Market Commentary
Two Burning Questions That Are Driving Market Volatility
June 5, 2022
Recent market volatility is being driven primarily by two unanswered questions. See our take on the answers in Northwestern Mutual’s weekly market commentary.
Equities and Inflation Readings Provide a Welcome Sigh of Relief
May 30, 2022
Equities and inflation show signs a turn may be coming. See our take in Northwestern Mutual’s weekly market commentary.
What the Data Has to Say About the Economy, Inflation and the Fed
May 22, 2022
The stage remains set for slowing inflation and a growing economy. See our take in Northwestern Mutual’s Weekly Market Commentary.
Inflation’s Stubborn Streak
May 15, 2022
Inflation remains stubborn but could pave the way for a dovish response from the Fed.
Viewing Market Turmoil Through a Fundamental Prism
May 8, 2022
The market may be roiling, but the state of four key factors in the current environment suggests things are not as bad as they may seem.
Glimmers of Optimism Amid the Gloom
May 1, 2022
The adage that it’s darkest before the dawn may well apply to market sentiment — which in the past has proven to be a reliable contrarian indicator of future market performance.
Taking a Longer View Amid Short-Term Market Turmoil
April 24, 2022
As the market uneasily adjusts to higher inflation, looming Fed rate hikes and geopolitical tensions, the economy continues to barrel along — somewhat more slowly, but not at a pace signaling recession.
Markets Await Direction on Rates, Inflation and the Economy
April 17, 2022
Slipping a bit last week, markets appear to be in a holding pattern awaiting more clarity on the direction of inflation and how the Federal Reserve will respond through its monetary policy actions.
Yield-Curve Inversions, Higher Rates and Recession
April 10, 2022
While a closely watched yield curve may invert, a recession isn’t necessarily imminent. Similarly, while interest rates are widely expected to rise, a change in fixed-income investment isn’t necessarily in order.
Jobs Market and Inflation Come in Hot: But There’s More to the Story
April 3, 2022
While a strong jobs market and higher inflation indicate an economy that’s running hot, the potential for yield curve inversions signal the possibility of recession. The Fed’s intended soft landing could be bumpy.
The Yield Curve Is Tightening, but There’s More to the Story
March 27, 2022
The threat of a yield curve inversion may start making more headlines, but there is more than one yield curve and more than one way to read current bond market trends.
Markets Give Nod to Higher Rates
March 20, 2022
The clarity of the Federal Reserve’s inflation-fighting interest rate boost buoys markets, but the Ukraine war continues to cast a pall.