Here we are again – another month, another set of inflation readings. April’s reports were both very encouraging. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) report for April was released this week, and it showed clear progress in the ongoing battle against inflation. CPI rose 0.4% in April and 4.9% year over year – both 0.1% lower […]

Here we go again. Earlier this week, as expected, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) raised the fed funds rate by 25 basis points to a range of 5.0-5.25%. This is the tenth increase in this rate cycle (that started just over a year ago) and brings rates (from zero) to levels last seen before […]

The Federal Reserve found itself facing a considerable dilemma this week at the Federal Open Market Committee meeting that took place Wednesday March 22, 2023. How would they balance the tension between their ongoing battle against inflation and the threats posed by the recent instability in the banking system? Up until a few weeks ago, […]

There have been quite a few new terms floating around these days, given all the events concerning the banking industry. One of those terms is “cash sorting.” A client recently reached out to clarify what this terms means – and whether it was an activity they should undertake. Let’s take a closer look Why is […]

Interest rates have never been such a hot topic of conversation! It seems you can’t turn on the news or talk to your friends lately without someone bringing up interest rates (did you see what you can earn on cash? look at how much mortgage rates have gone up! should I just buy the 2-year […]

It was not all that long ago that Federal Reserve meetings would barely be covered by the media. Now they are truly the monthly headline event and Wednesday’s announcement was no exception (February 1, 2023 meeting) US Federal Reserve Chair Jay Powell took the stage and announced a widely anticipated 25 basis point rate increase, […]

A client reached out this week, expressing concerns about the decline in her portfolio. As I started to provide my rationale for staying the course and how markets go thru cycles, etc. , she said “thanks, I just need the hang in there pep talk once in a while.” Don’t we all? It has been […]

It’s hard to escape the constant chatter about rising interest rates lately, so it was only natural for a client to ask about the interplay between interest rates and asset prices. Interest rates are an essential driver of asset prices. You don’t have to take it from me – here’s a quote from famed investor […]

On Wednesday, the US Federal Reserve issued yet another increase in the Federal Fund Rate, bringing it to 3-3.25%. (Note: you can read more detail on the meeting and the implied rate path here) I listened to the press conference from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell – and one phrase kept coming into my mind […]

One thing you have to love about the world of finance is all the acronyms! It can be hard to keep track of them all. A recent headline made me laugh when I read it – “Forget TINA, get reacquainted with CINDY.” No, the article was not talking about long lost friends. It was referring […]