Margin debt is the amount of money an investor borrows from their broker via a margin account. Margin debt is often seen as a measure of investor sentiment and risk appetite. High levels of margin debt can signal confidence, but extreme spikes may also indicate excessive speculation, increasing the risk of market instability.
Tax filing season may be over for many, but tax planning is an important focus year-round. Consider post-tax season strategies including optimizing deductions or adjusting retirement contributions. Our Bill Cass shares some tax planning ideas to consider.
FINRA has released new data for margin debt, now available through March. The latest debt level is at $880.316 billion, down 4.3% from February. This is the second straight month the debt level has declined and is the largest monthly drop since October 2023.
As President Donald Trump’s trade war continues, Canadian equities are poised to outperform their US counterparts, portfolio managers argue.
While many investors have been scared away from tech giants at the center of this year’s equity rout, the companies are likely to continue plowing money into buybacks that will offer at least one source of continuing support for the stocks.
Big US banks are navigating a choppy environment just two years after the last round of turmoil, this time with almost no one questioning the industry’s ability to ride out whatever is coming.
Theoretical forecasts and earnings announcements may provide initial insights as to the impact of current tariff proposals, although estimates may be imprecise.
Despite mounting evidence of disinflation and a weakening economy, Chair Powell’s tone remains too hawkish—and I believe that’s a mistake. The latest inflation readings came in soft, money supply growth continues to undershoot, and even jobless claims are inching higher.
Many investors are wondering what to think of the volatility and uncertainty that has been pulsing through financial markets over the past few weeks.
Stock markets have been rattled by trade war tensions and economic uncertainty driven by US tariff policies. Yet history suggests that equities have usually performed well in the aftermath of peak market volatility.
With many of the big financial reports out of the way, the S&P 500 blended EPS growth rate for Q1 stands at 7.2%. Thus far only 12% of S&P 500 constituents have released results.
A reintroduction of SLR relief to balance treasury market stability and systemic risk would likely produce several market effects.
BNY’s Ben Slavin provides an in-depth look at recent ETF trading and flows, and unpacks the latest on the ETF share class structure and product innovation. VettaFi’s Kirsten Chang highlights five noteworthy ETF launches.
Andrew Leigh is a very good storyteller, making “How Economics Explains the World” an easy and fun read. In the hands of someone unfamiliar with basic economic reasoning, it might lead them to pursue economics further. Even if you’re farther along in your economic education, we almost always benefit from relearning things we already know, but in a new light.
Back in 1980, fear persuaded me that gold was a sure thing. I forgot an essential caveat—there are no sure things in investing.
Bitcoin advanced to the highest level since early March, fueling optimism that the biggest digital token is finally breaking free of a longstanding tendency to move in tandem with US tech stocks.
Tesla Inc. investors reeling from one of the stock’s worst-ever quarters are once again looking for Elon Musk to inject excitement back into the firm when it reports results Tuesday, as profits slip and the much-awaited debut of a self-driving car remains months away.
Nomura Holdings Inc. is telling clients to stay invested through the turmoil that’s pervaded financial markets during the escalating trade tensions. With its $1.8 billion acquisition of an asset management business, the Japanese brokerage is putting its money where its mouth is.
If the US slides into recession, banks will be ready – at least according to commentary on their earnings calls last week.
Private equity investors will have to wait even longer before getting back their money back from older funds as global trade turmoil dims hopes of a deal revival, according to the head of Ares Management Corp.’s buyout business.
Emerging-market (EM) stocks might not seem an obvious choice for anxious investors during a trade war. But history suggests that past volatility peaks have created favorable moments to invest in EM stocks.
Eitelman began by assessing the health of the U.S. economy through hard and soft data. He explained that hard data refers to measures of actual spending and economic activity, while soft data refers to how companies and consumers respond to surveys.
Tariff uncertainty, a weakening US dollar, and surging Treasury yields are flashing warning signs for investors. Explore how political risks, fiscal policy, and global volatility are reshaping capital flows and market confidence.
A fundamental lesson in finance is a security’s price should be the present value of all future cash flows. Cash flows typically consist of a regular string of dividend payments and an assumed liquidation value at the end of the time horizon.
U.S. defensives and international lead.a
Compare corporate and municipal bonds, including risks, returns, and tax benefits. Learn which bond type fits your investment goals.
