2022 has been a stark reminder that investing is ultimately a difficult exercise, which requires a great deal of patience, emotional objectivity, and discipline to achieve long-term success. And while the barrage of market headlines and day-to-day price swings may leave investors searching for answers, there are a few timeless principles that the JNBA Investment...Read More

Last week, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates by three-quarters of a percent for the third time since June and telegraphed that it is singularly focused on bringing inflation under control. As the U.S. dollar strengthened to multi-year highs, global stock markets tumbled back toward their June lows. The S&P 500 is currently on course...Read More

Earlier this week, markets slid sharply on interest rate jitters after a less-than-favorable inflation report pushed the S&P 500 lower by 4.3% on Tuesday – the largest daily decline since June 2020. Investors had recently turned more optimistic on the chance for a possible soft economic landing following better-than-expected corporate profits, job growth, and declining...Read More

After appearing to form a bottom in mid-June, the market surged higher as investors began to anticipate a slower pace of rate hikes from the Fed as it became more likely the economy would post a second straight quarter of negative economic growth in real terms (adjusted for inflation). While the JNBA Investment Committee believes...Read More

The economy is trying to tell us something, but its messages are mixed. GDP fell in the second quarter, the second straight decline of negative real growth, which many investors have interpreted as a strong recession signal. While the National Bureau of Economic Research considers many different economic variables and hasn’t officially labeled it a...Read More

 By nearly any measure, the first half of the year has been extremely challenging for investors, with negative returns across all asset classes. But even as the bumpy ride continues, silver linings are emerging. In our latest video, JNBA Chairman and CEO Richard S. Brown, Director of Investment Management David Webb, and Senior Advisors...Read More

The Fed’s interest rate hike last week was the largest in nearly 30 years and resulted in a mixed bag for investors. Fears of inflation have dampened consumer sentiment, which continues to contribute to market volatility. Despite the markets entering bear market territory, the climate is also delivering higher bond yields, which could mean better...Read More

After a brief reprieve from market volatility at the end of May, stocks skidded to finish lower last week after CPI figures released on Friday showed the highest level of inflation since 1981. Financial markets are expecting a 0.5% or possibly larger increase in interest rates at this week’s Fed meeting, as well as further...Read More

As the S&P 500 briefly dipped into bear market territory last week before rebounding, it became the last major index to breach the technical definition of a bear market, which is a fall of 20% or more from its all-time highs. Although not all markets move in unison, year-to-date returns still tell a mixed and...Read More

Yesterday’s market swoon, the largest daily decline in almost two years, was fueled by concerns that some of the ugliest earnings reports from retailing powerhouses like Walmart and Target will spread to other types of businesses. While much of the data seems to indicate that household balance sheets remain strong, and retail sales earlier this...Read More