Financial News & Insights

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK Stock markets were in an optimistic mood heading into the Memorial Day weekend, although the economic data continues to be atrocious. Jobless claims data suggest that more job losses are coming in May. More concrete good news came from Germany and France, who an

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK Financial markets optimism faded this week as economic data continued to show the severe damage caused by COVID-19 and social distancing protocols. Closures of non-essential businesses all around the country, coupled with mounting job losses, resulted in retail

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK The start of May ushered in a barrage of sour data reports. The list included a plunge in April vehicle sales and service-sector activity falling into deep contractionary territory as indicated by the ISM non-manufacturing index. The most-anticipated report of t

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK The S&P 500 is on track to end the week flat, erasing some earlier momentum as economic data and earnings reports released throughout the week revealed the extent of the pandemic’s impact. The U.S. economy contracted by 4.8% annualized in the first quarter,

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK Markets were volatile this week as oil prices plummeted to negative territory for the first time ever. The combination of weak demand and a lack of near-term storage capacity contributed to this strange result. COVID-19 and measures to contain it have hit housin

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK Equity markets are poised for their second week of gains, buoyed by the White House’s guidelines for re-opening the economy. The price of oil touched an 18-year low, driven by the historic drop in demand. March economic indicators showed a dramatic drop in activ

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK COVID-19 continued to dominate headlines this week. But, hopes that the virus’ spread may soon peak, together with new details on the Fed’s support measures, helped support risk-on sentiment. Equities soared as a result. The mood remained decisively downbeat on

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK U.S. stock markets recorded their worst performance since the financial crisis in the first quarter, with the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones falling 20% and 23%, respectively. Confirmed coronavirus cases now stand in excess of one million globally and have breach

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK Another eventful week for financial markets as they digested the news that Congress had agreed to a giant $2 trillion relief bill. Stimulus is sorely needed, with more than three million Americans filing for unemployment insurance benefits last week. The unemplo

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK Markets continued to see losses this week as the COVID-19 outbreak intensified. Investors made a dash for cash, resulting in tightening financial conditions. The Fed reacted quickly, cutting the target range of the federal funds rate by a full percentage point t