Podcast: Could the market make up ground as we head toward year-end?
After an awful start to the year, the market has handled a bevy of bad news over the past few months in a much more encouraging way. Add to that several elements that could be catalysts for further improvement, including the most recent inflation report, and we’re asking ourselves: Could we be seeing the makings […]
What to watch for in November – Will the news calendar set up a possible rally?
Since the market’s recent low on October 12, the S&P 500 has risen more than 8% over the past 13 trading days through yesterday’s close. Even as the Dow Jones Industrial Average secured its best October performance ever (and the best month since 1976) on Monday, the first 10 days of November promise to deliver a […]
Podcast: Rounding the Turn Toward a New Year
As we head into the final quarter of 2022, investors continue to navigate a challenging environment that has seen stocks down 25 percent and bonds dropping 14 percent as the Fed battles inflation and world events remain somber. By any measurement it has been – to paraphrase the title of a popular children’s book – […]
The Power of Diversification
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 […]
Market Update: Recession Fears, Rising Rates Provoke Market Anxiety
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 […]
Market Update: Market Sell-Off, as Aggressive Rate Tightening Likely Continues Next Week
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 […]
Q3 2022 Economic and Market Update
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 […]
Podcast: What could the economy’s mixed messages be trying to tell us?
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 […]
Midyear Market Update: How has the first half of 2022 set the stage for the rest of the year?
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 […]
Podcast: Some Potential Upsides to the Fed’s Recent Rate Hike
(A written transcript of the podcast is available by here.) 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 […]