February, with its extra day for the leap year, saw equity markets vault ahead. Earnings season was in full swing throughout the month, with more than 97% of U.S. companies reporting quarterly results. In aggregate, these companies exhibited healthy profit margin growth and pricing power, buoyed by robust U.S. economic activity. Despite a shared vigorous | Read More +
Category: Insights
Insights: Market Observations As the Year Begins
January was a mixed month for stocks and bonds, following the high bar set by their formidable performance in the final two months of 2023. Much of the strong rally at the end of last year was driven by the expectation that the Federal Reserve had completed its two-year initiative to restore price stability in | Read More +
Sage 2024 Investment Outlook
2023 in Review: A Bitter Start For Financial Markets With A Sweet Ending Last year brought a collective rebound for major economies and financial markets. There were unsettling moments and expectations of a domestic recession that caused uncertainty and short-term discomfort, including the failure of a handful of banking institutions over a short period in | Read More +
Sage Insights: A Month of Optimism
November was a strong month for stocks and bonds. During the bumpy period from August through October, we consistently emphasized the importance of remaining patient and disciplined. This position was rewarded last month as major market indices bounced back sharply, and we enjoyed the best month of performance thus far in 2023. In this edition | Read More +
Sage Insights: Market Observations Through Uncertain Times
October was a challenging month economically and geopolitically. Before we unpack what it meant for investors, we want to acknowledge a deep pain from the devastating Hamas terror attacks of October 7th in Israel and the ongoing concerns unfolding in the Middle East. The violence and distress have had a profound impact, not only in | Read More +
Sage Insights: Market Observations Following a Rocky Month and Quarter
Heading into the year, most economists forecast that the labor market would need to weaken for inflation to fall, pushing the economy into a recession. Yet, as we sit here today, inflation is heading in the right direction, albeit slowly, and the unemployment rate is just above 50-year lows. At the same time, this economic | Read More +
Sage Insights: Market Observations As Summer Ends
Most major asset classes posted positive returns during the year’s first seven months, and investors enjoyed a respite. This momentum eased, however, in August as higher interest rates prompted concerns about the economy’s health. In this edition of Insights, we take a closer look at recent market performance and discuss the concerns in the market, | Read More +
Sage Insights: A Mid-Summer Look at the Markets, Inflation & Earnings Season
July was a continuation of the markets’ positive trajectory during the first half of the year. Financial markets extended their 2023 ascent last month, supported by inflation easing to the slowest year-over-year rate in more than two years. While the Federal Reserve raised rates to the highest level in 22 years, strong consumer confidence and | Read More +
Sage Insights: Getting Back on Track in 2023
Late last year, when we sat down to write the Sage 2023 Investment Outlook, we reflected on a year that tested investors’ resilience, patience, and focus. At that time, we anticipated that financial market conditions would normalize in 2023, albeit against a harsher economic backdrop. Indeed, in the first half of this year, we have | Read More +
Sage Insights: Take It To the Limit
Negotiators from both political parties pushed debt ceiling brinkmanship to the limit yet again. This topic seems to emerge every few years, and this year raised the possibility that the U.S. could default on its outstanding debt. Fortunately, a resolution was agreed upon over the long Memorial Day weekend to raise the U.S. debt limit | Read More +