What the SEC’s Bitcoin ETF Approval Means for Investors
The S&P 500 has reached a new all-time high, coming full circle in just two years, despite growing uncertainty around the economy, the path of Fed rate cuts, and rising interest rates. Outside of traditional asset classes, Bitcoin also reached its highest level in two years recently following last year's run up. This has been fueled by the broader rally in risk assets and the recent approval of Bitcoin ETFs...
How the Budget Battle in Washington Impacts Investors
The battle over the federal budget in Washington is adding to political uncertainty at a time when investors are already nervous about the economy and financial markets. Lawmakers are running out of time to agree on and approve a new budget after kicking the can down the road twice since last September. The fact that this is a presidential election year and GOP caucuses are underway only adds to the...
Why Investors Need Perspective on the Soft Landing Debate
Stock and bond markets struggled during the first trading week of 2024 as investors questioned the probability of a "soft landing" and what it may mean for the timing and size of Fed rate cuts later this year. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq fell 1.5% and 3.2%, respectively, driven by a decline in large cap tech stocks, while the 10-year Treasury yield climbed to 4.05%. Market-based measures still suggest that...
5 Insights to Understand Markets in 2024
2023 marked an inflection point for markets with strong gains across both stocks and bonds. The S&P 500, Dow, and Nasdaq generated exceptional returns of 26.3%, 16.2%, and 44.7% with reinvested dividends last year, respectively. The S&P has come full circle and is now only a fraction of a percentage point below the all-time high from exactly two years ago. The U.S. 10-Year Treasury yield climbed as high as 5%...