The end of 2016 through the beginning of 2018 had been one of the least volatile periods in recorded stock market history. It was THE least volatile by one measure – for the 404 trading days through the beginning of February, the market never had a five percent correction – the longest streak on record.

Should investors worry about the recent rise in US Treasury yields? If they’re high-frequency bond traders—maybe. But for income-oriented investors with a longer investment horizon, our advice is simple: relax.

A monthly review of market-moving events across countries and asset classes, and what investors can expect going forward.

Please submit your responses and stay tuned for the results in the next week.

Some investors aren’t very concerned about Fed policy and rising US interest rates. That’s because history has shown that emerging-market debt frequently posts positive returns even when US bond yields rise.

Investors worried about an equity correction might see low volatility as a sign that buying options is a cheap way to protect a multi-asset portfolio. But the cost today is higher than it seems.

The recent drops in the stock market can lead to a lot of questions and concerns about what investors should do. Considering the market has been on a historic run to continuous record highs and double-digit gains over the past year, it’s not entirely unexpected to experience a pullback.

This week's poll is the second part of a 3-part series. In a few weeks, we will publish the results. Stay tuned!

The GMO Asset Allocation team has released its latest 7-Year Asset Class Forecasts, which show emerging market equities are likely to generate the best real returns over the next seven years, though investors should temper their expectations for those returns.

Earlier this month, the Loomis Sayles sector teams published their 2018 outlook. Here's a snapshot of what our bank loans sector team is anticipating this year.

Earlier this month, the Loomis Sayles sector teams published their 2018 outlook. Here's a snapshot of what our bank loans sector team is anticipating this year.

Oil prices have pushed through resistance and are breaking out while the US dollar has pushed through support and is breaking down. All of the major industrial commodity prices are moving in lock step, while the global economy appears to be accelerating led by the United States.

Earlier this month, the Loomis Sayles sector teams published their 2018 outlook. Here's a snapshot of what our investment grade and high yield sector teams are anticipating this year.

Learn why the U.S. financial sector may be poised for growth in 2018.

This week's poll is the first part of a 3-part series. In a few weeks, we will publish the results. Stay tuned! Continue the conversation on the results page about why you chose your answer by clicking on "LEAVE A COMMENT" button.

One of the most important discoveries in finance over the past few decades is that stocks of firms that share certain fundamental characteristics called “factors” exhibit different return and risk characteristics than the overall market.

Like much of 2017, politics remained keenly in focus at the end of the year. Tax reform took center stage in the U.S., and President Trump wrapped up this major legislative victory just in time for the holidays. The sweeping tax overhaul moved quickly through both chambers of Congress after the House and Senate drafted amended versions from the separate ones each had previously passed.

This is part of our weekly poll series - it takes one minute and once you submit your response you'll be taken to a page where you can see the results. Continue the conversation on the results page about why you chose your answer by clicking on "COMMENT ON" APViewpoint link.

Enhanced yield is still available – a selective and broad approach is key.

In this issue, Research Affiliates provides its outlook for 2018 and discusses where it sees attractive return opportunities across the globe.

We recently caught up with Peter Zeihan, author of The Accidental Superpower, to ask his thoughts on the top geopolitical shifts to watch in 2018. He shared his predictions on everything from anti-trust concerns for Silicon Valley and the dire consequences for the United States if we exit NAFTA to why he expects North Korea to back down this year.

This is part of our weekly poll series - it takes one minute and once you submit your response you'll be taken to a page where you can see the results. Continue the conversation on the results page about why you chose your answer by clicking on "COMMENT ON" APViewpoint link.

Our boutique managers are known for independent thinking and, at times, contrarian views. Below is a by the numbers taste of what's come up in Outlook commentaries — recurring themes that can cascade to investors everywhere.

