Hawk or Dove? The Fed’s Next Chapter
Jerome Powell’s era at the Federal Reserve has come to an end, and Kevin Warsh now takes over one of the most powerful positions in global finance. With inflation, interest rates, and economic growth all hanging in the balance, investors are now asking the big question: will the Fed’s next chapter be led by a hawk or a dove?
One of the hardest parts of investing isn’t deciding what to buy – it’s knowing when to sell. This week let’s take a closer look at the often-overlooked “other side” of investing and the reasons long-term investors sometimes decide to move on from a stock. From changing company fundamentals and stretched valuations to shifting goals and better opportunities elsewhere and explain why selling doesn’t always mean you made a mistake.
While March ended as one of the toughest months in years, April delivered a strong rebound. All four major indexes recovered sharply, erasing losses and posting one of their best monthly performances since the pandemic rebound in 2020.
Earnings season is giving investors a fresh look under the hood of the companies driving the markets. With roughly 20 holdings across my three portfolios reporting results this past week alone, the focus has shifted from headlines to fundamentals. Strong reports from major technology companies like NASD:AAPL continue lifting both individual stocks and the broader market, while weaker guidance can quickly shift sentiment the other way. This week’s commentary looks at what earnings reports really tell investors, what I focus on when analyzing them, and how the latest results helped shape the markets this week.
When I got back into investing, one of the most common terms I heard was valuation. I knew what value was – one always wants to get good value for their money, or not overpay for an item. But the term “valuation” seemed a bit different, although I could never quite put my finger on why it felt separate from simply “getting good value for your money.” The difference, I eventually realized, is that in investing, price and value don’t always move together – and that gap between the two is where a lot of opportunity (and risk) tends to show up. This week, I’ll break down what valuation actually means and why it matters when you’re trying to get good value for your money in the stock market.
Relief Rally on the Horizon?
Exploring the sectors likely to gain – or stumble – if tensions ease.
Markets on both sides of the 49th parallel have been rattled by escalating Middle East tensions. With a potential ceasefire on the horizon, investors are watching closely to see which sectors could gain – or stumble – if hostilities ease.