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Signals beneath the static: Markets test a return to fundamentals
In a week dominated by noisy political headlines, markets showed signs of recalibrating their attention toward economic fundamentals — at least for now. While the backdrop remains volatile and vulnerable to disruption, investors appeared to place more weight on measurable signals like job growth, inflation and earnings than on the muddling or speculative buzz dominating…
Read MoreThe market’s not listening: Why familiar signals are falling flat
As May came to a close, investors found themselves surrounded by headlines that under normal circumstances should have calmed the markets. Inflation is nearing the Federal Reserve’s target, corporate earnings have been solid and economic growth remains intact. Yet, despite these positive signals, the markets remain hesitant, even uneasy. Could it be that the traditional…
Read MoreStock market volatility returns amid more zigs and zags in U.S. trade war
Is it safe to venture back in the equity market waters as we begin the summer season? A Negative Week for U.S. Stock Markets After a sharp rally of nearly 20% from the lows in early April, all three major U.S. equity indices declined more than 2% on the week (Source: CNBC). On Friday morning,…
Read MoreThe bounce, the bonds and the budget: What investors should watch next
After a sharp sell-off in early April, U.S. equity markets have delivered a textbook V-shaped recovery — leaving investors wondering whether the volatility was merely a brief detour or a warning sign of deeper risks ahead. While equity enthusiasm returned quickly, not all corners of the financial markets are convinced that the all-clear has been…
Read MoreSwim at your own risk: Why financial guidance matters
By Mark Zembo, Wealth Management Advisor “No Lifeguard on Duty – Swim at Your Own Risk.” Ever see a sign like that? From time to time, I’ve noticed this warning. I first learned to swim at a local lake when I was young. I picked up the basics from a teenager who I believe was…
Read MoreThe waiting game: Markets, policy and the next move that matters
This past week reminded us that sometimes the most consequential market moments are the ones marked by stillness. There was no surprise from the Federal Reserve, no follow-through in the markets and no clarity yet on inflation, tariff-influenced corporate earnings, or global conflict. Instead, investors, policymakers and consumers alike are caught in a collective waiting…
Read MoreTime to follow a detour?
By Mark Zembo, Wealth Management Advisor Like many people I know, I’m a creature of habit. I tend to rely on routines and rituals that bring a sense of inner peace—a feeling that my world is in sync and I’m “put together.” Whether it’s brushing and flossing my teeth or driving the same route to…
Read MoreNot quite Liberation Day
Last week ended on a high note for U.S. investors — but not for the reasons some may have anticipated. What many hoped would be a liberation day from volatility and trade uncertainty didn’t arrive in a single defining moment. Instead, markets clawed their way back over several days, helped by the administration’s softening stance…
Read MoreCaught between two shores: A lesson in market timing
Last week’s dramatic rebound in the U.S. stock market offered a powerful reminder that, in investing, trying to time the tides can leave you stranded. At Elevage Partners, we often say it’s not the storm that defines your journey — it’s your ability to stay the course. The market’s behavior over the past month perfectly…
Read MoreVolatility eases, but uncertainty lingers
After weeks of sharp market swings, last week offered a brief—if uneasy—pause. But beneath the surface, investor anxiety remains high—and much of it stems not from economic fundamentals, but from the widely noted pattern of abrupt and shifting U.S. policy decisions that are challenging the global economic order investors have relied on for decades. Markets…
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