Market Updates
May 2025 Market Update
In this May market update, Chief Investment Officer Brian Andrew, CFA®, discusses how ongoing tariff tensions and a growing federal deficit are weighing on markets and shaping fiscal conversations. With the Fed holding rates steady amid uncertainty, Merit is adjusting its strategy, favoring large-cap stocks, keeping bond maturities short, and incorporating alternatives to stay flexible…
Read MoreApril 2025 Market Update
In this April market update, Chief Investment Officer Brian Andrew, CFA®, examines recent market volatility stemming from evolving U.S. tariff policies. He discusses the potential implications for inflation, interest rates, and broader market dynamics, while highlighting key considerations for navigating an uncertain economic environment. Key Takeaways: We hope you find this video both informative and…
Read MoreMarket Commentary: What Just Happened?
By Brian Andrew, CFA® – Chief Investment Officer On April 2nd, the Trump Administration announced their tariff plan to the chagrin of markets. It all boils down to the effective tariff rate paid in the U.S. This rate has been near 2% for 5 decades. With the announcement, it was clear that it could rise…
Read MoreWebinar Recap – Bracket Busters: How Tariffs are Shaking Up The Market
In our recent webinar, Merit Financial Advisors’ Chief Investment Officer, Brian Andrew, CFA®, explored the evolving landscape of tariffs, trade dynamics, and inflation—and how these forces are shaping the broader economic outlook. With market uncertainty on the rise, it’s more important than ever to understand the ripple effects of global policy decisions and how they…
Read MoreSpecial Market Commentary: March Madness – Basketball Tournament or Tariff Policy
By Brian Andrew, CFA® – Chief Investment Officer Markets rallied on news that the proposed tariff plan was going to be scaled back before April 2nd, then the President made it clear that wasn’t his goal. We should know now that focusing on tariffs implemented not bantered about is the best way to determine policy…
Read MoreMarch 2025 Market Update
In this March market update, Chief Investment Officer Brian Andrew, CFA®, analyzes the recent market volatility driven by the U.S. Administration’s tough tariff policies and explores their potential impact on inflation, interest rates, and your investment strategy as we navigate the months ahead. Key Takeaways: We hope you find this video both informative and insightful.…
Read MoreSpecial Market Commentary: Tough Talk On Tariffs
By Brian Andrew, CFA® – Chief Investment Officer Markets have been thrown into turmoil due to the tariff discussion dominating headlines. As the U.S.’ new Administration emphasizes the need for a much tougher tariff policy, on all of our trading partners (China, Europe, Mexico and Canada in particular), investors, originally sanguine about new policy, have…
Read MoreFebruary 2025 Market Outlook
By Brian Andrew, CFA® – Chief Investment Officer I spent time in NYC this week, attending a research conference, hosted by a $680 billion global asset manager. The conference was held at the New York Stock Exchange. The meeting started with a market history about the exchange and then ringing the opening bell. I stayed…
Read More2025 Investment Outlook: Navigating Inflation, AI, and Policy Shifts for Sustainable Growth
By Brian Andrew, CFA® – Chief Investment Officer 2024 Recap: The Economy Has Landed Over the past two years, discussions around a potential U.S. recession or soft landing dominated economic outlooks. Now, as 2024 concludes, it is evident that the economy has achieved a soft landing. Government spending played a key role in supporting economic…
Read More2025 Market Outlook
In this 2025 Market Outlook, we explore how the U.S. economy achieved a soft landing in 2024 and discuss the key themes shaping the year ahead. From Federal Reserve policy shifts to the growing influence of artificial intelligence and the implications of a new administration, we delve into the factors impacting investment opportunities in 2025.…
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