Market Updates
2025 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.…
Read MoreSanta Claus Is Coming
By Brian Andrew, CFA® – Chief Investment Officer While the stock market has been rallying since October of 2023, the complexion of the rally continues to change. In particular, what worked post-election, has changed as we enter the Santa rally period between now and the end of December. Yesterday’s Fed announcement that they would cut…
Read MoreNovember 2024 Market Update
In this November market update, Chief Investment Officer Brian Andrew, CFA®, examines recent market trends and discusses their potential impact on your investment strategy as we move toward year-end and into 2024. Key Takeaways: We hope you find this video both informative and insightful. For any questions, please reach out to your Merit financial advisor.…
Read MoreMarket Commentary: 50x All Time High!
By Brian Andrew, CFA® – Chief Investment Officer Please join me in remembering our Veterans on this Veterans Day. At Merit we celebrate their contributions and especially appreciate their sacrifices. As we closed out election week, the S&P 500 Index price was almost at 6,000 and the DJIA almost 44,000. This was the 50th all-time-high…
Read MoreSpecial Market Commentary – Now What?
By Brian Andrew, CFA® – Chief Investment Officer While we are still waiting for the election outcome for the House of Representatives, we have a clear picture of who will be in the White House and in control of the Senate. Today’s market reaction is a continuation of the market’s pricing in a former President…
Read MoreWebinar Replay – 2024 Elections: Navigating Market Shifts and Economic Trends for Investors
As the 2024 U.S. elections draw near, their outcomes could significantly impact the markets, economy, and your investment strategies. In our recent live webinar, we explored how these elections could influence fiscal policies, regulatory landscapes, and market trends. Our seasoned panelists, Allison Boxer, Senior Vice President and Economist at PIMCO, and Brian Andrew, Chief Investment…
Read MoreSeptember 2024 Market Update
In this September market update, Chief Investment Officer Brian Andrew, CFA®, explores recent market trends and their potential influence on your investment strategy in the months ahead. Key Takeaways: We hope you find this video both informative and insightful. For any questions, please reach out to your Merit financial advisor. Stay Connected. Stay Informed. Follow…
Read MoreFederal Reserve’s Latest Rate Decision – Key Implications and Opportunities
Written by: Nate Burstin, Portfolio Manager Following a very recent Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) decision, Merit’s investment team discusses key implications and opportunities this presents. As expected, the Federal Reserve announced its first rate cut, reducing the target range from 5.25%–5.50% to 4.75%–5.00%. While this outcome was widely anticipated, the market’s response has been…
Read MoreTrump, Harris, and the Market Rollercoaster: What Investors Can Expect
By Brian Andrew, CFA®, Chief Investment Officer | Executive Vice President, Merit Financial Advisors When election rhetoric runs high, investors often feel they should be rushing to make adjustments to their portfolios. However, while the news cycle operates 24/7, it doesn’t mean investors should feel compelled to make wholesale changes to their long-term strategies. Historically,…
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