Insights

The Fed is supporting the market. Might China be next?

The brutal end-of-year sell-off in risk assets didn't change the reasons why small-cap stocks should still be an option for risk-oriented long-term investors.

A Fed on pause, an easing of trade worries and the pricing in of most geopolitical worries make for EM tailwinds.

The Fed adds to reasons to believe in this rally, making inevitable pullbacks potential buying opportunities.

China and the unwinding of post-crisis policies likely will weigh on markets for some time. But short of a recession, it's still a bullish story for stocks.

Liquidity products offer access, stability and, now, return.

Because growth strategies aren't necessarily dependent on the economy, late 2018's sell-off could provide the potential for some upside this year.

The "January Barometer" suggests 2019 could be a strong year.

Yes, the economy is slowing but an outright recession just doesn't seem to be in the cards.

Look for cash to be key, if not king, in 2019.

3 factors may dictate how bonds do in 2019: the Fed (is it close to neutral?), the economy (how slow will it grow?) and inflation (will it remain muted?).

Concerns about liquidity, recession and a trade war are certain to weigh on markets next year.

How did 2018 tax reform impact the municipal bond market? Portfolio Manager Ann Ferentino explains.

We won't know for certain until January, but think consumer spending may trump market volatility.

Algorithmic-driven trading associated with massive passive investing is abetting volatility in the market.

Fed, Trump-Xi and OPEC line up for a potentially bullish finish to the year.

If Trump and Xi just kick the can down the road, the markets should be fine with that.

There are reasons to be optimistic.

The longer-term outlook remains positive but there are some stones in the road along the way.

Promising new technologies, and new applications of existing technologies, are creating a wealth of opportunities.

A split Congress might find common ground on several key issues.

Federated's trio of CIOs thinks a split Congress won't undo Trumponomics but won't build on it, either.

Federated's base case is there's still a good amount of upside in stocks but it could be sloppy for awhile.

Personal consumption expenditures rose stronger-than-expected in the third quarter.

The digital revolution is impacting inflation, interest rates and the economy in ways that have yet to be appreciated fully by the markets.

Portfolio Manager Tom Banks outlines the reasons why the outlook for international equities is improving despite Brexit and trade war concerns.

Chief Investment Officer of Equities Steve Auth outlines the reasons why he's sticking to his call of 3,100 on the S&P by year-end and 3,400 or higher in 2019.

Our year-end S&P 500 target of 3,100 has not changed despite the turbulence.

Mean reversion, valuations and a prolonged economic cycle provide favorable arguments for small caps.

Federated seeks to lessen potential fixed-income volatility amid rising rates, midterm election uncertainty and a Fed that's trying to stick the landing.

The press is finally realizing that money funds are again "attractive."

Video games market is booming

Growth stocks continue to benefit from a robust earnings, a solid economy, tax reform and IPOs.

Portfolio Manager Jason DeVito offers insights on how tariffs and trade talks are affecting global and fixed income currency investments and where he's finding investing opportunities now.

Confident market is not impressed by the litany of near-term risks.

Why we need more governors than regional presidents on the FOMC.

Inflation and rates may rise, but a surge is unlikely.

Global trade isn't going away and may even grow between emerging countries if a trade war breaks out between the U.S., China and Europe.

There are several options to shore up its diminishing reserves.

Yield curve, dollar strength and Europe's economy headline worries other than trade issues.

A poor headline number belies strength in the job market.

How will the Fed respond to Trump's criticism of the recent hikes?

The GDP report should not hinder the Fed's rate path.

There may be some near-term volatility but the longer-term upside story remains strong.

Chief Equity Market Strategist Phillip Orlando outlines the factors that may favor small caps given the likely opportunities and challenges in 2018's second half.

When should we really worry about trade? Even the market isn't so sure.

Senior Equity Strategist Linda Duessel offers insights on what is likely to power the equity market in the months ahead and the sectors that may benefit.

Senior Portfolio Manager R.J. Gallo offers his perspective on potential impact on fixed income from increasing interest rates, inflation and 10-year Treasury yields.

It seems the Fed is nearing a tightening cycle after years of rate normalization.

There's more at stake with a trade war than the markets may appreciate.

Uncertainty over the trade war back-and-forth may create some resistance but the longer-term view still looks solid.

Behind all the global geopolitical noise are opportunities.

Yes, says Portfolio Manager Barbara Miller, if stores embrace technology that lets customers get what they want when and where and how they want.

CIO for Global Equities Steve Auth explains why he believes the market will continue to expand.

Lots to like in the labor report and little to keep the Fed from a June hike.

Putting worries in perspective, what is there really to worry about now?

With all the talk of inflation's return to the U.S, the data has softened.

This upward move of inflation is nothing to fear.

There are many reasons to worry, but are they good reasons

Senior Portfolio Manager Susan Hill discusses what's happening at the Fed.

The Q1 economy had the best first-quarter growth in three years.

The big picture is still good for the U.S. economy suggesting that equities could rally.

Earnings take center stage and they are expected to be very good.

A lot of reasons to see a new uptrend but will the president's trade threats get in the way?

The new Fed chief must be careful not to rock the boat.

Portfolio Manager Gene Neavin provides an investment case for a lesser-known asset class: the stocks of leveraged companies.

Market stumbles as Trump ramps up trade actions; might Q1 earnings prove a tonic and fuel an upside breakout?

Portfolio Manager Gene Neavin explains how the strong economy and stretch of low interest rates are keeping default rates low and supporting high-yield bonds in 2018.

