The digital world touches more areas of life than ever before. Whether it’s working remotely, watching TV, making a dinner reservation, or “visiting” the doctor, chances are you’re using cloud technology.
I don’t question Elon Musk’s good intentions, but I respectfully disagree with the underlying insinuation that crypto miners in particular are a threat to the climate. It’s just not true, for reasons I explain below.
Last week I teased you about the China panel, so that seems like a good place to start. We’ll review that conversation and then bring in some China comments from later sessions.
Blockchain has the potential to launch a new global digital renaissance, transforming financial services, supply chains, healthcare, backend offices, and more. Our Chief Market Strategist Stephen Dover outlines how we continue to evaluate its risks and opportunities as active investors.
While much of Wall Street is ringing alarms about out-of-control inflation, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and his colleagues are expressing confidence in a more benign outlook.
U.S. President Joe Biden’s pension bailout might do more than just support troubled retirement plans. It could also spur tens of billions of dollars in demand for corporate bonds with the lowest investment-grade ratings, according to Citigroup Inc.
Steve Cohen’s Point72 Asset Management is eyeing cryptocurrency-related investments.
Andrew Milliner, Global Bonds Portfolio Manager at Janus Henderson Investors, has put together the below comments in reaction to current U.S. inflation figures and what it means for the economy and markets moving forward. Please let me know if you have any questions or wish to further discuss with Andrew.
And just like that, Elon Musk has turned on Bitcoin.
Wall Street will continue reaping rewards from its embrace of blank-check companies for a long time, even if the record-breaking boom in listings comes to an end.
Cathie Wood may be the most polarizing and controversial figure in finance. Her acolytes believe her vision will make them rich. Her detractors credit her sales skills but question her investing acumen.
Special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs)—also known as blank-check companies—have gained immense popularity among investors since the beginning of 2020, despite being around for decades.
The NASDAQ is falling as tech stocks begin to show cracks in their armor. Of course, according to Mr. Valuation the reason is simple – most tech stocks are overvalued.
Has the storm passed for Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.?
My guest today, Ryan Sullivan, has written that, in crisis moments, the “pros” are “active.” If a client hasn’t called you, don’t assume they are not concerned. If they get the sense you’re avoiding contacting them, they may reach out to another financial professional for help. But in-person meetings have been ill-advised and phone calls don’t provide the level of connection clients need. Virtual meeting technology is a great option for staying in touch with clients, and Ryan is here to share his research on this topic.
A wealth tax “crosses the line and is unnecessary,” according to Ray Dalio.
Markets are vulnerable to “significant declines” should risk appetites falter, the Federal Reserve has warned. At the moment, there are very few signs of that happening.
Cathie Wood’s Ark Innovation ETF looked set for another difficult day on Tuesday as it extended losses in early trading after suffering its worst drop in seven weeks.
The performance of a market-cap-weighted index is driven by a handful of stocks with the largest capitalizations, but these stocks do not remain at the top for long. A smart beta multi-factor strategy is a good solution for investors concerned about the concentration risk of a passive market-cap tracker.
Labor markets are changing course. When will the Fed do the same? India's second wave will disrupt activity elsewhere.
This is where the evolution happens, and a firm innovates to thrive in the future.
The strong economic recovery will not be interrupted by inflation or a credit crunch, according to Ed Yardeni, and the S&P 500 will soon reach 4,500.
Let's take a closer look at Friday's employment report numbers on Full and Part-Time Employment.
It is a particularly good time to invest in the commodities markets.
One of my all-time favorite quotes comes from Winston Churchill, who was just as witty as he was a great leader: “We contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.”
I've developed this kind of duality. It's hard to think of the next 20 years or indeed the last 20 years without being very optimistic about the future of humanity.
The markets continue their upward trend, supported by accommodative fiscal policy from the Federal Reserve, strong gross domestic product (GDP) numbers and solid earnings reports.
Economic and earnings data are in boom territory, with more momentum likely near-term.
After a strong rally for value stocks in recent months, some investors are wondering if the rebound will continue.
Fintech companies in Africa raised more capital despite the Covid-19 pandemic, standing in contrast to their emerging-market peers such as Latin America that saw a decline.
The highest-flying tech names are getting no help from one of the sector’s usual lifelines amid a fierce selloff that’s showing few signs of slowing.