On this episode of the “ETF of the Week” podcast, VettaFi’s Head of Research, Todd Rosenbluth, discussed the SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (SDY) with Chuck Jaffe of Money Life. The pair discussed several topics related to the fund to give investors a deeper understanding of the ETF overall.
Four of the nine indexes on our world watch list have posted gains through April 21, 2025. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng is in the top spot with a year to date gain of 9.03%. Germany’s DAXK is in second with a year to date gain of 5.35% while China's Shanghai is in third with a year to date gain of 0.88%.
These are scary times. No surprise, the typical advice is to stay the course — that it will all work out fine — but those near retirement should take heed.
Active management has not disappeared — it has simply evolved. Rather than focusing on outdated stock selection methodologies, today’s most effective active strategies center on active portfolio construction and dynamic asset allocation.
As we have learned repeatedly, the Fed will take extensive emergency measures if it perceives liquidity problems. Even above their congressional mandated objective of managing employment and prices, the Fed's top priority is preserving the banks.
Banks including Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and JPMorgan Chase & Co. can thank the White House’s aggressive disruptions on tariff policy and other issues for record hauls from equities trading in the first quarter, when market volatility began to surge.
Markets were rattled by tariff announcements in early April. Here are three takeaways for investors considering preferred securities, investment-grade and high-yield corporate bonds.
Nvidia Corp. shares are trading near their lowest valuation of the artificial intelligence era, but a growing list of perils has investors cautious about taking advantage of the dip.
Inflation risk has been a significant topic of discussion in the mainstream media for the last few years.
In nominal terms, the yellow metal set multiple new all-time highs this week, exceeding $3,300 an ounce for the first time ever on Wednesday. And on an inflation-adjusted basis, gold also notched a new record price, surpassing the longstanding record set in 1980.
Investing in stocks so far in 2025 has not been for the faint of heart. Some market indices have undergone wild swings, flirting with bear-market territory
U.S. trade policy has evolved significantly in a matter of weeks.
The first quarter of 2025 marked a significant departure from the preceding two years, which had been characterized by an improving global economy and correspondingly positive market returns. Market performance in Q1 was dominated by abrupt, short-term policy shifts rather than longer-term economic trends, and tariffs became the foremost concern for market participants.
Retail sales surged as consumers seemingly bought ahead of tariffs while a volatile stock market experienced a sharp mid-week sell-off.
Talk of a recession is everywhere. The case is simple: Liberation Day delivered the biggest increase in tariffs in a century. Consumer prices will rise. Purchasing power will decline. Recession…right?
Rapid U.S. policy changes pose challenges for investors accustomed to a global financial system anchored in U.S. markets and assets.
Banks blew Q1 earnings expectations out of the water, benefitting from high trading volumes, but CEO commentary remains cautious for 2025.
If I had a dollar for every time I heard or read the word recession in the last week, well, I’d have enough not to be financially worried about one. Add a dollar for every mention of tariffs and I’d be comfortably flushed with cash.
Right now we are in an incredibly complicated environment with regard to U.S. tariff policy gyrations and its whipsawing impact on global equity markets. One thing we can confidently assert is that however the trade negotiations play out, there will be higher tariffs and this will be negative for U.S. growth.
Audiences worldwide turn to Netflix for escapism. Wall Street is doing the same.
Canadians poured a record amount into US equities in February, even as a movement to boycott US products and vacations gained momentum.
One day doesn’t make a trend, but wary small-caps investors may find some comfort in knowing the Russell 2000 Index jumped 8.50% on Wednesday
The S&P 500 formed a death cross this week, a pattern where the index's 50-day moving average crossed below its 200-day moving average.
The yield on the 10-year note ended April 17, 2025 at 4.34%. Meanwhile, the 2-year note ended at 3.81% and the 30-year note ended at 4.80%.
Home values fell for the first time in two years in March, according to the Zillow Home Value Index. However, after adjusting for inflation, real home values declined for an 11th straight month, hitting their lowest level since May 2021.
While we remain open to changes in market conditions, as well as periodic “fast, furious, prone-to-failure” advances that can relieve the oversold “compression” produced by market losses, we are presently on high alert for a possibly abrupt and cascading market and economic dislocation in the weeks ahead.
