Insights

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?).

Phil Orlando is keeping a close eye on equity market technicals and potential Fed policy changes.

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.

Several factors that drove yields lower have turned more favorable, but a lack of clarity still clouds the outlook.

We see a year-end Santa Claus rally taking stocks up to their September high.

An anticipated surge in retail sales and seasonal hiring look to boost spirits and the economy.

Immigration reform should be a "common-ground" item for our political parties.

That's where Presidents Trump and Xi are scheduled to meet, and what happens there may well determine what happens here with the market.

Gridlock? If history is a guide, the stock market will be fine with that.

Results provide three good reasons why we think investors should remain bullish on stocks.

The labor market posted terrific job gains despite extreme weather.

In October, the cash sector watched the market volatility from solid ground.

Technical damage and time may prevent breach of longstanding target this year.

Senior Portfolio Manager John Ettinger discusses long-term technology trends and where he's finding investment opportunities within the sector.

Chief Equity Market Strategist Phil Orlando discusses what impact the 2018 elections may have on the markets and identifies two important swing factors investors should watch for in the midterms.

Political outcomes aside, markets historically have rallied strongly once the elections end.

Contrary to their reputation BBB-rated corporate debt has much to recommend itself.

It was all systems go everywhere I went this week in the dairy state.

Recent sell-off has driven valuations down to potentially attractive levels among selected securities.

The fund combines a focus on investment-grade bonds with a strategic high-yield allocation.

Expect the Fed to fade and value to return to mortgage market.

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

The market could hem and haw for awhile but fundamentals and valuations continue to suggest longer-term upside.

If you listen to the bears, the list of worries is long. It's also wrong.

A trifecta of rising share prices, strong balance sheets and tax reform spurs U.S. companies to make deals, deals, deals.

The Fed leader stood his ground, saying 'gradual' rate normalization remains the strategy.

The market seems to be brushing Turkey aside as it wrestles over what to worry about.

It took a world to build 2017's top 3 selling SUVs in the U.S.

Five reasons-and a possible sixth-why we remain bullish.

Fundamental and long-term forces are shining a positive light on municipal bonds.

While there may be hiccups, technical and fundamental factors suggest this expansion and rally has a ways to go.

Federated expects Q2 growth to come in at a strong 4.1%. The government's initial estimate is due Friday.

Chief Equity Market Strategist Phillip Orlando offers insights on why small-cap stocks may offer an advantage in the months ahead.

The U.S. needs immigrant workers to keep the economy humming.

Senior Equity Strategist Linda Duessel discusses opportunities for investors in 2018's second half and the potential challenges she is watching.

Senior Portfolio Manager R.J. Gallo discusses how Federal Reserve policy and global trade issues may impact the fixed-income markets in 2018's second half.

U.S. small caps continue to benefit from increasing M&A activity, a robust economy and their predominate domestic focus.

History suggests the back end of midterm election years are good for the market; getting there is another matter.

A surge in IPOs adds to opportunities already available in strong growth environment.

Policymakers deliver expected hike and signal 2 more likely this year.

As the wall of worry builds, the market keeps inching higher.

CIO for Global Equities Steve Auth discusses his bullish market thesis.

The Fed gives no reason to doubt it will hike rates in June.

An exit from the euro is unlikely but even if it comes, it's going to take a long time.

When fundamentals debunk market myths, investors stand to gain.

Fixed-income investors would be better served weighing the fundamentals.

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.

Taxes have changed, but not the role of municipal bonds.

A favorable economic climate, the rise of new technologies and historical performance relative to large-cap stocks suggest it could be small-caps' time to shine.

The silver lining to the storms that impaired employment in March is that the Fed might slow its pace of hikes.

The fundamentals remain favorable despite an aging cycle and rising rates.

Federated raises its equity overweight in its stock-bond model to 80% of maximum as sell-off creates more attractive valuations.

U.S. fossil fuel production is expected to reach record levels in 2018.

Senior Portfolio Manager Randy Bauer outlines how the limited interest rate risk and low volatility of ultra-short bonds can support investors, especially during periods of rising interest rates.

Trump's tariffs come with wide-ranging ramifications.

There are multiple reasons why yields on the short end of the Treasury curve have risen.

Reduced exposure to longer-term instruments may mitigate the amount of value that rate hikes eat away.

The fundamentals and valuations remain solid, making the current pullback an opportunity, not an omen.

Market volatility shows disconnect from economic fundamentals

There are a lot of things to worry about. Maybe that's a good thing.

In California, where they sometimes say the wackiest things, advisors are worried that their clients aren't worried.

It appears this sell-off isn't about inflation and higher yields; it's about trading in volatility.

We view the recent market moves as a technical capitulation rather than a deterioration of solid fundamentals.

New Fed chair Powell's best move for now is to put the Fed on autopilot.

Poor headline GDP reading is not the full story.

Portfolio Manager Deborah Bickerstaff discusses the attractive and hostile areas of the market for dividend investors.

Senior Portfolio Manager Donald Ellenberger explains the yield curve and what its movements mean for the markets and broader economy.

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, 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.

A strengthening dollar and policy uncertainties are clouding the investing outlook for international equities.

Sluggish job creation and wage growth suggest just two more Fed hikes this year.

Senior Portfolio Manager Susan Hill explains the recent surge in Treasury issuance and its effect on yields.

3% and "cyclical peak" stirred the waters early this week, but it's hard to get too bothered when earnings keep coming in like they have been.

Rosy expectations for first-quarter earnings have been around so long that beats are considered ho-hum unless they are really big beats.

Canadians don't much care for Trump but they care for their prime minster even less.

Geopolitics have been, uh, trumping fundamentals in the marketplace.

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

Fundamentals, technicals and seasonality suggest the worst is behind for the equity market.