The Federal Reserve is deciding whether to give financial-technology companies more direct access to its payment system after many of the upstarts swelled in popularity during the pandemic.
Take a look at real (inflation-adjusted) charts of the S&P 500, Dow 30, and Nasdaq Composite since 2000. We've updated this through the April 30, 2020 close
While gold is valued for a variety of reasons, the uncertainty and economic fallout tied to the COVID-19 pandemic saw investment drive the price of the yellow metal to record highs in 2020.
Brad McMillan, Commonwealth’s CIO, recaps the market and economic news for April. It was a good month for the markets. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq gained more than 5 percent, while the Dow was up almost 3 percent. These returns were driven, in part, by the medical news, with new case counts, hospitalizations, and deaths all down. While the medical risks declined, reopening accelerated. Job growth rose, and weekly layoffs dropped. Consumer confidence and spending also improved. Will these positive trends persist? Stay tuned for more. Follow Brad at blog.commonwealth.com/independent-market-observer.
Just over a year since the COVID-19 virus began spreading around the globe and significant portions of our economy shut down, today the U.S. is solidly on the road to recovery.
Every year, the identities of almost 2.5 million Americans who are deceased are stolen by thieves to open fraudulent credit cards, access financial assets, file fake tax returns, obtain driver’s licenses, steal medical identities and more.
Let’s take a more in-depth look at live and pre-recorded webinar formats, and what to consider when choosing which one is right for you.
April 3rd marked the 1-year anniversary of the first investments deployed by GMO’s Quality Cyclicals Strategy,1 within a fortnight of the trough that ended 2020’s quickfire bear market.
There’s an old bit of advice that one shouldn’t count one’s chickens before they’re hatched.
How to structure your portfolio when interest rates are rising.
On April 20, we hosted our first ever virtual Market Outlook Summit. Here is a recap of each session with a link to watch the replay.
The Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting was a mixture of caution, wisdom and honesty.
Chief Economist Scott Brown discusses the latest market data.
We believe Asia is the core of growth and innovation within emerging markets, and companies domiciled in Asia comprise over 75% of the benchmark universe.
With everything up, where are the value buying opportunities?
David Bahnsen does a podcast for National Review called Capital Record. We did a two-part series. The following is an edited partial transcript of the first part.
The post-pandemic economy could well be defined by the return of robust aggregate productivity growth after 15 years of relative sclerosis.
JPMorgan Chase & Co. is teaming up with Singapore’s Temasek Holdings Pte. and DBS Group Holdings Ltd. to create a new blockchain-based platform for payments, trade and foreign exchange settlement.
Nobody expected the Fed would lift interest rates today
In this webcast, Scott Kefer, CFA, Senior Portfolio Manager, Kevin Bales, CFA, Associate Portfolio Manager at VictoryShares and Solutions, and Ian Saunders, Sr. Analyst at Nasdaq Dorsey Wright will discuss alternative income strategies and their ability to offer the trifecta of benefits many investors seek: attractive income, low correlation to both stocks and bonds, and a level of volatility similar to traditional bonds.
Paradigm shifts are driven by creativity and innovation. Innovation is attracted to and stimulated by inefficiencies in a big, lucrative marketplace, such as financial services. Recently, our industry has seen a growing number of innovations in how financial-services products are delivered to consumers.
Now that the leaders of the most popular tech companies are going into outer space, we thought it appropriate to consider the return implications of this urge to “explore strange new worlds.”
I have paid close attention to the lack of simplicity in the lives of my advisor clients and those around me for more than two decades.
Although we remain constructive about the economic outlook, the recent increase in speculative activity gives us some pause. We continue to favor a cautious approach in the near-to-medium term.
Just over a decade ago, digital assets were a theoretical concept, announced to the world through an anonymous white paper. Today, Coinbase, a digital asset exchange, is trading on the Nasdaq exchange. Coinbase’s recent direct listing represents a watershed moment for the digital assets industry. Learn more about what Coinbase’s listing means for the growth of the digital assets ecosystem.
Investors betting against green trades are going up against the world’s most powerful governments.
Review the latest Weekly Headings by CIO Larry Adam.
Mix extremely loose monetary policy, a federal government cutting checks like it’s going out of style, and extensive roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccines, and what do you get?
Human capital needs renewal; COVID-19 sweeps through India again, while the U.S. economy springs back to life.
