The global health crisis of COVID-19 is disrupting life as we know it. The markets are responding. And all of us are barraged by frequently-changing news headlines and fast-paced announcements. In this post, we share our perspective on some of the most salient economic- and investment-related developments over the last few days so that you | Read More +
Our Thinking
Insights: COVID-19 Uncertainties Rattle Investors and Fuel Psychological and Market Volatility
Download a printable version. Overview In February, major stock indices dropped sharply, and core bond indices rose largely due to heightened worries about the global economic implications of the coronavirus (COVID-19; however, the U.S. presidential primaries also played a part. Equity markets seemed to respond more skittishly to wins by Senator Sanders than by former | Read More +
Our Perspective: An Update On The Markets
In response to worries about the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), global stock markets have continued to fall sharply this week, while the prices of core government bonds, widely seen as safe-haven assets in uncertain times, have risen steeply. Although market activity is volatile, and additional incidents of the virus have been reported, our viewpoint | Read More +
Our Perspective: On Yesterday’s Market Sell-Off and Coronavirus
Yesterday, global stock markets fell sharply. The Dow, for instance, was down 3.56%, and the S&P 500 Index dropped 3.35%. We would like to briefly address the reasons and share some of our immediate thoughts about portfolio positioning. The most frequently cited culprit for the sell-off was the heightened concern that emerged over the weekend | Read More +
Insights: Coronavirus Worries Stocks in January, But Lasting Economic Effects Likely Limited
View a printable version Overview In January, most major stock indices retreated given worries about the global economic implications of the coronavirus. The monthly return for the S&P 500 was largely unchanged at -0.04%, the Russell 2000 (U.S. small-company stocks) fell 3.21%, and the MSCI ACWI ex-USA (non-U.S. stocks) lost 2.69%. In contrast, core U.S. | Read More +
Sage 2020 Market Outlook
Printable version Condensed series of bullets Introduction 2019 was a positive year for virtually all major asset classes globally and, overall, a year that widely exceeded expectations. At the end of 2018, the Fed was raising interest rates, recession fears were widespread due to the ongoing trade war between the world’s two largest economic superpowers, | Read More +
Our Perspective: The Importance of Maintaining Perspective
The return of volatility in the markets, the threat of a heightened trade skirmish, and the hit the technology sector took on the heels of challenges to Facebook and Amazon, have kept market commentators busy churning out vivid headlines and analyses. It can be unusually difficult in moments like these for investors to hold onto | Read More +
Our Perspective: The Value of Independence
Print a PDF version of this post. Last week The Wall Street Journal reported that the probe into how Wells Fargo has systemically misled clients now extends to practices in its wealth management division. Bloomberg recently reported that J.P. Morgan’s “failure to properly inform some…clients about conflicts of interest has resulted in a record $30 million whistle-blower award.” And | Read More +
Our Perspective: On Bitcoin and Cryptocurrencies
Cryptocurrencies in general and Bitcoin in particular have been in the news recently, including daily articles in the Wall Street Journal. It seems like every day a different person has an opinion on this new, highly unpredictable currency. In our view, although the blockchain technology that underlies Bitcoin as a cryptocurrency has the potential to | Read More +
Our Perspective: The Value of Discomfort
One of the hardest things to learn as an investor is to be comfortable with discomfort. The logic flies in the face of most everything we are taught as well as our fundamental instincts for self-preservation. But to be successful as an investor, you have to accept the fact that you will feel uncomfortable. The | Read More +
