Kukla McGinnis Brown
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August Observations Markets Recover from a Summer Lull After two weaker months, US equity markets were in a risk-on mood during August despite challenges around inflation outlook, fiscal & government debt concerns, and ongoing geopolitical…
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Chris Kamykowski, CFA, CFP® – Managing Director of Strategy and Research Sam Hill – Director of Fixed Income When we wrote our piece “Spending & Borrowing to Austerity: The US Fiscal Policy Challenge” in 2024,…
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July Observations Markets Catch a Summer Downdraft Markets faced pressure in July after a recent run of strength, with a sharp divergence across asset classes driven by resurging energy prices, a fractured Fed, and AI-related…
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Moneta recently hosted a macroeconomic and markets discussion with Tiffany Wilding, managing director and economist at PIMCO, where she leads PIMCO’s Cyclical Forum, crafts the firm’s outlook for the global economy, and analyzes key macro…
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Executive Summary The second quarter of 2026 closed with a very different narrative than the one that opened it. Three months ago, the U.S. and Iran were in active conflict, the Strait of Hormuz was…
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June Observations Markets Mixed on Inflation Fears and Rate Hike Pricing June proved to be a more challenging month for risk assets, as the AI-driven optimism that powered markets through May collided with a sharp…
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May Observations Markets Climb on AI Momentum and Iran Optimism May was another constructive month for risk assets, and while the path was far from smooth, markets ultimately powered higher on ceasefire optimism and a…
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By Tim Side, CFA – Director of Investment Strategy For many years, we’ve advised clients that while geopolitical events often cause short-term dislocations, they rarely have a lasting impact on markets and staying disciplined remains…
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April Observations Markets Avoid April “Showers” Despite the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, markets rebounded from a weak March, with the S&P 500 posting its best month since November 2020. Powered by a wave…
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Moneta recently hosted a macroeconomic and markets discussion with Jason Thomas, Head of Global Research & Investment Strategy at Carlyle, where he helps formulate firmwide investment strategies and serves as the Chief Investment Officer for…
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Executive Summary The first quarter of 2026 was defined by a sharp shift in narrative. What began the year with optimism around steady growth, supportive fiscal dynamics, and expected Federal Reserve rate cuts quickly gave…
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March Observations Geopolitics Trigger Sharp Global Selloff Global markets declined significantly in March amid the escalating conflict with Iran. U.S. equities fell broadly, with the S&P 500 and Russell 2000 indices both down 5.0%, while…
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February Observations Volatility Continues on AI Disruption and Geopolitics U.S. equities were mixed in February, with the S&P 500 falling 0.8% as concerns over AI disruption, tariffs, and escalating Middle East tensions weighed on sentiment.…
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Many awoke to news last Saturday morning of the U.S. and Israel jointly launching airstrikes against Iran’s military capabilities and leadership structure. The buildup to what has been deemed, “Operation Epic Fury”, has been ongoing…
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Historically, emerging markets have typically made the headlines for political upheaval, war or economic struggles. However, 2025’s 33.5% return for the MSCI Emerging Markets (net return) index1 has brought emerging market equities into the collective…
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January Observations Volatile Start to 2026 as Geopolitics Dominated Headlines U.S. equity markets posted modest gains in January, with the S&P 500 returning 1.5% despite significant mid-month volatility. Tariff threats on European countries over Greenland…
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by Tim Side, CFA – Director of Investment Strategy A cruel taste of life in Greenland swept across much of the U.S. over the weekend as snowstorms and frigid temperatures caused several deaths, grounded flights,…
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Executive Summary 2025 served as another reminder of markets’ ability to climb the so-called “Wall of Worry”. The year carried its fair share of headline risks: a reordering of global defense philosophies, tariff disruptions, a…
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November Observations AI Theme Comes Under Pressure Markets were mixed in November with the AI theme losing some luster as investor fatigue was led by concerns over rising debt to finance AI spending, elevated valuations,…
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October Observations Still Climbing Global equities extended their rally in October, with the MSCI ACWI up 2.2% as developed and emerging markets advanced. Korea led all markets with a 19.9% surge, powered by semiconductors and…
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July Observations Onward and Upward The global equity rallied continued through July, though in a reversal from the previous months, U.S. equities outperformed the rest of the world, aided by a strong U.S. dollar. Within…
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Congratulations on your engagement! Whether it’s for the first time or more times, planning a wedding (and life together) is incredibly exciting. However, between the dress fittings and cake tastings, a question lingers in the…
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June Observations Second Quarter Ends on a High Note Global equity markets extended their rally into June as continued economic strength reduced earlier recession fears and further improvement within various trade negotiations helped risk assets.…
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May Observations Strong Earnings Support Market Rally Global equity markets rallied over the month as continued relief from trade tensions, notably a de-escalation in tensions between the US and Europe, sent most major indices higher.…