Insightful Ideas

May delivered strong market returns as the S&P 500 erased its year-to-date losses despite significant fiscal and economic headwinds. The month featured a historic U.S. credit rating downgrade, advancing trade negotiations, and mixed economic indicators that created both challenges and opportunities for investors. Consumer sentiment remained subdued even as corporate earnings showed strength and inflation continued to moderate. Treasury markets experienced volatility amid federal spending debates, yet equity markets demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of policy uncertainty.

Bonds are valuable in any portfolio. They have historically provided stability due to their low volatility and typically move in the opposite direction to stocks. Recent swings in bond prices reflect uncertainty in financial markets. Here are some key points to consider...

Market sentiment has turned cautious as both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq indices show negative performance year-to-date. While trade tensions dominate headlines, other factors including declining consumer sentiment, elevated inflation readings, public sector job reductions, and various economic indicators have contributed to market anxiety. With recession concerns resurfacing and President Trump acknowledging their possibility, investors seek guidance on maintaining perspective during these uncertain times.

Today, I want to address two important questions on the minds of investors. Why is the market concerned about a trade war and how will DOGE layoffs impact the labor market?

Gold prices hit another record high last week following President Donald Trump’s latest tariff threats—it’s ninth peak so far this year. Gold is a commodity like no other. In contrast to other hard assets, gold plays a unique role in the global monetary system—simply put, gold is perceived as money.

President Trump’s return to office was marked by a ‘flurry’ of activity, where he delivered nearly 100 executive orders on Day One of his second term. As expected, Trump swiftly reversed many of the Biden-era policies and advanced many of his campaign pledges on immigration and border control, trade and tariffs, energy policy, the federal workforce, and other key priorities. Given the significant impact these executive orders can have on the economy and the financial markets, here are the top five questions we’ve been receiving after President Trump’s active first weeks.