August 23, 2021 – Daniel Zalipski, CFA®

Stock prices are influenced by several factors, both technical and fundamental.  Technical factors are commonly thought of as external factors that influence a stock’s price, such as liquidity or regulatory action.  Fundamental factors tend to focus on a company’s earnings and their valuation; the price investors are willing to pay for their claim of future earnings.  As we pass the mid-point of the quarter, it is time to check in on earnings and valuations within the broader market. 

August 10, 2021 – Scott Rosenquist, CFA®

July’s employment data released by the Labor Department last Friday beat expectations while the unemployment rate fell to 5.4% from 5.9%.  Payrolls increased by 943,000 compared to 845,000 expected by economists.  The previous two months were also revised higher by a combined 119,000.  Job gains continue to be concentrated in the leisure and hospitality sector (+380K) as the economy reopens.  Next month’s report will be closely monitored for any impacts of the delta variant that may not have been captured in July. 

July 26, 2021 – Daniel Zalipski, CFA®

With markets bouncing around all-time highs, while concerns of delta variants and inflation continue to dominate the headlines, it is no surprise that some are beginning to expect a market correction in the near-term.  A market correction is defined by a 10% drop from the most recent peak.  They can happen quickly or be drawn out over several weeks.