As markets shift away from the recovery era of monetary accommodation amid synchronized global growth, some investors may be wondering where potential opportunities can be found. We present a summary outlook for the year ahead - why US interest rates look poised to keep heading higher, why global equities may have more room to run and why investors may need to be more selective in the fixed income space.

U.S. stock market indices continue to reach new highs and major global economies are growing in sync for the first time in a decade. Corporate earnings have reached record levels, business confidence indicators are climbing while inflation remains in check.

Technological advancements over the past two decades have moved the idea of self-driving cars from the realm of science fiction to fact. Recently, Franklin Templeton Investments assembled a panel of professionals to discuss the competition between traditional vehicle manufacturers and technology companies in the race to develop a truly autonomous car.

A review of last month’s market-moving events across countries and asset classes.

Our long-time readers are familiar with the work of Professor Baruch Lev of the NYU Stern School of Business, whose research forms the basis for the Knowledge Leaders investment strategy.

The gradual reversal of expansionary monetary policies – at differing paces globally – will require some investors to adjust their approaches. Protecting purchasing power will remain a priority as official inflation understates real-world costs.

This is a part of our the weekly poll series we will launch on our site. It takes one minute and once you submit your response you'll be taken to a page where you can see the results. Continue the conversation on the results page about why you chose your answer by clicking on "COMMENT ON" APViewpoint link.

The world economy has reached an unusual state of stability. Almost every country is seeing positive growth –but nowhere is growth booming out of control. Inflation is also firmly in ‘goldilocks’ territory.

Lately, investors have been focused on headlines about China’s twice-a-decade congress reshuffling, looking for signs of leadership changes to come in the world’s second-largest economy. But a different kind of leadership change in China is well underway – and investors should take note.

This is the third week of a weekly poll series we will launch on our site. It takes one minute and once you submit your response you'll be taken to a page where you can see the results. Continue the conversation on the results page about why you chose your answer by clicking on "COMMENT ON" APViewpoint link.

This is the second week of a weekly poll series we will launch on our site. It takes one minute and once you submit your response you'll be taken to a page where you can see the results. Continue the conversation on the results page about why you chose your answer by clicking on "COMMENT ON" APViewpoint link.

Poll question: Which type of annuity are you most likely to recommend to a client?

Congressional Republican leaders are hungry for tax reform. The House bill passed. The Senate bill is under debate. But the two versions must be reconciled before final legislation lands on the president’s desk. It’s a lot to digest. Thankfully, we’ve compared the bills and assessed their likely effects on the municipal market.

The Bank of England recently raised short-term interest rates, as developed-market central banks continue with what we expect to be a gradual withdrawal of monetary stimulus. Can the global economy maintain its steady growth? What factors could impact our forecast?

This is the first week of a weekly poll series we will launch on our site. It takes one minute and once you submit your response you'll be taken to a page where you can see the results. Continue the conversation on the results page about why you chose your answer by clicking on "COMMENT ON" APViewpoint link.

Poll question: Which type of "smart-beta" investing will yield the best long-term results?

A review of last month’s market-moving events across countries and asset classes

The lack of wage growth in the U.S. labor market has been a frequent topic during our global multi-asset investment calls. Typically at this point in the economic cycle (mid-to-late cycle), wages are growing at a 4%+ pace. However, wage growth has been very modest over the past few years (2%-3% growth), puzzling many investors and frustrating many workers who have expected larger increases.

Even though they may not know it, many global consumers have at least one loan tied to the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR). Yet, LIBOR’s regulator is calling for an end to the rate by the end of 2021.

Value investing is under attack. The US equity market is at its most expensive level in history and has spent most of the past six years in the top quintile of expensive. In addition, value equities have underperformed the broad market and more widely growth equities for over ten years.

We recently met with Geopolitical Strategist Peter Zeihan to discuss three geopolitical shifts for US financial advisors to watch in the coming months.

The stock market continued to hit new highs through the third quarter, confounding those who focused on the rapidly changing headlines in the U.S. and throughout the world.