Insights

Federated Hermes strategists remain overweight equities but make adjustments.

With so much still unknown, it seems too early to call a market bottom.

Fear, social distancing and avoidance of anything with a hint of risk.

Now is not the time to rebalance, Federated Hermes strategists say.

Monetary, fiscal and social policy must work in concert to manage crisis.

Social distancing certainly seems necessary but it comes at a steep near-term price.

The loan facility, broader than in 2008-09, includes short-term muni securities.

The robust programs are aimed at combating the impact of Covid-19.

Primary dealers and the short end of the commercial paper market are the latest to get support.

Past episodes of spiking spreads suggest opportunities await on the horizon.

Virus-related disruptions hitting munis (and other asset classes) eventually will end.

Shock from virus and oil lead us to drop GDP estimates, but recession averted.

News flow improves but bottoming is a process so expect continuing volatility.

A peak in virus cases outside of China, more stimulus and a lot of test kits.

It's all about the policy response and so far, policymakers are coming up short.

High yield has been underweight energy for some time on its roller-coaster past.

There are many unknowns but reasonable assumptions for now suggest short-term pain should give way eventually to long-term gains. But risks are real and need to be monitored.

The overnight and short-term markets have been performing well during the volatility.

A lot of unknowns but in the end, Linda expects consumers will save the day.

While in all likelihood future payroll reports will see pullback due to the virus, February's figures should not be ignored.

Efforts to treat and find a cure for Covid-19 likely to spur more innovation.

Might the virus slow the U.S. economy enough to boost Bernie's chances?

Coronavirus and possible Sanders victory are washing out the "weak hands."

The Fed must decide, on its own, if the coronavirus outbreak qualifies as such.

The week started just fine in North Carolina...then I came back late Thursday.

A move off these record lows will depend on if and when there's any positive virus news.

Six indicators can be predictive of the election outcome.

Virus fallout adds to temporary hits the economy already is taking from October's tax hike.

The real upside, Steve Auth says, could come post-election.

As news about the virus vacillates, so does the bond and stock markets' reactions.

Steve Chiavarone doesn’t think so.

Measured from October to January, holiday retail sales impressed.

Looking through the virus' late January impact, we still see strong year for S&P.

The past week's spike belies signs of improvement.

So far, it doesn't seem to be worrying much about the coronavirus.

What industry money managers are thinking about stocks and the economy as a new year gets underway.

Banner batch of reports show strength of the U.S. labor market.

As long as investors remain nervous, this market should run.

The coronavirus may cause short-term pain but underlying drivers of growth remain intact.

Some reforms actually could benefit businesses and the economy.

The Fed tries to corral several key rates to keep overnight markets in line.

Housing, trade and holiday spending did their part, but Q1 could be sloppy.

Let others focus on the coronavirus; Linda wants to talk about Iowa.

The coronavirus should prove more short-lived than debilitating for the market.

It was a pro-Trump crowd in Naples, although the subject of impeachment did come up.

The 'Early January Barometer' suggests they will continue to climb.

Linda shares how it's different in California. And when it comes to expectations, how it's not.

Boeing's woes may slow GDP growth this quarter but it should rebound soon after.

It was a really good year for fixed income. 2020 may prove more challenging.

Inflation isn't an issue yet; neither is the economy. Maybe investors are too bullish?

But there's too much noise in the data to make any bold claims.

Our annual rundown of out-of-consensus views sees substantial upside for equities this year.

Monetary accommodation, benign inflation and easing trade tensions should drive markets.

Senior Portfolio Manager Linda Bakhshian explains why fundamentals are key in picking dividend-paying securities.

With markets awash with money, stocks should have more room to run in 2020.

2019 is a hard act to follow, but we expect 8-10% growth on the S&P 500.

What should investors expect from the markets this year?

Markets and economy should keep chugging in 2020

The central bank's full attention is on mitigating potential dislocations, and we think it will be successful.

Trade deals, Brexit clarity and a Fed hold cap a bullish week for stocks.

Prime Minister Johnson's overwhelming victory allows him to deal with the EU with a much stronger hand.

November's mediocre retail sales must be seen in context.

Everywhere Linda went this week, advisors were in a festive mood (except for Pats fans in Hartford!)

A small-cap stock rebound could be riding in on seasonality and a re-accelerating economy.

Linda heard a lot of worries during her Phoenix visit. But the one above? Hmm.

The labor market juggernaut rolls on.

