Videos
Short videos from the industry's leading investment firms
2020 Midyear Outlook
by Commonwealth Financial Network,
Brad McMillan, Commonwealth’s CIO, gives his 2020 midyear outlook. The rest of 2020 will be about the virus. We’re seeing localized outbreaks, but the necessary countermeasures are in place. So, we can reasonably expect the virus to remain under control. Despite the medical setbacks, millions of jobs have returned, along with consumer confidence and spending. The recovery remains on track and is likely to continue. And that's exactly what the markets are expecting. But will there be volatility ahead? Watch this video to find out. Follow Brad at blog.commonwealth.com/independent-market-observer.
Market Thoughts for July 2020
by Commonwealth Financial Network,
Brad McMillan, Commonwealth’s CIO, recaps the market and economic news for June. It was a great month for the markets. In part, markets were reacting to progress on the viral front, with drops in the daily case growth rate and increased testing. They were also responding to the continued economic recovery. Millions of jobs returned, and consumer confidence bounced back. Of course, there were setbacks, with some states seeing an uptick in virus cases. Will the recovery remain on track despite the risks? Stay tuned to find out. Follow Brad at blog.commonwealth.com/independent-market-observer.
Market Thoughts for June 2020
by Commonwealth Financial Network,
Brad McMillan, Commonwealth’s CIO, recaps the market and economic news for May. Last month, we saw real progress in the coronavirus, which allowed the economy to begin reopening. Hundreds of thousands returned to work, people began to shop again, and confidence started to stabilize. In turn, U.S. markets rose to just above their long-term trend line and are now fully expecting a V-shaped recovery. But how will markets react if a second wave of infections occurs or spending doesn’t return to normal levels? Stay tuned to find out. Follow Brad at blog.commonwealth.com/independent-market-observer.
Market Thoughts for May 2020
by Commonwealth Financial Network,
Brad McMillan, Commonwealth’s CIO, recaps the market and economic news for April. In the U.S., markets were up by double digits. Still, the economic damage continued. Millions of jobs were lost, and businesses shut down. But we did see progress. The spread of the virus slowed, and testing increased. Plus, federal stimulus provided funds to individuals and businesses. The markets noted these improvements, bouncing back in April. In fact, the markets expect a full recovery in about a year. Are they right? Stay tuned to find out. Follow Brad at blog.commonwealth.com/
Market Thoughts for April 2020
by Commonwealth Financial Network,
Brad McMillan, Commonwealth’s CIO, recaps the market and economic news for March. It was a terrible month for the financial markets, with the coronavirus driving the volatility. In the U.S., markets were down by double digits. Further, the economic damage began to emerge, with three million jobs lost in a week. In response, the government quickly stepped in with a $2 trillion stimulus package. The markets took comfort in these measures, showing a slight bounce at month-end. What should we expect in April? Stay tuned to find out. Follow Brad at blog.commonwealth.com/independent-market-observer.
Market Thoughts for March 2020
by Commonwealth Financial Network,
Brad McMillan, Commonwealth’s CIO, recaps the market and economic news for February. Both U.S. and international markets dropped sharply at month-end, as the coronavirus continued to spread across the globe. While the declines are worrisome, previous outbreaks, like Zika and SARS, have resulted in similar outcomes. As such, the markets’ response to the coronavirus can actually be considered normal. But what happens next? Stay tuned to find out. Follow Brad at blog.commonwealth.com/independent-market-observer.
What Keeps AAM 40 Years Strong
AAM CEO & CIO Scott Colyer, reflects on 40 years in the financial industry and how Advisors Asset Management has evolved as a leader in empowering financial advisors to succeed. “We started as an advisor-centric firm back in 1979, and are still an advisor-centric firm 40 years later.”
Vanguard’s Top Strategist on the Prospects for Inflation
by Vanguard,
In this series of interviews, Anne Mathias, a senior strategist at Vanguard, sits down with Bob Huebscher to discuss the likelihood of inflation in the short term as well as the outlook on a long-term, secular basis. She identifies the sectors of the bond market that are attractively priced and are most likely to protect investors against unexpected inflation.
Market Thoughts for February 2020
by Commonwealth Financial Network,
Brad McMillan, Commonwealth’s CIO, recaps the market and economic news for January. The year started with a slight setback, with both U.S. and international markets down. Some of this poor performance was driven by fear over the coronavirus. Although the virus is something to watch, it's not likely to be a long-term risk. Indeed, economic growth in the U.S. has been steady, and business and consumer confidence have improved. Will the fundamentals continue to provide a cushion for any risks on the horizon? Stay tuned to find out. Follow Brad at blog.commonwealth.com/independent-market-observer.