Improving economies around the world combined with still-attractive valuations look to support globally focused investors.

Federated's latest GDP house calls for 2018 and 2019.

The robust jobs report checked off every item on the market's wish list.

As inflation-rate worries rattle markets, history suggest the fears may be overdone.

A new chair and unfilled FOMC seats sow uncertainty.

It will take time for the markets to fully know the new Fed's response to rising inflation expectations.

The downgrade in retail sales belies a healthy consumer.

Retail sales were solid in October and November; what happened in December?

Yes, we’re forecasting a 32% rally from Christmas Eve 2018 to New Year’s Eve 2019.

Portfolio Manager Steve Chiavarone discusses why he believes we’re in the midst of another industrial revolution and how millennials fit in to this changing economic landscape.

But expect sharp revisions in coming months as it fades.

A conversational shift by midyear from "synchronized global slowdown" to "synchronized global stimulus" heads the list.

The dawn of the fifth generation of wireless technology suggests a bright future for U.S. economic investment and growth.

The Fed, China and earnings appear set to break the bulls' way, but the bears should still have their moments in coming months.

It was a no good, very bad fourth quarter for the credit bond markets, too. It's hard to see the first quarter being the same.

Will the robust labor report keep the Fed actively engaged in tightening monetary policy?

Trade friction, political instability and contrarian opportunities could shape the global investing environment in the new year.

Cash markets will not be affected if President Trump forces a partial government shutdown.

Portfolio Manager Ann Ferentino outlines the reasons why muni bonds are attractive now.

Senior Portfolio Manager Ryan Bend discusses risks and opportunities in a volatile market.

Stocks must work through headwinds to accomplish the typical end-of-year rally.

It's possible a Fed rate hike this month could be its last in this cycle.

Fed Chair Powell shifts his view on interest-rate levels.

Fed chair signals that policymakers will go slowly on further rate increases.

It's a little messy for the markets right now but the longer-term outlook remains bright.

We expect OPEC will reverse its recent increase in production at its meeting in December.

Volatile period doesn't change solid fundamentals, indicating potential upside if markets settle down as expected.

The FOMC left policy rates and most language of its policy statement unchanged.

A quantitative approach that seeks to eliminate behavioral influences is at the heart of this diversified stock-selection strategy.

Chief Equity Strategist Phil Orlando outlines three important swing factors that could help decide the outcome of the midterm elections.

It may not be clear why the market is selling off and when it may end, but in the Big Apple, this is not even a topic of discussion at the dinner table.

The growing use of data-driven technology and the increasing numbers of millennials in their prime years are converging to play a vital role in reshaping the U.S. and global economy. A primary beneficiary? The stock market.

Portfolio Manager Tom Banks explores two secular growth themes for international investors.

Ten years later, many investors have yet to shake their financial crisis jitters.

Worries behind the latest are likely to fade, prompting Federated to raise the equity overweight in its PRISM&reg stock-bond model.

Economy is strong, despite recent market volatility.

Sweat about the spike in Treasury yields if you must, but the reasons for it are very bullish.

Fed chair Powell voiced considerable optimism at the policy-setting meeting.

An uneventful meeting followed expectations with a rate hike to a range of 2-2.25%.

Advisors are turning defensive even as stocks flirt with new highs.

Senior Portfolio Manager Daniel Peris outlines the reasons why investors should consider dividend investing even as rates rise and other income sources become attractive.

Macro pressures are exacerbating problem pockets, not spreading them.

Today's dividend stocks are all about the 'new' economy.

History suggests Trump's troubles won't necessarily carry over to the market.

Students may not be thrilled but retailers love the back-to-school season.

With volatility returning to the market, it's worth taking a look how a strategy that focuses on high-dividend and dividend-growing stocks can offer the potential to reduce portfolio risk while also pursuing competitive performance for the diversified investor with a long-term time horizon.

We think there is. If it could be shrunk or eliminated, wages should grow.

President Trump's 2020 campaign appears to be well underway, and rhetoric aside, the fundamentals arguably have the odds in his favor at this point.

The Fed keeps rates within a range of 1.75-2%

Summertime, and the living is easy even if all the geopolitical noise isn't.

While yields relative to Treasuries are below historical medians, high yield's higher coupon rate continues to lift returns.

What if the market and media have it all wrong on Trump and trade?

Senior Portfolio Manager R.J. Gallo explains why municipal bonds have largely outperformed their taxable investment-grade counterparts in 2018.

As the U.S. and China exchange tariff punches, the global economy and investors await the outcome.

The jobs report showed more people are re-entering the labor market.

We expect a powerful Q4 rally that will drive equities to record highs.

Concerned about production drops in several troubled countries, OPEC and Russia will increase oil output.

It may be worth reminding ourselves that this is a secular bull market for equities.

Senior Portfolio Manager Rich Winkowski explains how lower central bank support and the strengthening dollar might affect international markets.

Portfolio Manager Barbara Miller discusses where she sees the strongest growth opportunities and the common attributes of a successful growth stock.

There could be noise in the coming weeks, but second-quarter earnings released in mid-July should be strong.

Amid all the noise, the equity markets could be setting up for a run.

The recent small-cap rally has legs.

Retail sales rebounded in the combined March and April months.

An up-leg may be building for stocks, but watch those yields.

Senior Portfolio Manager Ihab Salib provides analysis of markets in Latin America and Africa.

Some info on relatively new abbreviations in cash management.

The bias on rates remains up, just not as much.