Week In Perspective | Fed Ups Rates; Investors Ponder AI, Oil [21-September-26]
The Week In Perspective combines market activity, financial events, commentary and analysis for individual investors.
The Week In Perspective combines market activity, financial events, commentary and analysis for individual investors.
Areas of the market including small caps, value stocks, and international companies have outperformed over the past year, and their valuations have generally been more attractive. Understanding how sizes and styles have performed can help investors maintain balance. What is happening beneath the surface of the broad market indices, and what does it mean for investors?
The Week In Perspective combines market activity, financial events, commentary and analysis for individual investors.
What does supply and demand tell us about the broader economy, long run trends, and how they interact with a well-constructed portfolio? Commodities can serve as indicators of global conditions, and their volatility is a natural part of how they function. How can investors maintain perspective when commodity markets are moving sharply?
The Week In Perspective combines market activity, financial events, commentary and analysis for individual investors.
Since new tariffs were announced last year, global trade has been a source of uncertainty for financial markets and the economy. In February, the Supreme Court ruled that the original “Liberation Day” tariffs were illegal, resulting in a wave of refunds to businesses that are now well underway. New tariffs have been implemented since then under different laws, including recently with close trading partners such as Canada. What Do Tariff Refunds and the National Debt Mean to Investors?
The Week In Perspective combines market activity, financial events, commentary and analysis for individual investors.
What’s Driving Stocks, Bonds, and All-Time Highs? Rising stock prices and higher yields create an environment that requires careful portfolio balance. On the surface, it can seem contradictory for stocks to reach records while interest rates stay high, since rising rates can often slow the economy. However, if both stocks and bonds are being supported by positive trends, long-term portfolios can in turn support financial goals. How should investors think about this environment as markets sit near record levels?
Should you separate your portfolio from political view? With the November midterm election approaching, campaigns are starting to intensify across the country. Politics have only grown more divisive in recent decades, so it’s natural for investors to wonder whether the election should influence their financial decisions.
The Week In Perspective combines market activity, financial events, commentary and analysis for individual investors.
The Week In Perspective combines market activity, financial events, commentary and analysis for individual investors.
Treasury rates have surged to their highest levels in recent years due to a combination of concerns around inflation, oil prices, the national debt, and the Fed. The 10-year Treasury yield is once again above 4.6% and the 30-year has been above 5% for the longest streak since 2007.1 In general, this is positive for long-term investors since higher yields support portfolio goals such as income and stability. Perhaps more importantly, real yields have risen even further. Given the importance of rising real yields, what do investors need to consider?
The Week In Perspective combines market activity, financial events, commentary and analysis for individual investors.
"AI" is not a single type of investment. While it’s natural to think of the model providers at the heart of these capabilities, such as OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and more, they only represent one piece of the puzzle. There is a full supply chain that covers a range of activities, industries, and business models, each with its own characteristics and risks, including hardware, data centers, software providers, and more. What should investors be focused on?
The Week In Perspective combines market activity, financial events, commentary and analysis for individual investors.
The Week In Perspective combines market activity, financial events, commentary and analysis for individual investors.
The Week In Perspective combines market activity, financial events, commentary and analysis for individual investors.
Mid-Year Outlook 2026: Key Investor Lessons for the Second Half of the Year.
Consumer spending is the engine of the U.S. economy, accounting for roughly two-thirds of overall economic activity. In theory, when consumers feel financially secure and optimistic, they tend to spend more, driving corporate profits and economic growth. When they feel uncertain, they may tighten their belts. In reality, how consumers behave depends on many factors, especially because not all consumers are alike. For this reason, having a holistic understanding of the financial health of consumers is one of the most important ways for long-term investors to make sense of the current environment.
The Week In Perspective combines market activity, financial events, commentary and analysis for individual investors.