We view pullbacks as opportunities to add.

The market's run should make for happy holidays even if it's a short shopping season.

A strong labor market, rising wages and lower gas prices represent a trifecta for consumer spending.

Barbara Miller says stores that best match online with traditional should keep doing well.

November and December retail sales are looking bright this year.

What can investors expect in 2020? CIO Deborah Cunningham explains her economic outlook.

What's the best indicator of the economy's health: strong consumers or weak manufacturing?

Reminiscing as she made the rounds in New Jersey, Linda wonders if a melt-up is developing.

Three Hermes portfolio managers share their views of the coming year.

A review of where we stand on our top 5 surprises for this year is, well, surprisingly good!

Not where Linda Duessel goes, including this week's audience in Vancouver.

It doesn't matter where Presidents Trump and Xi meet as long as they do before Dec. 15.

As long as investor sentiment remains subdued, this uptrend could continue.

Combined with healthy services growth and first phase of trade deal, stocks have surged.

Storm clouds that have been hanging over the market are dissipating.

But with pressing issues such as the repo market to address, it can't relax.

Sports and investing are a lot alike: They stir passions and are obsessed with performance.

It only makes us more confident the S&P 500 will hit our long-standing year-end target of 3,100.

There are a lot of reasons to think the economy is catching a second wind.

With confidence and dry powder, consumers won't be spooked this fall.

Dramatic headlines aside, market data is lining up for a potential run in equities.

In Nashville and Kansas meetings with bankers, impeachment and Syria never came up.

Geopolitical and economic developments are turning positive and should drive stocks higher this year.

What should investors expect from the IPO market in 2020?

The devil's in the details of the yet-to-be-signed U.S.-China mini trade deal.

Halloween will bring together many global events that may haunt the U.S. economy.

A variety of factors, from dovish Fed to a manufacturing bottom, could rally stocks into year-end.

If a trade deal emerges, leading to expectations for GDP and corporate-profit growth, look for a year-end rally.

Trade continues to drive the market as the seasonal tailwinds begin to blow.

What are the hallmarks of an investable IPO?

How to identify opportunities in the growth space.

Job-seekers are ghosting employers in one of the tightest labor markets in 50 years.

Sometimes, bad news is good news for the market.

After being rocked by poor manufacturing and service numbers, even a mixed report brings respite.

Impeachment talk and other geopolitical tensions aren't yet weighing down investors.

The chances of Trump being removed from office are negligible.

The dollar has strengthened even as the Fed has cut rates.

Lower yields should make for higher multiples. It hasn't happened ... yet.

The Fed itself isn't sure of policy in the rest of 2019.

Worries about oil shock are overblown as trade, Fed dominate market concerns.

There's been a violent shift from momentum to value. Will it continue?

Probable Fed cuts and healthy consumers suggest the inverted yield curve is crying wolf.

Brainwashed investors think things are really bad. That may be good for stocks.

Expect the soft August employment figures to be revised upward.

For every action, there is a reaction, a dualism that should prove soothing for investors.

As global market rates move closer to zero, policymakers confront what "effective lower bound'' is for the Fed's benchmark rate.

Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of International Fixed Income Ihab Salib discusses how emerging markets might fare, if a global recession materializes.

Senior Portfolio Manager and Head of International Fixed Income Ihab Salib offers insights on how trade tensions are affecting global bonds and what’s driving the strength of the dollar.

Politicized proposals calling for it don't make the grade.

The Fed leader successfully addressed several issues weighing on monetary policy.

With negative-yielding debt at a record and climbing, we're in uncharted waters.

Millennials' biggest impact on consumption and housing will come in the years ahead.

Some argue a more moderate, incremental approach to fixing health care is better.

There could be many reasons for the yield-curve inversion. More than $16 trillion of negative-yield global debt is certainly among them.

U.K.'s path to the Oct. 31 EU exit deadline is fraught with worrisome scenarios.

New rules getting rid of 'dirty' fuel used in shipping could boost refiners.

Is this soft patch and sell-off an omen of things to come or a pause that refreshes? For now, the evidence suggests the latter.

Solutions for avoiding insolvency involve shared sacrifice and political compromise.

If one does the math, it's difficult to see how U.S. consumers will be hurt by new tariffs on China. It's easier to see how China, with its response, may end up hurting itself.

Fed disappointment and Trump tariff threat spark volatility, but the longer-term story on stocks remains a good one.

A healthy report does not dissuade the Fed from another rate cut.

