Media – Blog
May 17, 2024
Moderating Economic Data - Rate Cut Timing Pushed Up Key economic data released in the beginning of this May have come in below expectations, including a downward surprise on the employment report for the first time since October 2023. Although these data points only cover one month, they reveal an
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May 2, 2024
Powell At May FOMC Meeting: Not As Hawkish As Expected The FOMC met yesterday and kept the overnight lending rate unchanged for the 6th consecutive meeting at the 5.25%-to-5.50% range. Their statement acknowledged the recent increase in inflation data by adding “In recent months, there has been a lack of
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April 10, 2024
Hotter than expected inflation readings continued in March as headline CPI increased 3.5% year-over-year, 0.3% higher than the yearly increase seen in February, and 0.1% above expectations. Core inflation increased 3.8% year-over-year, in-line with last month's reading, but also 0.1% above expectations. Energy and shelter prices contributed over 60% of
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April 2, 2024
Q1 2024 Performance: Risk Assets Outperform The first quarter of 2024 saw everything from stocks, gold and even Bitcoin rise to record highs as it becomes increasingly likely that the Fed will be able to achieve a soft landing for the U.S. economy. Treasury yields were mixed during the first
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March 22, 2024
Stable Guidance Amid Inflation’s Bumpy Road Yesterday, the Federal Reserve left the Fed Funds Target Range unchanged at 5.25% – 5.50%. The Committee’s statement was largely unchanged from January, noting solid economic expansion, strong job gains, and low unemployment. The Fed published their updated Summary of Economic (SEP), which did
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March 19, 2024
Powell: "Not Far" From Rate Cuts In Fed Chair Powell’s semiannual testimony before Congress, he suggested the FOMC is getting closer to cutting rates by saying “We’re waiting to become more confident that inflation is moving sustainably at 2%,”…..“When we do get that confidence — and we’re not far from
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March 1, 2024
Another Record Month for the Corporate Bond Market The investment-grade corporate bond market hit a record for new issuance for a second straight month in February. Blue-chip companies sold a February record of $195+ billion of bonds last month, topping the previous February 2023 record of $150.9 billion. Approximately $50
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February 16, 2024
Economic Data Supports Feds Delayed Rate Cuts Data released this month supports the patient tone regarding rate cuts that both Fed Chair Powell and other Fed members have been conveying so far this quarter. Stronger inflation and labor market data has led to a recent surge in rates, with the
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February 14, 2024
Commentary - Full Year 2023 The venture debt markets got off to a historically tepid start in 2023 and continued its slow pace through Q2. According to Pitchbook, despite this slow start, the market rebounded significantly in the second half of 2023. Ultimately, total funding ended up at a four-year
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January 19, 2024
Labor Market Steady with Signs of Slowing The December employment report was mixed: although non-farm payrolls came in higher than expectations at 216,000, there were 845,000 people who left the labor force, the largest drop in the labor force participation rate since January 2021. For 2023, there were a total
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