Markets Digest Divided Fed Minutes
May 22, 2026 The minutes from the April 29 Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting were released Wednesday, confirming what the divided 8-to-4 vote had signaled. Officials acknowledged that the energy shock from the conflict with Iran had raised near-term inflation risks but were split on whether the impulse would prove transitory. Several participants noted […]
04/10/2026: War, Inflation, and Markets Collide
Market volatility this week was driven by updates on the war with Iran along with key data releases providing some insight into the war’s impact on inflation and the US consumer. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil topped $117/barrel prior to Tuesday’s temporary ceasefire announcement and is trading at around $98/barrel as of this writing. […]
WHITE PAPER: Understanding Repurchase Agreements
Local government investment pools (LGIPs) are one of the most common investment products utilized by state and local governments nationwide. Because public funds must be protected while remaining liquid, LGIPs typically invest in low-risk, short-term instruments. One of the most common investments utilized in LGIPs are repurchase agreements, or “repo(s).” Repos are widely used in […]
02/18/2026: Inflation Eases While Consumers Slow Down
The market received some key economic datapoints this week as some reports have been delayed due to the government shutdowns. The long-awaited advance retail sales reading from December was flat on a month-over-month basis, much lower than expected following a strong November print, indicating that holiday spending was pulled forward. Control group sales, which feeds […]
02/09/26: Yields Fall, Growth Outlook Brightens
Volatility picked up across capital markets as US equities and commodities whipsawed while US treasury yields fell throughout the week. Meanwhile, the prospect for positive near-term growth improved according to US purchasing managers. The Institute for Supply Management’s manufacturing and services indexes both indicated expansion in January, with the ISM Manufacturing Index rising to 52.6 […]
02/02/26: Fed Holds Rates as Markets Weigh New Data
The market digested a myriad of news this week, with a focus on the Federal Reserve, as well as incoming economic data, Megacap earnings, and a looming partial federal government shutdown. As expected, the Federal Reserve kept the federal funds rate on hold at a target range of 3.50%–3.75% at the January meeting, following three […]
01/26/26: US Growth Steady Amid Geopolitical Tensions
Geopolitics continued to dominate headlines and weigh on investor sentiment this week as the US Administration pushed to assert greater control over Greenland. As a result, the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where political leaders and captains of industry gather every year, was marked by a confrontational tone although the heated rhetoric eased after […]
01/19/26: Inflation Eases as Housing and Spending Strengthen
Although geopolitical events and challenges to Fed independence made headlines this week, financial markets looked beyond these developments and focused on inflation and the consumer. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose in December 0.3% month-over-month and 2.7% year-over-year. The core CPI, excluding food and energy, rose less than expected at 0.2% month-over-month, and 2.6% year-over-year. […]
01/09/26: Markets React to Policy Moves and Economic Signals
The first full week gave market participants an opportunity to assess slew of incoming economic data. The most notable development was a policy proposal attributed to President Trump for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to purchase up to $200 billion of agency mortgage-backed securities to help keep long-term borrowing costs lower, though key details on […]
01/05/26: Economy Grows, But Confidence Weakens
The market digested key economic datapoints in the last two weeks of 2025. The highly anticipated third quarter US GDP estimate came in at 4.3%, the fastest pace in two years and much stronger than Bloomberg consensus expectations calling for 3.3%. The strong print was primarily driven by consumer spending, which accelerated to 3.5% versus […]