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Stay up to date on commentary related specifically to US markets.

market volatility government policy international sectors

Geopolitics Still Center Stage with Data on Hiatus

With jobs data ahead starting Wednesday but no major earnings or numbers today, focus could continue to be on the situation in Venezuela. The "Santa Claus" rally failed to show up.

Markets and Economy

Forward/Backward: 2025 Review With a Note on Venezuela

The capture of Venezuelan President Maduro has been digested well by global markets, which is in keeping with 2025’s theme of massive volatility and solid index-level returns.

Closing Thoughts on a Year of Uncertainty

At the end of 2025, Liz Ann Sonders and Kathy Jones assess the resiliency of the economy.

Markets and Economy

Fed Cuts Rates for the Third Time This Year

The Federal Reserve lowered its policy interest rate by 25 basis points, as widely expected. However, Fed Chairman Powell hinted at a pause ahead, and there were several dissents.

2026 Outlook: U.S. Stocks and Economy

We believe the macro environment will continue to be unstable given policy crosscurrents and a wobbly labor market, but stocks can likely churn higher given a firmer earnings backdrop.

Implications of a New Fed Chair Nominee

Liz Ann Sonders and Kathy Jones review the Federal Reserve’s latest dilemma and the complexity of policy setting in this environment.

Bonds

2026 Outlook: Treasury Bonds and Fixed Income

Overall, we expect 2026 to be another good year of returns for bond investors, but the range of potential outcomes is wide.

Stocks: Less Comfortably Numb

After a gangbuster stock market rally since the early-April lows, many of the prior highfliers have taken a breather amid AI bubble and valuation concerns.

The Confidence Map: Navigating Investor Sentiment (With Peter Atwater)

Liz Ann Sonders and Peter Atwater delve into how investor confidence, market narratives, and the "K-shaped economy" are influencing the current market cycle.

Desert Song: Relying on Alt Data for Economic Pulse

While we wait for federal data to come back online, private sector gauges continue to underscore still-weak manufacturing, resilient services, and mediocre job growth.

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