KKR & Co. is eyeing one of the riskiest deals going right now — buying the owner of London’s creaking water and sewage system, Thames Water. Giving a private equity firm the chance to profit from fixing the mess Thames got into under past private ownership looks bad but makes sense.
US Treasuries fell, snapping three days of gains, as traders pared bets on Federal Reserve interest-rate cuts after Chair Jerome Powell reiterated his commitment to keeping inflation in check.
Covered call strategies have been around for a very long time, but covered call ETFs have recently enjoyed a massive increase in popularity.
The month of April will unfortunately go down in financial market folklore as being one of the more noteworthy on record.
Although uncertainty remains, perpetual market swings may be less frequent.
In this article, we examine everything from the yield curve to CAPE ratios to gain a sense of where we are, and where we might be headed next.
Measures announced so far this year have pushed the effective U.S. tariff rate above 20%. The astonishing jump has raised import taxes to a level not seen in about a century.
CIO Sean Taylor assesses a better-than-expected quarter for emerging markets and takes stock of the drivers that may support the asset class in what could be difficult months ahead for global markets.
If there’s one thing investors have learned in recent days, it’s that there’s no way to guess what America will do next. With its on-again, off-again tariffs, the US administration has demonstrated a rare and reckless willingness to shock markets.
As homeowner insurance rates rise, advisors share ways individuals can create a financial safety net should catastrophe impact their homes.
JPMorgan's Jon Maier spoke with VettaFi about active management in the ETFs space approaching investing in the current environment.
Builder confidence inched up in April thanks to a recent dip in mortgage rates however economic uncertainty stemming from tariff concerns kept sentiment negative for a 12th straight month. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Housing Market Index (HMI) rose to 40 this month, up 1 point from March. The latest reading was above the 38 forecast.
Technology stocks sank as new US government restrictions on the export of Nvidia Corp. chips to China and a disappointing report from ASML Holding NV dimmed the outlook for the semiconductor sector, wiping out more than $180 billion in market value for the two companies alone.
Delta Air Lines Inc. and the parent of Frontier Airlines recently yanked earnings guidance for 2025, with JPMorgan Chase & Co. Chief Executive Officer Jamie Dimon saying that he expects “to see more of that.”
Now that the stock market has momentarily stabilized from the shock of President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs, investors have an opportunity to reflect on how their portfolio held up during the past two turbulent weeks.
In San Francisco’s financial district, the One Montgomery building evokes the opulence of America’s turn of the 20th century gilded age. With its Tuscan columns, marble staircases and bronze doors, the Renaissance Revival landmark once housed Crocker Bank, named after one of the tycoons who built the western portion of America’s first transcontinental railroad.
Swedish firm EQT AB received more than $10 billion in investor commitments for its latest pan-Asia private equity fund, putting it on track to reach its fundraising goal despite the market volatility.
The Census Bureau's Advance Retail Sales Report for March showed a surge in consumer spending last month, with headline sales rising 1.4%. This is the largest monthly increase since January 2023 and higher than the expected 1.3% growth.
Navigating market volatility can be challenging for investors. Our Bill Cass shares several tax planning strategies to consider.
Last week, the S&P 500 was up 5.7%, the strongest week for the market since November 2023.
While the US experiments with reordering the world’s trading system, uncertainty rises and volatility ensues. We are reminded of the delicate balance between safeguarding domestic interests and promoting a cooperative global trading system.
Nick Goetze discusses fixed income market conditions and offers insight for bond investors.
As we write this, stocks have bounced back as Trump retreated from electronic tariffs from China. Nevertheless, this was a remarkable week for markets with Trump’s tariff policy taking center stage for market stress across stocks, bonds and currencies.
While we continue to feel the U.S. has structural investment advantages, we are mindful that the scope of the current administration's policy shifts may present challenges to our sustained economic momentum.
The current market unrest over the potential for tariff increases and their impact is unpredictable. The volatility can be unnerving.
2025 has marked a striking reversal, with European stocks delivering exceptional returns that have handily surpassed US market performance.
SPY's recent surge of inflows showcases how advisors are using ETFs as crucial vehicles for navigating market volatility.
VettaFi’s Cinthia Murphy looks at several surprising ETF developments from a wild week in the markets. VistaShares CEO Adam Patti highlights the firm’s unique approach to ETFs, which includes the VistaShares Target Berkshire Select Income ETF (OMAH).
