The Economy As we put together this month’s newsletter, the Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) has just announced an additional 75 basis point hike in interest rates. This makes the number on the left, 3.25%, incorrect as it is now at 4.00%. This is the fourth such increase of 0.75%, the sixth rate hike this year, and comes as the battle … Read More
Compass Commentary – Q3 2022
The Economy Another month of up and down reports on our burgeoning economy, capped off by Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) Chairman Jerome Powell’s hawkish remarks in Jackson Hole, Wyoming in his annual policy speech on Friday, August 26th. Powell stated that the Fed will “use our tools forcefully” to control the inflation that is still running near its highest level … Read More
Compass Commentary – Q2 2022
Stocks Enter a Bear Market – Here’s What Investors Should Do Next U.S. stocks entered a technical bear market three weeks ago, with the S&P 500 index declining more than -20% from its January peak. The downdraft has been led by technology shares, which disproportionately impact the broad index’s returns since technology is the largest sector by market capitalization. As … Read More
Compass Commentary – Q1 2022
Will Rising Fuel Prices and the Invasion of Ukraine Crush the Bull Market? Oil prices have been marching higher for months, a fact that many likely know based on recent trips to the pump. The cost of a barrel of West Texas Intermediate oil has soared from the low teens in April 2020 to over $90 a barrel today, as … Read More
Compass Commentary – June 2019
Summer is near and the economy continues growth Overall, the economy is the best it has been in generations. Consumers and business remain optimistic and the US economy continues to expand. As of today the S&P 500 is up 14% in 2019. The unemployment rate is 3.6%, the lowest in 50 years (1969). The Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a measurement … Read More
