The Market Commentator

Highlights Investors have a natural bias to invest domestically. Exposure to international stocks can improve portfolio performance over the long term. How best to invest internationally is a subject of considerable debate. Ahh, home sweet home. That feeling of security and warmth of a place we are all so familiar Continue Reading

The U.S. stock market ended the week higher as the U.S. and China reached a partial trade deal that could potentially broker a truce in the trade war.  Interest rates also jumped higher as the 10-year treasury yield went from 1.52% last week to 1.75% today after the Fed announced Continue Reading

The U.S. stock market experienced little change over the week as earlier losses from poor ISM index data was mitigated by later-week jobs data.  Interest rates moved lower with the 10-year treasury yield dropping from 1.69% last week to 1.52% today.  Meanwhile the spread between the 10-year treasury yield and Continue Reading

Highlights The U.S. economy continues to grow, however, it has also shown some signs of a potential slowdown in growth. The stock market continues to rally despite headwinds from an ever-escalating trade war between the U.S. and China. Falling interest rates has the bond market considerably higher.  Meanwhile, the yield Continue Reading

The U.S. stock market fell lower on the week amid the release of a phone transcript of President Trump asking Ukraine’s president to probe democratic frontrunner Joe Biden.  Interest rates also moved lower on the week as the 10-year treasury yield dropped from 1.75% to 1.69%.  Meanwhile the spread between Continue Reading

Highlights It has been suggested that we are in the midst of a bond-market bubble. If so, the share prices of traditional bond ETFs could plummet when the bubble pops and interest rates rise. Defined maturity date bonds could fare better than traditional “perpetual duration” bond ETFs. “When everyone thinks Continue Reading

The U.S. stock market ended the week higher as China announced plans to exempt certain U.S. products from tariffs and President Trump postponed additional tariffs on Chinese goods.  As a result of the positive trade news, as well as strong retail sales data, interest rates jumped higher with the 10-year Continue Reading

The U.S. stock market ended the week higher as the U.S. and China agreed to renew trade talks.  Interest rates also moved higher with the 10-year treasury yield rising from 1.50% last week to 1.55% today.  The spread between the 10-year treasury yield and the 2-year treasury yield widened slightly Continue Reading

Highlights Collector cars outperformed stocks and bonds during the Great Recession. Making a profitable investment in a rare auto requires a high degree of specialized knowledge, and an eye for detail. Good luck helps, too. If you invest in a rare car, be sure your estate plan specifies how it Continue Reading