The reciprocal reprieve does not alter the tectonic shift in the trade outlook.
Markets have had a wild ride these past couple of weeks, alongside chaotic tariff-related news, with volatility (and its policy triggers) most elevated in the bond market.
After sinking nearly $2 billion into a triple-levered semiconductor fund last week, retail investors are enduring a volatile ride as the Nasdaq 100 swings between gains and losses.
Unlike traditional methods that rely on selling assets, crypto lending 2.0 enables investors to borrow against their bitcoin, unlocking liquidity while preserving the upside potential.
US equities extended a rebound into a third session Tuesday as traders weighed the ongoing global trade war against a slew of positive earnings reports from Wall Street banks.
On this episode of the “ETF of the Week” podcast, VettaFi’s Head of Research Todd Rosenbluth talked about the Neuberger Berman Commodity Strategy ETF (NBCM) with Money Life host Chuck Jaffe. The pair covered a range of topics related to the fund, providing investors with a deeper understanding of the ETF.
Wall Street on Monday finally caught a respite from the deep selloffs and unusually sharp swings that have raced through markets ever since President Donald Trump unleashed his global trade war.
This month’s roller-coaster ride through the markets has been more frightening than exhilarating for many Americans, who have more than $44 trillion invested in retirement accounts.
Capital Growth
Margin Debt: March 2025
Margin debt is the amount of money an investor borrows from their broker via a margin account. Margin debt is often seen as a measure of investor sentiment and risk appetite. High levels of margin debt can signal confidence, but extreme spikes may also indicate excessive speculation, increasing the risk of market instability.
Tax Planning Should be a Focus for All seasons
Tax filing season may be over for many, but tax planning is an important focus year-round. Consider post-tax season strategies including optimizing deductions or adjusting retirement contributions. Our Bill Cass shares some tax planning ideas to consider.
Margin Debt Sinks to 5-Month Low in March
FINRA has released new data for margin debt, now available through March. The latest debt level is at $880.316 billion, down 4.3% from February. This is the second straight month the debt level has declined and is the largest monthly drop since October 2023.
Portfolio Managers See Canada Stock Market as Long-Term Winner
As President Donald Trump’s trade war continues, Canadian equities are poised to outperform their US counterparts, portfolio managers argue.
Tech Giants to Plow $500 Billion Cash Hoard Into More Buybacks
While many investors have been scared away from tech giants at the center of this year’s equity rout, the companies are likely to continue plowing money into buybacks that will offer at least one source of continuing support for the stocks.
US Banks Ride Out Market Turmoil Thanks to Capital Buildup They Opposed
Big US banks are navigating a choppy environment just two years after the last round of turmoil, this time with almost no one questioning the industry’s ability to ride out whatever is coming.
Early Impacts of the Trade War
Theoretical forecasts and earnings announcements may provide initial insights as to the impact of current tariff proposals, although estimates may be imprecise.
Powell Downplays Progress, Risks Becoming Trump’s Scapegoat
Despite mounting evidence of disinflation and a weakening economy, Chair Powell’s tone remains too hawkish—and I believe that’s a mistake. The latest inflation readings came in soft, money supply growth continues to undershoot, and even jobless claims are inching higher.
Opportunities
Many investors are wondering what to think of the volatility and uncertainty that has been pulsing through financial markets over the past few weeks.
Gauging the Fear Factor: From Volatility Peaks to Equity Returns
Stock markets have been rattled by trade war tensions and economic uncertainty driven by US tariff policies. Yet history suggests that equities have usually performed well in the aftermath of peak market volatility.
Magnificent 7 Earnings Out this Week will Shed Light on Big Tech’s Tariff Concerns
With many of the big financial reports out of the way, the S&P 500 blended EPS growth rate for Q1 stands at 7.2%. Thus far only 12% of S&P 500 constituents have released results.
Balancing Treasury Market Stability and Systemic Risk
A reintroduction of SLR relief to balance treasury market stability and systemic risk would likely produce several market effects.
BNY’s Ben Slavin on ETF Trading, Flows, Share Class Structure, & Innovation
BNY’s Ben Slavin provides an in-depth look at recent ETF trading and flows, and unpacks the latest on the ETF share class structure and product innovation. VettaFi’s Kirsten Chang highlights five noteworthy ETF launches.
