Category: Commentary

The S&P 500 Index continues to participate in a rally off its February 11, 2016, low price at 1810; it has moved approximately 15% higher and is currently within 1% of its all-time high level at 2134. The interesting part … Continue reading →

Equities and oil lower; global growth back in focus. The three-day win streak for the S&P 500 is in jeopardy as investors weigh a surprise rate cut from the Bank of Korea and the jobless claims report. WTI crude oil … Continue reading →

Yesterday, the nonpartisan Congress Budget Office (CBO) published its estimates (based on data from the Daily Treasury Statements) of the federal budget deficit in May 2016 and in the first eight months of fiscal year 2016 (October 2015 through September … Continue reading →

 Stocks higher despite yesterday’s late sell-off. A continued rise in WTI crude oil, which finished up 1.3% yesterday, is buoying U.S. markets in early trading after a lackluster close to Tuesday’s session. The energy sector’s more than 2% gain propelled … Continue reading →

Last week’s OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) meeting was a microcosm of its recent history. Lots of talk, little action—and most importantly, little impact. Looking at recent history, it’s hard to suggest that OPEC really controls much of … Continue reading →

Global stocks jump, oil breaks above $50. U.S. markets closed in the green yesterday and are on the upswing again, following comments from Federal Reserve Bank (Fed) Chair Janet Yellen that soothed investor fears about the pace of potential rate … Continue reading →

The S&P 500 has gained for three consecutive months, coming on the heels of its first three-month losing streak in more than four years. This is actually the first three-month win streak since June 2014, and it could bode well … Continue reading →

Stocks rising ahead of Yellen speech. U.S. stocks are tracking higher to start the week, as investors await a speech from Federal Reserve Bank (Fed) Chair Janet Yellen following Friday’s surprisingly weak jobs report. Yellen’s comments have the potential to … Continue reading →

After closing above 2,100 for just the third time this year yesterday, the S&P 500 is now up 3.0% for the year and only 1.2% away from a new all-time high. That is on a price-only basis though, as if … Continue reading →

Stocks turn lower; gold, Treasuries jump after jobs report miss. U.S. and European equities reacted negatively to a headline nonfarm payrolls figure that came in well below consensus, though the report overshadowed positive U.S. trade data. European indexes quickly turned red … Continue reading →