New research shows that, since 2010, “green” stocks – those of companies with a low carbon footprint – have outperformed “brown” stocks. That may have been caused by increased demand from investors pursuing an ESG mandate, which means the effect is temporary and brown stocks now have higher expected returns.
More than 60 central banks right now are believed to be exploring the idea of digital currencies, including retail tokens that would be used by citizens as well as wholesale applications for financial institutions.
I think we will probably have a few months of significantly higher inflation. It will fade but meanwhile hurt certain people and industries. It will be like one of those extremes causing bruised knees and volatile markets.
Many US technology companies use stock compensation to help align workers’ performance with shareholder interests.
Infrastructure is the backbone of any healthy economy, and America’s is in desperate need of refurbishment and investment.
Review the latest portfolio strategy commentary from Mike Gibbs, managing director of Equity Portfolio & Technical Strategy.
Despite a volatile first quarter, economic fundamentals appear to be improving. We are constructive on the equity market in the near-to-medium term, but we are closely monitoring inflation and interest rates.
Digital Asset Holdings LLC, the blockchain software developer that caters to corporate applications, raised more than $120 million from investors 7Ridge and Eldridge.
After working with investors for more than 50 years, I have learned many things about human nature.
This is our Q1 2021 slide presentation of our quarterly strategy report.
A broad attempt by Congress to stem China’s influence could put at risk research collaborations and funding that U.S. universities count on by subjecting some foreign gifts and contracts to national security reviews.
Nigerian banks’ dominance of their home turf is virtually unparalleled.
Although it’s early in the first quarter earnings reporting season, it’s worth a look at the progress so far and the implications for the rest of the season, as well as valuations.
Open Co, a Brazilian fintech that specializes in unsecured loans to individuals, is raising 1.5 billion reais ($270 million) through a credit line led by Goldman Sachs Group Inc.
Investors’ love affair with technology stocks has cooled off noticeably this year.
John Vail of Nikko Asset Management dives into the findings from Nikko’s latest Global Investment Committee meeting.
The S&P 500 fell almost 50% between mid-February and mid-March 2020, during the initial stages of the pandemic.
Ask someone a question in which the respondent has a vested interest in how it is answered, and you know what the answer is before asking it. I see this when I am talking to advisors about the RIA model.
You cannot assume the Gen Xers and Millennials who’re receiving that wealth will automatically turn to you for help managing it.
In 40 years, I’ve never seen as many signs of change in the planning/advisory profession as I see right now.
Digital currencies stormed Wall Street in a big way this week. Crypto exchange Coinbase went public in a direct listing, opening the floodgates for a number of other crypto-related companies.
Right now, the stock market is in the land-where-there-should-be-sea phase. What we don’t know is when the wave is coming. Maybe there’s time to venture out and see what treasure was hidden beneath the waves... or maybe not. Prudence would suggest that we go searching for treasure on higher ground.
The first quarter of 2021 was challenging for investors in biotechnology, but Franklin Equity Group Portfolio Managers Evan McCulloch, Wendy Lam and Akiva Felt believe the second half of the year will likely bring welcome tailwinds for the industry.
We begin with what we hope will be our final substantive COVID update. The vaccines have arrived and are going into people’s arms at an accelerating pace.
A year ago it would have been hard to imagine where we’d be sitting today.
President Joe Biden’s strategy of bolstering labor unions as a way to enhance American workers’ pay is running up against a half century of setbacks for organizing workers.
Along with learning the importance of saying "yes ma'am” and “no sir," my southern upbringing taught me the value of a handwritten note.
Quarterly commentary - Discussion on the historic stock market measures presently in place due to the Fed's largesse.
A few years after launching Grab Holdings Inc. in 2012, Anthony Tan got a piece of advice from Jack Ma. The co-founder of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. told the entrepreneur that life is a tsunami. When you’re up on the wave, get ready for the crash, he said.
The full implications of Beijing’s rapid-fire moves against Jack Ma’s internet empire in recent days won’t be apparent for weeks, but one lesson is already clear: The glory days for China’s technology giants are over.
Innovative ETFs
Head in the Cloud? You’re in Good Company
The digital world touches more areas of life than ever before. Whether it’s working remotely, watching TV, making a dinner reservation, or “visiting” the doctor, chances are you’re using cloud technology.