Is Economics About Everything? A Review of ‘How Economics Explains the World'
Andrew Leigh is a very good storyteller, making “How Economics Explains the World” an easy and fun read. In the hands of someone unfamiliar with basic economic reasoning, it might lead them to pursue economics further. Even if you’re farther along in your economic education, we almost always benefit from relearning things we already know, but in a new light.
Protect Yourself From Fear-Based Gold Fever
Back in 1980, fear persuaded me that gold was a sure thing. I forgot an essential caveat—there are no sure things in investing.
Bitcoin Rallies 20% During Market Turmoil to Diverge From Tech
Bitcoin advanced to the highest level since early March, fueling optimism that the biggest digital token is finally breaking free of a longstanding tendency to move in tandem with US tech stocks.
Tesla at Risk of a ‘Throwaway Year’ Without a New Narrative From Earnings
Tesla Inc. investors reeling from one of the stock’s worst-ever quarters are once again looking for Elon Musk to inject excitement back into the firm when it reports results Tuesday, as profits slip and the much-awaited debut of a self-driving car remains months away.
Nomura Bets Big on US Market Rebound With $1.8 Billion Deal
Nomura Holdings Inc. is telling clients to stay invested through the turmoil that’s pervaded financial markets during the escalating trade tensions. With its $1.8 billion acquisition of an asset management business, the Japanese brokerage is putting its money where its mouth is.
As US Recession Looms, Banks Brace for Worse
If the US slides into recession, banks will be ready – at least according to commentary on their earnings calls last week.
Ares Says Cash-Hungry Private Equity Investors Face Big Wait
Private equity investors will have to wait even longer before getting back their money back from older funds as global trade turmoil dims hopes of a deal revival, according to the head of Ares Management Corp.’s buyout business.
Why Does Volatility Often Lead to Strong Emerging Equity Returns?
Emerging-market (EM) stocks might not seem an obvious choice for anxious investors during a trade war. But history suggests that past volatility peaks have created favorable moments to invest in EM stocks.
Hard Data Points to Soft Landing: But Confidence Wanes
Eitelman began by assessing the health of the U.S. economy through hard and soft data. He explained that hard data refers to measures of actual spending and economic activity, while soft data refers to how companies and consumers respond to surveys.
Smoke Signals: Dollar Decline, Tariffs and Treasury Yields Surge Signal Market Volatility
Tariff uncertainty, a weakening US dollar, and surging Treasury yields are flashing warning signs for investors. Explore how political risks, fiscal policy, and global volatility are reshaping capital flows and market confidence.
The Trade-Off in Covered Call Strategies
A fundamental lesson in finance is a security’s price should be the present value of all future cash flows. Cash flows typically consist of a regular string of dividend payments and an assumed liquidation value at the end of the time horizon.
Quarterly Recap Q1 2025
U.S. defensives and international lead.a
Corporate vs. Municipal Bonds: Key Differences Every Investor Should Know
Compare corporate and municipal bonds, including risks, returns, and tax benefits. Learn which bond type fits your investment goals.
SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (SDY)
On this episode of the “ETF of the Week” podcast, VettaFi’s Head of Research, Todd Rosenbluth, discussed the SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (SDY) with Chuck Jaffe of Money Life. The pair discussed several topics related to the fund to give investors a deeper understanding of the ETF overall.
World Markets Watchlist: April 21, 2025
Four of the nine indexes on our world watch list have posted gains through April 21, 2025. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng is in the top spot with a year to date gain of 9.03%. Germany’s DAXK is in second with a year to date gain of 5.35% while China's Shanghai is in third with a year to date gain of 0.88%.
A Warning to Baby Boomers and Others Regarding the China-U.S. Trade War
These are scary times. No surprise, the typical advice is to stay the course — that it will all work out fine — but those near retirement should take heed.
The Evolution of Active Management: From Stock Picking to Active Asset Allocation
Active management has not disappeared — it has simply evolved. Rather than focusing on outdated stock selection methodologies, today’s most effective active strategies center on active portfolio construction and dynamic asset allocation.
Swaps & Basis Trades Signal Mounting Liquidity Problems
As we have learned repeatedly, the Fed will take extensive emergency measures if it perceives liquidity problems. Even above their congressional mandated objective of managing employment and prices, the Fed's top priority is preserving the banks.
