Economic Implications of the Iran Conflict
The war with Iran has whipsawed markets and created significant economic uncertainty. A fragile ceasefire is now in place, and both sides have strong incentives—human, economic, and political—to avoid a prolonged escalation. While negotiations appear to be gaining traction, the risk of renewed hostilities and the ultimate extent of infrastructure damage remain uncertain.
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What’s in a Trust—and What Else You Need for a Complete Estate Plan
For many families, thinking about estate planning can feel overwhelming—or easy to put off. But the truth is, planning ahead isn’t just about preparing for the unexpected…
Perspectives: The Next Four Years
Most investors would agree that financial markets can be highly unpredictable, generally more so in the near-term than the long run. Many factors influence the prices of securities, some on an individual basis, others at a macro…
Perspectives: America’s Underappreciated Economic Strength
The Federal Reserve recently concluded its most aggressive interest rate hikes in 40 years, moving the Fed Funds rate to a 23-year high…
Perspectives: Lower Interest Rates Have (Finally) Arrived
Seeking to lower inflation, the Federal Reserve began raising borrowing costs in March 2022 and held them at the highest level in more than two decades over the past year. Recent data…
Perspectives: Sticky Inflation
Having raised interest rates sharply between 2022 and the middle of last year to curb inflation, Federal Reserve officials entered this year expecting to reduce borrowing costs. Unfortunately, a resurgence of inflation above expectations early this year upended that plan…
Perspectives: Economic Resiliency
The U.S. economy continues to outperform expectations. Aggressive interest rate increases by the Federal Reserve to slow the economy and combat a spike in inflation following the pandemic were widely predicted…
Perspectives: Outlook for 2024
Despite the volatility, stocks have performed well this year. Year-to-date through the end of November, the S&P 500 has gained 19%. With all the uncertainties facing investors at this time last year, many have been surprised by the market’s advance this year.
Perspectives: Chugging Along
At the beginning of this year, many economists forecast a significant recession to materialize by now. Instead, the economy has continued to grow despite the strong headwind from much higher interest rates. With inflation waning and continued broad-based momentum in…