Elon Is Wrong About Bitcoin. Crypto Miners Are Key to Renewables' Success
I don’t question Elon Musk’s good intentions, but I respectfully disagree with the underlying insinuation that crypto miners in particular are a threat to the climate. It’s just not true, for reasons I explain below.
A Giant Consumptive Force
Last week I teased you about the China panel, so that seems like a good place to start. We’ll review that conversation and then bring in some China comments from later sessions.
Quick Thoughts: Blockchain Innovates and Disrupts
Blockchain has the potential to launch a new global digital renaissance, transforming financial services, supply chains, healthcare, backend offices, and more. Our Chief Market Strategist Stephen Dover outlines how we continue to evaluate its risks and opportunities as active investors.
Fed Officials Have Six Reasons to Bet Inflation Spike Will Pass
While much of Wall Street is ringing alarms about out-of-control inflation, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and his colleagues are expressing confidence in a more benign outlook.
Biden’s $86 Billion Pension Rescue Set to Boost Corporate Bonds
U.S. President Joe Biden’s pension bailout might do more than just support troubled retirement plans. It could also spur tens of billions of dollars in demand for corporate bonds with the lowest investment-grade ratings, according to Citigroup Inc.
Steve Cohen’s Point72 Is Exploring Blockchain, Crypto Sector
Steve Cohen’s Point72 Asset Management is eyeing cryptocurrency-related investments.
US Inflation Figures
Andrew Milliner, Global Bonds Portfolio Manager at Janus Henderson Investors, has put together the below comments in reaction to current U.S. inflation figures and what it means for the economy and markets moving forward. Please let me know if you have any questions or wish to further discuss with Andrew.
Note to Elon: Crypto Miners Are Part of the Solution to Curbing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
And just like that, Elon Musk has turned on Bitcoin.
Wall Street Will Keep Gorging on SPAC Fees Long After Boom Fades
Wall Street will continue reaping rewards from its embrace of blank-check companies for a long time, even if the record-breaking boom in listings comes to an end.
Cathie Wood and Ark – Hype or Substance?
Cathie Wood may be the most polarizing and controversial figure in finance. Her acolytes believe her vision will make them rich. Her detractors credit her sales skills but question her investing acumen.
SPACs: What Are They, and Are They a Risk to the Market?
Special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs)—also known as blank-check companies—have gained immense popularity among investors since the beginning of 2020, despite being around for decades.
2 Overvalued Tech Stocks Falling Faster Than You Think
The NASDAQ is falling as tech stocks begin to show cracks in their armor. Of course, according to Mr. Valuation the reason is simple – most tech stocks are overvalued.
After $260 Billion Slide, Alibaba Aims to Show the Worst Is Over
Has the storm passed for Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.?
How to Improve the Virtual Client Meeting Experience
My guest today, Ryan Sullivan, has written that, in crisis moments, the “pros” are “active.” If a client hasn’t called you, don’t assume they are not concerned. If they get the sense you’re avoiding contacting them, they may reach out to another financial professional for help. But in-person meetings have been ill-advised and phone calls don’t provide the level of connection clients need. Virtual meeting technology is a great option for staying in touch with clients, and Ryan is here to share his research on this topic.
Ray Dalio – A Wealth Tax “Crosses the Line”
A wealth tax “crosses the line and is unnecessary,” according to Ray Dalio.
Reflation, Inflation, Deflation: Stocks Can Live With Everything
Markets are vulnerable to “significant declines” should risk appetites falter, the Federal Reserve has warned. At the moment, there are very few signs of that happening.
Cathie Wood’s Main ETF Drops in Premarket After Holdings Slump
Cathie Wood’s Ark Innovation ETF looked set for another difficult day on Tuesday as it extended losses in early trading after suffering its worst drop in seven weeks.
The Fall of the Titans!
The performance of a market-cap-weighted index is driven by a handful of stocks with the largest capitalizations, but these stocks do not remain at the top for long. A smart beta multi-factor strategy is a good solution for investors concerned about the concentration risk of a passive market-cap tracker.
Fed's Patience Tested, Slow Labor Markets, India's COVID Crisis
Labor markets are changing course. When will the Fed do the same? India's second wave will disrupt activity elsewhere.
How Firms Can Evolve for the Future Before It Arrives
This is where the evolution happens, and a firm innovates to thrive in the future.
Ed Yardeni – The S&P is Going to 4,500
The strong economic recovery will not be interrupted by inflation or a credit crunch, according to Ed Yardeni, and the S&P 500 will soon reach 4,500.
