Investment Commentary 

Friday, April 09, 2021

Stocks Rally and Bonds Falter to Start the Year

It was a solid start for risk assets in Q1 as stocks rallied and investors remained favorable on an improving global economy.  Bond investors didn’t fare as well in the quarter as interest rates moved higher and bond prices declined.  In our Q1 Investment Commentary, the FWA Investment Committee provides its views on the markets and updates on the FWA-managed portfolios.

Tuesday, January 12th 2021

A Year for the Record Books

2020 was a historic year with health, economic and financial market events that should not be forgotten any time soon.  With the ushering in of a new political party majority and a Covid-19 vaccine what does this mean for investors? In the Q4 Quarterly Investment Commentary, the FWA Investment Committee provides insights into the markets, investor concerns, investment opportunities and updates on the FWA-portfolios.

Wednesday, October 14th 2020

Anticipating Strong Rebound in Q3

Investors remain optimistic on additional fiscal stimulus and a potential vaccine for COVID-19.  Meanwhile some economists are anticipating a V-shaped economic recovery in the 3rd quarter.  What is needed for the market to continue to rally and how will the U.S. Presidential election impact market volatility?  In the Q3 Quarterly Investment Commentary, the FWA Investment Committee provides insights into the markets, investor concerns, investment opportunities and updates on the FWA-managed portfolios.

Wednesday, July 15th 2020

Markets Rally in Q2 as Investors Wade Through Uncertainty

Despite significant uncertainty due to the continued spread of COVID-19, questionable stability of an economic recovery and the pending results of the U.S. presidential election, Q2 saw a surprising V-shaped reversal on the S&P 500. In the Q2 Quarterly Investment Commentary, the FWA Investment Committee provides insights into the markets, investor concerns, investment opportunities and updates on the FWA-managed portfolios.

Wednesday, April 15th 2020

Restarting the Economy is Imperative but Timing is Uncertain

As the health crisis spikes fear across financial markets and the U.S. Government provides unprecedented support to try to combat the economic damage, we are left with a wide range of scenarios. In the Q1 Quarterly Investment Commentary, the FWA Investment Committee provides insights into the markets, investor concerns, investment opportunities and updates on the FWA-managed portfolios.

Wednesday, February 26th, 2020

Increased Short-Term Uncertainty Around Coronavirus and U.S. Presidential Elections Impacting Markets

Investors came into 2020 anticipating global economic stabilization and a potential reacceleration throughout the year.  Investors were caught by surprise with the headlines around the spreading of the coronavirus.  Increased probability of Senator Bernie Sanders becoming the Democratic presidential nominee adds to market uncertainty.  We believe the onset of the coronavirus and the current U.S. Presidential election cycle are two catalysts that are negatively impacting financial markets at this time.

Wednesday, January 8th 2020

Investors More Optimistic in Q4

2019 was a strong year for equity and bond markets in the midst of bullish and bearish crosswinds.  In Q4, investors appeared to have become more optimistic on U.S.-China trade negotiations with an anticipation of global economic stabilization in the new year, but the 2020 U.S. elections may increase investors’ uncertainty as the year progresses.  In the Q4 Quarterly Investment Commentary, the FWA Investment Committee goes into greater detail to provide prospective on the markets and dive into what may be on the horizon for investors as we enter the new year.

Monday, October 7th 2019

Investors Preferred Defense in Q3

In this environment of increased uncertainty, defensive areas of the market outperformed in Q3. As investors defend an onslaught of negative headlines and the 2020 U.S. presidential election draws near, could the weakening sentiment be a potential opportunity for investors? In the Q3 Quarterly Investment Commentary, the FWA Investment Committee provides insights into the markets, investor concerns, investment opportunities and updates on the FWA-managed portfolios.

Monday, July 8th 2019

Equity and Bond Investors Rewarded in Q2

Bonds and equities don't often rally together.  Will the forecast prove bond investors are correct in anticipating weakness or will equity investors be correct that recent economic weakness is only temporary?  In the Q2 Quarterly Investment Commentary, the FWA Investment Committee provides insights into the markets, investor concerns, investment opportunities and updates on the FWA-managed portfolios.

