Macro Market Movers

Traders needed to keep their arms and legs inside the car at all times this week as the roller coaster that was Italy took global markets for a few loops.

With negotiations making little headway, the Trump administration was disinclined to grant further exemptions for the European Union (EU) to avoid new U.S.

First things first, historically June has been a stumbling block for stocks. June has been one of the weakest months for the S&P 500 Index—over the past 10 years.

U.S. economy and consumer remain healthy. Both consumer spending and incomes rose in April with the former outpacing the latter as inflation, though hovering just below the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) 2% target.

Three months after Italy’s election, political uncertainty has led to heightened concern that Italy’s populist coalition may try to pull Italy out of the European Union (a trade union) and the Eurozone (the euro currency union).

Latest salvo in trade spat highlights ongoing risk. China urged the U.S. to keep its word after President Trump’s latest move to stick with the proposed $50 billion in tariffs on Chinese goods.

U.S. equities recovered most of last week’s losses, thanks in large part to early-week advances spurred by reports of thawing trade tensions between the U.S. and China…

Wonder how much you’d need to invest in Treasuries to generate $100,000 in annual income? Or how stocks have performed historically in the months leading up to midterm elections …

WTI crude oil below $70/barrel on supply concerns. U.S. benchmark crude prices were down nearly 3% this morning as traders digested reports that OPEC, Russia, and others are in discussions to potentially increase production…

What a difference a year (and change) makes. Emerging market debt’s (EMD) yield spreads to comparable Treasuries are more attractive than they have been since 2016.