Full-time and Part-time Employment: A Deeper Look
Let's take a closer look at Friday's employment report numbers on Full and Part-Time Employment.
The Recovery will be Positive for Commodities
It is a particularly good time to invest in the commodities markets.
No Country Has Ever Taxed Itself into Prosperity
One of my all-time favorite quotes comes from Winston Churchill, who was just as witty as he was a great leader: “We contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.”
This Kind of Duality
I've developed this kind of duality. It's hard to think of the next 20 years or indeed the last 20 years without being very optimistic about the future of humanity.
Strong Earnings and Stimulus Push Stocks Higher
The markets continue their upward trend, supported by accommodative fiscal policy from the Federal Reserve, strong gross domestic product (GDP) numbers and solid earnings reports.
Boom Boom Pow: Have Stocks Already Priced in Economic Boom?
Economic and earnings data are in boom territory, with more momentum likely near-term.
Value Stocks—Still Plenty of Fuel in the Tank
After a strong rally for value stocks in recent months, some investors are wondering if the rebound will continue.
Fintech Bright Spot Africa Catches Up in Bumper Funding Year
Fintech companies in Africa raised more capital despite the Covid-19 pandemic, standing in contrast to their emerging-market peers such as Latin America that saw a decline.
Ark Slammed Again as Riskiest Tech Bets Blow Past Lifelines
The highest-flying tech names are getting no help from one of the sector’s usual lifelines amid a fierce selloff that’s showing few signs of slowing.
Fed Weighs Handing Fintechs More Access to Its Payments System
The Federal Reserve is deciding whether to give financial-technology companies more direct access to its payment system after many of the upstarts swelled in popularity during the pandemic.
The S&P 500, Dow and Nasdaq Since Their 2000 Highs
Take a look at real (inflation-adjusted) charts of the S&P 500, Dow 30, and Nasdaq Composite since 2000. We've updated this through the April 30, 2020 close
Reasons We Remain Bullish on Gold
While gold is valued for a variety of reasons, the uncertainty and economic fallout tied to the COVID-19 pandemic saw investment drive the price of the yellow metal to record highs in 2020.
Market Thoughts for May 2021
Brad McMillan, Commonwealth’s CIO, recaps the market and economic news for April. It was a good month for the markets. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq gained more than 5 percent, while the Dow was up almost 3 percent. These returns were driven, in part, by the medical news, with new case counts, hospitalizations, and deaths all down. While the medical risks declined, reopening accelerated. Job growth rose, and weekly layoffs dropped. Consumer confidence and spending also improved. Will these positive trends persist? Stay tuned for more. Follow Brad at blog.commonwealth.com/independent-market-observer.
Q2 Equity Outlook: Equities Continue on Recovery Rally
Just over a year since the COVID-19 virus began spreading around the globe and significant portions of our economy shut down, today the U.S. is solidly on the road to recovery.
Help Clients Prevent Deceased Identity Theft
Every year, the identities of almost 2.5 million Americans who are deceased are stolen by thieves to open fraudulent credit cards, access financial assets, file fake tax returns, obtain driver’s licenses, steal medical identities and more.
Webinar Marketing: Which Format is Right for You?
Let’s take a more in-depth look at live and pre-recorded webinar formats, and what to consider when choosing which one is right for you.
A Year Of Investing In Quality Cyclicals
April 3rd marked the 1-year anniversary of the first investments deployed by GMO’s Quality Cyclicals Strategy,1 within a fortnight of the trough that ended 2020’s quickfire bear market.
Counting the Chickens Twice
There’s an old bit of advice that one shouldn’t count one’s chickens before they’re hatched.
The Year of Living Dangerously
How to structure your portfolio when interest rates are rising.
A Recap of Our Virtual Market Outlook Summit
On April 20, we hosted our first ever virtual Market Outlook Summit. Here is a recap of each session with a link to watch the replay.
Buffett: No Fish in the Barrel
The Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting was a mixture of caution, wisdom and honesty.
Weekly Market Snapshot
Chief Economist Scott Brown discusses the latest market data.
Matthews Emerging Markets Small Companies Fund
We believe Asia is the core of growth and innovation within emerging markets, and companies domiciled in Asia comprise over 75% of the benchmark universe.
