A Wealth of Insight from 6,237 Feet

It goes without saying that 2022 was a very interesting year for financial markets and one that will not be forgotten. Both stocks and bonds were down double digits in the same year for the first time ever. While stocks experienced one of their worst years ever, the Bloomberg Aggregate index experienced its steepest drawdown ever. … More A Look Back at 2022 and Some of The Noteworthy Market Dynamics

The strong start to 2023 continued as year-over-year inflation fell for the sixth straight month. Inflation, measured by the consumer price index (CPI), fell to 6.5% in December from 7.1% in November, marking its sixth straight monthly decline. Additionally, the month-over-month CPI (-0.1%) reading fell for the first time since June 2020. Core CPI rose … More Weekly Recap for The Week Ending January 13, 2023 – Equity’s Strong Start to 2023 Continues

2023 started off on a positive note as the S&P 500 finished the week up 1.47% following a number of economic reports that signaled the economy and inflation may be slowing, potentially resulting in the Federal Reserve slowing or even pausing its interest rate hikes. These economic reports helped increase sentiment that the economy may … More Weekly Recap for The Week Ending January 6, 2023 – Equities Start 2023 On a Positive Note

During my recent “Zephyr StatFacts” version of the “Adjusted for Risk” podcast I focused on the Information ratio. Below are the show notes and additional supporting information on why I believe Information ratio should be one of the return-risk trade-off metrics you turn to when conducting a manager search or due diligence. Information Ratio The … More Episode 29 Adjusted For Risk Podcast Show Notes: Zephyr StatFacts – Information Ratio

Well, its that time of year again, and I am not talking about holiday parties or holiday shopping or ugly sweaters, I am talking about 2023 investment outlooks. So, here we go. I am not one to throw out predictions for where the S&P 500 is going to finish the year or what the 10-year Treasury … More 2023 Investment Outlook

The much anticipated December FOMC meeting took place this week and while the Federal Reserve (Fed) downshifted its rate hikes to 50 bps from 75 bps, the tone of the announcement was hawkish as the dot plot startled investors. The Fed is committed to taming inflation and doesn’t believe their job is close to being … More Weekly Recap for The Week Ending December 16, 2022 – Hawkish Fed Startles Investors

The S&P 500 index rose 1.19% during the week as investors cheered Federal Reserve (Fed) Chairman Powell’s speech at the Brookings Institute after he signaled the Fed is ready to slow the pace of its interest rate hikes later this month. Powell also indicated that interest rates will remain higher for longer. The higher for … More Weekly Recap for The Week Ending December 2, 2022 – Equities Rally After Powell Signal Smaller Rate Hikes are Ahead

During my recent “Zephyr StatFacts” version of the “Adjusted for Risk” podcast I focused on Alpha. Below are the show notes and additional supporting information on why I believe Alpha should be one of the return-risk trad-off metrics you turn to when conducting a manager search or due diligence. Alpha Alpha measures the risk-adjusted added … More Episode 25 Adjusted for Risk Podcast Show Notes: Zephyr StatFacts – Alpha

The S&P 500 index fell a -0.61% during the week as investors digested mixed earnings reports from prominent retailers while retail sales overall rose 1.3% in October. The mixed earnings from retailers, particularly Target, which reported sluggish discretionary spending in recent weeks, caused concerns over the health of the economy. In addition to retails sales. … More Weekly Recap For the Week Ending November 18, 2022 – Equities Fall Slightly on Growth Uncertainties