down for the day, with the steepest declines coming out of emerging markets. […]