You don’t have to read or listen for long these days before you hear a politician, pundit, or politically-inclined person say: “Government spending causes inflation.” Don’t get us wrong…anyone who wants to cut the size and scope of government is a friend of ours....
Research
Election Implications on the Municipal Market | Weekly Market Commentary | September 16, 2024
While there are still several months until the election is decided, the expectation is that regardless of who ultimately becomes our 47th president, the biggest loser could be the fiscal deficit. Per the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the U.S. government is expected to run sizable deficits over the next decade — to the tune of 5% – 7% of gross domestic product (GDP) each year. According to the CBO, the deficit increases significantly in relation to GDP over the next 30 years, reaching 8.5% of GDP in 2054.
Russia To Host BRICS Summit 2024 Amid Heightened Geopolitical Conflict | Weekly Market Commentary | September 3, 2024
In December 2023, Vladimir Putin declared that the 2024 BRICS Summit, hosted by Russia, would be focused on establishing a “fair world order” based on shared principles.
It’s Go Time for the Federal Reserve | Weekly Market Commentary | August 26, 2024
A soft landing looks achievable, barring any shocks. Disinflation while preserving labor market strength is only possible with anchored inflation expectations, so an independent and credible central bank is key. One of the best concepts in the speech for investors to understand is the current data shows an evolving macro landscape. The jury is still out on if the Fed can successfully manage the risks to both sides of their dual mandate.
Stock and Bond Market FAQs From the Field | Weekly Market Commentary | August 19, 2024
Every year as the summer months draw near their end, LPL Financial hosts its annual conference for financial advisors. While the conference is an excellent opportunity for advisors to expand upon professional interests, discover ways to enhance their impact on clients, and connect with industry experts — learning is a two-way street.
Pullbacks Are Common but Painful | Weekly Market Commentary | August 12, 2024
Like a stubbed toe, pullbacks in the market are inevitable, something investors tend to forget during periods of low volatility.
Monetary Policy is Out of Control
The growth of bureaucracy around the world has led to a proliferation of rules. This creates multitudes of problems, one of which is that the state has made understanding what it is doing impenetrable, boring, nuanced, and technical. With vast resources, numerous...
Thoughts on Global Selloff and the Dollar’s Path to Decompressing | Weekly Market Commentary | August 5, 2024
After the sharp August 5 decline, equities are nearing an attractive entry point. LPL’s Strategic and Tactical Asset Allocation Committee (STAAC) maintains its tactical neutral stance on equities, while actively monitoring signs of bottoming. LPL Research continues to preach patience before buying this dip. Bottoming is a process.
Key Themes for the Macroeconomic Landscape in the Second Half of 2024 | Weekly Market Commentary | July 29, 2024
Investors had a healthy appetite for risk so far this year as a so-called potential soft landing has been factored in. We have an economy with rising wages, decelerating inflation, and a Federal Reserve (Fed) on the cusp of cutting rates.
Key Themes for Bonds in the Second Half of 2024 | Weekly Market Commentary | July 22, 2024
The first half of the year was a challenging environment for a lot of fixed income markets, especially higher-quality markets.