As Russ explains the key to asset returns in the first half of 2018 was the dollar, not interest rates.
Russ discusses why the energy sector still looks attractive, despite having struggled recently.
Russ discusses why economic conditions (for now) support low volatility in the markets.
Russ discusses why tech stocks are not only not in a bubble, but reasonably valued.
Rieder and Brownback argue that today’s investment environment, like a well-fought chess match, holds great complexity; understanding it is vital for investors.
Russ explains why gold is not working as an effective equity hedge, despite higher volatility.
Is the era of easy financial conditions over? Not yet, says Russ.
Emerging market stocks and bonds are having a rough year, but Russ argues against abandoning the asset class.
Earnings are strong, markets less so. As Russ explains, investors are paying attention to valuations and the economy.
For most of the post-crisis period, defensive stocks have been expensive. Russ suggests that may have changed.
The 3% U.S. 10-year government bond yield isn’t the right yield to focus on. Richard explains why.
Rieder and Brownback discuss how cyclical turning points result in market friction, even with solid growth, presenting the Fed with two potential paths.
Prospects for a trade war are having an impact on markets, but for bargain hunters, stocks are still expensive. Russ suggests looking outside the U.S.
Many are pointing a finger at Washington for the recent spike in volatility. But, as Russ explains, the catalysts lie elsewhere.
Russ discusses why stocks can still thrive when consumers are confident, but frugal.
Rick and Russ on the new volatility regime, why risk is being misapprehended, and how to navigate these new challenges.
Markets are a function of reality meeting expectations. Russ discusses why the expectations are outpacing the reality.
Russ discusses why investors should worry less about higher interest rates and more about the volatility resulting from tighter financial conditions.
Markets have calmed somewhat, but make no mistake: Volatility is back. Russ discusses quality stocks can help in this environment.
Think rising interest rates and higher stock prices are like oil and water? Think again, says Russ, at least for the time being.
Russ reviews the landscape after the selloff and discusses how little has actually changed.
As the recent market volatility made clear, there’s a big difference between plain vanilla ETFs and leveraged products making big bets with big risks.
Russ discusses why the case for emerging market stocks right now simply rests on concept of solid global growth.
Rick and Russ argue that the recently enacted U.S. tax cut and an evolving monetary policy backdrop provides both greater clarity on expected increases in volatility and underscores the need to remain flexible and opportunistic in allocation.
Amid the seemingly endless noise that poses as news, Rick Rieder and Russ Brownback focus in on three of the most critical themes that investors need to consider for 2018.
Russ discusses why the real economy and financial market conditions offer more clues about volatility than political noise.
Can markets repeat the outstanding performance of 2017? Russ discusses why credit market conditions are likely to provide the key clues.
Rick Rieder and Russ Brownback examine the more volatile cyclical dynamics we’re likely to encounter in 2018, even as the secular risk-asset bull market remains in place.
Long-term interest rates remain stuck in a range that has defined the last six years. Russ discusses why 2018 may see more of the same.
Wondering how style factors work and how to use them? The five Ws tell the story of the value, momentum, quality, size and minimum volatility factors.
Rick and Jacob examine why 2017 provides a seemingly unlikely source of evidence for the effectiveness of an active approach to fixed income.
Value stocks are cheap, relative to growth, but have lacked a catalyst to rally. Russ discusses why tax cuts could be that spark.
Gold has performed surprisingly well this year. Russ discusses why that might not be the case going forward, and it may be time to pare positions.
Stocks are expensive by most measures. Russ discusses why the bond market can impact whether that can be sustained.
Interest rates are set to move higher, but as Russ explains, we are still a long ways away from the long-term average of 6% 10-year Treasury yields.
High yield bonds have been investor favorite the last year and a half. Russ discusses why that may not last.
Rick Rieder and Russ Brownback argue that while cramming for finals may have worked in college, it won’t with the winding down of the global central bank policy liquidity “semester.”
Quality stocks may be out of favor in this environment, but Russ explains the important role they can play in a portfolio.
Value stocks have started to show signs of life. Russ discusses why energy and financial stocks are currently the best ways to play the theme.
A downturn for stocks may not be top of mind these days, but one will happen eventually. To prepare for that, Russ discusses why the source of the selloff matters as much as the magnitude.
Russ discusses the reasons why Japan’s equity market may outperform emerging markets.
Consumer spending helps fuel the economy, but, as Russ explains, still sluggish spending continues to limit growth.
Rick Rieder and Russ Brownback, from the BlackRock Fundamental Fixed Income Team, look to the investment lessons that can be derived from Super Bowl 51 odds making, and particularly that when judged appropriately, prices can contain more valuable information than does “the news.”
What might the German election mean for markets?
With the top two positions at the Federal Reserve soon to be open, Russ discusses how the easy money era goes back a long way.
Rick Rieder explains the economic implications of “the Amazon effect.”
Russ explores why both risky assets and traditional safe havens have performed well this year, and whether that can continue.
Value stocks have largely sat out the broader market rallies this year. Russ explains why, and what could spark a return to investor favor.
We believe biotech's long-term historical drivers, demographics and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity to secure patent protected drugs, may outlast near-term political headwinds and should lead investors to consider bio-pharma from a longer-term perspective. Biotech valuations also currently appear attractive relative to the broader market and look less crowded than other growth sectors. Over the short term we see potential opportunities in select individual biotech and pharma names.
Russ discusses the trend behind the surprising gold rally this year, and why the political drama in D.C. means it may continue.