The Dark Side of Surging Bank Trading Revenue
Banks including Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and JPMorgan Chase & Co. can thank the White House’s aggressive disruptions on tariff policy and other issues for record hauls from equities trading in the first quarter, when market volatility began to surge.
Market Volatility and Corporate Bonds: 3 Takeaways
Markets were rattled by tariff announcements in early April. Here are three takeaways for investors considering preferred securities, investment-grade and high-yield corporate bonds.
Nvidia Investors Balk at Beaten Down Valuation as Risks Mount
Nvidia Corp. shares are trading near their lowest valuation of the artificial intelligence era, but a growing list of perils has investors cautious about taking advantage of the dip.
Inflation Risk Is Subsiding Rapidly
Inflation risk has been a significant topic of discussion in the mainstream media for the last few years.
Analysts See Gold at $4,000 as Faith in the U.S. Dollar Tumbles
In nominal terms, the yellow metal set multiple new all-time highs this week, exceeding $3,300 an ounce for the first time ever on Wednesday. And on an inflation-adjusted basis, gold also notched a new record price, surpassing the longstanding record set in 1980.
Consider Direct Indexing to Offset Pain From Market Volatility
Investing in stocks so far in 2025 has not been for the faint of heart. Some market indices have undergone wild swings, flirting with bear-market territory
How Effectively Can the U.S. Economy Untether From China?
U.S. trade policy has evolved significantly in a matter of weeks.
Why Does Volatility Often Lead to Strong Emerging Equity Returns?
Emerging-market (EM) stocks might not seem an obvious choice for anxious investors during a trade war. But history suggests that past volatility peaks have created favorable moments to invest in EM stocks.
Tariff Tremors, Market Rotations, and the Imperative of Optimization
The first quarter of 2025 marked a significant departure from the preceding two years, which had been characterized by an improving global economy and correspondingly positive market returns. Market performance in Q1 was dominated by abrupt, short-term policy shifts rather than longer-term economic trends, and tariffs became the foremost concern for market participants.
Weekly Economic Snapshot: Pre-Tariff Spending Spike Amid Fed Warning
Retail sales surged as consumers seemingly bought ahead of tariffs while a volatile stock market experienced a sharp mid-week sell-off.
4 Reasons to Believe in This Economy
Talk of a recession is everywhere. The case is simple: Liberation Day delivered the biggest increase in tariffs in a century. Consumer prices will rise. Purchasing power will decline. Recession…right?
Trade Wars and the U.S. Dollar
Rapid U.S. policy changes pose challenges for investors accustomed to a global financial system anchored in U.S. markets and assets.
Banks Outperformed for Q1 but Strike Cautious Tone for the Rest of 2025
Banks blew Q1 earnings expectations out of the water, benefitting from high trading volumes, but CEO commentary remains cautious for 2025.
Gauging the Fear Factor: From Volatility Peaks to Equity Returns
Stock markets have been rattled by trade war tensions and economic uncertainty driven by US tariff policies. Yet history suggests that equities have usually performed well in the aftermath of peak market volatility.
Are Dividend Cuts on the Horizon in 2025?
If I had a dollar for every time I heard or read the word recession in the last week, well, I’d have enough not to be financially worried about one. Add a dollar for every mention of tariffs and I’d be comfortably flushed with cash.
Our Thinking on the Markets
Right now we are in an incredibly complicated environment with regard to U.S. tariff policy gyrations and its whipsawing impact on global equity markets. One thing we can confidently assert is that however the trade negotiations play out, there will be higher tariffs and this will be negative for U.S. growth.
Netflix Defies Big Tech Slump as Wall Street Seeks Tariff Haven
Audiences worldwide turn to Netflix for escapism. Wall Street is doing the same.
Canadian Investment in US Stocks Hit Record in February Despite Trade Tension
Canadians poured a record amount into US equities in February, even as a movement to boycott US products and vacations gained momentum.
Small-Caps May Yet Have Their Redemption Day
One day doesn’t make a trend, but wary small-caps investors may find some comfort in knowing the Russell 2000 Index jumped 8.50% on Wednesday
S&P 500 Snapshot: The Week of the Death Cross
The S&P 500 formed a death cross this week, a pattern where the index's 50-day moving average crossed below its 200-day moving average.
