A monthly column on topics that matter.
Moderate stock valuations reduce downside risk
The S&P 500 gained 27% in 2021, and yet most US stocks are cheaper today than they were a year ago.
Index Returns Hide Shifting Market Trends
U.S. equities are on pace to gain more than 20% in 2021, and it’s been one of the smoothest rides in recent memory.
Leading indicators support market strength
There is always an argument to be made that the stock market is overvalued. Here’s a sampling of the current menu for pessimists: Fed tapering is imminent, Stubbornly high inflation, Earnings growth has peaked, Delta variant prolonging the pandemic, Supply
‘Follow the Fed’ made sense for investors, but what about when the Fed’s course is uncertain?
“Follow the Fed” has proven to be a relatively simple and successful investment strategy, but keeping up with the latest developments at our nation’s central bank isn’t as straightforward as it used to be.
Keep Strong Market Returns in Perspective
Face-to-face client meetings are a thing again in the Marks Group office. Oftentimes, those start with an exasperated retelling of trying times experienced during the pandemic, after which we usually conclude by saying, “At least the market is up!”
Stock prices may be right after Chinese selloff
It’s been awhile since the stock market went on sale, but investors once again have a choice to make.
Higher prices are clear to see, but equities shrug off inflation concerns
Defining inflation is easy enough: It’s what happens when things become more expensive than they used to be. Measuring inflation and its effect on financial markets is not as straightforward.
Low yields justify portfolio allocation tweaks
Traditional asset allocation models suggest that as investors get older (and wealthier), it’s appropriate for their investment portfolios to become less risky. That usually means more money in conservative assets such as bonds and cash. But in this new economic
Investors take note: Big crypto questions remain unanswered
Billionaire entrepreneur and Tesla founder Elon Musk went out of his way to mention his favorite cryptocurrency multiple times when hosting “Saturday Night Live” recently. This publicity stunt perfectly captured the current debate: Are cryptocurrencies worthy of prime-time attention? Or