Stock Market Strength Continues, Along with Optimism for a Soft Landing
U.S. equity markets continued to deliver strong performance, propelled by solid second-quarter momentum and further fueled by strong corporate earnings, an interest rate cut, and a gradual easing of trade tensions.
Markets React to Trade Tensions as Investors Seek Direction from Earnings and Gold
As trade uncertainty rattled markets, gold and AI reflected opposing investor sentiment, and corporate earnings became the key gauge of economic strength.
Markets Confront Shutdown, Slowing Jobs, and Bank Rule Shifts
The federal government shut down on September 30th due to Congress's failure to reach a funding deal, pausing nonessential operations amid disputes over health care spending and facing weak job data and impending bank capital rule changes.
U.S. Economy Shows Strength as Growth, Corporate Profits, and Consumer Spending Hold Up
Stronger-than-expected GDP and steady jobless claims highlighted continued economic resilience, while solid earnings and stable inflation supported a constructive outlook.
The Importance of Private Markets in Client Portfolios
Fed Cuts Rates and Signals Uncertainty Ahead, While Consumer Spending Holds Steady
The Federal Reserve cut rates by 25 basis points and released updated economic projections, signaling potential further easing, while markets weighed mixed policy signals against resilient consumer spending and modest equity gains.
Inflation, Employment, and Consumer Sentiment Data Offer a Mixed Picture Ahead of Fed Meeting
Shifting inflation trends, softer job market data, and waning consumer confidence paint a nuanced picture going into the Fed’s September meeting.
Earnings Powered August Market Gains, as Fed Signals Likely Rate Cut
Strong earnings and hopes for a Fed rate cut fueled August’s market rally, pushing stocks to new highs amid easing investor concerns.
Another Weak Employment Report Increases Odds of a September Rate Cut
U.S. hiring slowed sharply in August as unemployment climbed, raising expectations for a September Fed rate cut, while signs of stabilization in manufacturing and resilient consumer spending helped balance seasonal market headwinds.
Nvidia Beats Earnings, Inflation Rises, GDP Growth Revised Higher
Markets steadied as Nvidia’s record earnings underscored resilient AI demand, inflation edged higher ahead of the Fed’s September meeting, and stronger consumer spending and AI-driven investment lifted second-quarter GDP growth above initial estimates.