Category: Economy

Oh, That Crazy Debt Ceiling

Washington and blowing up money.

Content provided by Marc Pfeffer, Senior Portfolio Manager I know many investors don’t follow the short-term Treasury market on a day-to-day basis. But, as someone who has followed the fixed income market for my entire career, which includes running money market funds, I know these securities are key components. During the summer months, the debt… Continue reading Oh, That Crazy Debt Ceiling

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Categorized as Economy

CLS Answers Your Questions

Content provided by Case Eichenberger, CIMA, Client Portfolio Manager I’ve received a few thoughtful questions from advisors this week, and I’d like to address them as I believe they may be on the minds of many CLS clients. How will President Donald Trump’s tax plan affect the economy and how are we positioning portfolios? The… Continue reading CLS Answers Your Questions

A Terrible Year?

2016 review banner - text in vintage letterpress wood type block with a cup of coffee

Content provided by Kostya Etus, CFA, CLS Portfolio Manager Let’s review some events that took place over the last year: At the end of 2015, the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) hiked rates for the first time in nearly 10 years (the last one was in June 2006). 2016 began with one of the worst market… Continue reading A Terrible Year?

The Bright Side of Rising Rates

hands holding tress growing on coins / csr / sustainable development / economic growth

Content provided by Grant Engelbart, CFA, CAIA, CLS Portfolio Manager Investors have been infatuated with the timing and pace of the Federal Reserve’s (Fed’s) plan to raise interest rates ever since rates were pinned at the zero bound in the midst of the financial crisis. Most of the rhetoric regarding interest rate hikes is negative,… Continue reading The Bright Side of Rising Rates

Global Debt Levels

Debt crisis flowchart on a chalkboard with globe showing USA

Content provided by Scott Kubie, CFA, CLS Chief Investment Strategist The recent short-term rally in global stock markets has boosted optimism towards equity investments. While always glad to see our clients benefiting from market increases, CLS portfolio managers continue to keep a vigilant eye on market risk. In addition to our Risk Budgeting Methodology, we… Continue reading Global Debt Levels

Lackluster Market Returns and the Growing Responsibility of the Individual Investor

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Content provided by Paula Wieck, CLS Portfolio Manager Back in May, the McKinsey Global Institute published a report, Diminishing Returns: Why Investors May Need to Lower Their Expectations. The title is self-explanatory. In essence, the report states circumstances of the last 30 years produced returns in both stocks and bonds that were above the long-term… Continue reading Lackluster Market Returns and the Growing Responsibility of the Individual Investor

Investing Through the Emotional Ups and Downs

Content provided by Scott Kubie, CFA, CLS Chief Strategist More than any other season, fall brings greater emotional volatility. I’m not talking about the markets (yet). I’m talking about sports. The four most important sports to me are tennis (my son’s high school team), Nebraska football, Nebraska women’s volleyball, and baseball (Minnesota Twins). All have… Continue reading Investing Through the Emotional Ups and Downs

Grexhausting

Highway directional sign for Greece exiting European the Union. Isolated with clipping path.

Content provided by Grant Engelbart, CFA, CLS Portfolio Manager As the market has seemingly put the Greek crisis behind it for a couple of weeks, I might as well bring it back up!  The media certainly hasn’t let it go. Financial news is still enamored with Greece. The country, whose economy is the size of… Continue reading Grexhausting