Smart Beta

In a year dominated by multimodal marvels and reasoning breakthroughs, perhaps the most economically significant shift in AI went largely underplayed: cost collapse.

The materiality of ESG factors differs across sectors and markets. Investors need to understand how.

In the aftermath of the 2018 trade skirmishes with China and the pandemic, nearshoring and friendshoring quickly became buzzwords. But like many other catch phrases, these two may soon fade from usage and memory.

Common sense and economic theory often collide. Take the stubborn belief that government stimulus spending and debt issuance reliably boost economic growth. It is a simple and seductive idea—when the economy falters, the government can step in, inject capital, and jumpstart growth.

The April Consumer Price Index (‘CPI’) report was released last Wednesday and gave the Federal Reserve another positive data point in its inflation fight, as did Thursday’s negative Producer Price Index (‘PPI’).

This year’s turbulent market environment underscores the value proposition of actively managed strategies. Active ETFs may offer diversification benefits, a responsiveness to changing market environments, and a depth of fundamental research above and beyond that of their passive peers.

During last month's tariff war, a big driver of stock-market declines was foreigners selling.

The shifting change in market leadership to international outperformance may call for a portfolio review to assess overexposure risks.

Innovative ETFs are making waves as investors look for fresh ways to navigate a market marked by rapid growth and ongoing volatility.

Debt collectors have been unpopular since ancient times, but they play a necessary role in the lending lifecycle. Their jobs are not easy: I recall one collector noting that there are few ways to communicate with defaulted borrowers.

Most investors would jump at the chance to add more money to their portfolio, but they often fail to consider the hidden costs associated with it.

The retailers are closing out the season in their usual fashion, but the early results have been mixed as they deal with headwinds ranging from a softening US consumer to impending tariffs.

Emerging-market (EM) stocks might not seem an obvious choice for anxious investors during a trade war. But history suggests that past volatility peaks have created favorable moments to invest in EM stocks.

GMO has posted a new 7-Year asset class forecast as of April 30, 2025.

As investors, we need to step back and examine the history of previous debt downgrades and their outcomes for the stock and bond markets. Let’s start with what Moody’s rating agency stated about its rating change.

In an investment landscape dominated by market-cap-weighted benchmarks, the Barron’s 400 ETF (BFOR) offers a different path through GARP.

Moody’s Friday downgrade of the U.S. credit rating may not seem particularly earthshaking, given that Fitch and Standard & Poor’s had gotten there quite a while ago.

President Donald Trump’s first overseas trip since returning to the White House is turning heads across the aerospace & defense and semiconductor industries.

With financial markets whipsawing on every tweet and press release, Maharrey urged listeners to step back, take a breath, and consider the big picture — particularly on the issues of debt, inflation, and de-dollarization.

President Trump’s tariff maneuvers sent financial markets on a rollercoaster. The shock from his aggressive trade policies triggered a surge in volatility, briefly pushing the VIX above 50 – an extremely rare event.

Head of U.S. Fixed Income Greg Wilensky and John Lloyd, Lead, Multi-Sector Credit Strategies, discuss Moody’s rating downgrade of the U.S. and what the implications may be for the Treasury market, the Federal Reserve (Fed), and fixed income investors.

The signal of announcing trade pacts is an important start.

QTR Family Wealth, a full-service wealth management firm owned and led by brothers Wes and Chad Hunter, proudly announces the official launch of its independent Registered Investment Advisory (RIA) firm.

Recent revisions to the IMF’s World Economic Outlook reflect a sobering message: the world economy is entering a more volatile and fragmented era.

After Friday’s close, Moody’s downgraded U.S. treasuries, as S&P had 14 years ago, in 2011. I criticized the downgrade then…and I do now. The government cannot technically default, as the Fed can always buy the bonds for any auction.

As markets rebound from a brief but sharp correction, Journey’s investment team reflects on the impact of tariffs, global diversification, and the evolving role of alternatives in investor portfolios. With caution as the theme, this month’s commentary urges investors to revisit risk tolerance and stay grounded in disciplined, long-term strategies amidst ongoing economic uncertainty.

This is the story of how we got to a moment in history defined by global and national crises. It is the story about how a radical geopolitical transition is taking place as old socio-economic and institutional cycles in the US end and new ones begin.

Fisher Investments recently wrote an interesting article asking whether corporate stock buybacks affect markets.

The recent rally began when Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent struck a more conciliatory tone with China, saying he expected a de-escalation shortly.

Chief Economist Eugenio J. Alemán discusses current economic conditions.

Stocks have rebounded since the White House delayed steep tariffs that were announced in early April, but trade policy remains a potential driver of volatility.

The House Ways & Means Committee advanced a comprehensive tax bill this week. Our Bill Cass discusses the key provisions and how they may impact taxpayers.

While April brought further welcome news on the inflation front, underlying consumer fundamentals painted a more concerning picture.

Technology and trends have made individual investors an important part of the private market.

A rushed exit from conservatorship could increase mortgage rates and worsen home affordability.

Technology stocks have been buffeted by market volatility in early 2025, with shares tied to artificial intelligence (AI) hit especially hard.

The 90-day reduction on tariffs between the US and China is a positive development, but some questions remain.

529 plans provide tax benefits, estate planning advantages, and flexible education savings. Our Bill Cass explains how 529 plans can be part of an estate planning strategy.

So far in 2025, markets have had plenty to absorb: the Trump administration’s tariffs, Germany’s latest investment commitments, the implications of the DeepSeek moment, and escalating military conflicts (now including one on the India-Pakistan border).

While the CPI has dipped close to the mythical 2 percent target, core CPI remains elevated.

We maintain a focus on resiliency as elevated yields within high quality fixed income continue to offer attractive opportunities.

After a brief reprieve from all the recession talk while the Fed was raising rates to decades-old high watermarks, the ‘R’ word has come back into vogue once again post-Liberation day.