Volatility Is Back
US equity markets posted modest declines this week amid a "DeepSeek" tumble, while interest rates declined to six-week lows as markets responded to the pause in the Fed's rate-cutting cycle. The Nasdaq 100 was the center of the action this week, dipping 1.4% on concern over potential competition from Chinese startup DeepSeek, which sparked a sharp sell-off in AI-darlings. Real estate equities were among the stronger performers for a third-straight week, buoyed by easing interest rates and by a relatively solid start to REIT earnings season.
Morning In America
Following the best week since November, U.S. markets posted their best first-week of a Presidential term since 1985 as investors saw business-friendly undertones in the early days of the new administration. Striking an agreeable tone for markets that were wary of the inflationary impacts of trade and fiscal policy, President Trump focused on supply side policies and didn't immediately implement sweeping tariffs. Posting record-highs for the first time since early December, the S&P 500 gained another 1.7% on the week, notching back-to-back weekly gains following a stretch of 4-of-5 weekly losses.
AGG: Gold Is Signaling A Debt Crisis In Bonds
The US debt ceiling issue and rising interest rates are accelerating public debt, posing significant risks to popular bond ETFs like AGG. Gold's rising prices signal a potential US monetary crisis as investors hedge against the risk of debt monetization and devaluation of the US dollar. A fiscal crisis within the next decade seems inevitable, and potential monetization could lead to significant losses for fixed-rate bond investors.
Bond ETFs are down in 2025 ahead of highly anticipated U.S. inflation data
The U.S. bond market is broadly down so far this year, with funds that provide exposure to fixed-income assets hurt by a recent rapid ascent in Treasury yields.
Top ETFs in Every Asset Class by 2024 Flows
ETFs had a standout year in 2024, seeing over $1 trillion in flows for the first year in history. Total ETF assets under management grew to an impressive $10.4 trillion by year end thanks to strong flows and price appreciation.
4 Options for Income in 2025 With Tax Efficiency to Boot
Fixed income investors who have the majority of their portfolio in bonds are facing a heavy dose of uncertainty heading into 2025. That said, NEOS Investments has four options for income that also combines tax efficiency.
3 Great ETFs Having a Lousy 2024
These ETFs have long-term merit despite a rocky year so far.
State Of REITs: Recession To Recovery In 2025
The real estate cycle will finally transition from the "Recession" phase to the "Recovery" phase in 2025. Muted supply growth will be the silver-lining to the brutal three-year bear market. False Start: REITs surged 20% leading up to the Fed's initial "jumbo" interest rate cut in September, but have hit the skids once again since the rate cuts actually began. Historically Cheap: REITs have underperformed the S&P 500 by a whopping 45 percentage points since the start of the Fed hiking cycle in 2022 - a historically remarkable underperformance gap.
A Closer Look at the AGG: A Case for Corporate Bond ETF KORP
Have you checked on your fixed income allocation lately? It's one thing to buy an ETF tracking the Bloomberg US Aggregate Index, (BBUSATR), or the AGG.
Active Fixed Income ETF Demand Looks Strong for '25
Advisors and investors have long turned to active management for fixed income exposure. They are increasingly favoring ETFs to access the markets.
'Tis The Season For REIT Dividends
U.S. equity markets climbed to fresh record-highs while benchmark interest rates dipped sharply, as investors parsed inflation data and deliberated the potential implementation and impacts of Trump Administration policies. Markets cheered the nomination of Scott Bessent for US Treasury Secretary, reflecting expectations that the implementation of hawkish trade and immigration policies would consider the impacts on U.S. financial markets. Extending its post-election gains to around 6%, the S&P 500 advanced another 1.2% this week. The Small-Cap 600 gained 1.1% this week - lifting its post-election gains to over 10%.
