Managing Equity and Markets

This past, short week was a very rough one for interest rates. ADP employment came in way higher than expected (close to 200k jobs over estimates) and the Fed’s minutes from June showed a very hawkish tone. Friday’s unemployment rate came in a tic lower at 3.6% too. The 10-year jumped up (will sh...

Mortgage rates fluctuated significantly to open 2023. In the first half, the average 30-year fixed rate went as low as 6.09% on Feb. 2 and climbed up to 6.79% on June 1, according to Freddie Mac.The range can be largely attributed to the Federal Reserve’s ongoing fight against inflation, juxtapos...

Last week Fed Chair Jerome Powell reiterated what he said the week before when the Fed paused rate hikes. He said that there can be 2 more rate hikes this year. Although the Fed raised rates at a record pace last year it takes a while for the economy to really feel the effects of the increased ra...

I am often frustrated by perceptions that drive Mortgage rates that are contrary to reality. Reactions to things that have no basis have caused everything from huge rallies to collapses.But this morning I realized that things completely out of your control can severely harm a company.Logitech mak...

First of all, I wanted to quickly say Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers and father figures out there. Hopefully, you were all able to spend the day with loved ones.Next, let’s hop right in.The Fed did exactly what 90% of the market was expecting it to do. It paused rate hikes. I was in the m...

I feel like the FED is brain-dead. This is what I wrote on Monday! "I know the markets want a pause, and the Fed will spook markets with a raise (which may be reason enough to halt the hikes), but if the Fed is serious about its mission, there’s no reason to stop just yet.Trust me when I say that...

Maybe I was wrong. It looks like the FED may actually resist raising rates this week to see if this trend continues. This from Market WatchThe numbers: U.S. consumer prices rose a scant 0.1% in May — held in check by cheaper gasoline — and could cement a decision by the Federal Reserve to “skip” ...

This is the week we have all been waiting for CPI, PPI, Fed rate decision, and Powell’s speech afterward. It has the potential to make or break the markets.CPI/PPI (inflationary data) hopefully continues its downtrend. We have been in a steady decline for year-over-year measurements.     Although...

As we discussed last week, buyers re-entered the treasuries market and brought rates down. As predicted, the debt ceiling negotiations passed through the House and the Senate, avoiding a US debt default. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday all saw lower rates. On Friday, however, we received the job...

First, I want to pay my respects to all our fallen soldiers who sacrificed their lives for our great nation. Their service is greatly appreciated and will not be forgotten. I just wanted to say thank you to our heroes and those that continue to serve.Next, let’s dive into this week’s news.Friday ...