As breathtaking as the market’s 20%-plus rise has been from December’s panicky low, it seems all the market needs to grind higher is no news.

In a 3-in-1 piece, Steve Chiavarone makes the case that a recession isn't imminent, shows how the U.S. may benefit from the trade war, and explains why technology and millennials should buttress markets over the longer term.

GDP was boosted by retail sales, personal consumption and government spending.

A visit to Colorado helps Linda make sense of the Fed and the markets.

A more dovish Fed is among the reasons Federated is sticking with 2019's 2.7% GDP growth forecast.

The Fed is sending signals that July's expected rate cut could go beyond a quarter point.

Senior Equity Strategist Linda Duessel offers insights on what is likely to move the equity market in the months ahead and whether tariffs still pose a challenge. She also discusses where investors may find opportunity in this environment.

It stands for Modern Monetary Theory, an in-vogue populist policy that's not much concerned with deficits.

The benefits may not exceed the costs of raising the minimum wage.

How will earnings, tariffs and interest rates affect the markets?

We're looking to the yield curve, currencies and security selection for alpha.

Jump in payrolls raises questions about market's priced-in Fed cuts.

Celebrating our country's birth and this record-setting expansion.

We're cautiously bullish on stocks this summer but see potential storm clouds.

We don’t think this business cycle has run its course.

The election season is adding to uncertainties, but that's not such a bad thing.

Federated takes advantage of strong June, pares equity overweight in stock-bond model amid uncertainties.

2019 is shaping up to be another big year for initial public offerings.

And why they likely won't if the Fed doesn't cut rates later.

It's all about technology and brainpower.

CIO for Global Money Markets Debbie Cunningham discusses her outlook for the second half of the year.

All the angst over tariffs and trade belies a consumer who is doing just fine.

The journey toward a trade deal has been turbulent, but we eventually expect to see land and another up-leg for stocks.

Increasingly smarter, eco-friendly cars require continuous tech updates.

Major changes must be made to address the decreasing birth and fertility rate in the U.S.

May's jobs report was a downer, so why are the markets so upbeat?

Profits, margins and valuations look attractive regardless of what the Fed may or may not do.

Investors are overreacting to the flattening of the short end of the yield curve.

Using tariffs to address a non-trade issue with Mexico creates a destabilizing undertow.

But we reject the pervading pessimistic view about the U.S. economy.

Despite slowing manufacturing, ugly U.S.-China trade talks, Brexit mess and more, 2019 GDP likely to be solid.

Our melt-up scenario has melted with the prolonged trade talks, but not our longer bullish view on the year.

When it comes to stocks, the "middle ground'' doesn't have to mean ho-hum.

Shoppers shrugged off several issues causing 'Mapril' retail sales to be solid.

The U.S.-China trade fracas has not roiled credit markets.

"Trust but verify," an iconic message of the Reagan era, is just as apt today when it comes to the U.S.-China trade war.

U.S.-China trade negotiations have gotten testy, but a resolution likely will be reached, calming market angst.

We still expect an eventual trade deal and view interim market messiness as an opportunity.

With volatility rising on trade uncertainty, investors may desire some stability.

The best time to consider small caps? Any time.

April sees surprisingly strong jobs gain, near 50-year low in jobless rate.

Linda, who isn't (her sister is), sees potential trade-war surprises as risks to an otherwise bullish backdrop.

Q1 GDP growth was driven by stronger inventory and net trade.

Some sectors face headwinds but earnings and the economy remain supportive.

On continued benign inflation and strong P/E multiples, we are sticking to our full-year S&P target of 3,100.

It may not feel like it to some, but most Americans did get a tax cut.

The risk markets’ sharp reversal after a tough December owes a lot to the Federal Reserve’s decision to forego future rate increases.

Fundamentals and news flow suggest the stock market may be heading to new highs.

Earnings, economy and technicals supportive of stocks.

Even if Q1 earnings decline, a year-end target of 3,100 on the S&P 500 remains our forecast.

After a strong first quarter, high yield and other credit securities settle into a clip-the-coupon environment.

April tends to be kind, not cruel, to stocks.

After all the concern, Q1 ended up having a solid average monthly gain of 180,000 jobs.

The Fed essentially used the March meeting to reboot its message after its dramatic policy shift over the last two quarters.

Concerns about an inverted curve may be cast in a paradigm that no longer exists.

Technology continues to refine and reshape the way Americans get care.