Thursday, May 23rd 2019

Trade Tensions Driving Market Volatility

Investors have become increasingly disappointed as U.S. - China trade negotiations appear to be deteriorating.  As trade uncertainty has increased, investors may be realizing that resolving these trade issues could take longer than hoped for and market volatility could persist. 

Monday, April 8th 2019

Markets Rebound Strongly in Q1

Markets rallied in Q1 as investors took advantage of lower valuations backed by supportive fundamentals.  Following the rally, valuations are less attractive and concerns remain.  In the Q1 Quarterly Investment Commentary, the FWA Investment Committee provides insights into the markets, investor concerns, investment opportunities and updates on the FWA-managed portfolios. 

Monday, January 7th 2019

Big Market Selloff in Q4; Fundamentals Still Positive 

Investors shunned risk assets in Q4 as global equity, credit and commodity markets declined.  Concerns remain, but markets may have already priced in some of these concerns.  In the Q4 Quarterly Investment Commentary, the FWA Investment Committee provides timely updates on the markets, investment strategy and how the FWA-managed portfolios have been navigating this volatile environment.

Monday, November 12th 2018

Weekly Market Commentary
The Markets - How are you feeling about the financial markets?

Some votes are still being counted but investors appear to be happy with the outcome of mid-term elections.  Major U.S. stock indices in the United States moved higher last week, and the American Association of Individual Investors (AAII) Sentiment Survery Reports in......

Friday, October 25 2018

An Update on Recent Market Volatility
Recently, the U.S. equity market has experienced an accelerated selloff, resulting in the S&P 500 Index falling roughly 10% from its September highs. Investors should set their expectations that heightened volatility may continue.  The Freedom Wealth Alliance Investment Committee provides brief thoughts on the current market environment in this market update.

Tuesday, October 2, 2018

U.S. Economy Remains Resilient
The U.S. economy and corporate profits remained resilient in Q3 and the U.S. equity market outperformed other broad asset classes.  We are starting to see increased dislocations across global asset classes, which could provide opportunities for longer-term investors.  In the Q3 Quarterly Investment Commentary, the FWA Investment Committee provides updated market insights and how it is managing the FWA portfolios in this environment.

Monday, July 9, 2018

U.S. Equity Markets Outperform Amid Global Tensions
The U.S. equity market continues to be supported by solid economic and corporate fundamentals, but risks appear to be increasing at the margin. Global trade tensions have put downward pressure on foreign investments, but could represent a buying opportunity. The Freedom Wealth Alliance (FWA) Investment Committee reviews the markets and FWA-managed portfolios in our 2^nd quarter Investment Commentary.

Monday, April 9, 2018

Volatility Returns in 2018
The abnormally calm market environment of 2017 was quickly forgotten as volatility emphatically returned in 2018.  Investors’ concerns with extended valuations, trade uncertainty, higher interest rates and other factors drove risk assets to quickly decline in Q1. In this quarterly investment commentary, the Freedom Wealth Alliance (FWA) Investment Committee provides an update on the markets and shares details on how the FWA-managed portfolios are positioned in this environment.

Thursday, February 8, 2018

An Update on Recent Market Volatility
Volatility has picked up across global risk assets and bond markets. The equity market sell-off has been quick but within expectations. The Freedom Wealth Alliance Investment Committee provides brief thoughts on the current market environment in this market update.

Monday, January 22, 2018

Why the U.S. Equity Market Appears Overvalued
The U.S. equity market appears overvalued based on a number of metrics, in our opinion. We believe this may result in lower equity returns for investors going forward, so a proactive approach to investment management is key. In this piece, the Freedom Wealth Alliance (FWA) Investment Committee takes a deeper dive into the valuation of the U.S. equity market and provides insights into how the FWA-managed portfolios are positioned in this environment.

Monday, January 8, 2018

A Strong 2017, Potential for Momentum to Continue in 2018
2017 was solid year for investors and we believe economic momentum can continue into 2018. U.S. equity valuations remain a concern, but we see potential opportunities overseas and have positioned our portfolios accordingly. The Freedom Wealth Alliance (FWA) Investment Committee weighs in on the state of the markets and provides an update on the FWA-managed portfolios in our latest quarterly investment commentary.