With Everything Up Right Now, Where are the Value Buying Opportunities?
With everything up, where are the value buying opportunities?
Anomaly of a Recovery
David Bahnsen does a podcast for National Review called Capital Record. We did a two-part series. The following is an edited partial transcript of the first part.
High Growth Sectors in the Post-Recovery Decade
The post-pandemic economy could well be defined by the return of robust aggregate productivity growth after 15 years of relative sclerosis.
JPMorgan Joins Temasek, DBS in Blockchain Payments Platform
JPMorgan Chase & Co. is teaming up with Singapore’s Temasek Holdings Pte. and DBS Group Holdings Ltd. to create a new blockchain-based platform for payments, trade and foreign exchange settlement.
Closer, But Still Not Close
Nobody expected the Fed would lift interest rates today
Rethink the “40” in your 60/40: Why Alternative Income Deserves a Slice of the Traditional “40” Fixed Income Allocation
In this webcast, Scott Kefer, CFA, Senior Portfolio Manager, Kevin Bales, CFA, Associate Portfolio Manager at VictoryShares and Solutions, and Ian Saunders, Sr. Analyst at Nasdaq Dorsey Wright will discuss alternative income strategies and their ability to offer the trifecta of benefits many investors seek: attractive income, low correlation to both stocks and bonds, and a level of volatility similar to traditional bonds.
Are We in the Middle of a Paradigm Shift?
Paradigm shifts are driven by creativity and innovation. Innovation is attracted to and stimulated by inefficiencies in a big, lucrative marketplace, such as financial services. Recently, our industry has seen a growing number of innovations in how financial-services products are delivered to consumers.
Star Trek Stock Market
Now that the leaders of the most popular tech companies are going into outer space, we thought it appropriate to consider the return implications of this urge to “explore strange new worlds.”
The Power of Simplicity
I have paid close attention to the lack of simplicity in the lives of my advisor clients and those around me for more than two decades.
Nonplussed – Strategic Income Outlook, Second Quarter
Although we remain constructive about the economic outlook, the recent increase in speculative activity gives us some pause. We continue to favor a cautious approach in the near-to-medium term.
Coinbase Listing Signals Digital Assets Maturity
Just over a decade ago, digital assets were a theoretical concept, announced to the world through an anonymous white paper. Today, Coinbase, a digital asset exchange, is trading on the Nasdaq exchange. Coinbase’s recent direct listing represents a watershed moment for the digital assets industry. Learn more about what Coinbase’s listing means for the growth of the digital assets ecosystem.
Governments Want You to Buy Green. Ignore Them at Your Peril
Investors betting against green trades are going up against the world’s most powerful governments.
Weekly Investment Strategy
Review the latest Weekly Headings by CIO Larry Adam.
The Sugar High Economy
Mix extremely loose monetary policy, a federal government cutting checks like it’s going out of style, and extensive roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccines, and what do you get?
Economic Commentary: Worker Retraining, India's Second Wave, Evidence of Recovery
Human capital needs renewal; COVID-19 sweeps through India again, while the U.S. economy springs back to life.
”Green” Stocks Outperformed “Brown” Ones
New research shows that, since 2010, “green” stocks – those of companies with a low carbon footprint – have outperformed “brown” stocks. That may have been caused by increased demand from investors pursuing an ESG mandate, which means the effect is temporary and brown stocks now have higher expected returns.
Are Central Bank Digital Currencies the Future of Money?
More than 60 central banks right now are believed to be exploring the idea of digital currencies, including retail tokens that would be used by citizens as well as wholesale applications for financial institutions.
Stumbling to Scarcity
I think we will probably have a few months of significantly higher inflation. It will fade but meanwhile hurt certain people and industries. It will be like one of those extremes causing bruised knees and volatile markets.
Stock Compensation Adds Risks for Growth Companies
Many US technology companies use stock compensation to help align workers’ performance with shareholder interests.
The Winners and Losers of the American Jobs Plan
Infrastructure is the backbone of any healthy economy, and America’s is in desperate need of refurbishment and investment.
Weekly Market Guide
Review the latest portfolio strategy commentary from Mike Gibbs, managing director of Equity Portfolio & Technical Strategy.
Solid Fundamentals but Questions Remain – Equity Outlook, Second Quarter
Despite a volatile first quarter, economic fundamentals appear to be improving. We are constructive on the equity market in the near-to-medium term, but we are closely monitoring inflation and interest rates.