Treasury Yields Snapshot: April 17, 2025
The yield on the 10-year note ended April 17, 2025 at 4.34%. Meanwhile, the 2-year note ended at 3.81% and the 30-year note ended at 4.80%.
Zillow Home Value Index: "Real" Home Values at Lowest Level Since May 2021
Home values fell for the first time in two years in March, according to the Zillow Home Value Index. However, after adjusting for inflation, real home values declined for an 11th straight month, hitting their lowest level since May 2021.
An Abrupt and Cascading Dislocation
While we remain open to changes in market conditions, as well as periodic “fast, furious, prone-to-failure” advances that can relieve the oversold “compression” produced by market losses, we are presently on high alert for a possibly abrupt and cascading market and economic dislocation in the weeks ahead.
KKR Will Have to Fight for Private Equity’s Smelliest Deal
KKR & Co. is eyeing one of the riskiest deals going right now — buying the owner of London’s creaking water and sewage system, Thames Water. Giving a private equity firm the chance to profit from fixing the mess Thames got into under past private ownership looks bad but makes sense.
US Treasuries Decline as Powell’s Hawkish Message Sinks In
US Treasuries fell, snapping three days of gains, as traders pared bets on Federal Reserve interest-rate cuts after Chair Jerome Powell reiterated his commitment to keeping inflation in check.
A Deep Dive into Covered Call ETFs
Covered call strategies have been around for a very long time, but covered call ETFs have recently enjoyed a massive increase in popularity.
The Fed Can Use the “Alphabet” if Need Be
The month of April will unfortunately go down in financial market folklore as being one of the more noteworthy on record.
Is the Worst Behind Us?
Although uncertainty remains, perpetual market swings may be less frequent.
Do Indicators Point to Potential Further Stock Market Declines?
In this article, we examine everything from the yield curve to CAPE ratios to gain a sense of where we are, and where we might be headed next.
Looking Back on the Smoot-Hawley Tariffs
Measures announced so far this year have pushed the effective U.S. tariff rate above 20%. The astonishing jump has raised import taxes to a level not seen in about a century.
Domestic Drivers in Tariff Headwinds
CIO Sean Taylor assesses a better-than-expected quarter for emerging markets and takes stock of the drivers that may support the asset class in what could be difficult months ahead for global markets.
The Financial Crisis of 2025? Better to Be Ready
If there’s one thing investors have learned in recent days, it’s that there’s no way to guess what America will do next. With its on-again, off-again tariffs, the US administration has demonstrated a rare and reckless willingness to shock markets.
Advisors Share Solutions for Rising Homeowner Insurance Costs
As homeowner insurance rates rise, advisors share ways individuals can create a financial safety net should catastrophe impact their homes.
JPMorgan’s Maier Sees Paradigm Shift to Active Management in ETFs
JPMorgan's Jon Maier spoke with VettaFi about active management in the ETFs space approaching investing in the current environment.
NAHB Housing Market Index: Uncertainty Continues to Weigh on Builder Confidence
Builder confidence inched up in April thanks to a recent dip in mortgage rates however economic uncertainty stemming from tariff concerns kept sentiment negative for a 12th straight month. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Housing Market Index (HMI) rose to 40 this month, up 1 point from March. The latest reading was above the 38 forecast.
Nvidia Curbs and ASML Warning Spur Global Tech-Stock Rout
Technology stocks sank as new US government restrictions on the export of Nvidia Corp. chips to China and a disappointing report from ASML Holding NV dimmed the outlook for the semiconductor sector, wiping out more than $180 billion in market value for the two companies alone.
Baffled C-Suites Are a Fresh Hurdle for Markets
Delta Air Lines Inc. and the parent of Frontier Airlines recently yanked earnings guidance for 2025, with JPMorgan Chase & Co. Chief Executive Officer Jamie Dimon saying that he expects “to see more of that.”
Now Is the Time to Ask: How Much Market Risk Can You Take?
Now that the stock market has momentarily stabilized from the shock of President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs, investors have an opportunity to reflect on how their portfolio held up during the past two turbulent weeks.
Billionaires and CEOs Bet on Cheap San Francisco Real Estate
In San Francisco’s financial district, the One Montgomery building evokes the opulence of America’s turn of the 20th century gilded age. With its Tuscan columns, marble staircases and bronze doors, the Renaissance Revival landmark once housed Crocker Bank, named after one of the tycoons who built the western portion of America’s first transcontinental railroad.
EQT’s Asia Buyout Fund Gets $10 Billion, On Track for Target
Swedish firm EQT AB received more than $10 billion in investor commitments for its latest pan-Asia private equity fund, putting it on track to reach its fundraising goal despite the market volatility.
Retail Sales Surge 1.4% in March, Higher Than Expected
The Census Bureau's Advance Retail Sales Report for March showed a surge in consumer spending last month, with headline sales rising 1.4%. This is the largest monthly increase since January 2023 and higher than the expected 1.3% growth.
Six Tax Planning Ideas for Navigating Market Volatility
Navigating market volatility can be challenging for investors. Our Bill Cass shares several tax planning strategies to consider.
Looking at the Economic Data and Volatility in the Bond Market
Last week, the S&P 500 was up 5.7%, the strongest week for the market since November 2023.
What to Expect From Equities in the New World Order
While the US experiments with reordering the world’s trading system, uncertainty rises and volatility ensues. We are reminded of the delicate balance between safeguarding domestic interests and promoting a cooperative global trading system.
Volatility Is the Theme of the Moment
Nick Goetze discusses fixed income market conditions and offers insight for bond investors.
Resilience or Recession? Markets on Edge
As we write this, stocks have bounced back as Trump retreated from electronic tariffs from China. Nevertheless, this was a remarkable week for markets with Trump’s tariff policy taking center stage for market stress across stocks, bonds and currencies.
Equity Outlook: American Exceptionalism Reexamined
While we continue to feel the U.S. has structural investment advantages, we are mindful that the scope of the current administration's policy shifts may present challenges to our sustained economic momentum.
Risk Management Amid Economic Uncertainty
The current market unrest over the potential for tariff increases and their impact is unpredictable. The volatility can be unnerving.
From Magnificent 7 to European Revival
2025 has marked a striking reversal, with European stocks delivering exceptional returns that have handily surpassed US market performance.
SPY’s Trading Volume Highlights Advisor Enthusiasm Toward ETFs
SPY's recent surge of inflows showcases how advisors are using ETFs as crucial vehicles for navigating market volatility.
Volatile Markets Spark Unexpected ETF Stories
VettaFi’s Cinthia Murphy looks at several surprising ETF developments from a wild week in the markets. VistaShares CEO Adam Patti highlights the firm’s unique approach to ETFs, which includes the VistaShares Target Berkshire Select Income ETF (OMAH).
A Week of Whiplash
The reciprocal reprieve does not alter the tectonic shift in the trade outlook.
Upside Down(side): Markets' Wild Rides
Markets have had a wild ride these past couple of weeks, alongside chaotic tariff-related news, with volatility (and its policy triggers) most elevated in the bond market.
Leveraged ETF Traders Endure Volatile Ride After Chip Bet
After sinking nearly $2 billion into a triple-levered semiconductor fund last week, retail investors are enduring a volatile ride as the Nasdaq 100 swings between gains and losses.
Crypto Lending 2.0: Unlocking the Potential of Bitcoin Without Selling It
Unlike traditional methods that rely on selling assets, crypto lending 2.0 enables investors to borrow against their bitcoin, unlocking liquidity while preserving the upside potential.
S&P 500 Rises as Traders Parse Earnings and Tariff Developments
US equities extended a rebound into a third session Tuesday as traders weighed the ongoing global trade war against a slew of positive earnings reports from Wall Street banks.
Neuberger Berman Commodity Strategy ETF (NBCM)
On this episode of the “ETF of the Week” podcast, VettaFi’s Head of Research Todd Rosenbluth talked about the Neuberger Berman Commodity Strategy ETF (NBCM) with Money Life host Chuck Jaffe. The pair covered a range of topics related to the fund, providing investors with a deeper understanding of the ETF.
Bond Rebound Relieves Markets Dazed by Week of Trade Turmoil
Wall Street on Monday finally caught a respite from the deep selloffs and unusually sharp swings that have raced through markets ever since President Donald Trump unleashed his global trade war.
Social Security Is Protection From Volatility
This month’s roller-coaster ride through the markets has been more frightening than exhilarating for many Americans, who have more than $44 trillion invested in retirement accounts.