Blockchain Company Digital Asset Raises $120 Million
Digital Asset Holdings LLC, the blockchain software developer that caters to corporate applications, raised more than $120 million from investors 7Ridge and Eldridge.
Value Investing Requires Intelligent Patience
After working with investors for more than 50 years, I have learned many things about human nature.
Reflation and Rotation
This is our Q1 2021 slide presentation of our quarterly strategy report.
College Foreign Cash at Risk as Senate Targets China’s Clout
A broad attempt by Congress to stem China’s influence could put at risk research collaborations and funding that U.S. universities count on by subjecting some foreign gifts and contracts to national security reviews.
Late to Fintech Boom, Nigerian Banks Turn to Regulators for Help
Nigerian banks’ dominance of their home turf is virtually unparalleled.
Pump it Up: Earnings Season Starts Off Strong
Although it’s early in the first quarter earnings reporting season, it’s worth a look at the progress so far and the implications for the rest of the season, as well as valuations.
Goldman Leads $270 Million Credit Line for Brazilian Fintech
Open Co, a Brazilian fintech that specializes in unsecured loans to individuals, is raising 1.5 billion reais ($270 million) through a credit line led by Goldman Sachs Group Inc.
Tech Stocks Are Mired in Unfamiliar Territory as Market Laggards
Investors’ love affair with technology stocks has cooled off noticeably this year.
Global Investment Committee Outlook: Continue risk-positive
John Vail of Nikko Asset Management dives into the findings from Nikko’s latest Global Investment Committee meeting.
Yes, Stocks Are Still Cheap
The S&P 500 fell almost 50% between mid-February and mid-March 2020, during the initial stages of the pandemic.
Ask Brad: Stop Asking If You Need A Haircut
Ask someone a question in which the respondent has a vested interest in how it is answered, and you know what the answer is before asking it. I see this when I am talking to advisors about the RIA model.
Capturing the Wealth Transfer to the Next Generation
You cannot assume the Gen Xers and Millennials who’re receiving that wealth will automatically turn to you for help managing it.
The Transformational Decade Ahead for the Planning Profession
In 40 years, I’ve never seen as many signs of change in the planning/advisory profession as I see right now.
Coinbase Goes Public, Opening the Crypto Floodgates
Digital currencies stormed Wall Street in a big way this week. Crypto exchange Coinbase went public in a direct listing, opening the floodgates for a number of other crypto-related companies.
Tsunami Warning
Right now, the stock market is in the land-where-there-should-be-sea phase. What we don’t know is when the wave is coming. Maybe there’s time to venture out and see what treasure was hidden beneath the waves... or maybe not. Prudence would suggest that we go searching for treasure on higher ground.
Biotech Innovations Remain at Forefront
The first quarter of 2021 was challenging for investors in biotechnology, but Franklin Equity Group Portfolio Managers Evan McCulloch, Wendy Lam and Akiva Felt believe the second half of the year will likely bring welcome tailwinds for the industry.
Spring Quarterly Commentary
We begin with what we hope will be our final substantive COVID update. The vaccines have arrived and are going into people’s arms at an accelerating pace.
Descending From the “Easy Policy” Mountain Summit
A year ago it would have been hard to imagine where we’d be sitting today.
Biden Confronts Decades of Union Decline in Bid to Boost Pay
President Joe Biden’s strategy of bolstering labor unions as a way to enhance American workers’ pay is running up against a half century of setbacks for organizing workers.
The Lost Art of the Handwritten Note
Along with learning the importance of saying "yes ma'am” and “no sir," my southern upbringing taught me the value of a handwritten note.
The Day the Music Died
Quarterly commentary - Discussion on the historic stock market measures presently in place due to the Fed's largesse.
Harvard Pedigrees Opened the Door to World’s Biggest SPAC Deal
A few years after launching Grab Holdings Inc. in 2012, Anthony Tan got a piece of advice from Jack Ma. The co-founder of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. told the entrepreneur that life is a tsunami. When you’re up on the wave, get ready for the crash, he said.
Jack Ma’s Double-Whammy Marks End of China Tech’s Golden Age
The full implications of Beijing’s rapid-fire moves against Jack Ma’s internet empire in recent days won’t be apparent for weeks, but one lesson is already clear: The glory days for China’s technology giants are over.